History of USA Baseball in Timeline

USA Baseball is the national governing body for baseball in the United States, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. As a member of the US Olympic Committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation, it's responsible for selecting and managing various U.S. national baseball teams for international competitions. These teams range from senior professional to collegiate, youth, and women's levels.

1900: US National Baseball Team at 1900 Summer Olympics

In 1900, the first US national baseball team participated in the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, in an unofficial capacity.

1900: Summer Olympics of 1900

The USAB-PNT carries the heritage (but not the lineage) of the national demonstration teams the nation sent to the Summer Olympics of 1900.

1904: 1904 Olympics in St. Louis

In 1904, a US national baseball team participated in the Olympics in St. Louis, which constituted the first time the game had been presented to American audiences at the Games.

1912: 1912 Olympics Demonstration Event

In 1912, another baseball demonstration event occurred at the Summer Olympics in Stockholm, with Jim Thorpe being one of the players.

1912: Summer Olympics of 1912

The USAB-PNT carries the heritage (but not the lineage) of the national demonstration teams the nation sent to the Summer Olympics of 1912.

1931: USA Baseball Congress Founded

In 1931, Leslie Mann, former MLB outfielder, founded the USA Baseball Congress, which is regarded as a predecessor to the current national governing body.

1932: U.S. Amateur Baseball Federation Formation

In 1932, Leslie Mann formed the U.S. Amateur Baseball Federation, marking the origins of what would eventually become the modern USA Baseball organization.

1935: Team USA tour of Japan

In 1935, Under Leslie's guidance, the nascent Team USA went on a 20-game friendship tour of Japan.

1936: Polo Eliminated From Olympics

In 1936, polo was eliminated from the Olympics.

1936: Summer Olympics of 1936

The USAB-PNT carries the heritage (but not the lineage) of the national demonstration teams the nation sent to the Summer Olympics of 1936.

1942: USA Baseball Congress Inactive

After 1942, Mann's USA Baseball Congress became inactive.

1951: All-NCAA team at Pan American Games

In 1951, American representation in international competition was eventually taken up by collegiate athletic groups took part, with an all-NCAA team of college athletes taking part in the Pan American Games since the first edition.

1956: US military team at Melbourne Olympics

In 1956, the only all-military team the country fielded in the Summer Olympic Games was in the demonstration game in Melbourne, with the US Far East Command providing the athletes that competed.

1962: United States Baseball Federation Formed

In early 1962, several amateur baseball groups coalesced to form the United States Baseball Federation, with Everett D. Barnes as its president.

1964: Exhibition game at Tokyo Olympics

In 1964, the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team played an exhibition game at the Summer Olympics in Japan.

1964: Tensions During Olympic Team Selection

Tensions between the USBF and the Amateur Athletic Union came to a head during the selection process for the 1964 Summer Olympic team.

January 6, 1965: USBF Incorporated

On January 6, 1965, the modern incarnation of the USBF was officially incorporated in Michigan.

1978: Amateur Sports Act and USA Baseball

In 1978, the Amateur Sports Act led to the establishment of USA Baseball in its modern form, recognizing the US Olympic Committee's authority over international amateur sports.

1978: USA Baseball Sanctioned

In 1978, the modern USA Baseball organization was officially sanctioned.

1978: Establishment of the Golden Spikes Award

Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the nation with the Golden Spikes Award, presented in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation.

1980: Terry Francona Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 1980, Terry Francona won the Golden Spikes Award.

1984: Los Angeles Olympics

Baseball was introduced to the Olympic Games as an exhibition sport at the Los Angeles 1984 Games. The United States came in second, losing to Japan in the final, 6–3.

1984: USA Baseball Player of Year Award Given

From 1984, the USA Baseball Player of Year Award was given to the athlete who was not only an outstanding player on the field, but also exemplified sportsmanship and love of the game.

1984: Los Angeles Hosts 1984 Summer Olympics

In 1984, the USA received hosting rights for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for baseball efforts in the country.

1985: Will Clark Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 1985, Will Clark won the Golden Spikes Award.

1988: Robin Ventura Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 1988, Robin Ventura won the Golden Spikes Award.

1988: Seoul Olympics

The US Baseball team won the gold medal over Japan with a 5–3 victory at the Seoul 1988 Games.

1992: Amateur Baseball at 1992 Olympics

In 1992, baseball at the Olympics was restricted to male amateurs, leading to the use of collegiate players by the Americans and experienced veterans by the Cubans.

1994: Jason Varitek Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 1994, Jason Varitek won the Golden Spikes Award.

1996: Amateur Baseball at 1996 Olympics

In 1996, baseball at the Olympics was restricted to male amateurs, leading to the use of collegiate players by the Americans and experienced veterans by the Cubans.

1996: Inaugural USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year Award

In 1996, the USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year Award was first presented to the manager or coach who most prepares his players for the next level of baseball.

1996: Inaugural USA Baseball Team of the Year Award

In 1996, the USA Baseball Team of the Year award was first presented to the team whose success reaches far beyond the medal it wins.

November 1997: US Baseball Federation moves to Tucson

In November 1997, the US Baseball Federation moved to Tucson, Arizona and would slowly adopt the brand USA Baseball as its official identity.

1997: 16U National Team

From 1997, USA Baseball fielded a 16U national team that participated in various international tournaments.

1997: J.D. Drew Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 1997, J.D. Drew won the Golden Spikes Award.

1997: Jackie Robinson's Number Retired

In 1997, Major League Baseball retired uniform number 42 across the league in honor of Jackie Robinson, and no player has used the number since out of respect.

1997: National Team Championships First Started

In 1997, the National Team Championships first started as the USA Junior Olympic Baseball Championships. It was a joint venture between USA Baseball and the United States Olympic Committee.

1998: Move to Arizona

In 1998, USA Baseball relocated from New Jersey to Arizona and the National Team Championships tournament moved out west, contested at the spring training homes of the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox/Arizona Diamondbacks.

1999: USAB-PNT Established

Established in 1999, the Professional National Team section (USAB-PNT) is the flagship and seniormost of all the national teams of USA Baseball.

1999: Use of Minor League Athletes Started

In 1999, USA Baseball started using minor league athletes for the first time.

1999: PAL World Series

In 1999, the 16U national team participated in the PAL World Series.

2000: Pros Admitted to Olympics

In 2000, professionals were admitted to Olympic baseball, but MLB refused to release its players.

2000: Olympic Gold Medal

The 2000 Olympic Team, led by Manager Tommy Lasorda and featuring players Ben Sheets, Ernie Young, and Brad Wilkerson, went 8–1 in the tournament en route to the Olympic gold medal.

2000: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

The 2000 U.S. Olympic Baseball Team, managed by Tommy Lasorda, defeated Cuba for the gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

2001: Mark Prior Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2001, Mark Prior won the Golden Spikes Award.

2001: Expansion to the East Coast

In 2001, the National Team Championships expanded to a second location, including the East Coast with a location in Fort Myers, Florida.

2002: USA Baseball Player of Year Award Given

In 2002, the USA Baseball Player of Year Award was given to the athlete who was not only an outstanding player on the field, but also exemplified sportsmanship and love of the game.

March 2003: Cary, NC Chosen for USA Baseball Headquarters

In March 2003, Cary, North Carolina, was selected as the destination for the national governing body of baseball, USA Baseball, due to its family-friendly environment, rapid growth, and proximity to other sports cities.

2003: Richard W. "Dick" Case Award Renamed

Beginning in 2003, the USA Baseball Player of Year Award was renamed the Richard W. “Dick” Case Award in honor of the organization's founding Executive Director/CEO.

2003: USA Baseball Moves to Cary, North Carolina

In 2003, USA Baseball moved its headquarters to Cary, North Carolina, its current home.

2004: Failed to Qualify for Athens Games

After failing to qualify for the Athens 2004 Games, the U.S. did not participate in Olympic baseball.

2004: Jered Weaver Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2004, Jered Weaver won the Golden Spikes Award.

2004: MLB Refuses to Release Players in 2004

In 2004, Major League Baseball refused to release its players for the Olympics.

July 7, 2005: Baseball and Softball Voted Out of Olympics

On July 7, 2005, baseball and softball were voted out of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, becoming the first sports voted out of the Olympics since polo was eliminated from the 1936 Olympics.

February 9, 2006: Elimination Reaffirmed

On February 9, 2006, the decision to drop baseball and softball from the Olympics was reaffirmed.

2006: Tim Lincecum Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2006, Tim Lincecum won the Golden Spikes Award.

June 2007: USA Baseball National Training Complex Opens

In June 2007, the USA Baseball National Training Complex opened in Cary, North Carolina. The first event held at the facility was the 2007 USA Baseball Tournament of Stars.

2007: David Price Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2007, David Price won the Golden Spikes Award.

2007: Creation of 14U National Team

In 2007, USA Baseball created the 14U national team, which participated in various international championships.

October 17, 2008: Coleman Field Named

On October 17, 2008, the Cary Town Council named the stadium field in honor of former Town Manager William B. Coleman, Jr., upon his retirement. Coleman Field has a press box that includes two suites, an official scorer's room, a sound room, and a press row.

2008: US Wins Bronze Medal

During the 2008 bronze medal game between the U.S. and Japan, IOC head Jacques Rogge outlined criteria for baseball to return to the Olympic program.

2008: Buster Posey Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2008, Buster Posey won the Golden Spikes Award.

2008: MLB Refuses to Release Players in 2008

In 2008, Major League Baseball refused to release its players for the Olympics.

2008: Establishment of the Breakthrough Series

In 2008, USA Baseball and Major League Baseball established the Breakthrough Series to focus on developing players both on and off the field. It provides a platform for players to perform for scouts and collegiate coaches.

2008: Beijing Games

In 2008, a Davey Johnson-led U.S. team featuring Dexter Fowler, Matt LaPorta, and Stephen Strasburg, took home the bronze medal from the Beijing Games.

2008: Bronze Medal at Beijing Olympics

In 2008, the U.S. returned to the Olympics, finishing with a 6–3 record and claiming the bronze medal with an 8–4 defeat of Japan.

August 2009: Baseball Not Included in 2016 Summer Olympics

In August 2009, it was officially decided at the IOC Board meeting in Berlin that baseball would not be included in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2009: Stephen Strasburg Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2009, Stephen Strasburg won the Golden Spikes Award.

2009: Inaugural USA Baseball International Performance of the Year Award

In 2009, the USA Baseball International Performance of the Year Award was first presented, recognizing the athlete who authors the greatest single-game performance on an international stage while wearing the Team USA uniform in a given year.

2009: National Team Championships Renamed and Expanded

In 2009, the tournament was renamed the National Team Championships, and a 14U division was added to identify talent for the USA Baseball 14U national team.

2010: Bryce Harper Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award.

April 1, 2011: IBAF and ISF Preparing Joint Proposal

On April 1, 2011, the IBAF and the International Softball Federation announced they were preparing a joint proposal to revive play of both sports at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

August 2011: IBAF Forms Commission to Analyze Olympic Proposal

In August 2011, it was reported that the IBAF was working on forming a temporary commission to analyze the prospect of a joint proposal with the ISF for Olympic inclusion.

2011: Trevor Bauer Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2011, Trevor Bauer won the Golden Spikes Award.

2011: Discontinuation of the 16U National Team

In 2011, USA Baseball discontinued its 16U national team.

2011: 14U National Team Discontinued

In 2011, the 14U national team program was discontinued.

2011: Youth Championships Age Change

In 2011, the World Baseball Softball Confederation changed its youth championships age discipline to 15U, leading to the discontinuation of the 16U and 14U national teams, which was replaced with the 15U national team and the 14U national team development program.

2012: Inaugural Year for 14U NTDP

2012 marked the inaugural year for the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP), alongside the 17U NTDP. Members of the 14U NTDP are selected through the USA Baseball national team championships in Arizona and Florida and the USA Baseball NTIS.

2012: Mater Dei High School Claims Inaugural NHSI Title

In 2012, Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) won the inaugural NHSI title in dramatic fashion with a 3–2 walk-off win over Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.).

2012: Mike Zunino Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2012, Mike Zunino won the Golden Spikes Award.

2012: Baseball and Softball Not at the 2012 Olympics

In 2012, baseball and softball were not a part of the Summer Olympics held in London.

2012: Restructuring of National Team Championships

In 2012, the WBSC changed its international competition age groups. As a result, a 15U division was added to the National Team Championships for the new 15U national team, the 16U division was changed to 17U, and the 17U and 14U divisions now funneled into the newly created NTDP.

September 8, 2013: IOC Votes to Reinstate Wrestling

On September 8, 2013, the International Olympic Committee voted to reinstate wrestling, defeating the combined baseball-softball bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2013: Kris Bryant Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2013, Kris Bryant won the Golden Spikes Award.

2013: Mater Dei Wins Second NHSI Title

In 2013, Mater Dei won the NHSI for the second consecutive year, defeating Harvard-Westlake.

2014: A.J. Reed Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2014, A.J. Reed won the Golden Spikes Award.

2014: The First Academy Takes NHSI Trophy

In 2014, The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.) won the NHSI trophy.

June 22, 2015: Baseball-Softball Bid Shortlisted

On June 22, 2015, a second bid for baseball-softball to be included as an event in 2020 was shortlisted by the Tokyo Organizing Committee.

2015: Andrew Benintendi Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2015, Andrew Benintendi won the Golden Spikes Award.

August 3, 2016: IOC Approves Baseball for 2020 Olympics

On August 3, 2016, the IOC approved baseball to be included in the program during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

2016: Kyle Lewis Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2016, Kyle Lewis won the Golden Spikes Award.

2016: Golf and Rugby Added to Olympics

In 2016, golf and rugby sevens filled the slots left available by the IOC's elimination of baseball and softball.

2017: Brendan McKay Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2017, Brendan McKay won the Golden Spikes Award.

2017: Establishment of the Dream Series

In 2017, Major League Baseball and USA Baseball established the Dream Series. This event hosted a diverse group of more than 60 high school pitchers and catchers from across the country, in a special development camp atmosphere as well as a showcase for professional scouts and collegiate recruiters.

2017: Launch of New Baseball Tournament for Girls

In 2017, USA Baseball and Major League Baseball launched a new baseball tournament for girls, held in the greater Los Angeles area, and built around Jackie Robinson Day Weekend.

2017: New 15U National Team Trials System

In 2017, USA Baseball introduced a new 15U National Team Trials system where 18 players from the 14U NTDP are chosen annually to vie for a spot on the national team roster. In 2017, two athletes from the 2017 14U NTDP made the 2017 15U national team through the new system and won gold with Team USA at the COPABE Pan American “AA” Championships.

2017: Breakthrough Series in Dodgertown

In 2017, the Breakthrough Series welcomed 200 players (ages 12–17) and more than two dozen coaches to historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, for two weeks of intensive instruction.

2017: National Team Championships in Florida

In 2017, the USA Baseball National Team Championships in Florida were held in Palm Beach County at Roger Dean Stadium, the spring-training home of the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins, and The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the spring-training home of the 2017 World Series Champions Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.

January 1, 2018: Implementation of New USA Baseball Bat Standard (USABat)

On January 1, 2018, USA Baseball implemented the new USA Baseball bat standard (USABat) for bats classified below the NCAA and NFHS level of play.

2018: Tournament of Stars as Identification Event

From 2007 to 2018, the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars served as the primary identification event for the organization's 18U national team.

2018: Minimum 68 Players Invited to National Team Trials

From the final 2018 NTIS event, USA Baseball invited a minimum of 68 players to future National Team Trials, National Team Development Program (NTDP) and Tournament of Stars opportunities.

2018: Andrew Vaughn Wins Golden Spikes Award

In 2018, California's Andrew Vaughn won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, which was presented on ESPN's flagship program, SportsCenter. A celebration followed at the Jonathan Club Los Angeles as part of the 2018 Rod Dedeaux Foundation Awards Dinner.

2018: Introduction of 16U Age Level to NTDP

In 2018, USA Baseball expanded its National Team Development Program (NTDP) by introducing a 16U age level, providing more opportunities for young baseball players.

2018: Trailblazer Series

In 2018, approximately 100 girls participated in the Trailblazer Series, a baseball tournament built around Jackie Robinson Day Weekend in the greater Los Angeles area.

2018: 14U NTDP at National Training Complex

In 2018, the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) took place at the USA Baseball National Training Complex from July 23–27.

2018: Orange Lutheran High School Defends NHSI Title

In the 2018 NHSI, Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, Calif.) secured the 2018 championship with a dominant 9–3 victory over Green Hope High School (Cary, N.C.) in the final, becoming the second school in NHSI history to defend its title.

2019: USA Baseball's 14U and 16U Cups

In 2019, USA Baseball held open-invitation tournaments for the 14U and 16U Cups, each involving 16 teams playing at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

2019: Goal to Represent Team USA

In 2019, the ultimate goal for invited players to future National Team Trials, National Team Development Program (NTDP) and Tournament of Stars opportunities is to represent our country as a part of Team USA.

2019: National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup

In the fall of 2019, regional teams competed in their respective age groups at the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup event at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

2020: Baseball at 2020 Olympics

Baseball was included in the program during the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2020: Golden Spikes Award Foregone

In 2020, USA Baseball announced that it would forego naming a Golden Spikes Award winner given the canceled 2020 college baseball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Nippon Professional Baseball Allows Players to Compete in Olympics

Nippon Professional Baseball paused its 2021 season for the duration of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021.

2020: IBAF and ISF Preparing Joint Proposal

On April 1, 2011, the IBAF and the International Softball Federation announced they were preparing a joint proposal to revive play of both sports at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2020: IOC Votes to Reinstate Wrestling

On September 8, 2013, the International Olympic Committee voted to reinstate wrestling, defeating the combined baseball-softball bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2021: Nippon Professional Baseball Allows Players to Compete in Olympics

In 2021, Nippon Professional Baseball allowed its players to compete in the Olympics and paused its season for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021).

2021: Olympics baseball 2021

The USA returned to Olympics baseball in 2021 with Mike Scioscia as team manager but lost to Japan for silver.

2022: Expansion of the National Training Complex

In 2022, the National Training Complex (NTC) was expanded to include a brand new national main office for USA Baseball and additional training facilities.

2023: World Baseball Classic 2023

In 2023, the World Baseball Classic took place, where USA lost the championship against Japan: JPN 3–2 USA.

2024: Baseball Not Included in 2024 Paris Olympics

Baseball will not be included in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

2024: Expansion of the National Training Complex

In 2024, the National Training Complex (NTC) was expanded to include a brand new national main office for USA Baseball and additional training facilities.

2028: Expected Inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

It is expected that baseball will be included along with softball, in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics due to baseball's popularity in the United States.