With another week gone by, another event begins during the summer of USA Baseball. This week, the 11U Futures Invitational begins with fresh faces and some returners hunting for the top spot.
Being a primary identification event for the 12U National Team, the 11U Futures Invitational will showcase top talent from across the nation. Coming to play at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C., means teams and players will be watched by USA Baseball Task Force members and scouts. The next step through the pipeline and on the road to 12U National Team Training Camp starts here.
Featured at this tournament are teams from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington. The talent is undeniable; with 24 teams total, there is no other tournament with highly-touted, 11-and-under athletes quite like the Futures Invitational.
After finishing in second place last year, ZT National Prospects returns and is hunting to get back to the championship game.
Coach Albert Arteaga knows how important it is to be able to play here, “To have the opportunity to be looked at and have the possibility to join the 12U National Team, it’s a big compliment for some of these boys that are going to make it, and ones that already made it.”
This event is one of the biggest stages these young players take on; it means a lot to players and coaches to come out here and compete against the best of the best.
“I believe that this is probably the biggest stage you want to be at,” Arteaga said. “At this age, once you are around USA Baseball, you’re officially in the talks for a lot of other things in future years. So, it’s definitely a big sense of pride to be back here.”
When asked about this year's preparation, Arteaga spoke about how talented his roster of players is–and he’s ready to showcase it.
“Everybody is a five-tool athlete who can do whatever is needed from the team,” said Arteaga. “From 1-to-11, once you have that type of roster, you can showcase the power, speed, and everything else defensively.”
One of the toughest challenges teams will face when coming to the tournament is roster management, but not for Arteaga.
“That’s the reason I love this tournament,” Arteaga remarked. “This is my third time here; I feel like it’s a chess game when you come here, playing good teams in pool play. You have to win your pool and it’s also about who you’re going to save and how you’re going to end up at the end.”
With pitching being a huge part in the success of teams, Arteaga knows it’s going to be critical to throw top arms early.
“Strategy-wise, we’re going to end up having to throw one of our top guys in the third pool-play game and the first bracket-play game. My job is going to be to make sure that we get to that championship game, and then we’ll play it from there.” Arteaga said.
Arteaga’s comments on the importance of pool play and how important these games are, speaking on throwing their top arms, winning on the first day of play is an incredible advantage. With the top eight teams record-wise making the quarterfinals, taking an early lead on the rest of the field certainly helps momentum.
“We took care of game one comfortably, but we’re not going to take anybody lightly out here,” emphasized Arteaga. “The second you take somebody lightly, they’re going to punch you. The talent across this level is valid, so we just have to make sure we don't take our foot off the gas.”
Action will continue all week, including the 11U Futures Invitational Home Run Derby to be held Friday evening. Then, it's back to business with talented teams battling out for a top spot in bracket play and a gold medal.
