Very few players will ever receive the opportunity to represent their country on an international stage.  However, the 2012 USSSA Varsity (16u) National Team will be doing just this in the upcoming USSSA Gold Medal Games which will be held in Kissimmee, Florida July 14th-21st. 

The USSSA Gold Medal Games is an Olympic-style event with some of the top teams from around the world competing for Gold, Silver, and Bronze.  Puerto Rico, Peru, Montreal, Italy, Canada, Venezuela, Ukraine, Lithuania, Mexico, and the United States are amongst the 2012 competing countries. With each of the teams housed at the same location and various scheduled social events throughout the week, it provides the players with an “Olympic Village” type of feeling. Although there is great camaraderie amongst the teams, they each have the same goal in mind: winning the GOLD.

The USSSA 16u National Team was hand selected by scouts at the 2011 USSSA All-American Games.  It is the ultimate goal for players who have traveled the USSSA and ABR journey.  Now into each of their summer seasons, ABR would like to give you a brief glimpse at each of the highly talented individuals that comprise this year’s National Team.

Daytona Bryden:
Bryden is a 5’9” 165 pound speedy outfielder from Hononegaha High School in Rockford, Illinois.  Bryden is a solid overall player that does everything well.  He can run, hit, and throw.  His main assets are his athleticism and explosiveness on the field.  Has an advanced approach to the game.  In his 2012 high school campaign he hit .300 with 23 stolen bags.  Defensively Bryden has an accurate arm from the outfield and is an anchor in center.  Bryden looks forward to a busy summer this year in hopes of signing with a college.

"When I went to the All American Games, I thought I had the skills to make the team, but there were so many kids trying out, it made me wonder how good I would be against them. After the games were over, I knew I had proven myself, but sitting in the stands listening to name after name, I began to wonder… Then they read my name over the PA and my dream became a reality! Thank you USSSA and ABR!"

Riley Carlton:
Carlton had a great 2012 spring season at the plate.  He hit .387 on the season with an impressive 14 walks.  At 5’10’’ 183 pounds, Carlton started showing signs of power with one homerun and five doubles.  Defensively he gunned 5/6 runners in his catching stint.  He is a great student with above a 4.00 GPA and is still looking for the perfect fit college.

Esteban Chapa:
Chapa is a pitcher/catcher from La Joya, Texas.  He is a good defensive catcher with an idea of how to hit.  From the mound he pounds the zone with three pitches.  Chapa is still on the hunt for a school and is looking to commit soon.

Bobby Dalbec:
Legend High School in Parker, Colorado is where big Bobby Dalbec originates.  At 6’4’’ 220 pounds Bobby has some serious pop in his bat.  In his 2012 spring Dalbec flashed the gaudy numbers of a .444 clip, .679 slugging percentage, and 6 big flies.  He was named First Team All- Conference and played a pivotal role in his team’s playoff run.  Defensively Dalbec is surprisingly agile at short stop for his large stature.

"I am looking forward to getting back to Florida to play with the guys I met last year and to meet and compete with the players on the international teams"

Daniel Fishback:
Fishback is a third basemen/ pitcher from Gaithersburg, Maryland.  He has a medium frame at 5’10’’ 185 pounds.  He hit a .333 clip this spring.  He had a phenomenal year on the mound going 5-1 with a 1.75 era.  He also pitched his team to two shut out victories.  He was named to the MSABC Junior Classic Team.  Fishback is an excellent student with a 4.6 gpa and is also a member of the National Honors Society.

Colby Fitch:
Fitch is a 5’11” 200lb rising Junior at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri.  He is a solid defensive catcher with hitting power from the left side.  Fitch lead his varsity team in batting average for the second year, batting .408 with a .510 OB% and .697 slugging percentage in 100 plate appearances.  His offensive contributions also included 27 RBIs, 4 homeruns, and 20 walks.  He posted event pop times this year of 1.91-1.93.  Fitch has good footwork behind the plate and has displayed his speed with posted 60 times as low as a 6.97. He plays summer ball for the 17U Mac-n-Seitz Indians of Kansas City.  Academically Fitch has a 3.76 cumulative gpa and has received the Presidential Award for scholars.  He was named Second Team All- State as a catcher. 

Austin Garcia:
Garcia is a strong built corner infielder from Labelle, Florida.  He has plus plus power with an advanced hitting approach.  He has the ability to drive the ball into the gaps with authority.  Defensively he is strong at both first and third.  He has the arm strength to play third at the next level.

Max George:
Parker, Colorado is home to Max George.  George is a fleet footed middle infielder that accumulated 8 triples in 2012.  He is above average defensively across the board.  At the plate he has a good idea of how to hit.  Has surprising pop for his frame.  He batted .545 on the year with seven home runs.  He led the state of Colorado with 17 stolen bases and 46 runs scored.  George was First Team All- State and played in the Colorado Futures Game.  He is being heavily recruited by colleges for his stick.

Alexander Gross:
Gross is a left handed first basemen from Orlando, Florida.  On the field Gross shows his natural leadership abilities.  His primary position is first base but can also eat up innings on the mound.  He has a compact stroke which produces back spin.  Off the mound he pitches a loose mid 80’s.  He is committed to Central Florida.

Jordan McDonough:
McDonough is a plus catcher from Hamilton, Ohio.  He is one of the best defensive catchers to come through the program.  He has top level fundamentals and arm.  He can also swing it.  Generally hits for both power and average.

Brandon Meyer:
Meyer is a RHP/3B from Elk River, Minnesota.  He had a breakout offensive year for Elk River HS.  He hit .509 on the season with 10 triples.  He also had 3 doubles and 5 stolen bases.  He was All- Conference honorable mention and won numerous awards for his travel team the Minnesota Blizzard.  He has shown interest in multiple division 1 programs but is yet to commit.  Meyer is an excellent student.

Jacob Niggemeyer:
Niggemeyer is a very special player from Powell, Ohio.  ABR did a feature article on him earlier in 2012 where he performed a question answer session.  At 6’5’’ 205 pounds, Niggemeyer is an imposing presence on the mound.  He pitches mid to upper 80’s with plus command of his off speed pitches.  His slider can be devastating.  Can also swing the bat very well.  He is committed to pitch at the Ohio State University.

Vinnie Patrick:
Patrick is an infielder from Vero Beach, Florida.  Scouts loved how hard he played and hustled; a definite grinder.  He played second but had more than enough arm strength to move to third.  He swings the bat well.

David Peterson:
Denver, Colorado is where big David Peterson is from.  Peterson is a huge left handed pitcher with projectability (6’5’’ 220 pounds).  He is already into the mid to upper 80’s with much more in the tank.  Peterson has the potential to be a flame thrower in the near future. 

Efren Sanchez:
Sanchez is a catcher/ third basemen from Lake Worth, Florida.  Behind the dish he is pretty good fundamentally with a decent arm.  At third base he makes the plays.  He has a nice swing with room for strength.  Shows a very strong ability to produce line drives.

Zach Shannon:
Shannon is a two stud from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Shannon is a power pitcher who has recently been 91-93 off the bump.  He can flat out pitch; pounds the zone with all of his pitches.  He flat out rakes as well.  His defensive actions are very solid.  He is committed to Ohio State as a hitter and will also pursue his pitching career as well.

Sterling Sharp:
Sharp stands 6’4’’ 165 pounds from North Farmington High School in Michigan.  His is primarily a pitcher who can also get the job done at shortstop.  On the mound he posted a perfect 7-0 record including 4 shut outs and one no hitter.  His 1.90 ERA was aided by his ability to pound the zone with strikes.  At the plate he hit a .354 clip.  He is the #5 overall ranked player in Michigan at his age group. 

Hunter Tackett:
Tackett is an athletic outfielder from Heiskell, Tennessee who can really play about any position.  He has a short compact swing that stays on plane for a long time.  Shows some gap power and is very clutch in games.  He’s a very solid overall player.

Nick Vespi:
Vespi is a left handed pitcher from Pemberville, Ohio.  He is one of the top uncommitted pitching prospects in the country.  He controls three pitches for strikes.  That includes a sharp breaking ball and a fastball into the upper 80’s.  The 6’3’’ 210 lefty posted a 3-3 record with an astounding 1.39 ERA.  He kept players off the bases with a 1.00 WHIP.  He hit .362 on the year.  Vespi was named NBC (Northern Buckeye Conference) Pitcher of the Year, NBC First Team All- League, Second Team All- District, First Team All- Wood County as a pitcher, and Wood County Co- Pitcher of the Year. 
"I am honored and excited to be able to represent the United States for the second year in a row.  Last years experience was awesome just by being on the field with the caliber of players on my team and being able to players from other countries. I look forward to the same experience this year and being able to continue to meet more people and share our knowledge of the game.  In the short week we are there, I learned a lot from the coaches and the players last year and have kept in touch with many." ~ Nick Vespi

Dylan Williams:
Dylan Williams is a two way talent out of Michigan.  Offensively he put on a clinic this spring.  He hit .406 with eight home runs.  Williams also played a deciding role on the mound for his team.  With his fastball scraping upper 80’s and curveball right around 70, Dylan has no trouble finding outs.  He ended his season at 8-1 off the bump.  Williams is currently going through his college selection process.

ABR looks forward to seeing this team in their red, white and blue going for the GOLD.  Best of luck to each of them