Beginning in 2010, USA Baseball will implement a rolling invitation process for the players named to the 18U National Team Trials. A minimum of 32 athletes will be identified for the 18U 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.
The primary identification vehicle for the 2010 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials will be the 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, college recruiters, professional scouts, college and high school coaches, and/or the amateur baseball community. The TOS features 128 players representing various youth baseball organizations from across the United States.
During the week-long TOS, USA Baseball Task Force members will evaluate each of the 128 athletes and select a minimum of 24 players to attend the 2010 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials. At the 18U Trials, players will participate in practices and intrasquad games to compete for one of the final 18-20 roster spots on the 2010 USA Baseball 18U National Team. In 2010, the 18U National Team will compete in the IBAF's "AAA" Junior World Championships (Thunder Bay, Ontario, July 23-Aug. 1).
Beginning in 2010, players may also qualify for the following calendar year's 18U National Team Trials by competing in the NTIS. The NTIS is held each September and provides USA Baseball with an advanced look at the upcoming class of top players at the 14U, 16U and 18U competition levels.
At the NTIS, USA Baseball Task Force members will identify a minimum of eight (8) players for the following season's 18U National Team Trials. Players identified in 2010 will be eligible for the 2011 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.
Additional secondary 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, 16U Championships and additional events held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.
Information contained in this selection process document is subject to change at the sole discretion of USA Baseball and without further notice.