The coaches at the 2022 10U Futures Invitational have many things in mind.
They brought their teams to Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina, aiming to finish the tournament with gold medals and a championship trophy. In an ideal world, their team would post a perfect record and head home with gold medals around their neck.
But there is only one trophy and only one champion. Equally important to the wins are the experiences that the players have during their trip to Cary. Playing at the home of USA Baseball, showcasing skills in front of national team coaches and task force members, and travelling across the country with teammates is an experience that not many kids get to have, and their coaches are sure to recognize that.
“The biggest thing for me is that they just go out there and enjoy the experience as baseball players,” said Prime 27:17 head coach Jerrod Ryherd. “This is something that I’m jealous of because I didn’t get to do this as a kid. As a coach and a loving father who loves the game of baseball like these kids do, I want to give them this opportunity. The expectation is to win, but I also just want them to have a lot of fun.”
Having fun while also competing is a major key at the 10U Futures Invitational. The games are important, but making sure they’re being played in an exciting and upbeat environment helps to ensure the growth of the sport. Finding a way to have fun while also competing is something that’s been emphasized throughout the event.
“It’s a balance,” said WFBA Hammerheads head coach Misty Hiatt. “You have to put a little pressure on them so they can experience it, but in return they need to have some fun, too. I’ve seen kids at this age get pushed really hard and end up not having fun and they drop out of baseball because it’s been such a pressure cooker. College coaches are looking for kids who love baseball and that’s what we’re trying to instill there. We want the kids to love baseball.”
Coaches at the tournament are also focused on showcasing the talents of their players. One of the most attractive parts of the Futures Invitational is the fact that national team coaches and task force members are evaluating every pitch. Throughout all 16 games of Thursday’s opening round action, there were eyes on every play and every player.
Getting exposure to evaluators at a young age is a major reason why coaches bring their programs to Cary, and is one of the main focuses during the event.
“This is an opportunity for our players to be evaluated and to be seen by people outside of our program,” said San Diego Show head coach Hector Lorenzana. “It’s always a great thing to have different baseball eyes on our kids to learn the things they’re doing well and the things they need to improve on.”
That sentiment is echoed by Hiatt.
“I’m showcasing these kids,” he said. “I want the kids to be showcased. I am trying to get these kids seen. My message to my kids is ‘hustle on and off the field, run the balls out, play hard and maybe you can open up some eyes.’”
On top of the enjoyment of the experience and the focus on player evaluation, another thing on the mind of players and coaches is winning. This year’s tournament features 16 of the nation’s best teams, covering eight states. The reigning champion ZT Prospects National (TX) return for a shot at a second-straight title, and will have a strong field to compete with. Several teams had strong showings on the tournament’s opening day, including Knights Elite’s (AZ) 28-run output in two games and the San Diego Show’s plus-24 run differential across a pair of victories.
Competing in a tournament with such a large group of talent is what attracts the nation’s best. The Futures Invitational is consistently one of the most highly-anticipated events on the amateur baseball calendar, making it an easy decision to attend.
“It was a no-brainer at the beginning of the year that we were going to come here and play,” Hiatt said.. “We’re just trying to push our kids and give them these experiences so that when they do get older, they know how to respond to it."
