Everyone's journey through the USA Baseball Pipeline is different – some make their mark early, some take their first step at other age groups.

For Alex Bello, an Orlando native, preparation started years ago for this week. Making his first appearance at the 2022 12U National Team Training Camp, Bello got his first taste of what USA Baseball is all about.

Since then, Bello has learned valuable lessons that he carries to this day in preparation for achieving his goal of making this year’s 15U National Team.

Working on his craft relentlessly, Bello came through the National Training Complex (NTC) in Cary, N.C., last year. Getting his second taste of USA Baseball, Bello took on the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) for a week of instruction from an incredible coaching staff.

Teaching the fundamentals with position-based lessons and team drills, the ADP aims to showcase a complete brand of baseball. The ADP provides players with top-notch instruction on and off the field, including seminars and team bonding activities.

Continuing his journey at the NTC this summer, Bello participated in the 14U National Team Championships North Carolina. Playing as a member of SBA Bolts National, Bello’s performances earned him an invite to this week's 15U National Team Training Camp.

All the practices and preparation have led Bello here – for this moment – looking to break through and become a USA Baseball alum at the 15U level.

Learning every step of the way, Bello looks to use lessons learned from his time at 12U National Team Training camp to help his efforts in the hunt for a roster spot.

“I remember just always hearing to focus on my goals that I set for myself,” said Bello. “I just need to stay on top of my game and trust in my ability to be able to go perform at a high level.”

One of Bello’s key moments from his time at the ADP was taking in as much advice from the coaching staff as possible. Keeping a positive mindset about his game and taking things one step at a time.

“One of the things the coaches at the ADP tried to instill in my mind was having a good mindset on and off the field,” explained Bello. “I just need to be myself and know that I’m good enough to be out here.”

Although making it to 12U National Team Training Camp and the ADP are great accomplishments, Bello isn’t satisfied. Something the Orlando native learned from those two events is that much more work needs to be done.

“Seeing all the competition at 12U National Team Training Camp and the ADP made me want to work harder for my goals,” said Bello.

Amongst those goals he set, making the 15U National Team is his top priority. Knowing what it takes to push himself to another level and keep improving, Bello is ready for the challenge.

“I need to show up with everything I got and work hard to make the team,” stated Bello.

Showing up with everything he has is certainly important, as the competition at 15U National Team Training Camp is intense. Although iron sharpens iron, Bello isn’t scared of the competition.

“It goes to show that no matter what, no matter how good you are, someone is going to be better than you,” explained Bello. “But competing and never giving up is what separates you from the others.”

With two days of practice under his belt now, the coaching staff has had a good bit of time to help develop Bello to a higher level than when he arrived. Practicing for multiple hours a day, the players know that mistakes will happen, but it’s about how you handle them.

“No matter how good you are playing and how much you work on things, you’re still going to make mistakes,” said Bello. “Just shake them off and use it as a lesson.”

Three days remain until the conclusion of this year's 15U National Team Training Camp, meaning Bello is ready to leave it all on the field. Making the roster would give him one feeling.

“If I made the team, I would be one of the happiest people in the world,” exclaimed Bello.

Looking to make his national team debut by earning a spot on this year’s 15U National Team, Bello plans to work hard through Training Camp trying to put together a showing of a lifetime in hopes of achieving his goals.