CARY, N.C. – Ben Reiland already knows what it’s like.
The outfielder – who is at the USA Baseball National Training Complex this week competing at the National Team Championships North Carolina and trying to earn a spot on the 15U National Team roster – has already donned the red, white, and blue on the international stage.
Reiland has played for two different national teams in his young baseball career. In 2017, he traveled to Taiwan with the 12U National Team, leading the team’s offensive output and helping the U.S. secure a gold medal.
Reiland batted .643 (18-for-28) in nine games in Taiwan, homering once and driving in 10 runs. His 18 hits led the team, which was twice as many as the player with the next-most hits.
It was an experience that helped him grow as a baseball player, but also form friendships and bonds that have only grown stronger.
“I think the biggest thing that we brought to that tournament was our family bond and our effort to play as a team,” Reiland said. “We made sure to do whatever it took to win, but also enjoyed the experience and everything we did.”
The trip to Taiwan was an important step for Reiland’s physical development on the field, but also for his mental strength. Playing in front of 12,000 fans was something that was new for Reiland, who soaked in the experience once his initial nerves settled down.
“I think you always have your nervous feelings,” he said. “But at the end of the day, you just have to try to win a baseball game. It just helped me focusing on doing what is best for the team.”
After Taiwan, Reiland continued to develop and ended up earning his second shot to play for the U.S. when he was named to the 15U National Team in 2019. The team traveled to Mexico for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, where Reiland, again, delivered for his country.
The Irvine, Calif., native led the team with a .500 batting average for the tournament, hitting an RBI-triple to extend Team USA’s lead in the gold medal game against Panama.
For Reiland, there was no better feeling than playing well on the international stage while representing his country.
“It’s one of the best feelings ever,” he said. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. It gives you a lot of responsibility and you have to be respectful at all times, and do what you do the best.”
Now, Reiland – along with every other player in Cary, North Carolina this week – is aiming to get back to that level, and playing at the National Team Championships in front of the USA Baseball task force is the first step to that.
With 15U National Team manager Jared Halpert – who served as an assistant coach on the 2019 15U staff – in attendance, all eyes are on the incredible talent the 16 teams at the National Training Complex brought this week. The staff will select 44 players between the National Team Championships Arizona and North Carolina to advance to trials, where the best 20 players will make the roster.
After going through this process several times already, Reiland has grown accustomed to having scouts and evaluators in attendance at his games. It’s something that took some getting used to, but the 15-year-old has got it all figured out.
“As you do it more and more you get more comfortable with it,” he said. “You can’t really think about it, you just have to go play baseball. Ultimately, it’s going to make you better.”
To keep up with the action at National Team Championships North Carolina, be sure to follow @USABChamps_NC on Twitter and check out USABaseball.com.
