2025OFFICIAL EVENT PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO A MESSAGE FROM THE
On behalf of the national governing body for baseball in the United States, I am honored and privileged to welcome you to the 2025 National Team Championships!
The National Team Championships is USA Baseball’s longest-running event and boasts a veritable list of former participants who have gone on to play for Team USA and in the Major Leagues. Alex Bregman, Bryce Harper, Eric Hosmer, and Clayton Kershaw are just a few of the names that have played in this event, gone on to make a USA Baseball national team, represented their country on the international stage, and later had a successful professional career. Simply put, this event is where future stars earn their stripes.
The event began as the Junior Olympics in Fort Myers, Florida, in 1996 and served as an identification event for the USA Baseball 16U National Team. The event has transformed and experienced tremendous growth over the last 29 years, with nearly 350 teams participating in this event in either Arizona or North Carolina, allowing these young athletes to compete against the best teams in the country. More importantly, they will have the opportunity to earn an invitation to play for Team USA. The National Team Championships is an identification event for the 15U and 18U National Teams, as well as our 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) and 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). No other event in the country offers the opportunities the National Team Championships do, and we hope you are all proud to have been invited to this event.
Here at USA Baseball, we are committed to bringing first-class competition to the field, so we wish you all good luck as you strive to win a championship, but also look to earn an invitation to a USA Baseball national team or development program. The experiences the athletes, coaches, and families will go through during this tournament will challenge and test you while also creating memories that will stick with you forever. It is an incredible byproduct of being an elite athlete.
Once again, welcome to the 2025 National Team Championships! On behalf of our staff, we cannot wait for you to get here and show us what you've got.
Yours in baseball,
Paul V. Seiler Executive Director/CEO USA Baseball
CONNECT WITH US
@USABaseball @USABaseEvents
The National Team Championships is proud to be a FULL COMPLIANCE Pitch Smart event.
For more information, visit PitchSmart.org
For schedules, results, and event information, click or scan to visit the fan guide
FAST FACTS ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARIZONA
IT STARTS AT CHAMPS.
In 28 years as a primary identification event for Team USA, the National Team Championships has seen its fair share of exceptional talent. MLB All-Stars such as Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw have made their way to representing the red, white, and blue at the highest level by starting at this tournament. The National Team Championships serve as the ultimate starting point to catapult your journey to representing your country. But it’s more than just through USA Baseball’s identification events; check out ‘Where Future Stars Earned Their Stripes’ in the digital program to read about some of USA Baseball’s brightest alumni in the big leagues.
GEAR UP.
Athletes, fans, and parents alike can make their way to the USA Baseball Store on-site at the Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona. Fans can also shop online at anytime on USABaseballShop.com
BEHIND THE SCENES.
USA Baseball’s national teams are woven with stories for everyone. From veteran coaching staffs to the worldclass athletes that represent the team, USA Baseball’s national teams represent the land of the free and dominate while doing so. Check out stories about our athletes and coaches putting it on the line #ForGlory and developing their games and professional careers while doing so.
READY FOR ANYTHING.
The 13U/14U Athlete Developmental Program and the 16U/17U National Team Development Programs will continue to prepare the country’s best young baseball players for their future careers, both on the field and off of it. Learn more about the off-field elements of USA Baseball’s player development initiatives in this program.
NON-STOP ACTION.
With almost 700 games on deck at this year’s National Team Championships in Arizona, fans can catch all the action live (weather permitting) through GameChanger.
CHECK YOUR SWING.
The National Team Championships are USABat-Certified events, and all participants must use an approved bat. Bats that are not USABat-certified are prohibited. Additional information on USAbat specifications can be found here.
SET YOURSELF APART.
The best athletes are far greater than just one good game. All participants at the National Team Championships will undergo Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) Performance Assessment testing to measure out their baseball and athletic skills with stateof-the-art technology so they know exactly where they stand and what can be improved upon.
EYES ON YOU.
No one gets unnoticed at the National Team Championships. The event is one of the most prolific events on the scouting calendar across the country. There will be plenty of eyes and then some as USA Baseball scouts, national team coaches, college coaches, and scouts from MLB Clubs evaluate every athlete.
STAY CONNECTED.
To keep up with all things National Team Championships Arizona, follow along on X and Instagram (USABaseEvents). To stay up-to-date on all things USA Baseball, follow @USABaseball on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
THE ROAD TO PLAY
PLAY FOR TEAM USA
2025 PREVIEW NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARIZONA
USA Baseball’s National Team Championships play a crucial role in identifying the next generation of stars to represent the red, white, and blue on the international stage. These events not only offer athletes a chance to compete for one of the most prestigious tournament titles in the world, but also provide a pathway to earning a spot on the 15U and 18U National Teams as well as USA Baseball’s development program rosters.
Champs Arizona hauls in 64 teams and nearly 1,000 athletes from every region of the nation to compete across 168 games and over 1,176 innings every week by age group. Yet through all the chaos, they all share one common dream: for gold, for glory, and for country.
The tournament stands as one of the most unique and demanding events in the baseball world. To claim the winner’s circle alone, a team must grind out eightto-nine straight wins in just six days. Add the relentless Arizona desert heat and rising competition with every inning, and you’ve got a tournament fueled by pure intensity.
Jeff Feltman, USA Baseball’s assistant director of baseball operations, and his large-scale staff help play a vital role in the tournament’s success and overall landscape. Each summer, Feltman and his staff prepare for and later witness the 64-team gauntlet shrivel down to one champion with endless memories collected along the way within each age group.
“The National Team Championships Arizona is one of the best youth travel tournaments in the country,” Feltman said. “It includes some of the best youth travel teams in the nation. It's our main way of identifying players for our national teams and for our development programs, primarily on the West Coast.”
As the bracket thins with each day, it’s not the most talented that advance, but rather the most complete and the most cohesive units that do so. “With 64 teams in a six-day tournament, you have to win eight games in a row to win the gold medal. It's a very tough tournament in that sense. You have to make it through pool play, be one of those top two of four teams, and then win out from there. As much as it is talent, it's teamwork.
The teams that show up and they’ve played together forever, they have that chemistry with the coaches and other players, those are the teams that succeed,” Feltman said.
While USA Baseball’s headquarters are based out of Cary, North Carolina, Feltman and his team make their way to the desert each summer along with USA Baseball’s top-end Task Force. “The Task Force is made up of scouts, national team coaches, high school coaches, and college coaches – all very elite guys who are out there watching every game to identify the best players in this tournament, and that's how we find an abundance of players for our national team,” Feltman said.
The Task Force is tasked with reigning in the next generation of USA Baseball legends, and there’s surely no shortage of talented players. Various players get their first opportunity at Champs, and the Task Force makes sure their journey is just beginning there. “It’s such a full circle moment for me to see a player show up on a team at Champs AZ. and they have a good week and get invited to Training Camp or a development program. Soon, they're stepping on international soil to represent us,” Feltman said.
But one bad day doesn’t define an athlete. With the tumultuous ups and downs of baseball, failure is inevitable. “We're not just looking for the best players,
we're looking for the best people. We want that high character, high teamwork, the drive, the hunger to win and to be a good teammate at the same time,” Feltman said.
These high-end scouts and coaches will have a plethora of talent to identify and evaluate over the course of five short weeks.
With 17U and 16U taking the field first, there will be no shortage of intensity—both from opponents and within each roster. The older athletes get another shot at showcasing their skills in hopes of landing one of the coveted spots on the 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP) roster. Beyond that, a string of standout performances could even put players on the radar early for a future spot on the 18U National Team.
“I think that’s how it differs from any other tournament. Not only do you have a chance to have a fun week and win a gold medal for your team, but you have the chance to play for your country,” Feltman said.
As competition and the weather heats up as each week passes, teams have to prepare for the scorching elements of the desert heat that may not be accounted for in your typical travel ball tournament. “Everyone knows it's Arizona in the summer. I think heat obviously plays a factor into it, but a lot of the teams show up and they aren't used to the heat.,” Feltman said.
While the conditions may be a challenge, it’s an even playing field for all. Figuratively, and literally. “At the end of the day, whether it's hot or cold, I think the best team could win in whatever weather, environment, or location,” Feltman said.
As the weeks roll on and the temperatures climb, it’s time for the 15U and 14U divisions to step into the spotlight. The heart of the Arizona summer offers a golden stage for athletes to chase something lasting.
“These players know, at the end of the day, they're looking for a couple things they want. They want to be the best player. They want to get after it and stand out for a shot to play for USA Baseball. But at the same time, they're trying to play for their team, represent their city, their organization, and they want to go win gold that week as well,” Feltman said.
The teams making their way in from every corner of the country know it's a daunting week ahead when entering each respective complex playing host to Champs. The weeks ahead can twist and turn the path of these young athletes careers in ways they once thought weren’t possible. The journey #ForGlory begins somewhere, and for many, that somewhere is Champs.
“Between North Carolina and Arizona Champs, these are the two tournaments in the country where you have the opportunity to play for something more than just a week,” Feltman said.
NATIONAL TEAM SPOTLIGHT THE 2018 18U NATIONAL TEAM
By Logan Wilson
One of the most important aspects of being able to make the USA Baseball 18U National Team is the process of being identified in front of coaches and scouts.
Since 2009, USA Baseball has identified the top highschool talent across the country through various playerbased development events such as the National Team Development Program (NTDP), Athlete Development Program (ADP), and the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) to help build competitive national teams and prepare them for international competition.
In 2018, USA Baseball utilized both the NTIS and NTDP to scout players, as well as recommendations from professional scouts and USA Baseball Task Force members for the 18U National Team. Nine members of the 2018 squad participated in the 17U NTDP, allowing those athletes to connect with USA Baseball staff.
The 18U National Team has historically dominated the international stage, and the 2018 team was no different, winning gold in Panama at the Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE) U-18 Pan-American Championships.
After being the manager of Team Stripes in 2017 during the 17U NTDP, Jack Leggett went on to become manager of the 18U National Team for their 2018 run.
Alongside Leggett was pitching coach Scott Bankhead, assistant coach Mervyl Melendez, and hitting coach Gregg Ritchie.
“It was an honor to be able to represent the country and USA Baseball,” said Leggett. “I was so fortunate to meet some other great coaches like Greg Ritchie, Scott Bankhead, Mervyl Melendez, and Gerald Laird. I was surrounded by some good people, and we also had some really good players. It was a great experience for me.”
Leggett started his coaching career at the University of Vermont in 1978, where he coached the team until 1982, leading the program back to varsity status. He went on to coach at Western Carolina the following year, coaching the Catamounts for nine years from 1983 to 1991. Leggett guided the Catamounts to five straight conference championships and five trips to the NCAA Tournament before leaving for Clemson University in 1992. Leggett started as an assistant at Clemson, eventually being promoted to head coach in 1994. There, his stint as manager of the Tigers lasted for 22 seasons, his last year coaching at the school being in 2015. He remains at Clemson to this day as Program Development Coach under current manager
Erik Bakich, helping lead the Tigers to hosting three straight NCAA DI Baseball Tournament Regionals from 2023-2025.
With an impressive resume and a key interest in taking a shot at becoming a coach with USA Baseball, Leggett couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take the job as manager for the 18U National Team.
“It was an honor [to be named 18U National Team Manager]. I wanted to stay involved in baseball, and Matt Blood had given me the opportunity to manage the team after I had been through a week or two with the development program. It was one of those things that has always been on my mind, I always wanted to coach for USA Baseball.” Leggett said.
When Leggett got the chance to compete internationally, he made sure his team was ready to compete at the highest stage. Taking a trip down memory lane, the talent on the 2018 18U National Team was undeniable, with some kids in or on their way to big-league stardom.
“We made sure they understood who they were representing,” said Leggett. “You’re representing the entire country.
We had such great kids on that team, we had such great leaders. Setting a good example of what USA Baseball is all about, it was an easy thing for them. Bobby Witt Jr. was our shortstop, Anthony Volpe was our second baseman, Corbin Carroll in left field, and CJ Abrams in center. We had Dylan Crews, Tyler Callihan, Yohandy Morales, Sammy Faltine, Pete CrowArmstrong in right field, Drew Romo behind the plate, and Jack Leiter to finish the last game for us. We held all those guys to a high standard.”
Headlined by MLB All-Star shortstop Witt Jr., players from the 2018 squad have gone on to grow into MLB stars, with four players on the team earning All-Star nominations. Carroll took home Rookie of the Year, Volpe and Witt Jr. are Gold Glove winners, and Witt Jr. also earned a Silver Slugger award in 2024. CrowArmstrong is taking the league by storm in 2025, already breaking his career high in RBIs, home runs, and doubles. As of early June, Crow-Armstrong leads the National League in WAR (Wins Above Replacement), aiming to lead the Chicago
Bobby Witt, Jr.
Cubs to the postseason. The success being shown at the highest levels by these players solidifies USA Baseball’s goal of developing a championship mindset in young players.
One thing that Leggett wanted his players to leave with was a proper attitude. When amateur athletes are trying to stand out to coaches and scouts during the identification process, some traits are undeniable. Throughout the NTDP and NTIS, players can improve their chances to represent the stars and stripes by being coachable, versatile, and keeping a championship mindset, all while knowing what they’re representing.
“The first thing is attitude and the ability to play hard. It’s important you have those two qualities, you’re a good teammate, you’re coachable, and you know what you’re representing,” said Leggett. “It’s about trying to win a gold medal. The second thing is being very talented and having the versatility to play different positions. CJ Abrams had to play center field, and Volpe -- who is a Gold Glover at shortstop -- had to play second base. Riley Greene was also an extremely talented player on our team. He was DH for us, played first base, and now he's playing center field and an All-Star in the big leagues. Riley was a big part of our team and one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen at that level.”
During their trip to Panama, the 18U squad certainly had the right attitude and the ability to play hard. Winning the gold medal game over Panama 17-2, the team came back home after going a perfect 9-0. Leading the way at the plate during international play was Witt Jr., who posted an incredible .576 batting average slugged at a 1.121 clip. Carroll, Greene, and Witt Jr. were all tied for the team lead in home runs, with each launching three apiece. An incredible pitching staff backed up the offense and allowed the team to play complementary baseball. Now a member of the Texas Rangers, Leiter led the pitching staff with a 0.00 ERA during the tournament, racking up
20 strikeouts in only 8.0 innings of work, showing a relentless ability to keep control during a game.
“USA Baseball has a great future and it has made a great impact on my life, from the coaches that I was with to the players,” said Leggett. “The kids talk about our experience of winning a gold medal, return calls, and they stay with you; it makes a lasting impression and it's one of the things that will stay with these kids the rest of their lives. Whether they play pro ball or climb the ladder to play pro ball, they will always remember USA Baseball and their experience, I was just glad to be a part of it. Hopefully, our coaches will always be a part of their lives, and their teammates will be a part of their lives.”
While these 18U Alum are all shaping up their careers, time will only tell if this could end up being one of USA Baseball’s most intriguing national teams. Making the most of their young journeys in the major leagues, these young stars are off to excellent starts in the big leagues with much more to prove.
C.J. Abrams
To celebrate our partnership, VukGripz is offering a 25% off code, exclusively for the USA Baseball family
We are excited to help players around the country enhance their game with VukGripz revolutionary bat grips.
ALL BAT GRIPS ARE PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA
17U TROSKY/MILWAUKEE LOOKING FOR A REPEAT OF LAST YEAR’S CHAMPIONSHIP
By David Goriola
After an undefeated championship run in 2024 that showcased power, depth, and poise, the 17U Trosky/ Milwaukee program returns this summer hungry to make history once again by becoming one of the few teams to win back-to-back titles at the National Team Championships in Arizona, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 2016.
The National Team Championships in Arizona, hosted by USA Baseball, returns in 2025 to premier Spring Training venues in the Greater Phoenix area, including Peoria Sports Complex and Surprise Stadium, home to major league Clubs like the Padres, Mariners, Royals, and Rangers.
This highly competitive event not only showcases some of the country’s top talent, but also serves as a vital evaluation opportunity for college coaches and pro scouts. Standout performers from Champs Arizona may earn invitations to national team development programming or 15U or 18U National Team Training Camps, which serves as a critical step in the national team pipeline. Last year, 14 players were identified at the National Team Championships who eventually earned a spot on the 2024 18U gold medal squad. The trio of Slater de Brun, Brayden Jaksa, and Gavin Fien were just three Champs AZ participants who were members of the 2024 18U National Team. With these high stakes, Champs Arizona is once again set to deliver intense competition.
In the younger age groups, Truth, Stacked National, and FS21 Stars each secured gold at the 14U, 15U, and 16U levels in 2024 with strong, all-around team play. Truth leaned on disciplined defense, timely hitting, and relentless energy to outlast Cali National. Stacked National dominated early with clean execution on both sides before withstanding a late surge to clinch the
title. FS21 played aggressively from the start, combining sharp pitching with consistent offensive pressure to control the championship game. While the younger groups were full of excitement, it was the Trosky/ Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team in the 17U bracket that took center stage.
Last year, Trosky/Milwaukee entered the 2024 17U National Team Championships in Arizona with expectations and would deliver on every single one.
After the initial pool play and victories in elimination rounds, its road to gold began in dominant fashion during the quarterfinals, where it powered past Team MVP Hustle in a 10–5 victory. Trosky’s relentless offense made its presence known early, scoring in five of six innings and racking up 18 hits on the day.
Third baseman Xavier Neyens stood out with a double, a triple, and a one-RBI performance, while seven different batters in the lineup recorded RBIs. Trosky’s consistency and firepower kept them firmly in control, punching its ticket to the semifinals.
In the next round, Trosky/Milwaukee showed that it wasn’t just its bats that made it dangerous. Against a tough CBA Victus San Diego squad, it was standout pitching and timely offense that secured a 3–1 win.
Pitchers Brock Ketelson and Ian Draper combined to allow just one hit while striking out eight batters. Neyens once again was Trosky’s sparkplug, launching a solo home run as part of a two-run first inning. CBA tried to make a comeback late in the seventh, but Trosky held its ground defensively to seal the win and head into the title game.
The championship matchup was the perfect capstone for a tournament of dominance. Facing off against the EJ Sports Warriors, Trosky overcame a slow start and exploded in the fifth inning to take an 8–1 victory and clinch gold.
Down 1–0 early, it honed in and flipped the script. Second baseman Linkin Garcia delivered the moment of the game with a bases-clearing triple off the leftfield wall, followed shortly by a two-run dinger from Draper. From there, it was all Trosky, as pitcher Quinten Marsh closed the game with three scoreless innings on the mound.
The team finished the tournament with a perfect 8–0 record, allowing just 15 runs across the entire competition. Its offense was explosive, its pitching rocksolid, and its defense airtight. For a group focused on the motto of “one pitch at a time,” Trosky/Milwaukee executed with championship-level poise in every phase of the game.
Now, in 2025, Trosky/Milwaukee look to repeat the dominance it had last year. Coming in with multiple teams, the program hopes for a rerun of the same firstclass baseball from its players and coaching staff.
This year’s tournament will host 64 17U teams from June 10-15, all with the same motivation to put gold around their necks.
And with gold medals still fresh in memory, Trosky/ Milwaukee enters Champs Arizona knowing that a repeat won't come easy. Every opponent has their eyes on the reigning champs, ready to test themselves against a team that went 8–0 in last year’s tournament and dominated on both sides of the ball.
But if last summer proved anything, it’s that this team thrives when the stakes are the highest and the spotlight brightest.
Your journey to the next level is full of tough decisions - make the easy choice for recovery with Marc Pro.
FROM CHAMPS TO THE COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM
THE JOURNEY OF BEN JACOBS
By Danny Sullivan
For every young ballplayer who dreams of representing their country, the journey to USA Baseball must start somewhere. The man who reaches the top of the mountain doesn’t get dropped off there. The story doesn’t begin under the lights of packed stadiums or in front of fans lining up for pictures and autographs. The journey to international soil begins at a young age when players first get a taste of what it means to compete for something bigger.
USA Baseball lays out a path built on talent, opportunity, and a relentless pursuit. For athletes like 2024 Collegiate National Team (CNT) alum Ben Jacobs, it all started at National Team Championships Arizona, where a dream was born and the journey to the stars and stripes began.
Jacobs, a native of Huntington Beach, California just completed his junior year at Arizona State University. The southpaw evolved into a program cornerstone and a clear-cut ace on the mound. Jacobs spearheaded ASU to its first postseason appearance since 2021, snapping a program record four-year drought without playoff baseball.
As a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team, Jacobs competed in the international Friendship Series hosted in Cary, North Carolina. Jacobs completed the series with a 2.08 ERA and seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. He finished with a 1-0 overall record and yielded just two hits in a weather-shortened 3-2 win over Chinese Taipei on June 30.
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE CASEY SCOTT STEPS INTO MANAGERIAL ROLE FOR 2025 15U NATIONAL TEAM
By Kaileigh Grieb
head manager.
His pitchers held batters to a .073 AVG, held onto a 0.00 ERA, and allowed zero hits in the five-game set. In addition, the group tossed two no-hitters, allowed only eight hits, six walks, and tallied 61 strikeouts. That performance solidified Scott’s reputation and prepared him for the next chapter: leading the team from the top step of the dugout. Needless to say, Scott is ready to don a new role this season given his past success with the red, white, and blue.
To say that Scott has an impressive resume with USA Baseball is an understatement. Alongside his staff's five game dominant showing of their arms, the 2024 International Friendship Series also added new impressive accolades to the resume.
Scott’s staff allowed just four earned runs and struck out 38 batters in 31 innings, leading opponents to maintain just a .107 batting average.
Scott has served numerous roles inside and outside USA Baseball, including serving with the 2019 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) coaching
staff as a pitching coach. He has also been a part of four 15U National Team Training Camps.
What got Scott started in this journey of being a part of USA Baseball is what many would call a humbling beginning. Starting out as a scorekeeper in West Palm Beach just 10 years ago, Scott’s optimistic view on the honor it means to be a representative of USA Baseball never wavered.
“I was perfectly content being part of USA Baseball keeping score and that was fine for me because I always felt like I was helping to contribute towards it. But to have this opportunity to now coach, I don't really think I could put it into words. I've been very fortunate to do a lot of really great things as a coach and being involved with a lot of cool opportunities.”
When asked to take on the role as manager for the 2025 season, Scott laughed when sharing that he believed that his mind blanked and he couldn’t find his words, not remembering exactly what he said when trying to share the news with his family. His family later expressed similar emotions once he found his wording.
The concept of these young athletes having the chance to get the official call to have the opportunity to represent USA Baseball is one that takes the front seat in many fans' eyes, however, it’s the coaches who share similar feelings when they are given their chance to represent the red, white, and blue.
Asked to put it into words what emotions ran through his mind, Scott took a moment to reflect, saying:
“It's the most incredible feeling and until you do it, you’ll never really know what it means… I'm extremely proud of it and until the first pitch there as manager, I really didn't know how to describe it. Based on past
experiences, it's like no other uniform you'll put on. It's like no other game you'll play. It really is just a different feeling.”
Outside of USA Baseball in Cary, North Carolina, Scott is the head coach of Bishop Verot Catholic High School (Fort Myers, Fla.), having previously brought his squad to the USA Baseball National High School Invitational (NHSI) in both 2022 and 2023.
Prior to his time at Bishop Verot, he spent a season as an assistant coach for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland and four seasons as the head coach at Ave Maria University in Florida. He also led the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs of the New York Collegiate Baseball League and earned the league's Coach of the Year honors in 2012. Scott began his coaching journey at SUNY Brockport in 2009 following a standout twoyear pitching career for the Golden Eagles, where he compiled an undefeated 9–0 record.
He made sure to express that the coaches both within USA Baseball and in his college tenure helped prepare him for this moment.
“I was very well prepared for this, just from the kind of guys who came before me, as well as the directors that we've had, they do a good job of making sure everybody's included in decisions. So, it's always been a group effort from when I was just working on a USA Baseball Task Force, training camps and trials, and then being on staff the last two years. I feel like we're in good shape to move forward with it.”
Now, as he takes on the managerial role for the 15U National Team, Scott brings with him a wealth of experience, a proven track record, and a commitment to developing the next generation of Team USA talent— not just on the mound, but across the entire field.
Your generosity allows us to:
BREAK BARRIERS
Dedicated to making baseball accessible and inclusive, with a primary focus on empowering women to play the game
AMPLIFY THE GAME
Committed to creating opportunities for children to discover and fall in love with the game
IGNITE A PASSION
Committed to growing the game and ensuring every individual who encounters baseball becomes a fan for life
FROM POTENTIAL TO PATRIOT HOW USA BASEBALL PREPARES FUTURE STARS
By Danny Sullivan and David Goriola
Every summer, a select group of the nation’s most promising young baseball players gather in Cary, North Carolina, the official headquarters of USA Baseball. USA Baseball brings in some of the most elite young talent not just to compete, but to grow as players and people.
For younger athletes, USA Baseball’s 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) is far more than a weeklong camp. It’s a stepping stone that not only helps shape their long and short-term trajectory as athletes, but also as young adults ready to head into the next chapters of their lives, on and off the field.
The ADP is regarded as one of the cornerstones of USA Baseball’s prominent national team development pipeline. The camp is a true turning point where potential begins to shift gears into performance.
On the field, the ADP offers a fast-paced training environment that mimics the approach of national team preparation. The mornings are filled with structured skill stations, led by position-specific instructors with national team experience and prominence. These stations have a various focus, with athletes rotating throughout stations that harp on infield footwork, outfield reads, pitching mechanics, catching fundamentals, and batting cage work.
As the day progresses, athletes transition into situational drills and live-game simulations designed to challenge decision-making, instincts, and execution under pressure. Coaches give instant feedback, providing instruction and correction that pushes players to refine their game on the fly.
As much as the program can provide in terms of onfield instruction, the ADP’s X-factor reaches far beyond the field. Athletes attend classroom-style sessions that focus on nutrition, mental skills, injury prevention, and even social media awareness. The classroom sessions serve as a valuable lesson in terms of preparing youth athletes to take care of their bodies and minds as their careers begin to ascend.
A firm emphasis lies in leadership and character. Players are coached not just to be better athletes, but better teammates, leaders, and role models. Through group discussions, team-building exercises, and conversations with former USA Baseball alumni, participants begin to understand what it means to wear the red, white, and blue.
The first taste of USA Baseball for many of these young athletes is within the ADP. But, as players progress throughout the years, many have the opportunity to
earn an invitation to the National Team Development Program (NTDP), the next step on the way to baseball greatness.
The show goes on at the 16U and 17U levels through the NTDP, a highly competitive experience that dials things up a notch in order to prepare athletes for an even higher stage of the game.
Much like the ADP, the NTDP blends elite instruction with meaningful competition, but with an elevated focus on the demands to play at the national, collegiate, and professional levels.
As players progress through each level with expectations and demands increasing as each day stacks upon itself, the NTDP plays vital in preparing the now young adults on how to go about their day-today business while chasing their dreams but managing expectations.
What separates the NTDP from a traditional tournament or event is the foundation, structure, and attention to detail. The NTDP is a learning first environment where players aren’t just evaluated on talent – much like the ADP. These athletes are measured on how they respond to failure, how they lead, listen, and carry themselves when no one is watching.
The USA standard of accountability is expected above all. When you dawn the iconic red, white, and blue interlocked logo, a new expectation comes with it. These athletes are held to a higher merit for the little things: body language, mental sharpness, and carrying yourself in the right demeanor. It’s an accelerated look into life at the next level, and for many, it’s the most demanding baseball experience they’ve faced to date.
Every workout, meeting, and scrimmage reinforces the idea that this is bigger than individual success. It’s about earning the right to represent your country on the international stage. By the end of the week, the physical tools may stand out on a stat sheet, but it’s the intangible growth, maturity, humility, and accountability that often separates those who forge their way to the highest level of the sport.
Some recent 18U National Team alumni who completed the trials and tribulations of the NTDP prior to their rising
success in the big leagues include the likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Jackson Holliday, amongst countless others.
Many of today’s MLB Draft picks, top prospects, and bonafide stars credit the NTDP for teaching them how to think about the game, handle pressure, and carry themselves with professionalism well before they ever stepped into a Major League clubhouse.
For every player who is successful enough to earn a roster spot on a USA Baseball National Team, there are dozens more who carry the lessons of the NTDP with them into their high school seasons, college programs, and beyond. In that way, the NTDP is more than just a stepping stone, it's a foundational piece of a lifelong journey in baseball.
Together, the programs form the backbone of USA Baseball’s commitment to shaping the future of the sport.
The goal is not just to develop great players, but to build great people. From the first rep at the ADP to the final evaluation at the NTDP, these programs are carefully designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare athletes for what lies ahead. They’re more than just opportunities to wear the stars and stripes; they’re gateways to growth and excellence.
For those who have the opportunity to participate in the events, the path forward may take twists and turns that can be unexpected yet amazing. The foundation built within USA Baseball's development system is one they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.
WHERE THE STARS THEIR STRIPES
BOBBY WITT JR.
Representing the United States in 2018, Bobby Witt Jr. played for the 18U National Team, which won gold at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships, going an impressive 9-0. Leading the team with a .576 batting average and tied for the team lead with 19 hits, Witt Jr. collected 19 RBIs and slugged three home runs throughout the tournament on his way to picking up Tournament MVP honors and the best slugger award. The following year, Witt Jr. was selected second overall by the Kansas City Royals. After progressing his way through two levels of the minors, totalling 34 home runs between AA and AAA, Witt Jr. was called up to the MLB to make his debut in April of 2022. In his rookie campaign, Witt Jr. worked to a .254 batting average with 80 RBIs and 30 stolen bases to help him finish fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. Ahead of the 2023 season,
representing the stars and stripes, Witt Jr. played in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, appearing in three games. The 2024 season was a major breakout for Witt Jr., after he led the MLB in hits with 211 and won the batting title with a .332 batting average, which ultimately earned him a selection to his first All-Star team. Along with finishing second in MVP voting in 2024, Witt Jr. also picked up a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. Witt Jr. joined Mookie Betts as the second player ever to lead the Majors in batting average during a 30-homer, 30-steal season. In February of 2024, the Kansas City Royals signed 23-year-old Witt Jr. to an 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension, solidifying him as one of baseball's brightest young players.
STARS EARNED
PAUL SKENES
Making his first appearance for the stars and stripes in 2014, Paul Skenes was a member of the 12U National Team that went on to win silver at the COPABE Pan American Championships in Mazatlan, Mexico. Skenes made eight starts and played in all 10 games, hitting .286 with one RBI. In his first two seasons of college baseball, Skenes played at Air Force as a two-way player, playing catcher, first base, designated hitter, and pitcher. Skenes started all 48 games in his freshman campaign and made 18 relief appearances, all in games that he started in the batting lineup. On the mound that season, Skenes recorded 11 saves, which is tied for the most all-time in a single season at Air Force. From his performances, he won multiple awards including Mountain West Freshman of the Year, First Team AllMountain West, and was a Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist. Following his freshman season, Skenes earned an invitation to represent the stars and stripes on the 2021 Collegiate National Team. During his time with the Collegiate National Team, Skenes finished with a 3.58 ERA, pitching seven innings and striking out six, including a two-inning shutout performance against
the Olympic Team. After wrapping up action with Team USA, Skenes began his second year at Air Force. After switching to a starter he picked up 10 wins in 15 games started, with a 2.73 ERA in 85.2 innings pitched and striking out 96. He was again selected to First Team All-Mountain West, winning the John Olerud Award and Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year. In his final season of college baseball, Skenes transferred to LSU and won the Dick Howser Trophy, bestowed to the national college baseball player of the year. Also taking home: 2023 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year, and 2023 First Team All-SEC. Starting in 19 games for the Tigers, he finished with a record of 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 19 games started, totalling 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings. Declaring for the MLB draft being taken first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023, he earned a signing bonus of $9.2 million. In his rookie season, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, striking out 170 batters, with a .198 BAA on his way to winning the NL Rookie of the Year. Skenes is set to suit up for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG
Pete Crow-Armstrong made his first appearance representing the United States on the 2014 12U National Team, which won silver at the COPABE Pan American Championships in Mazatlan, Mexico. Also participating in the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) in 2016, Crow-Armstrong earned a spot on the 15U National Team in 2017, which was named co-champions at the COPABE Pan American 'AA' Championships. Crow-Armstrong started in all seven games and recorded a .280 batting average. He also played for the 18U National Team at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships, getting eight starts, picking up nine hits, with back-to-back multi-hit games to start the tournament. Crow-Armstrong continued to find his way on a Team USA roster after he played for the 2019 18U National Team, starting in eight of nine games at the 2019 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup for Team USA, and earning a silver medal. An impressive performance saw Crow-Armstrong second overall on the team in runs scored (9) and doubles (4), fourth in batting average (.364), and he led the team in stolen bases and triples with three each. Following his time with USA Baseball, Crow-Armstrong was drafted out of high school in the first round, going 19th overall to the New York Mets in the 2020 MLB Draft. During the 2021 season, the New York Mets traded Crow-Armstrong to the Chicago Cubs for Trevor Williams and Javier Báez at the trade deadline. After getting recalled from the Iowa Cubs in 2024, Crow-Armstrong got his opportunity with the Chicago Cubs, appearing in 123 games, finishing his rookie season with 47 RBIs and 12th in the league for outs above average. Off to an incredible start in 2025, already setting a new career-high in home runs, Crow-Armstrong looks to lead the Cubs to their first postseason appearance since 2020.
HUNTER GREENE
First playing for Team USA in 2014, Hunter Greene was a member of the 14U National Team, winning silver at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. Overall, during the World Cup run, Greene threw 13 innings, allowing 13 hits, four earned runs, and striking out 13 batters, including a seven-strikeout game against Cuba. His next appearance for the stars and stripes was on the 18U National Team in the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, throwing two scoreless innings on the way to winning a gold medal. After his appearance in 2015, Greene played for the 18U National Team again in the 2016 COPABE Pan-American "AAA" Championships. Recording two consecutive multi-hit games, Greene and the 18U National Team took home gold in back-toback years. Following his last stint with the 18U National Team, Greene was drafted second overall to the Cincinnati Reds in the 2017 MLB Draft. The young star soared through the minor leagues and reached Triple-A Louisville in 2021. After a solid year in Louisville, the Cincinnati Reds gave Greene the call on April 10, 2022. In his MLB Debut, Greene earned his first Major League win in a start against the Atlanta Braves. After a stellar rookie season, Greene set records as he is the only
Major League rookie since 1900 to produce at least three appearances in which he threw at least 6.0 innings with at least eight strikeouts and no more than one hit in a single season. An impressive 2024 season saw Greene break out as a top arm in baseball, being selected to his first All-Star team and an eighth-place finish for the Cy Young Award. During the season, Greene became only the second Reds pitcher since 1891 with six-plus strikeouts in each of his first six games of a season. Leading the league in xBA (Expected Batting Average) last year at .188, Greene continues to show that he can be a top arm talent in Major League Baseball.
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Attending The Woodlands High School in Texas, Paul Goldschmidt was drafted in the 49th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. After consideration, Goldschmidt chose to play college baseball, spending his college days at Texas State University. Playing three years of college baseball, Goldschmidt solidified himself as one of the best players to ever come through Texas State. He went on to finish his junior season with 88 RBIs in 57 games with a .352 batting average. He was named Southland Conference Hitter of the Year in 2008 and 2009, also taking home Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2009. He finished out his career with Texas State in first place for career home runs, slugging percentage, RBIs, and intentional walks. After his time in college, Goldschmidt was drafted in the 2009 MLB Draft, in the eighth round, by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Spending his first two professional seasons in the minor leagues, Goldschmidt worked to a .306 batting average and slugged 30 home runs. At the start of August, Goldschmidt earned his call-up from Double-A straight to the Majors and made his debut on the first against the San Francisco Giants. Spending his first eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, earning six straight all-star appearances from 2013-2018, in 2017, Goldschmidt accepted his first invite to play for Team USA at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, winning gold for the first time in Team USA history at the event. During the offseason, Goldschmidt was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he would eventually win the NL MVP in 2022, leading the league in slugging, OPS, and OPS+ while slugging 35 home runs. Following the 2022 season, he earned and accepted an invitation to play on Team USA at the 2023 World Baseball Classic for the second time in his career, going on to win silver. Concluding his time with the Cardinals in 2024, Goldschmidt signed with the New York Yankees on a one-year deal, with the hopes of being a key piece in getting the Yankees back to the World Series in 2025.
ROSTERS COMING SOON
ROSTERS COMING SOON
ROSTERS COMING SOON
ROSTERS COMING SOON
ROSTERS COMING SOON
ROSTERS COMING SOON
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS -
JUNE 10-15,
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
BUCS
CALIFORNIA
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS -
JUNE
CANES WEST
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
DIEGO
CBA VICTUS
17U ROSTERS
JUNE
DIABLO VALLEY OAKS
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
GBG INLAND EMPIRE
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS -
JUNE 10-15, 2025
MBA NAVY 2026
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS -
JUNE 10-15, 2025
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15,
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS -
JUNE 10-15, 2025
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS -
JUNE 10-15, 2025
SAN DIEGO SHOW BLUE
SANDLOT BASEBALL CLUB CA
SO CAL BIRDS
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
17U ROSTERS
JUNE
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
1/3/2008 2026 Elsinore Wildomar, Calif.
43 Robley Dominic RHP/3B R/R 5'11" 175 9/19/2007 2026 Bishop Montgomery High School Torrance, Calif.
44 French Dominic SS/OF S/R 5'10" 170 6/21/2007 2026 Capistrano Valley Christian San Clemente, Calif. 47 Maher Dolan C/ R/R 5'11" 185 8/6/2007 2026 Torrey Pines San Diego, Calif. 55 Bothwell Drake C/2B L/R 6'0" 175 8/8/2007 2026 Capo Valley Christian Laguna Niguel, Calif.
TEAM CALIFORNIA WARRIORS
17U ROSTERS
JUNE
TEAM KADO HAWAII NAVY
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
TROSKY
17U ROSTERS NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
TROSKY ARIZONA 2026 REGIONAL
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
JUNE 10-15, 2025
17U ROSTERS
JUNE
17U ROSTERS
NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - AZ
ZERO TOLERANCE
USA Baseball has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse or misconduct of any kind within the sport. All Adult Participants* at USA Baseball events are required to undergo a background check, complete a U.S. Center for SafeSport course, and sign the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPPs).
To learn more about the abuse prevention resources available, and to read the MAAPPs, please visit USABASE.org
By law, everyone is a mandatory reporter. If you have experienced abuse or misconduct, or know of abuse or misconduct that has taken place at a USA Baseball event, please report the incident to any of the USA Baseball representatives listed below, or scan the code to fill out USA Baseball’s Online Reporting Form (this can be done anonymously). To report directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, call 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233).
Paul Seiler
Executive Director/CEO
PaulSeiler@usabaseball.com (919) 474-8721 x213
Lisa Braxton
Director, Athlete Safety LisaBraxton@usabaseball.com (919)-474-8721 x243
Or any USA Baseball staff member you feel comfortable with.
Unsuitable physical contact is not allowed
No inappropriate pictures or video
Verbal abuse is prohibited
No inappropriate texting, social media, or direct messaging communication
Harassment of any kind is forbidden
EVENT AND PITCHING RULES
EVENT RULES
The National Team Championships North Carolina will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) baseball rules. The following rules and guidelines are provided in addition to, in substitution of, or in place of the rules provided in the NFHS Baseball Rule Book.
ELIGIBILITY
▪ To be eligible for the 14U National Team Championships Arizona, players must be born on or after May, 1 2010 OR have an expected graduation date of 2029 or later. Only players born January 1, 2011 or later are eligible for selection to the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program and players born January 1, 2010 or later will be eligible to be selected to the 15U National Team Training Camp.
▪ To be eligible for the 15U National Team Championships Arizona, players must be born on or after May, 1 2009 OR have an expected graduation date of 2028 or later. Only players born January 1, 2010 or later are eligible for selection to the 15U National Team Training Camp and players born January 1, 2009 or later will be eligible to be selected to the 16U/17U National Team Development Program.
▪ To be eligible for the 16U National Team Championships Arizona, players must be born on or after May, 1 2008 OR have an expected graduation date of 2027 or later. All players with a 2027 grad year are eligible for selection to the 16U/17U National Team Development Program.
▪ To be eligible for the 17U National Team Championships Arizona, players must be born on or after May, 1 2007 OR have an expected graduation date of 2026 or later. Only players born January 1, 2008 or later with a 2026 grad year are eligible for selection to the 16U/17U National Team Development Program.
▪ PENALTY: If physical evidence is presented to USA Baseball, or a team admits to using an illegal player, all games in which the illegal player participated shall be forfeited.
▪ Illegal Player
▪ Defined as any athlete that is too old and/ or has already played with another team in the same event. If an illegal player is brought to our attention, it will result in a forfeit for any game(s) that they have participated in.
▪ Ineligible Player
▪ Defined as a player who has not properly registered for the event as thus is not listed on the team’s roster. If an ineligible player is brought to our attention, they must be removed from the game immediately and are not allowed to participate until they are deemed eligible (properly registered on the roster).
▪ Registration requirements for eligibility include player name, jersey number, grad year and/or date of birth, and a signed player waiver (electronic or physical
FACILITY GUIDELINES
▪ USA Baseball tournaments utilize the following field dimensions:
▪ 10U: 46’ mound, 65’ bases
▪ 11U and 12U: 51’ mound, 75’ bases
▪ 13U+: 60.6’ mound, 90’ bases
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
14U, 15U, 16U and 17U
▪ The 14U, 15U, 16U, and 17U tournaments will feature 64 teams.
▪ Every team will be placed into a pool of four (4) teams and will compete in round robin play in its pool, playing three games over Days 1 and 2. The top two teams from each pool will begin a singleelimination bracket-style playoff.
▪ Teams who lose in the first round of the single-elimination playoff will play in one additional consolation game.
▪ Teams seeded #33+ will play in two consolation games.
▪ The third place and championships games will be played on the final day of the tournament.
GAME PLAY
General Rules
▪ All team rosters must have a minimum of 15 players and 2 coaches.
▪ A “mandatory play” rule will not be enforced at the National Team Championships Arizona. However, it is encouraged that all healthy players on the roster participate in the tournament.
▪ In an effort for fair play and competitive balance, USA Baseball recommends that each athlete participate in a minimum of eight (8) innings or five (5) at-bats for position players, and/or a minimum of three (innings) or nine (9) batters-faced for pitchers throughout the event.
▪ The USA Baseball Tournament Director will predetermine all home and away team assignments in all pool play games. The higher seed will serve as the home
team throughout all bracket-round and consolation match-ups (E.g., #6 vs. #1; #1 is the home team).
LINEUPS
▪ A maximum of 10 players are allowed in a lineup.
▪ A tenth hitter, or extra hitter, hereby known as the “EH,” may be utilized by any team. The use of an “EH” is optional. If one team elects to use an “EH,” the opposing team is not required to do so as well. The extra hitter must be indicated in the line-up as the “EH.” The “EH” will be treated as any other starter and cannot be eliminated during the course of the game. The “EH” can exchange positions with other defensive players in the lineup. The starting batting order must be followed in order; the changing of the “starting batting order” once the game begins is strictly prohibited.
▪ Teams are permitted to bat more than 10 players in consolation games, where both coaches agree prior to first pitch.
RUN-RULE
▪ The following run-rule scenarios will be enforced in all games at the National Team Championships Arizona:
▪ If a team is losing by 15 or more runs after having batted in at least three (3) innings, 10 or more runs after having batted in four (4) innings, or eight (8) runs after having batted in five (5) innings, the game will be called due to the run rule.
START TIME/EXTRA-INNINGS/ TIE-BREAKERS
▪ The official start time of each game will begin when the plate meeting breaks. The umpire is responsible for declaring this start time and communicating it with both coaches and the scorer before the game.
▪ All pool-play, consolation, and thirdplace games at the National Team Championships Arizona shall be seven (7) innings or two hours and fifteen minutes (2:15). No new inning can begin after time has expired.
▪ If a pool-play, consolation, or third-place game is tied after seven (7) innings and time permits, teams shall continue the game using the international tie-breaker rule until a winner is decided or time has expired. If a game that exceeds the time limit ends in a stalemate, the game will be recorded as a tie.
▪ A time limit will not be enforced in quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship games.
INTERNATIONAL TIE-BREAKER RULES
▪ The international tie-breaker rule dictates that a runner will be placed on first and second base with no outs to begin the inning. The batter must be the player deemed next-up in the batting order following the previous inning and the two players preceding the batter will be placed on first and second base, respectively.
FORFEITS
▪ In the event a team must forfeit a game, a 7-0 loss will be assigned to a team’s record.
STANDINGS TIE-BREAKERS
▪ If, at the end of pool play (if applicable), two or more teams finish with identical records, the following procedures will be used to break standings ties for bracketplay seeding:
▪ Pool play overall record
▪ Head-to-head result; provided all tied teams have played each other
▪ Fewest runs allowed (overall)
▪ Overall run differential
▪ Coin flip
▪ In a scenario where three (3) or more teams are tied for the top two (2) pool positions, head-to-head result will be removed and the standings tie-breakers will be used to determine the final pool rankings and establish which teams will advance.
EJECTIONS/SUSPENSIONS
▪ Any ejection of a participant (player, coach, or fan) during a game will be reviewed by the USA Baseball Technical Committee, consisting of the Tournament Director, Umpire Supervisor), Site Supervisor, and a member of the USA Baseball Task Force. The Technical Committee will assess the ejection and then determine an additional penalty, if any, for the participant.
▪ Penalties may include suspension for a subsequent game(s), suspension from the tournament, or a team forfeiture resulting in a 7-0 loss.
▪ Any participant who is ejected from a game a second time during the event shall receive an immediate suspension for the remainder of the tournament.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
▪ In the event inclement weather occurs during the tournament, the bracketround games will be given priority in rescheduling. USA Baseball will do its
best to ensure that all teams participating in consolation games will play in an even number of games; however, cannot guarantee an even number of games for all participating teams.
▪ Games rescheduled due to inclement weather may be played at an off-site facility at the discretion of USA Baseball.
UNIFORMS & SAFETY
▪ Coaches must wear a helmet in order to be on the field. A hard helmet is required; no flap, single flap, and double flap helmets are permitted, while “skullies” and cap inserts are strictly prohibited.
BAT GUIDELINES
▪ All teams are required to adhere to the USA Baseball Bat Guidelines below (Bat Guidelines can be found at USABaseball. com/Bats/Guidelines).
▪ 11U, 12U tournaments bat requirements:
▪ There are no specified weight/length ratio limits for bats in the tournament.
▪ Bats may not exceed 32” in length and barrel diameters may not exceed 2 5/8.
▪ Non-wood and multi-piece wood bats must be USABat certified in order to be used in the tournament. *
▪ 13U tournaments require bats to be any wood or metal BBCOR (-3) bat OR an approved USABat.
▪ 14U and 15U tournaments require bats to be any wood or metal BBCOR (-3) bat.
▪ 16U and 17U tournaments require bats to be any solid (one-piece) wood bat or an NFHS approved BBCOR wood barrel baseball bat.
▪ *USABat certifications are reflected in the Washington State University Sports Science Lab and the NCAA and NFHS BBCOR approved baseball bats list.
PITCHING RULES
In accordance with USA Baseball’s assimilation of Pitch Smart guidelines, the National Team Championships North Carolina will use a hard pitch count as the standard for setting pitcher-use limitations for the tournament. The 2024 Pitch Smart guidelines can be found on page 2 of the rules document.
▪ Pitchers may not pitch three consecutive days regardless of their pitch counts in the two previous days (e.g., if a pitcher throws 10 pitches on day one and 15 pitches on day two, they are still ineligible to pitch on day three)
▪ If a pitcher exceeds a pitch count threshold in a single game that requires a mandatory rest day, they are ineligible
to pitch in an additional game in the same day regardless of their daily pitch count total.
Penalty For Violation Of Pitcher Use Limitation Rules
▪ If a pitcher is found to have exceeded their allowed numbers of pitches during a game, the illegal pitching situation will be rectified immediately and the incoming pitcher will be permitted as many warm up pitches as the umpire deems necessary prior to resuming the game. The Technical Committee will review the infraction and reserves the right to suspend the manager for the next game if the infraction is deemed a purposeful breach of the rules. The Technical Committee will be comprised of the Tournament Director(s), Umpire-inChief, Site Supervisor, and a member of the USA Baseball Task Force.
▪ If a pitcher is found to have exceeded their allowed pitches for a game after the game is completed, the manager may be suspended for the next tournament game. The Technical Committee will review the infraction and reserves the right to suspend the manager for the next tournament game plus one additional game if the infraction is deemed a purposeful breach of the rules.
▪ In either case, the pitcher in question will not receive any direct penalty, but will be made to adhere to the prescribed days of rest based on the number of pitches at the time of the infraction. The team in question will not receive any direct penalty (beyond penalization of the manager), but will continue to be required to adhere to the prescribed pitch count rules for the remainder of the event.
Tournament Pitcher Use Limitation Rules
▪ If a pitcher reaches the daily max pitches in a game threshold (75 [10U], 85 [11U-12U], 95 [13U-16U], 105 [17U-18U]) while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following events occur: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is retired; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning.
▪ A pitcher’s required rest is based off a hard pitch count of actual pitches thrown and does not reset to the pitch count tallied at the beginning of the last batter faced. If a player has thrown 29 pitches and, after facing the last batter of the inning, has thrown 34, then that pitcher’s pitch count for the day is 34 (not 29) and they are required to take one day of rest.
▪ USA Baseball official scorers will be responsible for the official pitch count at each field.
▪ An aggregate pitch count report for all teams in the tournament will be distributed electronically at the completion of each day’s games to the team contact on record. The pitch count is monitored and kept in the tower, and is the only official pitch count that will be used. Managers or coaches pitch counts are NOT official, but they are welcome to periodically check with the official scorer to ensure their count is correct. The official scorekeeper will communicate the pitch count at the beginning of each inning or as needed.
▪ Should a pitch count be protested, the protesting team must present an official score book or digital score keeping application to the Site Supervisor and Tournament Director(s).
▪ The pitch count kept by the tower can be overturned if both the Site Supervisor and Tournament Director conclude that a mistake was made on behalf of USA Baseball’s scorekeeper. The new pitch count will be recorded and reflected in the following day’s pitch count report.
Suspended Games (Pitching)
▪ For purposes of applying the pitcher-use limitations in the event a team plays twice on a single day (because a prior game was either postponed or suspended), the following rules apply:
▫ A pitcher’s per-game total pitch maximums (but not mandatory rest) shall be deemed to be “reset” in a resumed game. However, pitchers are still restricted to per-game and daily pitch maximums set forth by the Pitch Smart Guidelines prior to and after suspended and resumed games.
▫ The pitcher of record at the time a game is suspended becomes subject to a mandatory rest day if they exceed a pitch count threshold (20+ [10U-14U], 30+ [15U+]) and will not be eligible to pitch in the resumed game if it takes place during their required rest time, including a resumed game occurring at a later time on the same day.
▫ A pitcher who is required to rest for a day must rest for all games on that day (I.e., resting during the resumption of a postponed or suspended game shall not satisfy a mandatory rest day, even if there is a subsequent game on that same day).
Doubleheaders
▪ The second game of a scheduled doubleheader will not serve as a rest day for pitchers having thrown in the first game of the day (E.g., a pitcher who has thrown 20 [10U-14U], 30 [15U+] or more pitches in the first game of the day may not pitch in any subsequent game that day and is subject to the appropriate number of rest days based on the total pitches thrown).
▪ A pitcher who has thrown 1-20 [10U-14U], 1-30 [15U+] pitches is eligible to throw in any subsequent game that day; however, they will still be limited to the daily max of 75 [10U], 85 [11U-12U], 95 [13U-16U], 105 [17U-18U] pitches for the day.
▪ Due to the nature of the tournament format, the USA Baseball Operations Staff will provide each coach with an updated pitch count sheet as soon as possible prior to the start of their second game of the day on days where a doubleheader is scheduled.
The USA Baseball App
Features Include
› Baseball Athlete Safety Education (BASE)
› Minor Athlete Safety Policies
› BASE Organizational Compliance Program
› Ineligible List and Reporting Abuse
› American Development Model
› Certification pathways for coaches, umpires, and parents
› Coaches Clinic Registration
› Develops Blog
› High School and Youth Baseball Manuals
› Online education courses
› Drill Library
› Practice planning tools
› Information on Pitch Smart
› Youth Programs
› And more!
