What's the process for making the Team USA 17/18u teams? What's the level of competition like? What cost are involved? How's the coaching staff selected? Do these kids continue to play PG events during the Team USA season?
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Go to USA baseball's website they pretty much explain it. Play in an NTIS series.
......oh and it helps to be one of the top 30 players in the country at that age group, and if your are one of those you are probably already been contacted.....
Our older son played for that team 10 years ago for two consecutive years. All I can really speak too is how it worked then.
* Player needed to be invited to the Tournament of Stars
* Flights and housing paid for player
* Play in 1 week tournament amongst 8 teams, 1 each representing one of the major youth baseball organizations (Babe Ruth, Pony, etc...)
* Out of that tournament, approximately 25-30 players were chosen and held back for about a 1 week very intense tryout...in my sons years these included many of the very top players in the nation such as Buster Posey, Andrew McCutheon, Neil Walker, Justin Upton, etc...
* Once you make the team, the format seemed to vary from one year to the next. First year team travelled the South for about a month playing high level scrimmages against top teams as well as other countries, then flew to the Pan Am tournament. The second year, there was a gap where they returned to their summer teams for a month or so before re-gathering to head off to Taiwan. Again, all travel expenses paid for players.
Coaches are chosen well ahead of time and are nationally known coaches by USA Baseball...typically from one of the nation's best HS programs. I believe they are involved all summer in scouting and evaluation.
Its a first class run program. It was/is VERY difficult to make that team. Once you are on their clock and their nickel, you are theirs and you do not attend other showcases/tournaments while their activities are going on. But this team is heavily scouted to be sure. It genuinely represents the entire USA and the players are genuinely many of the very best in their HS class.
In the past, the vast majority of those on the USA team have participated in the PG National Showcase. Many also attend the East Coast Pro and/or Area Codes. Several of the very top players do not attend Tournament of Stars these days. For example last year several of the top players did not attend. It takes quite a commitment, but it is a great experience. Just because several of the very top players don't participate, those that do are all very talented.
After the Tournament of Stars in June the USA Baseball people select a group of players to attend "trials" later in the year. There they select the final roster that will stay together until they are done. Other than the TOS, the trials, and the actual international championship, players can do anything they want. Most are playing all summer at tournaments and other events.
I highly recommend attending the TOS if invited. If a player makes it further than that, even better. It is one of those once in a life time things. Not sure how many that do the NTIS actually make Team USA. Most of the very best players are invited to TOS and the best of that group are selected. There are always a few surprises, but not many.
They (USA) can't simply pick all the top prospects. They have to put together a team which means they have to consider positions along with many other factors. Sometimes a player capable of playing more than one position becomes valuable to them. There goal is to win the Gold Medal while representing our country.
I would add that if you are invited to Cary, NC for the "Try Outs", you should go for the experience. Great venue, good exposure, and definitely worth attending. Just don't expect to make the team. When my son went, they had 2 - 3 hundred kids and there were only a handful of spots available. It seemed more like a money grab to fund the USA Team's travel expenses, but if you have the right view of the value for your son, it is a great experience.