Sanford Coach Joins USA Baseball

Rick Eckstein, a native of Sanford, Florida, has been appointed as the Special Advisor of Player and Coach Development for USA Baseball. The organization announced the new position on October 14, 2026.

In this role, Eckstein will work directly with Executive Director and CEO Paul Seiler. He will also collaborate with General Managers Eric Campbell and Ashley Bratcher to oversee the creation of development programs for athletes and coaches.

Seiler praised Eckstein's extensive experience across multiple levels of the sport. "Rick has coached at the highest levels of baseball: college, Minor Leagues, Major Leagues, and internationally. That range is rare, and it’s exactly what this role calls for," Seiler said. He added that Eckstein possesses a strong ability to understand the specific goals of players and coaches, whether they aim for a gold medal or the next level of competition.

Eckstein expressed enthusiasm for the new position. "I have spent my entire career in and around baseball and working with USA Baseball in this way is something I truly cherish," he said. His primary objective is to establish a player progression plan. He aims to provide young athletes in the USA Baseball pipeline with a focused development program that builds their skills year over year.

The role also emphasizes the development of coaches. Eckstein stated that player development must be matched by coach development. He plans to identify and mentor coaches who have achieved success similar to what the athletes hope to reach. This dual focus is intended to help players and coaches push each other to achieve new heights.

Eckstein will lead the construction of on-field, development-focused programming for national teams. He will work with coaches to integrate these development plans into their on-field strategies. This ensures a consistent approach across all USA Baseball programs. He will also assist program directors in identifying and selecting prospective coaches and task force members.

His recent achievements include leading the 18U National Team to a world championship at the 2025 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The team defeated host country Japan 2-0 in Okinawa, Japan. This victory marked the team's 11th world title. Eckstein received the USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year Award in 2024 and 2025.

Prior to this appointment, Eckstein served as the hitting coach for the Professional National Team at the 2024 Premier12. Team USA earned a bronze medal in that tournament. This was his sixth appearance on a Professional National Team coaching staff. His previous international successes include a world championship in 2007 and a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Eckstein began his coaching career in 1997 as a volunteer assistant at the University of Florida. He later worked in the minor leagues for teams including the Harrisburg Senators and Memphis Redbirds. He served as the hitting coach for the Washington Nationals from the end of 2008 through the 2013 season. His most recent major league role was hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a position he held through the end of the 2021 season.