Derek Deler is a Junior middle infielder out of Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. Beginning this 2012 season, the Florida High School Athletic Association mandated that all high schools switch to BBCOR bats.  BBCOR didn’t seem to faze this 5’10’’ 165lb short stop as he went on to finish strong this spring season with a .366 batting average and a team leading 2 home runs and 18 walks. 

2012 seems to be a big year for Deler as it marked his third year as a varsity starter and is also the year which he will be representing the USSSA High School Varsity National Team internationally.  Deler was named to the 2012 USSSA National Team following his standout performance at the 2011 USSSA All-American Games, which he was invited to by the Amateur Baseball Report (ABR).

“ABR was awesome, it was well organized and fun.  I enjoyed seeing my friends and other players…I loved the AAG’s (All-American Games),” describes Deler on his experience with ABR and the USSSA All-American Games.

The three year varsity standout will be traveling with the USSSA National Team to Prague, Czech Republic this June to compete in the “Prague Baseball Week,” which will feature top European National Teams and other top teams from around the world.

 “I think we’ll have a lot of fun, I heard it’s an awesome time.  I’m excited to just experience another culture,” explains Deler on his thoughts about the upcoming Prague trip. 

Although the competition in Prague will be older than the USSSA National Team members, Deler doesn’t see it as an issue. 

“I think we’ll be fine.  We work hard in the U.S. and we are very talented.  It should be good competition but nothing to out of the ordinary for us.”

In preparation for Prague, Deler has been taking countless ground balls with his father.  He has also been focusing on his swing and getting extra cuts in the cage.

In addition to preparing for Prague, the sunshine state standout has recently committed to Florida International University.  Deler will join fellow travel ball member [FTB Mizuno] and USSSA National Teammate, Chris Elander, as an FIU signee.

FIU has always been Deler’s dream school and is also situated in his favorite city, Miami. The decision for him was easy. 

 “When I went on my official visit everything was beautiful, the campus was awesome.  I really love Miami and loved the coaches,” explains Deler.

With a successful junior spring season, a recent college commitment to a dream school, and an upcoming USSSA National Team trip all achieved in the same year, one can only imagine what the future holds for this talented player.