10 Things to Know About the National Team Championships

BY AUBREY LOSACK AND SYDNEY OCKER

ONE

The USA Baseball National Team Championships began in 1996 as the USA Junior Olympic Baseball Championships in Fort Meyers, Florida. The tournament field has expanded from 32 teams from across the United States in 1996, to over 374 in 2019.

TWO

In 2001, the National Team Championships were split for the first time with Jupiter, Florida, and Tucson, Arizona, each hosting the event.

THREE

Several past participants in the National Team Championships now play on MLB rosters. Some notable players include Bryce Harper, CC Sabathia, Alex Bregman, Manny Machado, Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton.

FOUR

The National Team Championships in Arizona are held at the Spring Training homes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners.

FIVE

The National Team Championships in Arizona are held at the Spring Training homes of the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals.

SIX

Last year, the National Team Championships in Arizona crowned its first 16U champion since 2011. The MVP Hustle took first place and will be returning this summer to defend their title.

SEVEN

The 374 participating teams will come from 18 different states, some traveling as many as 2,800 miles to compete at one of the nation’s best youth baseball tournaments in the country.

EIGHT

Among all divisions, over 7,500 athletes will participate in the National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida in 2019.

NINE

Over 100 athletes will be invited to participate in the National Team Development Programs or National Team Trials from the National Team Championships, creating a pathway directly to a USA Baseball national team.

TEN

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