CARY, N.C. – Two years ago, Anthony DuFour stepped onto the fields of the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, as a wide-eyed 13-year-old representing the Northeast Stripes at the NTIS Champions Cup. He was a bit nervous, unsure of how he’d stack up against some of the nation’s best.
This week, the Randolph, Massachusetts, native is back – older, sharper, and with more experience under his belt – competing for the 15U NTIS Northeast Stripes and hoping to earn another coveted spot in the USA Baseball player development pipeline.
For DuFour, the NTIS Champions Cup isn’t just a tournament, but a proving ground. After his first appearance in 2023, he was selected for the 2024 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP), a big moment that connected him with the best coaches and players from across the country. The experience not only improved his skills but also boosted his confidence.
“It was a lot of fun,” DuFour said. “And every time I come back here, it’s a great opportunity to show how I play, and it’s an opportunity to play with a bunch of great kids.”
The USA Baseball pipeline is designed exactly for players like DuFour – athletes who can grow year after year, from NTIS to ADP and eventually the 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). DuFour now has his sights set on the 2026 16U/17U NTDP, knowing that each step forward means competing against and alongside some of the country’s most talented players.
“My first year here I was super nervous,” DuFour admitted. “Now, coming back, I’m just less nervous - I just know I’m here for a reason.”
Where nerves once ruled, DuFour now draws on past experiences for reassurance.
“I feel more confident because I really know what to expect,” he said.
His 2024 ADP stint further cemented that belief.
“It was a great experience,” DuFour recalled. “It was a lot of fun meeting kids from all over, and I proved that I could compete with them too,” DuFour said. “I’m one of them, and it’s an honor.”
Every time DuFour steps onto these fields, he’s reminded that this journey is about more than just baseball. It's about proving that he belongs among the best, growing with each challenge and embracing every opportunity to rise. With his confidence stronger than ever, he’s ready to take on whatever comes next in the USA Baseball pipeline.
But for now, he’s focused on the task at hand – representing the Northeast Stripes and making the most of another opportunity in a journey that, with the right mix of hard work and perseverance, could one day lead to the red, white, and blue of Team USA.
