Oklahoma City, USA — In a significant development for USA Softball, the national governing body has unveiled a list of 35 athletes selected for consideration for the 2024 Men’s National Team. This announcement comes as the team gears up for the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Group Stage event, scheduled to take place in Oklahoma City from September 17 to 21, 2024.
Head Coach Ron Hackett expressed enthusiasm about the team’s prospects, emphasizing the importance of building on their recent achievements. “We are excited at the blend of experience and youth we have in our program. This group of men embodies that,” Hackett said. He stressed the goal of becoming world champions in 2025, highlighting the strong team dynamics that will drive them towards this objective.
The preliminary roster for the 2024 season, available for public viewing, is particularly notable for including all 16 athletes from the 2022 USA team. This team made history by clinching the bronze medal at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2022, marking USA’s first medal in the competition in over two decades.
Adding to the team’s depth are four members of the U-18 National Team, who recently finished fourth in the World Cup in Hermosillo. Standout players Logan Boom, Brennan DuCharme, Braden DuCharme, and Cody Gibbons — the latter two earning spots on the All-World Team — are among the new faces.
The upcoming WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup marks a departure from tradition, being the first to adopt a two-stage format with Group Stage and Finals in consecutive years. Prince Albert, Canada, will host one group in July 2024, while Oklahoma City will welcome a second group in September. The location for the third group remains unannounced, with the Finals set for July 2025 in Prince Albert.
As the host of a Group Stage event, the USA team, currently ranked No. 5 globally, has been automatically placed in its respective group. This presents a unique opportunity for the team to showcase its talents on home soil and to strive for the ultimate goal set by Coach Hackett: clinching the world champion title in 2025.
