MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – This week, 28 of the best college baseball players in America, including some that just played in the College World Series, will head to Cary, North Carolina to represent USA baseball over the next two weeks. The one leading them all will be Alabama State head coach Jose Vazquez.

“Very happy for the people that I’m able to represent, particularly my family, Alabama State University, and it means a lot to me,” said Vazquez. “It’s one of those things that I know is a great honor.”

After serving as the first base coach at this event last year, Vazquez now has the reigns as the manager. In addition, Troy head coach Skylar Meade will serve as the team’s pitching coach.

“I know Skylar is a superstar, up and coming coach and obviously has done an outstanding job everywhere he’s been,” said Vazquez.

“For him to get the honor of being the manager of this team, I think it’s certainly something that he should be incredibly proud of and I’m sure that he is,” Meade said of Vazquez. “It’s awesome just to have these different connections of people from all over, but also to have, certainly here in middle to southern Alabama, have such a flair of myself and some other coaches is pretty cool.”

Training camp began Tuesday, and the USA collegiate national team will play a five-game friendly series against Chinese Taipei that will take place from June 29-July 3.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Alabama A&M University (AAMU) has made a second offer to purchase the Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) campus.

According to an Alabama A&M spokesperson, an increased second offer was made on June 14 for the amount of $65 million.

On May 1, Alabama A&M made an initial offer to purchase the BSC campus in the amount of $52 million. This included $22 million in cash and a $30 million investment in construction and maintenance upgrades needed to reopen doors and operate the full campus.

Alabama A&M attributes the increase in the second offer to the clearing of any outstanding debt that BSC may have.

“If another entity is selected, we will wish them well, knowing that we love the people of Birmingham and we will continue to try to make a difference whenever we can in the future,” says Vice President of Government Affairs & External Relations Shannon Reeves.

AAMU also says it is committed to maintaining the entire property as an academic facility and bringing economic development and increased property value to the surrounding neighborhoods.

“Yamaha’s presence in Jackson County has the potential to create jobs within the community,” said Alabama Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston. “I’m encouraged by the recruiting possibilities which could occur between Yamaha, the local school system and the community college which could lead to future workforce development in northern Alabama.”

Livingston and State Representative Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro) visited the Yamaha Test Facility in Bridgeport, Alabama, on June 18 to meet with employees and learn more about Yamaha’s workforce development opportunities as well as the company’s economic impact within the state of Alabama. Senate Majority Leader Livingston and Representative Kirkland also toured the 47,000 square-foot facility, which is used to test the durability and reliability of new and existing Yamaha Marine products.

Livingston was first elected to represent the 8th District of the Alabama Senate in 2014, then reelected in 2018 and 2022. His Republican colleagues elected him Majority Leader of the Alabama Senate in 2023. He is responsible for spearheading many projects including the transformation of the Alabama Department of Labor into the Alabama Department of Workforce Development, ensuring state residents can enter the workforce and secure skilled, good-paying jobs.

Government Relations Sr. Specialist, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, John O’Keefe and Site Manager, Bridgeport Marine Testing facility, Travis Watkins jointly led the tour of the facility.

“Inviting elected officials to tour our facilities provides Yamaha with an opportunity to share our story,” said John O’Keefe, Sr. Specialist, Government Relations, Yamaha U.S Marine Business Unit. “More importantly though, it gives officials an occasion to meet and connect with the men and women who make up the Yamaha team and gain a better understating of the workforce development options available through the company.”

Livingston and Kirkland walked the entire facility, from the offices to the warehouses. They also enjoyed a boat ride on a 44-foot Pursuit OS 445 Offshore boat powered by three Yamaha 450-horsepower XTO Offshore outboards.

“It’s been about 20 years since I was last here, and I am just amazed at Yamaha’s progress. The Tennessee River is an economic engine for our communities here, and I think it’s great that Yamaha recognized the importance of the river and decided to build an important facility right here in our backyard,” said State Representative Mike Kirkland. “Jackson County is a great location, and this facility is outstanding.”