Throughout the USA Baseball Pipeline, players must always be noticeable. Be different. Make their presence be felt. The stop before 18U National Team Training Camp is the 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP).

The stomping grounds of NTDP are where players like Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday, and have played with a purpose – to get to the next level.

Making it through the USA Baseball Pipeline once in your career is an astounding accomplishment. Getting the opportunity to do it again is special; both Jared Grindlinger and Jacob Seamon are aware of that.

Grindlinger and Seamon have gone through their journey with USA Baseball together; they were teammates on the 2021 12U and 2024 15U National Teams. Now they will take the stage at NTDP reunited as teammates again, suiting up for Team Red.

Seamon is extremely excited to be back again, with his prior experience serving a great purpose in his development.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” exclaimed Seamon. “Repping USA across your chest. There is no other feeling like it. You get to go out with your boys, play the greatest game in the world, and just have a blast, so there's nothing like it.”

Grindlinger is eager to be back here with a deep connection to these fields. Plenty of his teammates from 12U and 15U are here and ready to compete as well.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” said Grindlinger. “It’s super fun, I love these fields and being back here playing with all these guys, especially with a bunch of the alumni on my 12U and 15U team. I’m just super happy to be here.”

Playing for the USA across your chest with a teammate twice – it certainly builds a connection. Seamon and Grindlinger have built a special connection along the way for a unique relationship.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, so getting back here, getting to play with him again, it’s pretty special,” said Seamon. “You get to meet a lot of friends and you get friends for a lifetime, so it's a blessing.”

In regards to Seamon, Grindlinger had plenty of praise for his teammate, showcasing the deep bond they created beyond baseball.

“I’m super close to Jacob. I love him. He’s probably one of the best kids and overall best guys that I’ve been around,” stated Grindlinger. “He’s such a cool kid, and he makes me a better person being around him.”

Any time players get the chance to get feedback and further their development, there is always a level of excitement.

This week, with a stellar coaching staff aiding players with their questions about the game, it builds excitement for them.

Along with being able to see old friends.

“Getting to see the friends that I made along the way, getting to play against the best in the country, and getting to wear the USA across my chest again is something I’m excited to do,” said Seamon.

Some are excited about the competition aspect of the week.

“I’m just excited to compete against all the best players and just test myself in that aspect,” said Grindlinger.

A baseball player's mission is to constantly chase improvement, whether it’s improving their hit tool, their speed, or their fielding – the game of baseball is a constant grind.

For some, it comes down to mindset and the mental game.

“This game is so tough and it’s such a grind that you just have to kind of strap in and know that failure’s going to come along the way,” said Seamon. “You just have to battle the adversity and just keep playing.”

In today’s era of baseball, there is a new fascination with competing at the highest level as a two-way player. For Grindlinger, an area of improvement came on the mound. working on his craft by developing new pitches.

“I just developed two pitches that I got comfortable with, that I can throw for strikes to help command the zone a little better,” said Grindlinger.

It comes with the territory to make memories along the way, but some just stand out amongst the rest.

Seamon’s was last year during his run with the 15U National Team, when the team took on Australia in a five-game series.

“Beating Australia last year was my favorite. We outscored them 62-to-nothing across five games, and Jared and I both had a homer, so it was pretty special.”

During that run with the 15U National Team, the squad made a stop in Clemson, South Carolina, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, where Grindlinger made his memory with a bang.

“Hitting a home run at Clemson for 15U, I would say is my favorite or coolest memory that I have.”

This week is a huge part of these athletes' development, moving onward in their careers, and taking in as much information as possible is a privilege for the players.

“Don’t take this week for granted, 18U is not guaranteed,” said Seamon. “I have to keep working. There are so many great players in this country, and they’re all good players, so we've got to keep working and hopefully get there next year.”

Making it to NTDP is a huge honor and being surrounded by these coaches to learn the game is what Grindlinger wants to take away from this week.

“I just want to pick the coaches’ brains as much as I can, just learning as much as I can to help me with my future in this game.”

A key part of young players journey’s as a baseball player is NTDP. Players continuing or even starting their journey through the USA Baseball Pipeline at NTDP get the development from coaches to help turn them into the stars of the future and prepare them to make a national team.