Since 2009, teams from all over the country have met in Cary, North Carolina, to compete in the USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup. All regions are represented in the tournament and hundreds of young athletes travel with their families to be a part of the most comprehensive player identification program offered by USA Baseball. Andruw Giles (Las Vegas) is one of the many athletes to make the trip to Cary this year, but Giles brings something else to the table: experience.
Giles was on the Southwest team that won the 2018 11U NTIS Champions Cup last year at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, and, this year, he returns to bring another championship back to the Southwest. But first, he had to make it back to Cary.
Having gone through the process once before, he believed he had a good understanding of what it takes to earn a coveted spot on his region's small roster.
"During try-outs, I would always be the first one ready to start drills. I always made sure I did everything the right way. I would ask if I could help with gear and I was hitting and throwing well too," said Giles.
His experience paid off in the first tryout, but like all of the athletes who participate in the NTIS program, Giles had to go make it through a second tryout before he would be able to make the Champions Cup roster.
"I had two tryouts: one in Las Vegas and the second one was in Denver. The two tryouts were similar, but I did feel some pressure during the second tryout in Denver. It was in a different state and I had to deal with the altitude and being away from where I play baseball all the time," said Giles.
The pressure did not limit Giles, however, as he was named to the all-Southwest roster for the second straight year, allowing him to return to one of his favorite baseball parks in the country.
"It's so cool because the [USA Baseball National Training Complex] fields are incredible, especially when you are looking out at the beautiful scenery while you are hitting and you get to watch the ball fly towards the trees," said Giles.
There are many reasons for these athletes to be proud of what they have accomplished leading to their invitation to Cary; being named one of the best baseball players in your region is no easy feat. But Giles was sure to point out one particular reason he feels proud to return to the NTIS Champions Cup.
"I think it is so great that we get to represent our state and region in one of the biggest stages in youth baseball. For USA Baseball to let us to play here [at the National Training Complex] is very cool. It feels really good to be selected to play in this tournament, knowing that this is one of the best tournaments in the country," said Giles.
Giles is excited and honored to be back in Cary, but he is clear his goal is to use his experience and compete for another gold medal. With his experience on this stage before, however, he is not oblivious to the level of talent that is being represented.
Andruw Giles plays for the 11U @SouthwestNTIS Stars and is one of the many athletes to make the trip to Cary this year, but Giles brings something else to the table: experience. #NTIS19
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- USA Baseball NTIS (@USABaseballNTIS) August 10, 2019
"I think my team has a great chance to win. It is the best of the best going up against each other. Anything can happen. We could go 0-and-6 or 6-and-0. That's how good the competition is out here," said Giles.
He is one of over 300 athletes to compete in this year's NTIS Champions Cup in Cary, where only 72 athletes will be invited to national team and National Team Development Program (NTDP) events next year. While it may seem daunting, this is what fuels and motivates athletes like Giles.
"It just feels great to be back at the NTIS Champions Cup. Because I know how the process works and what the USA Baseball Task Force members are looking for, I feel like it's my time to shine," Giles said.
