CARY, NC – All year long, USA Baseball is committed to bringing the toughest competition in the country to the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Among the tournaments, the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup is just one of the events that has quickly become a premier gathering that draws many elite players from across the country.

In order to recruit as many talented players as possible, the NTIS uses a six-region system for the initial player identification process. The six regions that players come from are the Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast and Southwest, where players from across the country gather in Cary to compete for gold.

For a father-son duo from the Southwest region, the trip to the National Training Complex consisted of more than 2,500 miles from California to Cary in hopes of giving Alexander M. Scott the opportunity to compete against top players in the 14U NTIS Champions Cup. While in Cary, father Alexander T. Scott wants to give his son the best experience and exposure possible during his cross-country expedition.

Despite the long journey, Scott has no regrets about taking his son to the National Training Complex, as he sees the opportunity to compete in the 14U NTIS Champions Cup as a chance for his son to continue and solidify his baseball career.

“We’ve tried to prepare our son by putting him in some of the local programs in our area. He wants to compete against the best, so we’ve put him in top-notch national programs to help him grow as a player and as a person. As he develops, we want to make sure as parents that he loves the game of baseball while also wanting to work on getting better. I think being at the National Training Complex with all the top athletes is a benefit.”

Participating in a tournament like the NTIS Champions Cup is a tremendous honor and a source of pride for both parents and players. For Scott, the event is an opportunity for his son to compete with the best.

“It was wonderful. I’m honored to be here and that my son was chosen to compete in such an event. It’s a prestigious tournament. It’s an honor to be here among so many great players. As a father, I’m so excited to be here and see the level of competition between everyone. I believe it will help build my son’s work ethic. I want him to realize that he can always improve.”

Before securing a spot in the 14U NTIS Champions Cup, Scott and his son decided this was a tournament they both wanted to attend because of the potential exposure the event brings. He also recognizes that speaking to experienced players and coaches during the experience allows him to grow as a father.

“It’s been great to be able to interact with the high-caliber coaches and staff at USA Baseball. It’s special to come back and interview former players, coaches and current players who are all willing to teach my son baseball the right way. It helps us as parents to know that our son wants to continue to get better and the team at USA Baseball is making sure that happens on an ongoing basis. I love the exposure my son is getting, so it’s definitely a benefit for my son and most of the young kids here.”

At the NTIS Champions Cup, Scott and the Southwest Stripes were successful in the first two days of play. In their first game, Scott was on the mound in a 15-1 victory over the Northeast Stripes, pitching two hitless innings. After a 1-0 start, the Southwest Stripes stuck to their guns and posted an impressive 24-1 victory that put them at 2-0.

Now 2-0 between Scott and the Southwest Stripes as they make their way through the tournament field, a growing sense of camaraderie, but for the Scott family, the experience is all about growth and an appreciation for the game of baseball.

“It doesn’t get any better than that. Baseball and family. We’re blessed by God, so we know that’s where we want to be. I hope my son continues that journey and that he continues to work hard wherever that journey takes him. We’re both grateful for the opportunity to be here.”