What is USA Baseball and the National Team Identification Series (NTIS)?
The USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) is the most comprehensive identification program offered by USA Baseball as it provides all amateur baseball players from across the United States an opportunity to compete for a spot on a USA Baseball National Team.
Since 1978, USA Baseball has been the national governing body for baseball and represents the sport in the United States as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and internationally as a member federation of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
Nearly every major national amateur baseball organization in America is united as a USA Baseball National Member Organization. As a result, USA Baseball governs more than 15.6 million amateur players in ballparks and playgrounds across the country.
Official Cancellation and Refund Policy for all USA Baseball NTIS Events
Once a registration fee is paid for an event (Round 1 tryout, Round 2 tryout, or development camp), no cash, check, or credit card refunds will be issued for any reason whatsoever. If a player cannot attend due to injury, sickness, schedule conflict, etc., or an event is canceled due to weather or any other reason beyond the control of USA Baseball NTIS, a credit for the original paid amount will be added to the player's online account. This credit will only be valid and applicable towards another USA Baseball NTIS Southwest regional event listed on www.southwestntis.com through 2023.
What states comprise the Southwest NTIS Region?
Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Southern California, and Utah comprise the Southwest Region.
Do you have to attend a tryout in the state you live in?
Players in the Southwest Region may attend any tryout in SoCal, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Hawaii if their travel schedule or tryout availability takes them to another state. NTIS tryouts are conducted following the same format, regardless of state.
Do you have to live in the Southwest Region to try out?
Although we encourage players to try out in the region they live in; players are allowed to try out in another region. Due to the nature of travel ball, where players and families are traveling to other states for tournaments, etc., attending an NTIS tryout in another region/state may be their only option. So long as the player is age eligible, they would potentially qualify for further selection within that region.
What ages are eligible to participate in the NTIS?
USA Baseball uses the international age rule, which strictly uses a player's birth year (not month or day) to determine a player's correct age group. For example, any player born in 2011 would be eligible for the 12U age group because every player born in 2011 will turn 12 at some point in 2023. The NTIS program will only cover the following six age groups for the 2023 season:
2023 11U NTIS eligibility: Players born in 2012 or 2013 (please note: 2013-born players would be competing against 2012-born players)
2023 12U NTIS eligibility: Players born in 2011
2023 13U NTIS eligibility: Players born in 2010
2023 14U NTIS eligibility: Players born in 2009
2023 15U NTIS eligibility: Players born in 2008
2023 16U NTIS eligibility: Players born in 2007 or players born in 2006 that are 2025 graduates
*Players born in 2005 are not eligible for the NTIS program; however, they can email our staff at play@usabaseball.com for age-appropriate USA Baseball events.
What happens at the tryout and how are players evaluated?
Players are taken through a showcase style tryout format consisting of dynamic stretch, timed 30-yard (11U-14U) or 60-yard run (15U-16U), catch play, defensive skills (OF's throw to 3B and home, C's timed throws to 2B and blocks, IF's ground balls and throws). Primary pitchers will throw a 15-20 pitch bullpen with recorded velocities. All players will also participate in batting practice either off a machine or a coach.
NTIS staff will write down notes on a player's overall athleticism, current defensive and offensive skill set in their primary position based on their age group, the future projection of said skill set based on former regional and national level players, as well as the recording of run times, catcher pop times, pitcher velocities, etc.
*Important Note = Player evaluations, rankings, and recorded tryout stats are not shared with players or parents. These evaluation notes are strictly for NTIS staff evaluation and selection purposes.
What are the rules for bat specifications at NTIS events?
For a complete listing of bat specifications for all USA Baseball events, including the NTIS Regional Selection Process, please click here.
How many identification rounds are there?
The Southwest NTIS identification process is comprised of a 3 round system:
Round #1: Local identification tryouts in any of the states within the region (AZ, CO, HI, NM, NV, SoCal, UT).
Round #2: The best players from Round #1 tryouts will be selected and advanced to Round #2 regional tryouts.
Round #3: The best players from Round #2 tryouts will be selected and advanced to the NTIS Champions Cup tournament in Cary, North Carolina (home of USA Baseball) as part of the 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, or 16U Southwest Regional teams.
How many players will be selected from each round?
Round #1 local tryouts: No limit on the number of players who can register and attend.
Round #2 regional tryouts: Minimum of 75 players per age group will advance to Round #2 from the combined states of SoCal, AZ, HI, CO, NM, NV, and UT.
Round #3 NTIS Champions Cup in Cary, North Carolina: Minimum of 30 players will be selected for 11U, and a minimum of 30 players will be selected for 12U. Minimum of 36 players will be selected for 13U, 14U, 15U, and 16U. These 30 and 36-player groups will create two All-Region teams of equally balanced talent (for example, two teams of 15 players each for 11U and 12U. Two teams of 18 players each for 13U, 14U, 15U, and 16U).
Following the NTIS Champions Cup in Cary, North Carolina, USA Baseball will select a minimum of 72 players for National Team and National Team Development Program (NTDP) events in the following year:
11U NTIS will name 12 players to the 2024 12U National Team Trials
12U NTIS will name 12 players to the 2024 13U Athlete Development Program
13U NTIS will name 12 players to the 2024 14U Athlete Development Program
14U NTIS will name 12 players to the 2024 15U National Team Trials
15U NTIS will name 12 players to the 2024 16U National Team Development Program
16U NTIS will name 12 players to the 2024 17U National Team Development Program
How and when are players notified of selection to the next round(s)?
Round #1 (local) to Round #2 (regional)
Within one week of the Round #1 tryout you attend, selected players will be notified via email of their advancement to Round #2. If you do not receive an invite to Round #2, you can still register and attend another Round #1 tryout.
Round #2 (regional) to Round #3 (Cary, North Carolina)
All players who attend a Round #2 tryout will receive an email with the list of players who have been selected for Round #3. These final selections will be emailed between July 12, 2023, and July 19, 2023 (depending on the age group). An announcement on the Southwest NTIS website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages will also be made (@SouthwestNTIS for all social media).
When and where will Round #2 tryouts take place for the Southwest Region?
Players who advance to Round #2 may choose one date and location that best fits their schedule, however, we encourage players from SoCal, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada to participate in Southern CA and players from Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico to participate in Denver, CO. There are no advantages or disadvantages in selecting one location over the other. The same tryout format will be used at each location.
11U (2012/2013 born) and 12U (2011 born)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023: Bellflower, CA
Friday, June 23, 2023: Lakewood, CO
Saturday, July 8, 2023: Orange, CA
13U (2010 born) and 14U (2009 born)
Sunday, June 18, 2023: Bellflower, CA
Thursday, June 22, 2023: Lakewood, CO
Sunday, July 9, 2023: Orange, CA
15U (2008 born) and 16U (2007 born or 2006 born as a 2025 grad)
Monday, June 19, 2023: Bellflower, CA
Thursday, June 22, 2023: Lakewood, CO
Friday, July 7, 2023: Orange, CA
What are the costs associated with the NTIS?
Round #1 local tryout: 150.00 per player.
Round #2 regional tryout: 150.00 per player (if a player advances from Round #1).
Round #3 Cary, North Carolina: 425.00 per player (if player advances from Round #2 as a regional selection). In addition, player/parents are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from Cary, North Carolina.
What is the time commitment for the NTIS?
Players selected to the final Southwest Regional teams only play with Team Southwest for the 5 days of the NTIS in Cary, North Carolina. The program is designed to make a minimal impact on the players' other commitments.
15U & 16U NTIS Champions Cup: August 9-13, 2023
12U & 14U NTIS Champions Cup: August 16-20, 2023
11U & 13U NTIS Champions Cup: August 23-27, 2023
Who should I contact for general information, specific to my region?
Southwest Regional Director
Andy Rojo
andy@usabaseballntis.com
951-415-1019 (text preferred - please allow 1 to 2 days for a response)