MLB, USA BASEBALL SUPPLEMENT PITCH SMART GUIDELINES FOR 2021 SEASON 04/30/21
Major League Baseball (MLB) and USA Baseball announced today supplemental guidelines to the Pitch Smart program for the 2021 season. Additions to the program for the upcoming season emphasize the need for pitchers of all ages to systematically build up their preparation for game competition following a reduced workload in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Launched in 2014, Pitch Smart is a joint initiative between MLB and USA Baseball that provides a series of practical, age-appropriate guidelines to help parents, players, and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers for amateur players. The Pitch Smart guidelines include age-specific pitching limits and required rest recommendations to limit the likelihood of injuries caused by pitching with fatigue.
USA BASEBALL ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH BASEBALL MANUAL 04/10/21
USA Baseball announced today the development of its new Youth Baseball Manual presented by US Sports Club Insurance. The manual aims to support the thousands of youth baseball coaches around the country by providing a positive, development-based experience to their athletes.
The manual provides coaches with a fundamental framework to build an athlete-focused culture within their leagues and is suited for both youth leagues with longstanding traditions of on-field excellence, as well as for leagues and coaches that are building a program from the ground up. Importantly, the manual highlights health and safety resources to help ensure athletes are provided with a safe and secure environment for play.
Scioscia to lead U.S. baseball bid for spot at Tokyo Olympics
FILE PHOTO: MLB: Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
(Reuters) – Mike Scioscia, who won World Series both as a player and manager, was named manager of the U.S. men’s national baseball team on Tuesday, as they seek a spot at the Tokyo Olympics.
After 19 seasons as manager of the Anaheim Angels, guiding them to their only World Series win in 2002, Scioscia will make his international coaching debut in June when the United States hosts the Baseball Americas Qualifier in Florida.
For the tournament the U.S. will be grouped with the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Nicaragua in Pool A while Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and Venezuela will make up Pool B.
MIKE SCIOSCIA NAMED TEAM USA MANAGER 04/06/21
USA Baseball named Mike Scioscia its manager for the 2021 Professional National Team on Monday. A three-time World Series Champion as both a manager and a player, Scioscia will look to lead Team USA to a berth in the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer.
Olympic qualifying will continue for Team USA with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Baseball Americas Qualifier in Florida in early June. Team USA will open the tournament in Group A and face the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Nicaragua in pool play. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super Round, where the team with the best overall record will earn a bid to the Tokyo Olympic baseball tournament. Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and Venezuela make up Group B.
USA BASEBALL NAMES DRS. BLOOM AND OSBAHR CO-CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF NEW MEDICAL OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 03/09/21
USA Baseball named today Dr. Josh Bloom and Dr. Daryl Osbahr Co-Chief Medical Officers of the newly created USA Baseball Medical Oversight Commission. Additionally, Dr. Bloom has been chosen to assume the role of USA Baseball Medical/Safety Advisory Committee Chairman from former Chairman Glenn Fleisig, PhD., after serving on the committee since 2010.
The newly created Medical Oversight Commission, which will operate separately from the USA Baseball Medical/Safety Advisory Committee, is responsible for quality assurance, medical control, scope of practice, medical standards of curricula, and other related issues as assigned by the Board of Directors. In their roles as Co-Chief Medical Officers, Drs. Bloom and Osbahr will ensure that USA Baseball meets all of its responsibilities in order to continue the organization’s commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and secur