Having the opportunity to participate in USA Baseball’s events, player-development programs and national team programming training opens the door to impactful opportunities for athletes at every level. For those chosen, it’s more than just training—it’s a chance to gain a deeper understanding of their potential, sharpen their skills, and lay the groundwork for reaching the next level in their baseball journeys.

That’s exactly what players at 13U Champs NC experienced during their time at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

For these young athletes, including alumni of the 12U National Team program, the opportunity to return to USA Baseball’s premier development environment was both exciting and invaluable.

For 12U National Team alumni Carlo Rivero, Christian Cicero, Joshua Pierre, and Clayton Ratliff, returning to Cary felt familiar and exciting — a reminder of how far they’ve come and still want to go.

“It feels like I’m developing more and getting better as I go,” said Rivero, a shortstop and pitcher for the Scottsdale Dirtbags. “These days are about improving overall and just keeping on that path.”

Rivero, like many of his teammates, has big goals: making the 15U and 18U National Teams, and eventually climbing even higher. His approach? “Just keep on working hard,” he put simply.

For catcher Cicero, development days are about more than reps and data — they’re about friendship, focus, and remembering why he loves the game. Cicero dreams of someday joining the 15U, 18U, and even the Collegiate National Team — maybe even playing professionally and for USA Baseball’s Professional Team. He explained that his goal is achievable through three key ways:

“Working hard every day, staying focused, and doing good with my friends — that’s how I’m going to get there. It means a lot just working and playing with my friends, trying to get better,” Cicero shared. “When I get older, I want to remember these moments and how fun it all was.”

For infielder Pierre, the return to Cary was as much about nostalgia as it was about growth. He explained that this homecoming offered more than just insights on what's to come for his baseball career; it offered a sense of familiarity of remembering where he and his friends had all started.

“It’s like coming back to where it all started,” he said. “Playing with some of the same kids, being in the same place — it’s a cool experience.”

Like his fellow teammates, Pierre has his eyes on the future. Pierre, like many players, understands the concept of baseball being seen as a game of mistakes, meaning that failure is inevitable and that how you bounce back from it is what determines who you are as an athlete and a person.

When asked to walk through what it means to put your best foot forward, Pierre said:

“USA Baseball doesn’t care about your past. You come here, and it’s just about doing your best. That’s my biggest takeaway — keep working like nobody knows who you are. USA Baseball wants to see how you bounce back. Don’t take mistakes too hard.”

Outfielder and pitcher Ratliff emphasized that development goes far beyond on-field stats. His goals are consistent with the others: to make future national teams and keep building his game every day.

“These days show my growth,” he explained. “How I’ve improved and how I keep getting stronger… It feels really good to be a USA Baseball alum already. I’ll always remember those days.”

Coaches Omar Avila and Tony Lujan of ZT National Prospects 13U understand the weight of the moment — and the privilege of being here. They understand the significance of USA Baseball’s skill development days for these 13-year-old baseball players, emphasizing the opportunity for these young athletes to be evaluated, develop their skills, and represent their country at a high level.

The experience is seen as crucial for understanding metrics, measurements, and the dedication required to succeed, but both coaches hope that their players take away more than just numbers from the week — they want them to walk away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed.

“The opportunity for these boys to be here, to be evaluated, and be part of this event is huge. These kids obviously don't just love the game of baseball,” emphasized coach Avila. “They want to represent the country and play at the highest level. So, the fact that they're here and they have this opportunity it's amazing. It's amazing to watch these kids compete in a great facility that's provided for them.”

Lujan added, “I believe these kids, it's kind of like a good opening for them to understand their metrics or measurements and what it's going to take to play at the next level. I think a lot of the boys are getting to that age now, they're 13, and I think it's important for them to really be here and be around other great baseball players, to really challenge themselves and see how they do.”

Coach Francisco Rivero, head coach of the Scottsdale Dirtbags and father to Carlo Rivero, echoed this sentiment but offered a deeper meaning to what skill development days have to offer for his son to mature in the game from both the third base line and the dugout.

“Since we came here the first time in 2023, we describe USA Baseball as one of the legit platforms, they're teaching the fundamentals and the basics that the players are going to need in the future to move on in this sport. So, we love this and we just commit to being here every single time that we can.”

For these young athletes, the week in Cary wasn’t just a chance to measure their 30-yard sprint times or exit velocities. It was a rare chance to see what’s possible — to envision themselves wearing “U-S-A” across their chest again one day, on even bigger stages. And if their words, work ethic, and passion are any indication, that dream is only just beginning.