Since 1978 USA Baseball has been the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of baseball. It represents the sport in the United States as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and internationally as a member federation of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).
Nearly every major national amateur baseball organization in America is united as a USA Baseball National Member Organization. As a result, USA Baseball governs more than 12 million amateur players in ballparks and playgrounds across the country.
As the commissioner's office for amateur baseball, USA Baseball is a resource center for its various membership groups, fans, and players. USA Baseball is also responsible for promoting and developing the game of baseball on the grassroots level, both nationally and internationally.
On the field in 2009 USA Baseball witnessed one of its most successful years ever. The World Baseball Classic Team, comprised of some of the best American players in Major League Baseball, kicked off the competition calendar for the organization, and it finished fourth, losing to eventual champion Japan in the semifinals in Los Angeles. USA Baseball fielded the World Cup Team -- its second professional squad of the year -- in September in Europe. Coming off a first place finish in the event in 2007, the team of All-Stars from Minor League Baseball did not disappoint, bringing home the country's second gold medal in the event in a row. The Collegiate National Team competed through a rigorous summer schedule, capping it with a title at the inaugural World Baseball Challenge in Canada. The 18U National Team made program history in Venezuela by winning its first ever COPABE "AAA"/18U Pan American Championships. In Taiwan, the 16U National Team took home the gold medal at the IBAF "AA"/16U World Youth Championships, and finishing the year on a high note, the 14U National Team pulled out a win in a close gold medal final for the COPABE "A"/14U Pan American Championships.
14U NATIONAL TEAM
USA Baseball fielded its first-ever 14U National Team in 2007, and the team was an immediate success, going undefeated in winning the gold medal at the COPABE "A"/14U Pan American Qualifier in Guatemala. Later that year the U.S. sent its second 14U National Team to compete in the COPABE Pan American Championships, where it too took home the gold. Since its 2007 titles, the 14U National Team still has not lost in the event, winning both the 2008 and 2009 COPABE Pan American Championships as well. 
Members of the USA Baseball 14U National Team are selected from, among other scouting channels, the pool of players participating in the annual USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) in Cary, N.C. and the 14U Championships East (Florida) and West (Arizona), which will debut in 2010.
This year, Chula Vista's very own special, Kiko Garcia was invited, along with 38 other amazing baseball players from around the country, to try out for the 14U team. Competition was tough, the best of the best were there, and they were there to compete! And when the final cut was made Kiko was on the list! He is representing Chula Vista again in the "Big Show". First game, Sunday, July 25th,
| July 25 | vs. Panama COPABE Pan Am 'A' 14U Championships | Jackie Robinson Stadium | Managua, Nicaragua | 4 p.m. |
For more information, go to USA Baseball
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