By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

Some people are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pursue an endeavor that combines their passion with an occupation they possess a natural talent for.

Alabaster native Brooks Webb is such an example. Webb, 23, is the Director of the United States national basbeall team’s 15U program, or 15-year-old and under team. Before taking his role with USA Baseball, he played baseball at Kingwood Christian School and Birmingham Southern.

“I’ve been involved for a little over two years now,” he said. “I had just taken a job in Jackson, Miss. from May 2011-Jan. 2012 overseeing Performance Sports Academy just overseeing teams there.”

Webb, who now resides in Raleigh, N.C., said he made connections with USA Baseball while working other jobs indirectly related to the team, and was offered the job somewhat surprisingly.

His role with the USA 15U team is much like that of a general manager, overseeing players selected for the squad, their travel expenses as well as their on-field performance.

Webb’s work paid off, as the 15U team took home the gold medal at the COPABE Pan American Championships Aug. 4., going a perfect 8-0 in the tournament.

Webb said the search for talent never truly ends, and said he enjoyed the feeling of being a general manager without the grind of a 162-game season.

“We’re looking for the 40 best 15 or some 14-year-old players,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun. Any guy dreams of being a GM for a major league team.”

He also said he really enjoyed what the team was able to do for a young baseball team.

“You’re giving them one of, if not the coolest, baseball experience they’ll ever have,” he said. “It’s different than playing for their high school, travel ball team or college. You’re playing for your country.”