OKLAHOMA CITY – USA Softball, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today that Tyron McKinney (Ashland, Ohio) has been selected as the Head Coach for the 2018 USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT). Selected by members of the USA Softball Men’s National Team Selection Committee (MNTSC), McKinney will lead the 17-athlete roster that will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Men’s World Championship (JMWC) July 7-15, 2018 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.
“Thank you to USA Softball and the Men’s National Team Selection Committee for selecting me to lead the 2018 USA Softball JMNT,” said McKinney. “I am very excited, humbled and honored to represent our country again and work with these young men to get them ready to or someday play in the Men’s National Team Program. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and continues to support me. It’s time to start the medal hunt as we begin this new era for the USA Softball JMNT program.”
McKinney, a five-time USA Softball First Team All-American, recently completed his first season as an Assistant Coach with the USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team Program. As a member of the coaching staff, McKinney helped the U.S. to a fifth place finish at the WBSC JMWC in Midland, Mich. McKinney worked primarily with the pitching staff, which issued a total of 57 strikeouts and combined for a 2.68 ERA over the course of seven games. McKinney also served as an Assistant Coach for the 2016 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) during their time at the 2016 Japan Cup.
McKinney has experience as a player, both at the National and International level. A member of the 1997 USA Softball JMNT, McKinney also represented the Red, White and Blue as an athlete on the Men’s National Team (MNT) from 2009-2011. Prior to his time on the U.S. roster, McKinney claimed four USA Softball National Championships: the 1999 and 2000 Men’s 23-Under Fast Pitch National Championship, the 2001 Men’s Class B Fast Pitch National Championship and the 2002 Men’s 23-Under Fast Pitch National Championship.
McKinney has served as an Assistant Coach at Morehead State University (Morehead, Ky.), Asbury University (Wilmore, Ky.) and Pleasure Ridge Park High School before joining the Adam LaLonde USA Softball Training Academy in Huntington, W. Va. as an instructor. McKinney currently resides in Huntington, and is the father of 11-year old daughter Takiah.
For the latest information on all of the USA Softball National Teams visit www.USASoftball.com.