Tom Crouch of DeKalb will represent the United States on Team USA in New Zealand in late February for the ISF World Cup of Fastpitch Softball. Crouch is the only Illinois player on the national team and was selected after a standout summer that included his being the only American-born player named to the ASA First-Team All American Team, in competition with players from 23 other countries.

Crouch, who led the Minnesota Angels to a final four at the ASA Men's Major National Championships in Ashland, Ohio, hit over .400 for the tournament. Crouch also won numerous All Tournament awards throughout the summer playing in Florida, California and across the Midwest. He was named to the North American Fastpitch Association Hall of Fame in September. The NAFA organization also named Crouch to its 20th Anniversary Team in July, recognizing the 30 best players from the organization's 20-year tenure.

Team USA will play a tune-up tournament in Orlando  before making the two-week trek to New Zealand to compete in the 10-day ISF tournament in March. Sixteen countries will send their best fastpitch athletes to compete in the event.