"The Process"
Since arriving in Cary, NC (where the headquarters for Team USA Baseball are located) we have been on the go and working at a very fast pace. Since arriving on June 26th, we had about 6 days to narrow our roster from 36 ball players to 26 ball players. After watching our guys workout these first few days, I quickly realized that these decisions are not going to be easy.

Every successful organization is successful because of the people that are involved. USA Baseball is no different. I have been amazed at the organization, efficiency, pride and passion of everyone that works and that is associated with USA Baseball. There is amazing leadership from Executive Director, Paul Seiler, President, Mike Gaski and Team USA General Manager, Eric Campbell. The rest of the staff and administration whose responsibilities all vary, have blown my mind with how hard they work. No matter what is needed, they all seem to be willing to help out in any way possible. Whatever our coaching staff or players have needed, these people have made it happen and have done it with great efficiency. No job is too large or too small. If you are looking to hire someone in college athletics, there is no doubt that you should look at some of the young people who are working at USA Baseball. They are the cream of the crop.

Our coaching staff met for the first time this past December at the Baseball Offices of the University of Louisville, where our head coach Dan McDonnell works. This was the first time we were all together along with Team USA General Manager, Eric Campbell. We had an outstanding couple of days together as we listened to Coach McDonnell lay out his vision for this ball club. Eric explained the ins and outs of USA Baseball and the challenges we had ahead. I don't think there is anyone in the country that has a pulse on the best college players in America like Eric does. The passion that Coach McDonnell and Eric displayed left our staff extremely excited for what was coming this summer.

Since that meeting, we followed and tracked many of the best college players in America throughout the season. We had many conference calls and discussions over the last six months to finally put together a group of 36 players that were to be invited. Over these first few days, I cannot begin to explain how fun it has been to get to meet and get to know this staff and these players. These players are so talented, and these coaches have amazing minds and insights on every aspect of the game and how to run a program. They have taught me so much in just a short period of time. The first meeting with this group of players and staff was amazing. Listening to Coach McDonnell lay out his vision and plan for the next four weeks and seeing how engaged every player was, left us all energized and ready to get on the field.

Our first five days have been very intense as not only have we had to prepare this group to be ready to play in six days, but also evaluate and determine who would be on the final roster. Coach Mac made it his number one priority to make sure that whether you were here for 6 days or whether you were here for the entire time, that this experience would be something that would impact your life in a positive way and be an experience that would make you a better player and a better person. Magnificently, he has done this every single day and I know he will continue to do so.

In this first week, we have had some inspiring talks and messages delivered to our team. Coach McDonnel and Eric had arranged for Brigadier General Todd Hunt to speak to the team this week and his message was outstanding. General Hunt hit home on what it really meant to wear the USA uniform and made sure we all had a true understanding of the sacrifices which are made by the thousands of amazing men and women who serve in the armed forces of our country. These men and women are truly heroes and we should never take for granted what they do every single day to ensure our way of life. Their commitment and sacrifices give us the opportunity to live freely every day in the greatest nation in the world.

Well it is time to head to the field for the day. This ball club is shaping up nicely and soon it will be exciting to see them play for each other rather than against each other.
Win The Day!

Go USA!

T. Skole #7