The chance to show that you have what it takes to play for Team USA; that is what the USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) is all about. 
Athletes ranging from 11 to 16 years old from all over the country spend the better part of their calendar year attending NTIS tryouts trying prove that they have what it takes to represent their region at the USA Baseball NTIS Champions Cup at the National Training Complex come August. Where, if they stand out in front of USA Baseball Task Force members, they can earn an invite to a USA Baseball national team trials or a National Team Development Program (NTDP) in the future.
For many, the NTIS is the first step toward playing for glory. USA Baseball alumni and current Major League Baseball players Albert Almora, Alex Bregman and David Dahl each participated in the NTIS before they suited up for Team USA.
James Osmond is a member of the 15U Northeast Stripes at the 2019 NTIS and he understands what is on the line during his time in Cary.
"The opportunity to play against some of the top players and learn from some great coaches has been so helpful," said Osmond. "It has really helped prepare me for the big moment and my chance to be selected.
"If was to be selected, knowing that I am one of the top fifteen-and-under players in the country and knowing that I could compete with some of the other best athletes in the world would be an indescribable experience."
Osmond understands that standing out as the best-of-the-best is no easy task and is something that requires extra determination.
"I am trying to hit, run, field and do all the basics to stand out and hopefully be selected," continued Osmond. "I want to do all of the routine things right and then let everything else work itself out from there."
If Osmond were to be selected from this year's NTIS, he would receive an invite to be a part of the 2020 16U NTDP. 
The 16U NTDP is an initiative that allows for USA Baseball to further connect athletes with USA Baseball coaching staffs to better prepare and develop them for a future USA Baseball National Team experience. 
It is one of three NTDPs, with 14U and 17U being the other two programs. Players on a USA Baseball NTDP will participate in skill development sessions, various off-field educational components, intrasquad games and more. 
"It would be incredible to be selected to a the 16U NTDP," said Osmond. "To be able to take that knowledge that I learn there, and to hopefully one day be able go over to another country and represent my nation playing the sport I love... It would be an incredible experience."
Northwest Stars outfielder Devin Riley is another player at the 2019 NTIS currently doing everything he can to show that he has what it takes to be selected.
"It would be a huge honor to play for Team USA," said Riley. "I was out here in Cary two years ago and now that I am back I can really see that I have a chance to [get selected]. It would just be a huge honor.
"Playing for my region is a big honor already, and if I was selected, I would be able to play with players from all over the country and really be able to take my game to the next level," said Riley.
Riley's cousin, Tyree Reed, is a USA Baseball alumnus who was selected from the NTIS in 2016 and went on to play for the 14U NTDP in 2017. 
"[Reed] has told me that the NTDP is a fantastic opportunity," said Riley. "He said that everything you do there helps to set you up to play for a National Team, from being a good teammate to hustling and more."
Reed took his experience from the NTDP and turned it into a gold medal as he was a part of the USA Baseball 15U National Team that won its first ever World Baseball Softball Confederation U-15 Baseball World Cup gold medal last summer.
"If I could follow in his footsteps and [get selected from the 2019 NTIS], that would be such a huge honor," said Riley.
By making it to the NTIS Champions Cup in Cary, North Carolina, Osmond and Riley have already proven that they are among the best athletes in their region. If they continue to work hard and show that they are the best-of-the-best, their next uniform could be red, white and blue.
"It has always been a dream of mine to wear those three letters across my chest," said Riley. "After seeing somebody that you look up to do it, and win gold doing it, you can't help but think 'I want to do that too.'"