Appalachian State’s Billy Jones talks about Team USA Experience

Appalachian State head coach Billy Jones served as an assistant coach with the 17 and under National Team in a series against Chinese Taipei.

Another reason I was so drawn to this position was the experience that my own son, Ryder (now a member of the San Francisco Giants organization), had with USA Baseball. I thought back to when we supported him through his own experience with the Tournament of Stars (TOS), the prerequisite to being invited to participate on the National Team in the 18U age group.

I still remember him telling me that of all of the things that he had ever experienced, being a part of USA Baseball was, by far, the most fun and competitive. He told me about a few of the managers and coaches they brought in for the tournament: Terry Francona (manager of the Cleveland Indians), Scott Brosius (an 11-year MLB veteran and three-time World Series champion) and many, many more. The list was impressive – big leaguer after big leaguer worked with the kids – with the end goal of being picked to represent your country.

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