This week at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, Michael Young and his son, Emilio, took on the National Team Championships and everything it has to offer. The seven-time All-Star, former Texas Rangers standout, and USA Baseball alumnus will step into a coaching role this week. A position that is familiar to him, coaching in both the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classics.

There’s nothing like the connection between a father and son on the diamond, and the connection between Michael and Emilio is as strong as they come. Playing for Jason Kidd Select, Emilio is looking to make his mark in front of the abundance of college scouts in attendance.

In an unusual role, Michael is living a double life this tournament, managing to be coach and dad at the same time. Though it's not going to distract him from the opportunity that lies between the foul lines, taking in what Champs NC is all about.

“It's been incredible, our kids have had a great time. Haven't played our best baseball, but a lot of times those are the best teaching moments. Sometimes in the summer circuit, it gets really, really hard to get a chance to push these kids, because there's just so much action going on, but they've had a great time,” said Michael.

For Emilio, the tournament has been a great experience, and he feels incredibly blessed to be here at the National Training Complex. The Newport Beach, California, native traveled a long way to get here, and he’s soaking it all in.

“It's been just an honor to be out here, this facility, this complex, it’s just so amazing.
I mean, it's so beautiful being out there, especially with the type of tournament that Champs is. It’s been such a fun experience,” said Emilio.

One of the aspects of Champs NC that makes it different than other travel baseball tournaments is that all eyes are on you. From the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to the Atlantic Coast (ACC) and all levels in between, the USA Baseball Task Force is on hand as well. The role of the task force is to identify high-follow players who potentially could be invited to national team training camps or USA Baseball's development programs.

Spontaneous learning for players comes from tough competition, which is something that Champs can bring to light; the mid-game teaching moments are part of what makes this event important for these players. Through the eyes of Michael, the quality of teams is a huge factor in what makes Champs NC the highlight of the summer.

“I think it's just the quality of teams. There are so few teams, and I know that whoever you're going to play is going to be good. So, it comes down to doing well at what coaches like to watch: seeing their players bear down for a couple of minutes,” said Michael. “It's a great lesson for these kids. Baseball is a game where small details are super important. So, the quicker they learn, the better.”

Understanding the identification part of the tournament, Emilio isn’t running from the eyes; he is playing with no added pressure.

“It's great. Just seeing the coaches out here, seeing Task Force guys out here today, it definitely gives you a little bit of an edge, but it's been great. I think it adds to the event and gives me more motivation to go out and play every day,” said Emilio.

Something Emilio thought was different about Champs NC compared to other tournaments is that he believes Champs is the pinnacle. There are plenty of great tournaments throughout the summer, but Champs NC is the place to be in Emilio’s mind.

“Just being out here in Cary at this tournament is awesome. Everyone wants to be here, and I think that's what makes the tournament so cool. It’s all the best teams and all the best guys from around the country, you can’t find that anywhere else,” said Emilio.

Getting the opportunity to coach Emilio is something Michael is grateful to do, but there's no bias in his coaching. Michael is focused on being the same coach to the rest of his players as he would be to Emilio; helping the players is all that matters to him.

“The biggest thing is trying to make sure I'm coaching all the players, from seeing whatever I see, and how I can help them. A lot of these kids, I'm meeting for the first time. So, to get an opportunity to help them out is a lot of fun for me. There's no sense in playing for a long time and not passing on every last bit of knowledge you have,” said Michael.

Possessing such valuable insight into the game of baseball, Michael is the ultimate tool for Emilio, and he understands the game differently from others. The struggles are meant for learning, not for panic, and that’s exactly what Michael wants Emilio to take away from the grind and learn to enjoy the game.

“As far as being a dad, I want my son to figure out how to have fun. Be a good teammate, enjoy the time with his buddies, and try to make himself a better player. A lot of times, that's the painful part of this as a parent, when you see your kid go through a bit of a scuffle. In baseball, those are the biggest learning opportunities. So if you see your kid struggle a bit, as a former player, you see a lot of positives in it, where I think that a normal parent or a player that hasn't played, maybe gets a little bit of heartbreak, but I see it as a massive opportunity.”

The lessons players get from their father are a pivotal part of a player's journey, but for Emilio, it could be life changing. With his dad having won countless awards, such as the Batting Title, Gold Glove, and even an All-Star Game MVP, Emilio has quite the resource in his back pocket.

“Obviously, he’s my dad, but he's also a great coach to me. I just make sure I listen to him; he knows what he's doing, and he knows what he's talking about. Anything that he tells me, I make sure to listen and apply to my game moving forward,” said Emilio.

Off the field, Emilio takes in as much as possible, but this tournament is the first time that his dad has been in the dugout with him. The emotion Emilio displayed when talking about having his dad in his corner certainly showed the impact Michael has had on him.

“This is the first time that he’s been in the dugout with me, and having him in the dugout was great. My dad and I have a great relationship, and I think having him in the dugout is strengthening and a great resource to all of us. His being able to coach not just me, but all of my teammates, and give them such great advice has been an amazing opportunity,” said Emilio.

Having plenty of experience with USA Baseball, Michael knows how important USA Baseball is to the next generation of baseball players. Stepping foot onto the complex for the first time, Michael felt a certain vibe and presence when he arrived.

“It's massive. When I come through these gates here, this is the first time I've ever been to this complex. As an alumnus of the program, I felt how special it was. When [Executive Director/CEO] Paul Seiler gave me a tour of the place, it brought back all the feels, and what it means to represent this program, represent my country, and do the best I can. USA Baseball is an incredibly proud program. When we take the field, we do everything we can to win, but the way we play, the way we handle ourselves, the way we represent the program. It means everything. If the next generation of kids, or whoever has an opportunity to play for USA Baseball, I'd be happy to tell them the same thing: the way you play, the way you conduct yourself in this program means everything,” said Michael.

The experience and knowledge at Champs NC continues to be off the charts, with Michael and Emilio being no different. From the father-son bond to the immense understanding of the tournament and game, there couldn’t be a better bond between this power duo.