Sydney 2020 Olympics gold medallist Mike Kinkade to manage USA Women's Baseball National Team

USA Baseball announced that Sydney 2000 gold medallist Mike Kinkade will manage the Women's National Team, which will participate in the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Rockford on home soil in Rockford, Illinois, from July 22 to 27.

"I am truly humbled and thankful for the opportunity to lead the Women's National Baseball Team," said Kinkade. "Wearing the USA uniform and getting the chance to represent my country has always been the most memorable part of my baseball career. I have been incredibly impressed by the dedication and passion that these women have brought to baseball, and how the level of play keeps improving in the women's game. I am now honoured to be part of this journey as we look to advance to the World Cup Finals in 2027."

Born in 1973, Kinkade starred at Washington State University from 1992 to 1995. Washington State inducted him to its Hall of Fame in 2017.

The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Kinkade in 1995 and traded him to New York Mets in 1998. Kinkade made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Mets the same year. He also played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Kinkade was on the roster that won gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and represented his country also at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Qualifier.

He started his coaching career in 2011 and served as a coach at the Minor League Baseball (MiLB), collegiate and high school levels. Most recently, he was the hitting and catching coach at Arizona Christian University in 2024 and 2025.

Kinkade's staff will include pitching coach Jason Sekany and assistant coaches Tanner Vesely and Kristin Caldwell.

A former College (University of Virginia) and Minor League (Boston Red Sox) pitcher, Jason Sekany is a five-time USA Baseball coach. He was on the coaching staff that won the 2013 and 2015 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cups and finished second in the 2019 edition. He helped the USA win the 2023 WBSC Americas U-12 Baseball World Cup qualifier. He served as the pitching coach at the U-18 National Team training camp and the Women's National Team Development Programme.

Tanner Vesely has managed (2015) and coached (2013 and 2022) the U-12 National Team to World Titles. He has also coached the Women's National Team at Trials in 2019, Training Camp in 2023, and, most recently, the All-American Women's Baseball Classic.

He is in his 21st season as an assistant coach at Corona del Sol High School (Tempe, Arizona) and has helped lead his team to the USA Baseball National High School Invitational in 2019 and 2025.

Kristin Caldwell was the starting pitcher of the gold medal game that the USA won against Japan at the inaugural Women's Baseball World Cup in 2004. She also pitched in 2008 when the USA earned bronze and for the 2012 silver medal team.

As a coach, she made history in 2023 by becoming the first female head baseball coach at a Delaware high school. She took the job at her alma mater, Caravel Academy, where she had played basketball, after serving as an assistant coach for 11 years. The Delaware Sports Hall of Fame inducted her in 2017.

Caldwell will make her USA Baseball coaching debut.

"We are excited to welcome Mike, Jason, Kristin, and Tanner to the coaching staff in 2026," said Women's National Team Program Director Makenzie Kelly. "All four coaches have proven track records not only with USA Baseball, but within their respective coaching careers. We look forward to them guiding us this summer at the Women's World Cup Group Stage as Team USA pursues a spot in the Finals in 2027."

Women's Baseball World Cup 2026/2027

The 10th Women's Baseball World Cup is a two-stage event with 12 participating teams, split into two groups of six in the first stage, with the top three finishers from each group in 2026 advancing to the Final Stage in 2027. USA will host the first group in Rockford, Illinois, from July 22 to 27 and the 2027 Finals from July 19 to 25, 2027. Tainan (Taiwan) will host the second group from August 23 to 27.

Ten out of 12 teams have already qualified.

World No. 2 USA and No. 6 Chinese Taipei earned their spot as the group's hosts.

No. 28 Great Britain became the first team to qualify for the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup 2026/2027 Group Stage after winning the European Championship in August 2025.

WBSC Americas announced that World No. 4 Venezuela, No. 6 Mexico and No. 9 Cuba earned three of the continental four spots through the Women's Baseball Pan American Championship.

World No. 1 Japan. No. 5 Chinese Taipei, No. 8 Hong Kong, China, and No. 10 Korea secured their spots in the VI BFA Women's Baseball Asia Cup.

WBSC Oceania announced that the continental berth went to No. 10 Australia.

No. 3 Canada and No.9 Puerto Rico will face off for the fourth and final WBSC Americas spot in a best-of-five series later this year.

The WBSC will award a Willd Card to the 12th participating team.

Japan are the seven-time defending Women's Baseball World Champions.