FORMER PAR TICIPANTS T OD D FI N E 2018 12U NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER SPOTLIGHT
J OSH ATOMA NCZ Y K
After appearing in the 2017 11U Futures Invitational, Josh Atomanczyk helped lead the 2017 12U National Team to its thirdstraight World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup title. Following a stellar tournament, he was named to the All-World Team (Starting Pitcher) and was later awarded the USA Baseball International Performance of the
Year award, which he shared with MLB star and 2017 World Baseball Classic MVP, Marcus Stroman.
K AI C A R A N T O
Kai Caranto was a member of the 2016 12U National Team and the 2017 gold medal-winning 12U National Team after playing in the Futures Invitational. He was named the MVP of the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup and was also named to the WBSC All-World Team (Shortstop).
RA LP H Y V ELA ZQU EZ
Ralphy Velazquez was a vital part of both the 2016 and 2017 12U National Teams. In 2016, he hit .500 over six games. A year later, he helped lead Team USA to its third consecutive World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup gold medal with a .409 average and nine RBI.
DA N I EL A R A MBU LA
Another two-time Futures Invitational participant, Daniel Arambula appeared in nine games for the USA Baseball 12U National Team en route to the U.S. winning its thirdstraight World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup.
As a four-time national team assistant coach, Todd Fine is no stranger to suiting up for Team USA. But 2018 is different. This year marks a whole new chapter because now he is getting his chance at the helm. In May, Fine was named the manager of the 2018 12U National Team and will lead the squad in its quest for its first-ever COPABE Pan American “A” Championships gold. “I am extremely humbled and excited to be named manager of this team,” said Fine. “Me and the rest of our staff are looking forward to putting together a team made up of athletes with both high level talent and character. Our sights are set on bringing home a Pan American Championships gold medal for the first time in 12U National Team history.” He has served as the pitching coach for the 12U National Team for four consecutive years from 2014-2017. In that time, his pitching staffs have held a cumulative ERA of 3.21 and have an overall record of 30-5. In addition, the 2015 and 2017 teams claimed their second and third consecutive gold medals at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup. In those world championship years, Fine’s pitchers went 16-2 with 108 strikeouts. The 2015 staff also recorded a 2.31 team ERA en route to the title and a player named to the All-World teams in each year. But while Fine’s success is already evident, 2018 is more than just the next step in his journey with Team USA. It’s a chance to lead the 12U National Team program to where it’s never been before and he’s more than up to the challenge.
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