Global Scouting Bureau History


GSB Sports has been around since 1998, proudly serving thousands of professional, collegiate, high school and youth athletes globally. Below is a brief timeline of significant events in our company’s history, with links to articles for more information.

  • 1998
    • GSB is launched and operates under the name of Independent Scouting Bureau, Inc. 89 Players signed Independent Baseball contracts through the advancement of GSB. At this time, the internet was in its infancy and GSB marketed its services in places such as Baseball Weekly and Baseball America. Released players and non drafted players looking for contracts utilized the services of GSB.  James Gamble resigns as Assistant GM of the Visalia Oaks Baseball Team (California League Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics) to operate GSB on a full time basis. GSB hires legendary scout Reuben Rodriguez and others to assist in the growth and evaluation of players. Rodriguez drafted players such as Nomar Garciaparra, Troy O’Leary and Jeff Cirillo and provided professional experience to the Staff.
  • 1999
    • GSB expands its placement beyond US borders, assisting more than 200 baseball players in securing professional contracts
  • 2000
    • James Gamble travels Europe, Latin America, Mexico and Pac Rim meeting with teams and Leagues to continue expanding GSB placement of Professional Baseball Players
  • 2001
    • GSB hired to lead Southeastern League of Professional Baseball. James Gamble to serve as Commissioner of the SEPBL.  Original Teams of the SEPBL included Baton Rouge, Montgomery, Selma, Ozark, Pensacola and Macon. (link to article)
    • GSB launches Nationwide Professional Tryouts to Educate, Evaluate and Expose players looking for Professional Opportunities Domestically and Abroad.
  • 2002
    • GSB Founder James Gamble secures Pensacola as the site for a new Professional Baseball Team. The team was sold at the beginning of the season to Quint Studer which propelled the team to one of the most successful AA Teams in baseball currently known as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. (link to article)
  • 2003
    • GSB Staff grows with the additional of VP Al Sontag (former 1st Round draft choice), Jesse Frescas Jr (International Advancement Specialist) and Claudio Reilsono (General Manager).  GSB expands to operate 6 Nationwide Tryouts to evaluate more athletes looking for opportunities.
  • 2004
    • GSB tasked with Procurement for Pensacola Pelicans and signs Joe Espada (Astros) and Carlos Mendoza (Mets), which currently both Manage Major League Teams.  
  • 2005
    • GSB operates its 1st “Spring Training” in Port Charlotte, FL where released and non drafted players attend. Players trained and played games in front of Independent and International Teams over a 2 week period of time. More than 2 dozen players signed contracts in various leagues from Europe, Mexico as well as Independent Teams in the USA.
  • 2006
    • GSB hosts “Kia Spring Training” in Port Charlotte, FL and receives Keys to the City! Kia of the Korean Baseball League ran its entire Spring Training in Port Charlotte, FL.  GSB secured both home and away games (including teams from Mexico) from Jan 2006 through the end of March.  GSB handled all logistics from catered meals, transportation, lodging, training and games.
    • GSB hired to assist in the development of Indoor Sports Academy in New York. VP Al Sontag launched Unlimited Sports Action in Port Washington, NY to encourage all kids to play sports providing high quality instruction in a safe environment.
  • 2007
    • GSB expands into Soccer Internationally with the assistance of Jack Pemba, Warren Barton and others. Events throughout England as well as an academy in Tanzania are established. (link to article)
    • GSB expands its International placement with players signing in Taiwan, Korea and Japan.
    • GSB hired to launch “Next Level Sports Academy” in Lafayette, LA. Next Level Sports Academy ownership included Tony Robichaux (UL Lafayette Head Coach), Phil Devey (Minor League Pitcher and Canadian Olympic Pitcher) and David Angeron.
  • 2008
    • GSB contracted to start up Florida Winter Baseball League.  This League would feature a blend of Affiliated and Independent Baseball players in Florida. (link to article)
  • 2009
    • GSB hires Ken Griffey Sr as Commissioner of Florida Winter League. (link to article)
    • Record breaking year for Professional Placement with more than 300 players
  • 2010
    • GSB launches Amateur Division to assist High School Aged players in advancing to the College Level.  Jerry Martinez (former Div I coach at Northwestern State, ULM, Troy University, Western Kentucky) hired full time to assist growth.  United Baseball is born! (link to article)
  • 2011
    • GSB to handle Louisiana / South Texas with new Team USA baseball (link to article)
    • GSB to host AAU Nationals in Lafayette, LA
  • 2012
    • GSB begins the “El Sueno” program which integrates Latin baseball players with American players during the summer
  • 2013
    • GSB launches Event company Showcase Series to enable scouts and evaluators to see more HS aged players and assist in their advancement. Showcase Series operates 8 Advancement Events in year one. (link to article)
  • 2014
    • GSB doubles its capacity to see players with more than 16 Showcase Series Advancement Events. Mexico becomes spring board for Back door to the Big Leagues.
  • 2015
    • GSB grows heavy in their Amateur Division with United Baseball and Showcase Series. United grows to more than 200 High School players and Showcase Series operating more than 20 Advancement Events.
  • 2017
    • GSB starts the company My Time Sports to provide an affordable platform for families to control their own future in the advancement process
  • 2018
    • High School to College Advancement numbers grow! My Time Sports sees hundreds of new clients while Showcase Series continues to expand through the Southeast.
  • 2019
    • GSB adds Nick Singleton to GSB as Regional Director
    • James Gamble and David Angeron collaborate on authoring book – Its My Time (purchase on Amazon here) and it reaches Top 10.  The book became the leading of literature on navigating the recruiting process.
    • Covid shuts down much of Independent and International placement.  GSB continues to operate and network with teams in preparation of return to norm.
    • Showcase Collegiate League temporarily formed to assist in advancement of college baseball players, fielding one team in LA MS AL FL, with most games hosted at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile AL.
    • Showcase Series introduces JockJive Sports Network live streamed games with play by play to tournaments, allowing families, players and scouts to watch, evaluate and download ESPN style coverage of games.
  • 2020
    • GSB Navigates Recruitment amidst COVID-19 Global Pandemic (link to article)
    • Supply Chain issues in baseball, from the NJCAA to all divisions of the NCAA and all the way to MLB. Rule changes and litigations changing the game.
    • GSB grows presence in the Dominican Republic, introducing MyTime Sports & UBO by hosting private pro style workouts for baseball academies in Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macoris and surrounding areas. (link to article)
  • 2021
    • Claudio Reilsono authors Lead From the Heart Up, Not the Neck Up: How to Create a Positive, Winning Culture on the Field and in the Office (purchase on Amazon here)
    • James Gamble and David Angeron release Version 2 of Its My Time outlining the constant changes to the game after Covid (purchase on Amazon here). The book deals with the introduction of the “portal”, contraction of Minor League baseball and NIL in college sports.
    • International Teams starting to resume the importation of Foreign athletes in a post pandemic world. Country by country rule changes.
  • 2022
    • James Gamble writes Getting Paid to Play: An Inside Track to Professional Baseball (purchase on Amazon here) which outlines the reality of playing Professionally.  The book covers actual professional opportunities worldwide and the ability needed to play in each of the various leagues.
    • Europe opening up and bringing players.  Almost back to pre-Covid numbers with several countries investing in growth in baseball. New Independent Leagues/Partner Leagues and other International Independent Leagues popping up. Players beware of the new “Pay to play” schemes of some of these leagues.
    • GSB launches Evince App (link to article)
  • 2023
    • Nick Singleton and James Gamble collaborate on Rich Athlete Poor Athlete (purchase on Amazon here). The book tells personal stories from different perspectives and gives guidance on how to overcome obstacles and succeed in baseball and in business.
    • GSB continues growing presence in the Dominican Republic, introducing UBO by hosting private pro style workouts for baseball academies in Puerto Plata and surrounding areas. GSB brings Dominican players to UBO Spring Training & hosts players throughout the summer to compete in Showcase Series events for scouting & development opportunities.
  • 2024
    • UBO starts repeating perfection. The beginning of a streak where every single high school senior who wants to play in college has received an opportunity to play. This record continues on til this day.
  • 2025
    • Malcolm Orgeron named full time National Recruiter and UBO stays perfect for year
    • GSB hires Megan Steinmetz as Academic Advisor better serve players and Families
    • GSB advances Div III player Bradley Pelle into Professional Baseball (Millsaps College to Ogden of the Pioneer League). This is a clear indication that Professional Teams do NOT solely rely on Div I status for players to advance.
  • 2026
    • James Gamble to be Keynote Speaker at JMiss National Convention.
    • NAIA player Preston Ratliff signs Pro Contract in Pioneer League. Another example of non Div I players getting Professional Opportunities.