This week at the National Training Complex (NTC) in Cary, N.C., the Athlete Development Program (ADP) is underway. The ADP is a top program for the best talent from ages 13U to 14U, where players show up with one thing in mind: developing towards a goal of 15U National Team.
Being the next step in the USA Baseball Pipeline following the 12U National Team, the ADP consistently puts players on the right path for success and develops them for future national teams. Of all the players coming to the NTC this week, only two players are returners to the event – Tyler Early and Ty Glaus.
Early and Glaus both are 2023 12U National Team alum – during their stint, the 12U age group continued to dominate international play. At the end of their 12U National Team journey, Early and Glaus took home gold in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier and the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.
Experiencing ADP once is a great privilege; experiencing it twice is something that players take great pride in.
“It feels great to come back and play with some of the best kids out here and compete with them, it’s cool being here for a second time, so it’s fun,” said Early.
“It’s an honor only a couple of people ever get to do this,” said Glaus. “It’s better being an older player this year, being 13-years-old, you just watch and learn, having that experience under my belt is a huge advantage.”
Whether in the classroom or on the field, players are constantly learning valuable lessons from the coaching staff. These players gain knowledge they have not had access to, and it helps better the players' abilities, which is something they look forward to.
“My favorite part of the ADP is the coaches that are here,” said Early. “They’re helping us to get a lot better as a player, as an athlete, and they’re helping my mindset on and off the field.”
“I don’t pitch, so hitting against the top arms in the country at this age group, getting a look at how they attack my swing in certain ways that normal pitchers wouldn't,” explained Glaus. “Having the ability to make an adjustment facing the top arms is one of my favorite parts.”
Getting a taste of baseball internationally – Early and Glaus were able to see how other players are developed. The level of competition internationally is a huge factor in developing as an athlete; getting a taste of how other countries handle their business shows that the work is only beginning.
“It was fun to go across the world and to play other teams internationally. Just seeing how they’re raised to play and the level they are at is cool,” said Early.
“Oh my. In Taiwan, it was absurd,” exclaimed Glaus. “So many people didn’t like us; it was a different experience from playing around here. Everyone here is always on the team that wins a lot; everyone for us is on a good team. Winning gold versus Chinese Taipei was a golden experience.”
For the players, getting an edge any way they can is certainly something they seek out here at the ADP. As these young stars inch closer to trying to reach the 15U National Team, players have a good idea of the steps they must take to get to that level.
“I just need to work every day and get better,” said Early. “I want to be a great person on and off the field and figure out how to be a good presence in the dugout.”
“I need to get stronger, faster, just improve the physicals of my game and keep honing the baseball aspect of everything,” said Glaus.
The week of action will continue over the next two days, playing the last two games of the series between Team Eldridge and Team Miller. Before games, players continue their baseball educational journey, working through position-based and team-based drills while being evaluated by the coaching staff.
