At the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, dreams don’t just arrive; they grow here. They grow from bullpens thrown in high school cages. From winter workouts in empty facilities. From being the kid sitting in the stands, watching someone a few years older wear red, white, and blue.
For three players with local roots, Leyton Guhl, Drew Caracio, and Troy Hanes, who have trained here since childhood, this week is more than just baseball.
It’s a moment years in the making. Its home soil turned into a national stage. And the pride they carry runs deeper than stats or scoreboards.
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Leyton Guhl reflects on the unique advantage of growing up near the USA Baseball National Training Complex—a place that’s felt like a second home since he first visited at age 10.
From a young age, he was struck by the professionalism, the structure, and the way kids were treated like pros before they could even drive.
“It was great to see how everything was run—the professionalism, the way the fields were maintained, how invested the coaches were in every single game,” he said. “Even at a young age, we were treated almost like professionals.”
That early exposure left a lasting impact.
“Being here has shaped who I am as a player,” he continued. “Even though it’s a local facility, the level of competition is far from local. It pushed me into a more competitive environment early on, and that’s made all the difference.”
More than anything, Guhl feels grateful for the chance to represent his home state on a national stage and cherishes the opportunity for his family and friends to watch him play just a short drive away.
Now, he’s one of the players others watch. His family is in the stands, and his community knows his name.
And for him, this is more than baseball—it’s a badge of honor.
Caracio doesn’t just play here; he lives this life.
A product of the Research Triangle, Caracio grew up surrounded by some of the best baseball talent in the country, and even more impressively, he formed relationships with many of them.
“I’ve had the opportunity to practice at the complex a lot in the winter,” he said. We use the indoor facility with my academy (Pro5 Academy in Raleigh, N.C.). It’s always cool to see the place before everybody else arrives.”
But his connections to the baseball world around him run deeper than that. For Caracio, he has been fortunate enough not only to have grown up in the Triangle surrounded by the best baseball talent, but he's also been lucky enough to have developed relationships with these collegiate athletes.
One notable player is USA Baseball Collegiate National Team alumnus Luke Stevenson.
“One of my friends, Luke Stevenson, used to catch all my bullpens up at Wake Forest High School. He went to UNC. It’s cool to see how he developed. I relate more to Kaden Morris because he came to college as a pitcher. I saw him at NC State, so it was cool seeing these guys grow up and go to all the different colleges.”
Seeing players like Stevenson and NC State pitcher Kaden Morris has helped shape Caracio’s vision of what’s possible. The Triangle has always been a baseball hotbed for him, with UNC, Duke, and NC State all just a short drive away.
Growing up surrounded by that energy has pushed him even further.
“The core group of baseball people here. It's just a different vibe. Everybody knows everybody. It's just, there are so many connections, especially through growing up in baseball.”
A Cary native, Troy Hanes has grown up with the National Training Complex as a familiar fixture, a local landmark that doubles as a national stage. What others dream of reaching, he’s been watching and walking past since childhood.
“It’s been nice just having the opportunity to come out here and play,” Hanes said. “Whether it was local games or weekend tournaments, it’s always been a part of my baseball life.”
His earliest memory at the Complex dates back to when he was just 13, competing in one of USA Baseball’s tournaments.
For Hanes, proximity didn’t make the experience any less special. Being so close to such a high-caliber facility only deepened his appreciation for the game and those who played it.
“I think it’s helped a lot,” he said. “You’ve got all these great teams coming through, big colleges, top players. When you see that up close as a kid, it makes you want to raise your level. You start to believe you can be like them.”
That belief has turned into reality.
Now a standout himself, Hanes has found himself playing on the same fields he once watched others dominate, a full-circle moment that isn’t lost on him.
But for Hanes, it’s not just about personal growth; it’s about representing his community. Each time he steps onto the field at the Complex, it’s more than just another game.
“It feels really good to know I’m doing it right here at home,” he said. “All my family can come watch. My friends can show up. You don’t always get that kind of support in baseball. It means something.”
That connection to Cary fuels him, not just on the field, but in how he carries himself as a player and role model.
When asked if being local brings a deeper sense of pride, Hanes didn’t hesitate.
“It makes me feel like I’m representing something. I’m not just coming out here to play a game.”
These young baseball players' stories serve as reminders that big dreams don’t always require a long journey. Sometimes, the most meaningful paths begin right at home on familiar fields, surrounded by familiar faces.
The USA Baseball National Training Complex isn’t just a destination. It’s a starting point. A proving ground. And a symbol of what can happen when passion meets opportunity, right in your backyard.
