Hoffer Serves as Athletic Trainer for Team USA
8/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Aug. 2, 2010
THUNDER BAY, Ontario - Alabama basbeall Athletic Trainer Joe Hoffer worked with USA Baseball this summer. Hoffer served as the athletic trainer for the Team USA 18-and-under team that participated in the 2010 Junior Worlds Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Team USA posted a 7-1 record in the tournament, including a 5-0 mark in pool play. Team USA dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Cuba on July 30, but rebounded to beat South Korea and the Netherlands to finish fifth in this year's tournament. Here are some of Hoffer's thoughts on his summer with Team USA.
This is not your first international experience; talk about how this opportunity came about and discuss your previous stints with international baseball.
"I have been fortunate to be a part of USA Baseball since 2004. I worked at the Junior Olympic Tournament (selection tournament for the 16-and-under national team) in Peoria, Arizona in 2004 and 2005 and was asked to be the Head Athletic Trainer for the 16-and-under National Team that competed in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, at the Pan Am Games. We won the Gold Medal in 2006. Fast forward to this November, I was contacted by Rick Riccobono, who is the Director of the National 18-and-under program. Rick was the Assistant Director in 2006 and he told me that our head coach in 2006, Garye LaFevers was the head coach of this year's 2010 18-and-under team. He asked Rick if I was available, and Rick made the call."
What does it mean to you to represent the United States in international competition?
"It's hard to put it into words. I am never going to be in the military and was never athletically talented enough to be in a position to wear "USA" on my chest like our players are, but I've dedicated my life to Sports Medicine and Athletic Training and it has given me the honor to represent my country. In 2006, we won the Gold Medal and heard "The Star Spangled Banner" being played on Venezuelan soil during the Medal Ceremony. I can only hope we have an experience like that on August 1st. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it."
Talk about the 2010 IABF World Junior Baseball Championships and what is it like to see teams play from other countries.
"This tournament really encompasses how the game of baseball is played all over the world. The teams from Europe (France, Italy, Netherlands and Czech Republic) tend to be a little younger in terms of their "baseball age." They haven't been playing for as long and they don't play year round like our kids do. The Asian Teams (Korea and Chinese Taipei) do a good job of battling at the plate, are very aggressive on the base paths and throw a lot of off speed pitches. Venezuela and Panama have a lot of flair, but struggle with some of the fundamentals.
"Cuba, Australia and Canada are the teams most like us. Cuba plays hard and fast with a lot of flair. Australia tries to be the most offensive but struggle defensively. Canada makes the routine plays and will hit a little bit. If we continue to play well, I like our chances against anyone we come up against. We have great kids with unbelievable talent who have worked hard for five weeks."
What were some of your favorite memories this summer?
"On our tour, we played in Minnesota for nine days. Having the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends was awesome. Going into ballparks with "USA" on your chest and having people ask you questions about the team, telling you how cool it is, being able to smile and say ' I'm just extremely blessed to have this opportunity'. That was the best thing so far. But, nothing would be better than winning that Gold Medal on August 1st."
What was the travel schedule like for the USA Team?
"The staff arrived in Cary, North Carolina on June 21st, two days before the Tournament of Stars (TOS). There are 128 players, arguably the most talented 16-18 year olds in the nation, invited to this tournament and it is used as the pool to scout the players.
"After a week of play, 36 players were selected for trials. Trials were June 28th-July 4th. During this period, we would practice in the morning and play intrasquad games at night. On July 4th, 20 players were selected to represent the United States on the 18-and-under USA National Team. Staff and players included, we have nine states represented.
"On July 5th, we took a bus up to New York City. On the way, we stopped in Washington D.C. It was a very cool experience for everyone. We saw the sights of the National Mall for a couple of hours and got back on the road.
"Once we got to NYC, we played five games. Our competition in New York was an All-Star team comprised of seniors in high school and first year college players from the local area. We played at Hofstra, St. John's and MCU Park, the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn League affiliate of New York Mets). On our off day, we went to the Major League Baseball offices, the site of the World Trade Center, and a New York Mets game. During pregame batting practice, David Wright, Mike Pelfrey, Jeff Francour and Ike Davis (all USA Baseball Alumni) addressed the team.
"On July 11th, we flew to Minnesota. We played in Minnetonka, Chaska, St. Paul and St. Cloud. In Minnesota, "Town Teams" are very big. They are built with guys who played some college or professional baseball and still just love to play. Also, some local college kids use "Town Ball" as their summer wood bat leagues. The starting third baseman for the Minnesota Gophers played for Chaska. On July 16th, we played Canada in an exhibition at Midway Stadium (St. Paul Saints Home Field, an independent league team). For anyone that hasn't been a part of international competition, it gets real fast when you look across the field and see another country's name on the jersey of your opponent. We played Chinese Taipei on the 17th, but were rained out by impending "tornado warnings." On the 18th, we suffered our first loss, when Canada beat us 4-3. We traveled to St. Cloud on July 19th and played Canada and an All-Star Team from the area the next two days.
"On July 21st, we hopped on a bus and drove to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. We stayed on the campus of Lakehead University. We played our games at Port Arthur Stadium (home of the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League) and Baseball Central.
"Total, we will be gone for six weeks. It is a major sacrifice for each of us, players and staff included, and it wouldn't be possible without a great support system each of us have at home. My wife, Steph, understood how important this was for me and has been behind me since I was asked to be a part of it. I couldn't have done it without her understanding, love and support.
"I can't thank the staff at The University of Alabama enough for helping me be a part of this. Coach (Mitch) Gaspard and his staff understood the importance of this opportunity and told me to move forward with it. The UA Sports Medicine Staff have been unbelievably helpful since I've been on this tour. From covering rehabs and camps to helping my athletes with preseason paperwork, I couldn't have done this without their help."
What was your favorite city and/or ballpark?
"I loved playing everywhere in Minnesota. Minnetonka, Chaska and St. Cloud did such a great job in terms of atmosphere and hosting. Thunder Bay has had a great turn out and the energy in the ball park has been outstanding. The Canada-Cuba game had 5,000 people. We played Chinese Taipei and there were 2,500. If we continue playing well, hopefully we will get an opportunity to play for the Gold Medal. I can only imagine how many people will be at those games."
