2018NTISFanGuide

FAN GUIDE: NATIONAL TEAM IDENTIFICATION SERIES

All information below is subject to change.

EVENT OVERVIEW:

The 2022 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) is the most comprehensive player identification program offered by Team USA. Players from across the country will participate in selection events and tryouts on the regional level with the aim of ultimately being named to their All-Regional team. Those regional teams will then compete in their respective age groups against the five other regions from across the country at the culminating National Team Identification Series Champions Cup event at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

The program includes six separate age groups - 11U, 12U 13U, 14U, 15U, and 16U. From the final NTIS event, USA Baseball will invite a minimum of 72 players to future National Team Trials and National Team Development Program (NTDP) opportunities with the ultimate goal of being selected to represent our country as a part of Team USA in 2023.

  • Check-in and Registration
    • Check-In and Registration will take place on the first day of the event (Wednesday) at the National Training Complex.

      Schedule below:

      Gates Open: 4:45 pm
      Player Check-In: 5-5:30 pm
      Opening Ceremony*: 5:45 pm

      *The Opening Ceremony will take place on Coleman Field

  • Rules
    • 2023 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U and 16U and National Team Identification Series Rules (coming soon!)

  • Schedule
  • Media and Press
    • If you are an accredited member of the press and wish to obtain a USA Baseball media credential, please visit the USA Baseball Media Services page.

      Streaming:
      All games played at the USA Baseball Training Complex (Fields 1-4) will be streamed live on our YouTube channel, @USABaseballTV. All streams are free to watch!

      Social Media:
      Keep up to date on USA Baseball via social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The official Twitter handle for the NTIS is @USABaseballNTIS. Fans can follow @USABEvents on Instagram for daily NTIS Champions Cup updates as well!

      Photos:
      Official team or event photos will be available for purchase on www.USABaseballPhotos.com. The password is: ntis (case sensitive)

      Cameras & Video Equipment:
      USA Baseball has adopted the following policy regarding camera lenses (including telephoto and zoom lenses) for any of the organization's events at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Spectators are not permitted to bring telephoto or zoom camera lenses into the National Training Complex. Cameras may be brought in to the facility so long as they are not accompanied by these types of lenses. Only USA Baseball personnel and credentialed members of the media are permitted to have possession of telephoto and zoom lenses. This policy is in place to ensure that all of our players, coaches and fans have a positive experience at our events.

  • Tickets
    • General Ticket Info:
      There are no advance ticket sales for the National Team Identification Series. Tickets can be purchased on-site, at the gate. Only electronic payments will be accepted. USA Baseball accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card.

      Ticket Prices (SALES TAX NOT INCLUDED):

      Tournament Pass: $30
      Kids under 12: Free


      As official event participants, players and staff members listed on the team roster will be credentialed for the event upon their arrival to Cary.

      Re-Entry Policy:
      Fans can re-enter the National Training Complex by showing their daily pass wristband or tournament pass.

  • Event Information
    • Merchandise:
      Officially licensed USA Baseball merchandise will be available during the entire event. All major credit cards are accepted: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover Card. For additional Team USA merchandise please check out the official online shop at USABaseballShop.com.

      Event Program:
      Event Program: The 2022 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series program is produced by USA Baseball and will be available via digital format online. Check out the 2022 National Team Identification Series event program here:

      Photos:
      Official team or event photos will be available for purchase on USABaseballPhotos.com. Participants will receive a password via email to gain access to the event album.

  • Facility Information
    • USA Baseball National Training Complex (NTC)
      200 Brooks Park Lane
      Cary, NC 27519
      Google Map
      General Directions

      Thomas Brooks Park
      9008 Green Level Church Rd.
      Cary, NC 27519
      Google Map
      General Directions

      GPS Address:
      7445 Green Hope School Road; Cary, NC 27519

      • Specific directions from team hotels to the National Training Complex will be available at hotel information tables.
      • Please be advised that I-540 is a toll road. There are no toll booths, all tolls are taken electronically and will be billed via mail. If driving a rental vehicle, please inquire about the specific rental company's toll billing procedure.

      Parking:
      Parking is free at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the construction in progress at the facility, parking will be limited.

      Local Information:
      Information tables with local area guides and directions will be available at team hotels.

      Prohibited Actions & Items at the National Training Complex:
      The following are prohibited in the USA Baseball National Training Complex:

      • Outside food, beverage and coolers
      • Smoking
      • Animals except for service animals
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Weapons
      • Skateboards, rollerblades and scooters
      • Umbrellas are limited to grass seating
      • Tents


      Smoking Policy at the National Training Complex:
      The National Training Complex is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is permitted in the parking lot, outside the National Training Complex gates.

      Outside Food and Beverage:
      No outside food, beverage or coolers will be permitted.

      Foul Balls:
      Please be aware of foul balls at all times while at the National Training Complex. USA Baseball will be offering a pack of baseball cards from Panini in exchange for each foul ball returned to the USA Baseball Team Store.

      ATM:
      There is no ATM on-site at the National Training Complex.

      Wireless Internet Access:
      There is no wireless internet access available on-site at the National Training Complex.

      Bag Search:
      All bags are subject to a bag search upon entering the National Training Complex.

      Concessions:
      Concessions will be open for the duration of the event.

      Lost and Found:
      Please check the USA Baseball Team Store or the on-site Town of Cary offices (located inside the First Aid building, on the 1st base side of the Stadium Field) for any lost items.

      First-Aid:
      A certified athletic trainer will be on site through the entire event. In case of emergency, the closest hospital is Wake Med Cary.

      Wake Med Cary
      1900 Kildaire Farm Road
      Cary, NC 27518
      919-350-2300
      Google Map

  • Additional USA Baseball Information
    • Gatorade Gatorade wants to make sure your team is properly fueled to perform at their best throughout the National Team Championships North Carolina. Your athletes will have access to Gatorade Thirst Quencher on the sidelines of each game to help keep them hydrated. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has fluids to rehydrate, electrolytes to replenish, and carbs to refuel. To learn more about the science behind Gatorade, visit www.gssiweb.org.

      Next College Student Athlete (NCSA)

      At NCSA, we understand that the recruiting process can be stressful for families, college coaches and high school/club coaches alike. We provide the tools and support each group needs, while giving them an easy way to connect with each other. Our digital products and the expertise of our people work hand-in-hand to help each of these groups be successful in their roles and make the recruiting process a little easier for everyone. For more information, visit ncsasports.org.

      The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA), a division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a proud partner of USA Baseball. The GRSA markets and promotes Wake County as a premier sports event destination for the purpose of economic development, while working with its community partners to generate new sports business and to support and enhance existing events. For information on events happening in the Triangle, check out visitraleigh.com.
      The Town of Cary has been the official home of the National Training Complex (NTC) since 2007. The Town of Cary received the National Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2016. The award honors U.S. communities that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. For more information, visit TownofCary.org.
  • Education
    • Pitch Smart:
      Major League Baseball and USA Baseball have teamed up to help young players reduce arm injuries through Pitch Smart, a comprehensive resource for safe pitching practices. Pitch Smart offers a series of practical, age-appropriate guidelines to help players, parents and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers. The guidelines were developed as MLB and USA Baseball collaboratively pooled the recommendations of many leading medical authorities in the sport in conjunction with baseball officials.

      PitchSmart.org serves as the program's online home and is accessible via MLB.com and USABaseball.com. The site offers pitch count and rest recommendations, statistics on Tommy John surgery, risk factors, awareness tips, published research and videos from experts, including Dr. James Andrews and USA Baseball's medical safety committee chairman, Dr. Glenn Fleisig. USA Baseball is fully compliant with the Pitch Smart program.

      For more information about the Pitch Smart program, take the free introduction to Pitch Smart online course hosted by Hall of Fame Major League pitcher, John Smoltz, at USABDevelops.com.

      Coach and Parent Education Resources:
      As the national governing body for baseball in the United States, USA Baseball is proud to provide educational resources to all constituents within the game. The following outlines some of the programs available to parents, players, coaches and umpires. All USA Baseball Develops initiatives are free to all users and can be found at USABDevelops.com.

      • USA Baseball Online Education Courses - The free USA Baseball Online Education Courses emphasize a culture of development, safety and fun within the sport through online training courses and programs focused for players, parents, coaches, and umpires. Content is offered in both English and Spanish.
      • USA Baseball Mobile Coach App - Free to all users, the Mobile Coach App features the ability for baseball coaches at all levels to plan practices using drills supplied in the application through the practice planning function. The application is available through the Apple and Android application stores.
      • Long-Term Athlete Development Plan - Developed by USA Baseball with support from Major League Baseball, the Long-Term Athlete Development Plan (LTAD) provides a multi-stage developmental pathway for an individual's life-long experience within the sport of baseball in the United States.
      • USA Baseball Coaches Certification - Coaches Certification is an educational program for any and all individuals who are currently coaching baseball or aspire to coach at any level of the game. The program aims to create a higher standard of coaching education and enhance the ability of coaches to better serve their athletes, their team and the communities. Coaches Certification is for all members of the baseball coaching community, regardless of age, level, or experience.

      These resources and many more can be found at USABDevelops.com.

      Pure Baseball:
      In February of 2018, Senate Bill 534 was implemented. This bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, to certain adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes at a facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body. This bill also amends the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 to authorize national governing bodies to develop training, practices, policies, and procedures to prevent the abuse of minor or amateur athletes.

      In response to Senate Bill 534, USA Baseball has developed the Pure Baseball initiative. Pure Baseball is USA Baseball's zero-tolerance policy for abuse of any kind in baseball. It is comprised of four areas - reporting, background checks, education and training, and minor athlete safety policies. This initiative ultimately seeks to eliminate all forms of abuse and misconduct in our sport.

      For more information on Pure Baseball, please visit PureBaseball.org.