Friday marked the first day of in-game action at the 2024 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The 15U and 16U age levels got the first crack at making a name for themselves in front of the USA Baseball Task Force and collegiate coaches.

Although there will be plenty of spectacular moments throughout the week at the NTIS Champions Cup, there may be none sweeter than the opportunity for a son to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Miller Sheets is a member of the 16U South Stripes, representing the Southern region of the United States at the NTIS Champions Cup. While Miller is just at the beginning of his young baseball career, he has had a lifelong mentor by his side in his father Ben Sheets.

Ben is no amateur when it comes to baseball as he owns plenty of baseball experience and a lengthy resume full of impressive accolades throughout his career. He is a four-time MLB All-Star (2001, 2004, 2007, and 2008) and he holds a spot on the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor for pitching over 1,000 innings with the Club.

On top of the All-Star Game appearances and Wall of Honor, Ben was also an instrumental part of the 2000 Summer Olympic Team that won a gold medal in Sydney, Australia. Throughout the Olympics, Ben commanded the mound for the red, white, and blue and tossed 22 innings while striking out 11 batters. In the gold medal game, he propelled the United States to a 4-0 win after throwing a complete-game shutout against Cuba. The victory marked the first time that the United States earned a gold medal in baseball at the Olympics, as well as the second podium finish in baseball after previously nabbing bronze in Atlanta in 1996.

Now, Miller is bringing all of the experience and mentorship that his dad has provided him to the NTIS Champions Cup where he will have the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps and wear U-S-A across his chest.

So far, Miller has been soaking in every moment throughout the first two days at the National Training Complex and knows that not every baseball player will come across an opportunity of this nature.

“It's pretty cool to be here. I mean, just being out here with a bunch of good players is only making everyone better on the field. Being able to play here and see where a National Team comes out to train is special. So it's definitely pretty cool to be here.

“Coming out here, and seeing all his (Ben Sheets) stuff around the complex is special to me. When I first walked in I saw a picture of the 2000 Summer Olympic Team on the window of the team store. Having the opportunity to put the same logo that he put on and represent the same stuff that he has done in his past is pretty cool to me.”

To potentially earn a spot on a future national team is a big opportunity, and Miller knows that it will take a different approach to set himself apart from the rest of the pack. He believes he’ll be able to do just that, as he credits his father with instilling a winning attitude in him since day one.

“He always tells me that when I step on the field that I need to do everything in my power to win, no matter what. I try not to harp on how I play as an individual because it is more important you play as a team. Everyone wants to play well, but as long as my team can walk away with a win, that is all that matters to me. I’ve taken that with me throughout my life too. I try to win in everything I do.”

Now Miller will shift his focus on the upcoming games throughout the rest of the NTIS Champions Cup and knows that all of the hard work and preparation with his father by his side will soon pay off.

“Yeah, I mean, he does everything with me. Whether it's working out, playing in tournaments, hitting and throwing, or just studying the game a little bit. Literally anything that has to do with the game of baseball he has been there for me and I’m thankful for that. He’s been with me through it all.”