This past October, the 12U National Team won gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, marking its seventh gold medal in 11 years of international competition. With the win, Team USA successfully secured a berth to the 2025 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, which is set to be held in Tainan, Taiwan, in July.

Within this year’s gold-medal-winning 18-player roster, which was finalized just five days prior to the first pitch of the World Cup Qualifier, hails a conglomerate group of players from different backgrounds and experiences. Players of all shapes and sizes came together in a matter of weeks and quickly established relationships with each other, proceeding to secure back-to-back World Cup Americas Qualifier titles for the United States. It was never an easy journey or a straightforward path for the team, yet players from across the country managed to come together as one and find ways to win, even when down by three runs in the gold medal game.

So, what kind of player does it take to make a national team? Well, it takes a player that has a love for the game, fights through adversity, and leans on others for support. The makeup of this year’s team had just that, where each individual had their own unique journey and story to tell. Here are just a few told through the lens of the parents of the 2024 12U National Team.

PLAYING WITH PASSION

Playing away from home is not anything new for Bronx Holbron, as the Hawaii native is used to making long flights from a small island in the Pacific to the mainland United States to compete in tournaments and events. Since USA Baseball’s inception in 1978, Bronx is only the 14th Hawaiian-born player to make and compete on a USA Baseball national team, joining fellow greats and USA Baseball alumni such as Shane Victorino and Kolten Wong. Bronx resides in Waianae, a small community on the west coast of O’ahu, where baseball is limited to a community park tucked in the lowlands of the Waianae Mountain Range. The local park’s red dirt and frayed grass edges of the infield are drastically different compared to USA Baseball’s MLB-grade, four field set up at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Bronx’s passion for the game stops at nothing, however, playing whenever and wherever and taking advantage of opportunities to participate in USA Baseball development programs and events.

“It’s a big thing seeing where he came from to where he is now,” Bronx’s dad, Brian Holbron, said. “In Hawaii we have limited parks, he started playing at Pililāʻau Park and now he has the opportunity to play at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama. Being away from the mainland, it’s not easy for a kid from Hawaii to be able to have chances like these, but Bronx takes advantage of his opportunities and he’s making all of us and Hawaii proud. My family, in-laws, boss, and so many others are watching and cheering on Bronx and Team USA. It’s really special.”

Bronx made an appearance on the bump in Team USA’s contest against Colombia on October 22. He threw 2.1 innings in which only two hits were surrendered while he struck out three batters. Bronx’s lights-out outing completed Team USA’s 5-0 shutout win over Colombia, the team’s closest match of the week.

EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE

Just before his ninth birthday, Carson Schoener was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. At that time, you never would have known he had been dealt that life-changing news; after receiving the diagnosis on a Friday, Carson was back to school and playing sports the following week. The diagnosis requires him to be constantly cognizant of his body, his environment, and other factors that might spike or lower his blood sugar. With all this in mind, Carson is dedicated to working hard and performing at the highest level to put his team in a situation to win.

“Carson’s diagnosis has a huge impact on him and us as a family,” Shaun Schoener, Carson’s father, mentioned. “He’s a resilient kid, he was diagnosed with it on a Friday and was back to playing sports next Tuesday. Seeing where he’s come from to where he is now is incredible, as he hasn’t let it slow him down on the baseball field or in life in any way. He’s had to grow up a lot over these past four years, but just being able to make a national team has proven to him and everyone around him that he’s here to stay and won’t stop persevering.”

This past October, Carson made two starts on the bump for Team USA and was named the starting pitcher for the tournament opener against Nicaragua. In his first outing, he went 3.2 innings and surrendered only two hits and struck out nine batters. Embracing the biggest moments on the stages, the Las Vegas native also got the nod in the gold medal game against the Dominican Republic.

LEANING ON YOUR "TEAM"

Christian Cicero put time and effort to make the 12U National Team, but it would not have been possible without support from those around him. One person in particular was able to offer words of advice and encouragement to the budding athlete - Gavin Grahovac. A long-time USA Baseball participant and three-time national team alum, Grahovac been with Christian from the start. For those who have participated in USA Baseball events or made a national team, an instant bond is created between those players. Armed with a relationship to one of college baseball’s standout performers, Christian is able to rely on an experienced elder for advice and navigate his baseball journey.

“Where we are in Southern California, there’s a lot of talent and a history of good players going across the country to Cary through USA Baseball.” Christian’s father, Greg Cicero, said about the competitiveness of their hometown. “We are good friends with the Grahovac family, whose son Gavin was the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year at Texas A&M. Relying on him and his family for help and information is huge because they have gone through the process and been a part of several USA Baseball national teams and development programs. Having role models like Gavin is important for Christian, it’s almost like a big-brother experience. We’ve gone and supported Gavin at his games, and at the same time Gavin keeps up with Christian.”

In Team USA’s seven-game stretch in Panama City, Christian got the start at catcher in four contests and comfortably commanded the pace of the game with his respective batterymate. In the gold medal game, he delivered a crucial, two-RBI base hit to keep Team USA within arm’s reach of its Dominican counterparts.

This snapshot of the 2024 12U National Team is just a glimpse of the perspectives from the thousands of players who have come through Cary, North Carolina, to take part in the USA Baseball experience. What this small sample size does tell is that success finds those who persevere, utilize the support around them, and that being a part of USA Baseball means being a part of a family.

Eight months from now, the 12U National Team will compete on the biggest stage in Taiwan. There, Team USA will battle for its third consecutive World Cup trophy and for the title of World Champion. And there, players with unparalleled perspectives and experiences will convene over the course of a few weeks and build a familial connection that lasts a lifetime.