CARY, N.C. – The 2021 11U Futures Invitational got going with 24 games across two facilities on Thursday, June 24, in Cary, North Carolina. Action started early at Middle Creek Park and went into the evening at Thomas Brooks Park. All 24 teams got in their first two pool play games and will play a final pool play game tomorrow before playoffs start on Saturday.
As teams arrived, it didn’t take long to realize that this was not just another weekend on the ball field. Both facilities are decorated with USA Baseball signage featuring Team USA alums like Mike Trout and Chris Archer that read, “You could be next,” down the side. The tournament certainly has a big-time feel to it.
Each team also got a personalized team banner to hang behind their respective bleachers that gave each dugout a home-field vibe. Several teams also brought along large Bluetooth speakers with personalized walk up songs for each player to add to the environment. After all, some teams like the San Diego Show have come all the way from California to make their mark and fight for gold this weekend.
Teams at Thomas Brooks Park started their day with baseball card style photoshoots, each player getting portraits taken to go along with a team photo. The style was out in full force as Landon Sornson from Banditos Black had his team’s logo shaved into the side of his head. Other players had their numbers shaved in, just another sign of the magnitude of the week.
Because this is not just another tournament. In addition to the pomp and circumstance of photoshoots and décor, teams at this week’s event also have a few other unique opportunities and experiences available to them – and one of those is to get a glimpse into the future
With the inaugural MLB Draft Combine happening just steps away from where these teams are playing at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, many are getting an opportunity to see what the near future of the game looks like – as well as possibly their own.
The Draft Combine is hosting the nation’s premier high school and collegiate prospects and these 11U athletes are hoping to be looking at their future selves as the games and workouts unfold. It’s already clear that the impact of this unique experience will go far beyond the action on the field for these young players.
But even with the future right next door, it’s still the present that is the primary focus of this tournament and, possibly, the most beneficial piece of the whole weekend.
As a primary identification event for the 12U National Team, every player at the 2021 11U Futures Invitational is being scouted and evaluated on what they can do right now. These athletes are getting the chance to play in front of this year’s 12U National Team coaching staff and for an opportunity to earn a spot on this year’s Team USA.
The staff and task force don’t take that lightly as they start building the best team possible. To do that, they were out in full force today, including 2021 12U National Team Manager RJ Farrell, who had his eyes all over the place. And they’re pumped by what they see.
“I think us as coaches, we’re really excited to see everything coming back to normal and to have the fields full of kids again,” Farrell said.
But it’s not just about on-field ability. Farrell and his staff are not just looking for what goes on between the foul lines.
“Obviously, the baseball side of things, they can show what they have here,” Farrell continued. “But a big aspect of what we’re looking for is the character and the type of person that we feel deserves to be, and can handle themselves, on a National Team.”
And players are hoping to show they are one of those deserving of a chance to play for Team USA – now and in the future.
