For the players who traveled to Cary, North Carolina to participate in the 2024 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) 12U/14U Champions Cup, this is an immense milestone and the first step toward a chance to represent the red, white and blue on the international stage.

The NTIS Champions Cup gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills to the USA Baseball Task Force and college coaches, while also serving as a showcase for the various development programs offered by USA Baseball.

While many of the players are competing at the National Training Complex for the first time, some athletes have competed at the facilities before, ultimately leading them to represent the United States on the big stage. Several alumni of the 2022 12U National Team, which won a gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, are among the 200-plus athletes competing at the 14U NTIS Champions Cup in Cary.

One of the teams that traveled to the National Training Complex is the 14U Midwest Stars, which includes two members of the 2022 12U National Team: Cristian Matos and Trent O’Malley. As members of the 2022 12U National Team, Matos and O’Malley were both instrumental in the gold medal race.

Matos was a force on both sides of the bat, as he delivered two home runs and pitched two shutout innings. Like Matos, O’Malley had a big impact on offense, as he recorded several three-hit games and threw one hitless inning on the mound. The duo also recently participated in the 2024 13U/14U Athlete Development Program, which serves as a top development program for athletes ages 13 and under and 14 and above.

Now the duo gets another chance to prove that each of them deserves a place in the national team squad.

The pair are grateful to be back at the National Training Complex and admit that the opportunity to compete in the NTIS Champions Cup is a huge honour as it could lead to another appearance on a national team roster.

“I love it. I try to take advantage of the opportunity every time I’m here. I really want to take it all in. Playing for USA Baseball was the best thing I’ve ever done and it’s been great being here all summer,” Matos said. “I can’t wait to come back every year and show what I can do.”

“Every time I’m here, it’s a special feeling to step onto the field. Being surrounded by all this great competition is the most important thing for me. I’m happy every time I get the chance to come here,” O’Malley added.

Having played together on the U12 national team in 2022, the duo recognizes the uniqueness of a reunion between the two. Matos and O’Malley are equally excited about the opportunity to be on the same coaching staff again.

“It’s great to be able to see that guy (Trent O’Malley) every year. It’s cool to be back on the same team. Staying in touch with him and being part of the same team again has been great. We have a really great bond that we’ll keep forever,” Matos said.

“I also love coming back here and seeing guys that were on the U12 national team with us,” O’Malley continued. “It’s cool to see how everyone has worked on their game and come back here better than they started. I’m excited to see the guys again because I don’t see them much all year.”

Some might say that a previous appearance for the U12 national team would give too much confidence, but Matos and O’Malley would disagree, as they both bring the same passion that earned them a place in the national team squad.

“Personally, I want to compete and win in everything I do. If there’s one thing I want to do at the end of the day, it’s compete. I obviously want to win with my team and I know that together we can do that if we compete. I don’t think it matters if someone loses 0-3, but if they defend well, it can still contribute to a win,” Matos explained. “I always try to keep in mind that I’m doing my job and then everything will be fine.”

“Every game I feel like we’re the underdog, and I like that attitude to a certain extent,” O’Malley said. “I feel like we’re always chasing the win. As long as I play my best, I know everything will turn out well.”

Regardless of the event, the two consider the opportunity to wear the letters USA on their chest again to be a tremendous honor that they will not take for granted.

“It’s the best. You never know when you’re going to put the jersey on for the last time, so I try not to be too hasty. I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way,” Matos continued. “I want to leave everything I have on the field because it’s different when you play with that logo on your chest.”

“It’s a very special feeling to wear USA on your chest,” said O’Malley. “Now that I’ve traveled to different parts of the world for my country, I see it differently. I’m proud to play baseball for USA.”