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In 2012, USA Baseball continued a rolling invitation process for the players named to the 18U National Team Trials, and the organization will use the same model again in 2013. A minimum of 40 athletes will be identified for the 18U National Team Trials through the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars (TOS), the USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) and by recommendations from professional scouts, college and high school coaches, and the amateur baseball community. As players are named to the team, USA Baseball will publicize the announcement(s) through a press release and/or by post to USABaseball.com. For a player to be age-eligible for the 2013 18U National Team they must have been born after Jan. 1, 1995.

The primary identification vehicle for the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials will be the Tournament of Stars (TOS) presented by Major League Baseball. To attend this event, players must be invited by USA Baseball based on recommendations or nominations by USA Baseball National Member Organizations, the college coaching community, professional scouts, high school coaches, and/or the amateur baseball community. The TOS features 144 players representing various youth baseball organizations from across the United States. During the week-long TOS, USA Baseball Task Force members and National Team coaches will evaluate each of the 144 athletes and select a minimum of 24 players to attend the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials.

Another identification event where players can qualify for the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials is the NTIS. The event is held each August/September in Cary, N.C., and provides USA Baseball with an advanced look at the upcoming class of top players at the 18U competition levels. At the NTIS, USA Baseball Task Force members will identify a minimum of eight players for the following season's 18U National Team Trials. Players identified in 2012 will be eligible for the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials. Players identified in 2013 will be eligible for the 2014 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials. Players may participate in the NTIS through a regional qualification process or via the USA Stars at-large program.

In 2013, the 18U National Team Trials will consist of practices and intrasquad Red vs. Blue games. From the 18U National Team Trials, 20 players will be named to the final 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team roster. In 2013, the 18U National Team will compete in the IBAF 'AAA'/18U World Championships at a destination TBD.

Additional events may be held throughout the year by USA Baseball which may also be used to identify players for current or future 18U National Teams. These events may include -- but are not limited to -- the Labor Day Cup, Breakthrough Series, 17U National Team Championships, 17U National Team Development Program, National High School Invitational and additional events held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

Contact Brant Ust, Director, 18U National Team, with any questions regarding the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team selection process.

To be considered for the Tournament of Stars or the 18U National Team Selection Process in general, please complete the Player Profile Form. To recommend an 18U coach, please complete the Coach Profile Form.