USA Baseball was recognized as a global leader in the sport during the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 16–18. The organization was celebrated for its on-field excellence, leadership in advancing baseball, and efforts to grow new disciplines of the game across the United States.
Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO, was sworn in as Continental Vice President of WBSC Americas, earning a seat on the WBSC Executive Board for the 2025–2029 term. A longtime leader in international baseball, Seiler previously served as a member-at-large on the Executive Board and now assumes a continental leadership role to help shape the global future of the sport.
“I am honored to be elected as the Continental Vice President of WBSC Americas and to serve on the WBSC Executive Board,” Seiler said. “On behalf of USA Baseball, I take great pride in representing so many dedicated people who work tirelessly to grow our game. I look forward to representing all of the member federations in our continent as we collaborate with our partners across the globe to ensure baseball continues to thrive for future generations.”
At the WBSC Congress Gala Dinner and Awarding Ceremony, which recognized honorees from 2022–2025, USA Baseball received several distinctions for its on-field success:
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Rick Eckstein, coach of the USA Baseball 18U National Team, was named 2025 WBSC Baseball Coach of the Year after leading the team to a gold medal at the 2025 U-18 Baseball World Cup. This marked the program’s 11th world title, tying it for the most in U-18 history.
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Coleman Borthwick was named 2025 WBSC Baseball Player of the Year. Borthwick threw a complete-game shutout against host nation Japan in the gold medal game, striking out 12 batters in 10 innings while hitting .300 at the plate, earning tournament MVP honors.
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Past honorees included Bryce Eldridge, recognized as the 2022 WBSC Baseball Player of the Year, and Angel Campos, named 2024 WBSC Baseball Umpire of the Year.
Beyond traditional baseball, USA Baseball also made history as the first-ever WBSC eSports Federation of the Year. In 2025, the organization expanded its USA eBaseball™ Power League and hosted the 2025 WBSC eBaseball™ Series World Finals, building on its previous eSports initiatives, including the 2024 WBSC ePremier12™.
“These honors are a reflection of the athletes, coaches, and staff who represent our country and our sport with integrity and passion,” Seiler said. “We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and grateful to the WBSC for recognizing their success. Their dedication to the game embodies everything USA Baseball stands for, and we are proud to have them represent our organization and our country on the world stage.”
