Two weeks ago I had six of my students participate at various age groups for the NTIS USA Baseball Identification Series. This prestigous event is used to identify prospects for Team USA 14U, 16U and 18U teams. Players are identified through regional tryouts, selected to regional teams, then play in competition at the USA Baseball Headquarters in Cary, NC. Last year, my student, Nick Solak, made it to the final cut in Jupiter, FL. This year, Andrew Owen (Chicago, IL) has been selected to the 24 man roster at the 14U level. Andrew was 1 of only 3 Midwestern players to have been selected (15 of the 24 were from Texas or California). I have been teaching Andrew for 4 years, starting when he was 10 years old. Andrew is a very gifted athlete, who has a very good grasp of mechanics for a player of his age. Those two things combined, and you get a player that has been identified as one of the best in the country. I have a very close relationship with the Owen family. Andrew's dad Steve, recently brokered the purchase of my new house! Good things happen to good people, and it can no more true than for Andrew and his family. I will update you, and maybe talk Andrew into doing a few "guest blogs" to narrate his experiences in his he takes his final step into being a "Team USA" player.
