Tim Lyon to lead USA Junior Mens Team

Click logo for press release at official USA Softball website

Tyron McKinney and Dan Nessler added as assistant coaches

IRVINE, Calif. – Setting it’s sight on the 2016 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Men’s World Championship (JMWC), the USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT) will once again be led by Head Coach Tim Lyon (South Jordan, Utah) the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. Lyon has served as the Head Coach of the JMNT program for the past three ISF JMWC, leading the team to a recent consolation championship and 7-4 record in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada in 2014. Selected by members of the Men’s National Team Selection Committee (MNTSC), Lyon will be joined by Scott Standerfer (Charleston, Ill.), Tyron McKinney (Ashland, Ohio) and Dan Nessler (North Mankato, Minn.), who will serve as Assistant Coaches for the JMNT.

“Tim Lyon has a lot of knowledge with our Junior Olympic (JO) players and athletes who are trying to convert from baseball,” said Head of the MNTSC Warren Jones (Ashland, Ohio). “What’s great about this coaching staff is that we’ve surrounded our program with coaches who are very strong in their respective areas. We have four great coaches for this team and we know Tim will continue to grow our JMNT program.”

Lyon first joined the USA Softball National Team Program in 2000 when he served as the Assistant Coach for the Men’s National Team at the ISF Men’s World Championship in East London, South Africa. Eight years later he became the Head Coach of the JMNT, leading the U.S. to a 5-6 record at the ISF JMWC in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Four years later, Lyon led the program to their first playoff round since 1985 and a 5-3 record en route to a fifth place finish in Parana, Argentina. Most recently at the 2014 ISF JMWC in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, Team USA finished with a 7-4 record and a consolation championship.

Re-joining Lyon as an Assistant Coach in Standerfer, who has served this position since 2002. Standerfer also has an extensive ASA/USA National Championship coaching resume dating back to 1996. He also conducts camps to prospective athletes and coordinates the ASA/ISC Pitcher Development Program, which helps develop youth fast pitch softball pitchers around the country.

USA JMNT head coach Tim Lyon with Ryan Barnes at 2014 ISF World Championship at Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada (photo by Maddy Flanagan, click to enlarge)

Joining the USA Softball JMNT Coaching Staff for his first stint is Tyron McKinney, who was a member of the MNT from 1997-2011. McKinney has served as an Assistant Coach at Morehead State University (Morehead, Ky.), Asbury University (Wilmore, Ky.) and PRP high School before joining the Adam LaLonde ASA/USA Softball Training Academy in Huntington, W. Va. as an instructor.

Also joining the USA Softball JMNT Coaching Staff is Dan Nessler, who has over 30 years of playing experience with ASA/USA Softball. With two ASA/USA Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championships, Nessler also was a member of two U.S. Olympic Festival Gold Medal teams and also claimed the Minnesota ASA Men’s 40-Over State Championship. Most recently, he was the Head Coach for the ASA/USA Boys’ 18-Under Fast Pitch National Champions, County Materials.

The USA Softball JMNT will now set its sights on the 2016 ISF JMWC, which will be held in Midland, Mich. The United States has not played host to an ISF world championship since Midland was the site of the 1996 ISF Men’s World Championship. The only other Junior Men’s World Championship in the United States took place in Fargo, N.D. in 1985.

The complete USA Softball JMNT schedule for 2015, including events and/or training camps, will be announced at a later date. You can follow along with the USA Softball JMNT at USASoftball.com.