John Gall, a 2008 Olympic Summer Games medalist and three-time USA Baseball alumnus, has been elected as president of the national governing body, USA Baseball announced on Thursday.
Gall succeeds Mike Gaski, who spent 22 years as president after assuming the position in 2001 and was reelected seven times.
“I am humbled and privileged to take on the role of president on the USA Baseball Board of Directors,” Gall said. “For many years, countless individuals, including outgoing President Mike Gaski, have been exceptional stewards for USA Baseball. These remarkable leaders have developed an uncommon culture of respect, trust, and vision that I am truly proud to associate with. Simply put, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the game of baseball for such a first-class organization.”
Gall, who has served on the USA Baseball Board of Directors since 2013, played collegiately at Stanford University, where he was a four-year starter for the Cardinal and earned a spot on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in both 1998 and 1999. Gall, the all-time Pac-12 hits leader, was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 11th round of the 2000 MLB Draft and played parts of three seasons with the Cardinals and the Florida Marlins.
He was selected to compete at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing as part of Team USA. Gall was previously USA Baseball’s rep to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA’s athletes.
Additionally, five-time Team USA alum and three-time Women’s National Team Manager Veronica Alvarez was reelected to a second term on the Board of Directors, while Richard Neely of the American Amateur Baseball Congress rotates on to serve a three-year term. Jason Dobis (treasurer) and Elliot Hopkins (secretary) were also elected to new terms.
During Gaski’s tenure, USA Baseball won a total of 87 medals in international competitions, including a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo.
“It was an honor to serve USA Baseball and to work with so many talented athletes, coaches, and administrators,” Gaski said. “I am grateful for the unflagging support from the Board of Directors and the passion and expertise that our USA Baseball staff brings to their mission each and every day. And while USA Baseball has accomplished a great deal on and off the field over these last twenty-plus years, I am certain that the future is even brighter for this dynamic organization.”