Feb. 8, 2005

Baylor University assistant director of athletic media relations/publications coordinator Larry Little has been selected as the press officer for the 2005 USA Baseball National Team that will represent the United States this summer internationally.

USA Baseball also has selected NCAA Division I head coaches John Cohen of the University of Kentucky, Dave Van Horn of the University of Arkansas and Rob Walton of Oral Roberts to serve as assistant coaches on the 2005 USA Baseball National Team that will be led by Baylor head coach Steve Smith. In addition, Duke's Andrew Norden will serve as the team's trainer.

"I really excited to have Larry as a part of the USA staff this summer," Smith said. "He will serve a very valuable role for our team as well as continue to be of great assistance to me and the Baylor baseball program while we are away from Waco."

Little, beginning his second year as the media relations contact for the Baylor baseball program and working for USA Baseball for the first time, is in his fifth year as the school's assistant director of athletic media relations/publications coordinator. In addition to his work with Baylor baseball, Little serves as the secondary contact for football and oversees production of publications and graphic design for the athletic department. A 1998 Louisiana Tech journalism graduate, Little has also worked at Mississippi State, the University of Virginia and his alma mater.

"It truly is an honor and a privilege to have been chosen to work with Eric Campbell, Dave Fanucchi and USA Baseball," said Little. "Moreover, I am indebted to Coach Smith for his desire to include me in his staff for the summer."

In June, USA Baseball will invite 36 of the nation's top freshman and sophomore collegiate players to the USA Baseball National Team Trials in Raleigh. After the team is selected, Smith will guide Team USA through their third summer of play at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in July following the 34th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series in Japan, and a five-game Friendship Series vs. Chinese Taipei in Taiwan. The entire 2005 USA Baseball National Team game schedule will be announced at a later date.

USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The organization selects and trains the USA Baseball Olympic Team, the USA Baseball National Team (Collegiate), the USA Baseball Junior National Team (18-under), and the USA Baseball Youth National Team (16-under) which participate in various international competitions each year. The USA Baseball headquarters are based in Durham, North Carolina with future training facilities in Cary, North Carolina.