USA Baseball Gears Up For 2010 NTIS

National Team Identification Series to help organization select top talent across 13U, 15U, 17U age groups

(DURHAM, N.C.) – For the second year in a row, USA Baseball is proud to present the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) in 2010, once again offering the organization’s most comprehensive evaluation of talent ever in the 13U, 15U and 17U age groups.

As it was in 2009, the 2010 NTIS promises to be one of the most heavily-scouted and premier events of the fall calendar. The event will consist of three separate age groups and a total of 648 players all competing for a chance to be selected by a 2011 USA Baseball National Team program’s trials. The event will be held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and adjoining Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. from Sept. 10-12, 2010.

“We could not have been happier with the success of the inaugural NTIS in 2009,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “Much of the thanks and credit go to our regional directors – their regional programs have become an important part of identifying the top young baseball players in the country. Everyone at USA Baseball is excited for the second installment of this great event.”

From the three separate 13U/15U/17U age groups, USA Baseball will name a minimum of eight players to the 2011 18U National Team Trials (18U); a minimum of eight players to the 2011 16U National Team Trials (16U); and a minimum of 24 players to the 2011 14U National Team Trials. While the NTIS is designed to supplement the existing programming being done at the 18U and 16U age groups, it will constitute the primary identification opportunity for the 14U National Team.

Albert Almora, star of two gold medal-winning 14U National Teams, a member of the 16U National Team and a veteran of the NTIS program, credits the event in helping him bring out the best in his game. “The NTIS was great competition,” Almora says. “It really gave me something to work for. There were a lot of kids trying out, so I knew I had to step it up and show what I’ve got.”

Almora says that the NTIS prepared him for his summers with USA Baseball. Experiences, he says, that he will never forget.

“It was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and I want to continue doing it for the rest of my life.”

For general program inquiries please contact Nate Logan at natelogan@usabaseball.com or by calling (919) 474-8721 x210.

For more information on how to get involved please visit USABaseball.com and click on the NTIS home page.

About USA BaseballUSA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic Team and World Cup Team (and all other USA Baseball Professional Teams); the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team; the USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams; and the USA Baseball Women’s National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year. USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to top player in college baseball. For more information, please visit www.USABaseball.com and www.GoldenSpikesAward.com.

Contact: Nate Logan – natelogan@usabaseball.com, (919) 474-8721 x210