The 2024 calendar year was full of accomplishments on and off the field for USA Baseball. Not only did Team USA rack up a combined four medals in international competition, the organization also upheld its commitment to grow the game across all levels and increase participation through traditional and modern versions. Take a look at the organization's year in review.
March
USA Baseball's Fun At Bat program surpassed five million participants. USA Baseball and MLB celebrated this moment by putting on a joint event at P.S. 209 The Clearview Gardens School in New York City in June with a Fun At Bat activation, a group photo, and an exclusive autograph session with select New York Mets players.
USA Baseball hosted its annual Youth and Amateur Leadership Summit in Cary, North Carolina. As the National Governing Body for baseball in the United States, the organization put on this event in an effort to enhance collaboration with its National Member Organizations and significant figures within the sport to foster widespread adoption and implementation of USA Baseball’s initiatives and standards.
April
USA Baseball and the Town of Cary announced the grand opening of the Executive Offices and Training Center at the National Training Complex in Cary. It coincided with a 20-year agreement that was signed by both parties solidifying Cary as the permanent home of the national governing body for baseball in the United States.
USA Baseball, in partnership with GameMaster Athletic, a leading innovator in sports equipment, launched exclusive Baseball5 balls and game kits to help fuel the growth of the discipline in the United States. Baseball5 is a fast-paced version of traditional baseball that requires minimal equipment, making it more accessible to enthusiasts and players across the U.S.
July
The Collegiate National Team split up into two rosters in 2024 and competed in an International Friendship Series (IFS) with Chinese Taipei and a Summer League Tour (SLT) against various summer ball teams. The IFS squad swept Chinese Taipei in a five-game series, while the SLT squad went 3-1 in its four-game series against the Coastal Plain League Select and Appy League West Select. The two teams concluded their time with the stars and stripes by facing each other on the Fourth of July in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the IFS team secured a 4-3 walk-off win.
August
The 18U National Team won its seventh consecutive WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier gold medal to qualify for next year's World Cup in Japan. The squad finished with an 8-0 record and saw Kayson Cunningham earn Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Team honors alongside Slater de Brun and Grady Emerson.
The Women’s National Team took home a silver medal at the 2024 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals. After starting the tournament 4-0, Team USA took down Japan 4-3 in extra innings to advance to the gold medal game, but the stars and stripes were unable to overcome an early deficit. Alex Hugo, Naomi Ryan, and Remi Schaber earned All-World Team honors.
The 15U National Team showcased its dominance in a five-game series with Team Australia’s 16U squad in the greater Atlanta area by securing a series sweep and more impressively in shutout fashion. The squad's dominance was highlighted by two no-hitters and extended the program's win streak against international competition to 14 games dating back to 2022.
October
The 12U National Team captured back-to-back WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier titles and won its eighth gold medal in program history. Team USA finished with a 7-0 record, which included a streak of four consecutive shutouts, to qualify for next year's World Cup in Taiwan. Carlo Rivero was named the Tournament MVP while Jack Mattingly and Joshua Park earned All-Team honors alongside Rivero.
USA Baseball hosted the WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS ePremier12 USA Finals and the Opening Round of the WBSC HUGAN ePremier12 2024 at the North Carolina State University Gaming and Esports Lab in Raleigh, North Carolina. This two-day event, which featured some of the best eSports gamers in the world, culminated in two players advancing to the Super Round in Tokyo in November.
November
Team USA captured a bronze medal at the 2024 Premier12 presented by RAXUS, its first ever third-place finish at the tournament. After securing its spot in the Super Round thanks to a 12-2 victory over Mexico in the group play finale, the U.S. defeated Venezuela in the bronze medal game at the Tokyo Dome. The United States joined Japan and Korea as the only three countries with multiple Premier12 medals.
December
USA Baseball announced its annual organizational awards, which recognize the top athletes, coaches, performances, and staff from its 2024 national teams and development programs. The award winners are as follows:
- Richard W. “Dick” Case Award: Kayson Cunningham
- Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year: Rick Eckstein
- Sportswoman of the Year: Meggie Meidlinger
- International Performance of the Year: Casey Lawrence
- Team of the Year: 18U National Team
- Developmental Coach of the Year: Bryan Madsen
- Volunteer Coach of the Year: Josh Ellison
- Coach Educator of the Year: Roy Hallenbeck
- “Doc” Councilman Science Award: Skylar Meade
- Service Provider of the Year: Byron Campbell
- Golden Spikes Award: Charlie Condon