In a small town like Sanford, North Carolina, stories don’t usually start with national headlines. They typically begin on dusty ballfields, with big dreams and a quiet determination to prove all of the doubters wrong. But rising junior Landon McDonald is changing that narrative.
A standout baseball player at Grace Christian School, McDonald just helped lead the Crusaders to a state championship which further strengthens Grace Christian’s place as a national high school powerhouse. But now, he's chasing something even bigger: a chance to represent his country.
McDonald was recently invited to attend USA Baseball’s prestigious 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). The event presents a rare and coveted opportunity extended to only the top high school talent across the nation. It’s a step that places him on the radar for future national team selections and puts him in the conversation as one of the country’s most promising young athletes.
And to think it all started in a town where people often say, “Nothing really happens here.”
McDonald’s journey started like most kids from small towns—with a bat, ball, and a dream. From tee-ball to travel ball, he quickly stood out for his natural athleticism and unshakable focus on the mound.
At Grace Christian School, McDonald’s potential began to crystalize. He didn’t just fill out the stat sheet, he led by example. Whether it was coming onto the mound in a tight game or turning a double play with smooth precision, he played with maturity well beyond his age.
As a sophomore, McDonald was impressive on the bump and posted impressive defensive numbers from the mound. He serves as one of the many crucial puzzle pieces that helped turn Grace Christian into a powerhouse program and capped off the season with another state title.
After Grace secured the title and the school year wrapped up, McDonald received the kind of message every young athlete dreams about—an invitation to USA Baseball’s NTDP in Cary, just 40 minutes up the road.
“You have the opportunity to represent your country so it can’t get any better than that,” said McDonald. “It just doesn’t get any better. While I’m here, I know I'm representing something bigger than myself and I know it’s a huge opportunity to be here.”
The NTDP is more than a showcase. It’s a multi-day experience that features professional-level instruction, skill development, game simulation, and character building. Players selected for the program are viewed as legitimate prospects for future USA Baseball national teams, including the 18U National Team that competes in international competition.
“It’s not just about my development as a baseball player, but my development as a person off of the field. I want to have the opportunity to represent my country and this is a huge step in the process of doing so.”
While the invitation is a major step forward, he remains rooted in the values he learned in Sanford: humility, hard work, and faith. His family, coaches, and community at Grace Christian have been his steady support system every step of the way.
“Our title run was a good representation of the team as a whole. We worked hard every single day. Everyone is involved and the culture is really changing at Grace. Between the coaches and players, we’re all pretty close and that’s a huge asset for us going into the new season. We couldn’t do it without the community around us.”
And despite his growing resume, McDonald is quick to give credit to others—his parents, teammates, coaches, and even the town that raised him.
“When you’re here, you’re representing your people and where you came from. It reflects on your parents and how they raised you as a person. It also shows what kind of school and area you come from. I want to be a good representative for my people.”
His next chapter is still being written. The NTDP will open doors to college programs, scouts, and national team opportunities, but none of that feels overwhelming to him. If anything, it’s fueling his fire.
“Being at the NTDP is a good place where I can see how I stack up against the rest of the guys here. I’m trying to figure out where I rank against everybody. Learning about myself as a person and about my development will be big as I develop.”
Back in Sanford, where the stoplights still blink and the summers still feel endless, people are starting to take notice. McDonald is proof that even from the quietest corners, greatness can rise.
And for the first time in a long time, the town that says “nothing really happens here” has a reason to believe otherwise.
