CARY, N.C. - For years, USA Baseball has strived to bring the best competition in the country to the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, and within the past few summers, the National Team Championships North Carolina has quickly become one of the elite travel ball tournaments in the nation for youth teams.
For one squad, Alpha Prime, it traveled more than 2,500 miles from California to give its players the opportunity to face the top competition this week at the 14U National Team Championships North Carolina. One of the leaders of Alpha Prime, assistant coach Ryan Royster, wants his squad to get the most complete experience out of its cross-country trip.
“For us, we want to play the best competition and challenge our young men,” said Royster. “We want to get better, and this tournament has drawn the best of the best from around the country, so we want to be a part of that. We want to let iron sharpen iron, and kind of live that out to the kids and let them see where they stack up.”
Not only is National Team Championships North Carolina an opportunity for the players from Alpha Prime to experience a higher level of competition, but it’s also a way for them to be exposed to the history that is infused within the grounds of the National Training Complex.
“Beyond the competition, it’s just an opportunity to be here in Cary, North Carolina. As soon as you walk in the facility, you see all the pictures and faces of legendary ball players that these kids look up to and aspire to be like. There’s something about this environment that is special, and we wanted them to be able to experience that at this age as they strive to be back here for national teams and other events as they get older.”
Throughout the week, Royster has been able to watch his players soak in that rich history and be inspired by playing on the same fields that their idols once competed on at their age. It is a way for the young players to, in a sense, connect with those who they aspire to be one day.
“From Major Leaguers to guys that just recently played in the College World Series, they can see these guys on tv and set some goals. It feels real to them knowing that those players were competing here at their age, and now their faces are plastered all over the stadium. It’s like it’s something real for them to aspire to, and it’s always great for them to have those type of tangible goals, even at this young age.”
Traveling across the country, adjusting to a new climate and time zone, and being prepared to compete at a high level can be a tall task. Despite the challenges that can be presented when playing in a new environment, Royster believes that his Alpha Prime squad has been able to adapt and adjust, knowing that doing so is key to having a successful week at the National Team Championships North Carolina.
“Luckily, they’re young, so even though we took some red eyes and things like that they have been able to bounce back and feel pretty good. USA Baseball always do a great job of having the water and Gatorade around to keep the players hydrated. We harp on that, and they do a good job of doing so, but there’s really no choice because the heat out here feels a little oppressive sometimes. They have to make adjustments if they want to perform at this level.
“All the kids here are at such a mature level, and this is something they feel like they want to do for their future. They’re not just out here just to have fun, they’re trying to get something done out here, so I think if we give them the information that they need to stay hydrated and get their rest and things like that they grasp onto it and lock in.”
While taking in this week’s unique experience, Royster hopes his players can see the big picture outside of the playing field. Playing at the national level not only takes a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts but can put things into perspective in terms of what a player’s goal is in their career.
“I hope the guys can have an appreciation of their families and their parents who are making the sacrifices and putting them in positions to play at a facility like this and against competition like this, just a humbling and thankful feeling first and foremost.
“I also want them to be able to see that it’s a big world out here. All the kids on these other teams are the best in their town or high school, but they come out here and see how many kids there are and how hard some people are working. I hope they all see that and get a bit of an understanding of what it takes from a commitment level and focus level to get to the kind of goals they aspire to achieve.”
