Tulsa, Oklahoma March 21, 2004--Gunner Glad (17) of Tulsa's Union High School was recently named to American Amateur Baseball Congress's National Team (AABC), which includes 18 players chosen out of 250,000 players from United States and Pureto Rico. The selected players will compete against eight other national teams in a competitive tournament located in Joplin, Missouri. This event will take place during the week of July 21st in an effort to win the championship and be one of the selected players.

Dave Damerest, Connie Mack Coach from LAQuinta High School (CA) will be the (AABC) head coach. Damerest and Coach Mike Diamond will select two additional coaches. Coach Damerest was on the staff this past season and most recently was selected as President of the Baseball Coaches Association.

Major League Baseball and USA Baseball will be the offical Olympic Baseball Team sponsor's which make this event possible by contributing all the necessary monies in an effort to get all the players from around the country to Joplin, Missouri. Sponsorship funds will include travel, meals and lodging for all 140 players chosen to participate.

Major League Baseball will start the event by evaluating all 140 players for speed, bat strenght, velocity, quickness, fielding ability and ball control among other things. This information will be recorded and further evaluated by the USA Junior Olympic Coaching staff during the weeklong event.

A hugh contingency of college and professional scouts are in attendence at all the games. Some call this event the "Nations Greatest Baseball Showcase". The chosen Junior Olympic Team will depart for Taipei, China from Los Angeles on August 27th 2004 to compete for an Olympic Gold Medal in Baseball.



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