In the game of baseball, nothing is more special than family ties and hometown roots. Over the summer at the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., the action never ends with events, national teams, and development programs overlapping one another. Most recently, the 15U National Team Championships and the Collegiate National Team Training Camp took place simultaneously. Cannon Fralick, the younger son of Jacki and Jonathan Fralick, took on 15U Champs North Carolina while his older brother Chase, took on Collegiate National Team Training Camp.
While coming to Cary for some may be just another stop on the map, for the Fralick family, Cary used to be called home. Both Chase and Cannon were born at nearby WakeMed Hospital, and Chase even started his baseball career playing in the Raleigh Rec baseball league. Their father, Jonathan, was the Head Tennis Professional at Cary Tennis Park during his time in Cary. The family established their roots here, and this past week presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch both Cannon and Chase in their old hometown.
The feeling of being back in Cary was special for the family. Jonathan specifically thought it was such a great experience and was impressed by the facility.
“Having my boys born in Cary and running the tennis park for all those years, this is the most fantastic feeling I've had watching youth baseball. The USA Baseball facility is second to none,” said Jonathan.
Having two sons who are four and a half years apart, it can be difficult to be able to watch both play at the same time. Constantly competing in different places at different times, most parents would have to split appearances between the two, but not this week for the Fralicks.
“This week has been special; playing two events at the same time in the same town has never happened before in our 13 years. It's been remarkable,” said Jonathan.
“One of the hardest things is that since both of them play, we are usually dividing and conquering, and one with one and one with the other. I think both of us hate that and feel like we're missing something, so for them to be both here and we both can be here, it's perfect,” said Jacki.
Jacki holds Cary in a special place in her heart, knowing that it will always be home to her. The feeling of knowing that both of her boys will be playing at the same time at the same complex was something she couldn’t put into words.
“Cary to me will always be home because it's where both Chase and Cannon were born, so it holds a special place in my heart. When I saw that this worked out, I couldn't even imagine it. With them being four and a half years apart, they have never remotely been in the same town, so being able to watch both of them for a week is incredible,” said Jacki.
When the Fralicks first lived in Cary, USA Baseball’s National Training Complex was in the process of being built, but now, with the Fralicks' return to Cary, they can’t help but be impressed.
“I’ve watched it grow since its inception, and it’s the marquee facility anywhere in the country, and we’ve been everywhere in the country; this is the best facility in America,” said Jonathan.
“It's special; we knew it was here when we first lived here. It was in the process of being built, so we hadn’t seen it in all its glory yet. Even when Chase was here for Champs, this [USA Baseball High Performance Training Center] was still being built. The town does so much good with its facilities; we knew that when we lived here, so it’s pretty special that everything is here and centralized,” said Jacki.
Coming back to a place you spent a good amount of time living in is bound to bring back some nostalgia, and for Jonathan and Jacki, there was no shortage of it. Whether it's visiting friends or even taking a stop at some old favorite restaurants, there definitely was an at-home feeling for the Fralick Family.
“100% visiting some of our old restaurants, it has absolutely been nostalgic the whole time we have been here,” said Jonathan.
“It's nostalgic because both boys were born here as a mom; that's pretty special. We have lifelong friends here whom we stay with while we're here; we're not in a hotel, we're with friends,” said Jacki.
Even though Cannon and Chase are at different stages of their career it doesn’t change the fact that both Jonathan and Jacki are incredibly proud. Both sons have paved their own path and done their own thing; both parents couldn’t be happier.
“It is the most exciting thing ever as a father, and I've got a pretty decent career running facilities throughout the country, but having my boys at this level is exciting, and it’s only one step of the journey,” said Jonathan.
“I couldn’t be more proud as a mom, watching them do what they love every day. Jonathan and I joked that we are missing out on the lake for the Fourth, but I don't care; watching them do what they love is more important to me than the lake on the Fourth of July,” said Jacki.
Through Cannon’s eyes, this experience is unlike any other, being able to play games himself and come back to watch his brother on one of the biggest stages that Chase has dreamed of.
“It's a surreal feeling; he has always wanted to do this. It's always been his lifelong goal to play for his country, and it's cool to see him achieve that goal,” said Cannon.
Chase, being the elder of the two brothers, has always been the one Cannon looked up to, whether it was in life or baseball; Cannon always had someone he could turn to. Cannon even took some of Chase’s game and made it his own, such as catching.
“I've looked up to my brother for about everything in my life, whether it was in school or in sports. Once he started catching, I started catching. It was just super cool to follow in his footsteps,” said Cannon.
Participating with SBA Bolts National, Cannon took on the 15U National Team Championships, playing in front of numerous scouts and USA Baseball Task Force members. Both brothers got their fair share of the programs that USA Baseball has to offer.
“It’s been surreal everything we could ever imagine: winning games, playing well; it's been great,” said Cannon.
Cannon has been spending twice as much time at the complex as any other player. After his games, Cannon returns to watch his brother compete for the Collegiate National Team under the lights. It's something that Cannon isn’t taking for granted and understands the significance of.
“It's so special to be able to play at the same time cause I get to go over and play and then come over and watch him play, so it's just a surreal feeling. Watching him do what he wants to do and if he can, he can come watch me,” said Cannon.
For Chase, coming back to Cary was an experience with plenty of emotions being felt. With the work his father has done with the Cary Tennis Park, the area where Chase grew up, this trip is special.
“It’s a full circle moment. Both my brother and I were born here, and we lived here as a family for a long time and spent plenty of time at the Cary Tennis Park along with the National Training Complex, so getting to come back here and play has been super awesome,” said Chase.
Being able to wear “U-S-A” on your chest is a high honor for any player, and the experience is unforgettable. For Chase, the experience stands out as something incredible while representing his country.
“It’s been a blast. All the coaches and all the players are nothing short of incredible, and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity that the coaching staff gave me to represent the USA, and I'm just having a blast,” said Chase.
Starting his baseball career not too far from here with the Raleigh Rec, Chase never thought he would get an opportunity like the one he had.
“It’s crazy; I never thought that I would get to have this opportunity, but I’m taking everything with a grain of salt and just keeping my head down and keeping on working,” said Chase.
Being able to play at the same complex over the same week as his brother is something Chase won’t forget. Knowing how unique this situation is, Chase was fully aware of how much this week would mean to not just him, but also his parents.
“It’s awesome; this has never happened before in our baseball careers. Usually I’m in one place, and he’s in another place, and our parents are having to split up, but having both of our parents here to watch both of us during the week has been super awesome, and I know my parents are loving it,” said Chase.
Playing college ball at Auburn in the mighty Southeastern Conference, Chase has a plethora of knowledge and experience he can pass on to Cannon. Knowing that he has that impact on Cannon, he had some words of wisdom for his younger brother.
“Just keep on working and getting better. Baseball is a tough game, and there are a lot of ups and downs, but just keep your head down and keep working,” said Chase.
The family roots of the Fralicks are more than just a thought; they are established in Cary. Returning to a place they used to call home, recalling old memories and reuniting for the one thing the family loves, baseball. The opportunity to experience a tournament with both Cannon and Chase in the same place, at the same time, is surely something the Fralick family will never forget.
