2022 High School Trip
Trip Overview:
Trip Staff:
Each of the staff members listed above has had significant experience coaching and/or teaching HS and college student-athletes, 3 of the staff members have significant national team coaching experience, and 3 of the staff members have significant college coaching experience.
Important Notes:
- Travel dates: June 24-July 4, 2022.
- Countries visited: Czechia, Germany, France, Belgium.
- Cities/Towns visited: Prague (Czechia), Nuremburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Heidenheim and Ulm (Germany), Strasbourg (France), Ghent and Bruges (Belgium)
- Opponents: Czech 18U and 23U National Teams, German 18U National Team, Belgian 18U National Team and Merchtem Cats (Belgian top-level club team).
- Record: 4 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie.
- Group size: 16 players, 4 staff members.
Trip Staff:
- Tom Gillespie - Tour Leader
- Stephan Rapaglia - Tour Leader and Pitching Coach
- Stan Exeter (former Head Coach at Swarthmore College and Ursinus College) - Assistant Coach
- Alan Dean (Strength and Conditioning Coach for Great Britain National Baseball Programme) - Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach
Each of the staff members listed above has had significant experience coaching and/or teaching HS and college student-athletes, 3 of the staff members have significant national team coaching experience, and 3 of the staff members have significant college coaching experience.
Important Notes:
- Staff members were available via cellphone and email at all times during the trip to respond to emergencies.
- Although the legal drinking age in most parts of Europe is 18 (or even less), OWB has a strict policy against alcohol consumption by HS trip participants. Violations of this policy or other rules of personal conduct would have resulted in the violator being sent home immediately (at their family's expense).
- As OWB's trip participants serve as de facto ambassadors of US baseball, excellent sportsmanship was promoted and expected
- Parents and other family members of HS trip participants were welcome to participate in this trip at their own expense, and several family members did accompany the team in various locations.
