By Mark Derewicz

USA Baseball couldn't have dreamed up a better ending to Team USA's gold-medal run at the Sydney Olympics, but reality struck quickly for team officials when the Games ended.

Major league organizations, which had allowed minor leaguers to play in the Olympics and its qualifying events, won't supply players for the International Baseball Federation World Cup qualifying tournament Nov. 24-Dec. 3 in Panama.

According to Eric Campbell, USA Baseball associate director for national teams, 14 countries were expected to vie for four spots in the IBAF World Cup to be held next November in Taiwan. Campbell said Cuba had already qualified and won't be in Panama, but Canada, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela were expected to be represented.

Since major league organizations don't want their minor leagues risking injury or losing development time, this latest version of Team USA primarily will be made up of independent minor leaguers.

"We'll use the Atlantic and Northern leaguers as a starting point," Campbell said. "But once the coaching staff is in place, we'll look at players from the other three independent leagues as well."

Marty Scott, who guided the St. Paul Saints to Northern League titles in 1995 and 1996, was named manager. He shouldn't have any problems finding the best available players despite the short notice. He served as the Rangers farm director for 10 years before heading to St. Paul for the past six seasons.

Independent player consultant Nick Belmonte, a former minor league manager, might also help evaluate talent. Belmonte was vacationing in Italy when Scott was named manager.

"I'd like to talk to Nick about all this," Campbell said. "I'd be crazy not to try to get him involved."

Belmonte was instrumental in finding independent players for the Intercontinental Cup, an eight-team Olympic warm-up event held in Sydney last fall. Team USA finished fourth in the tournament, which was won by Australia.

"The key is to find 22 guys who have a good understanding of international competition and a grasp of life in Panama," Campbell said. "We want guys who want to play for what's on the front of the jersey instead of what's on the back."

Scott was working with Campbell to come up with 44 potential players who would be interested in representing their country and who wouldn't mind spending Thanksgiving in Panama.

Scott hadn't named his three coaches but had a few people in mind, including fellow Northern League manager Doug Simunic (Fargo-Moorhead) and former minor league manager Doug Sisson, who was let go by the Expos after this season.

Schaumburg (Northern) coach Pete Caliendo, who was a coach with the Intercontinental Cup squad, could also be named to the staff. He was in charge of finding talent for USA Baseball's 16-year-old national team from 1990-97.