(DURHAM, N.C.) – USA Baseball announced the roster for the 2008 14U National Team.  The roster was unveiled at the close of the first-ever 14U National Team Identification Series (NTIS).

The NTIS consisted of two identification events featuring a total of 216 players over Labor Day Weekend. The West Coast event was held at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., and the East Coast event was held at the Roger Dean Stadium Complex in Jupiter, Fla. 

14U National Team assistant coach Tom LoSauro was pleased with the outcome of the inaugural NTIS events.  “I was not surprised by how talented the players were, but I was surprised by how many of the players at the tournament were talented,” LoSauro said.  “Collectively it was the strongest group of 14-year-olds, top to bottom, that I have ever seen."

The two sites each hosted six teams and a total of 108 players.  The series ran from Aug. 29-31, with each team playing a total of three nine-inning games.  Also featured at the NTIS were instruction and training from USA Baseball representatives and a panel of guest speakers that included Frank Marcos (Director of the Major League Scouting Bureau), Darrell Miller (Director of the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy), Willie Romay (Lead Florida scout – the Major League Scouting Bureau), and John McCormick (Head Coach – Florida Atlantic University).

The event served as the exclusive identification tool for the 2008 USA Baseball 14U National Team.  "The tournament had a real aura of purpose, unlike many of the tournaments I see players of that age play in," LoSauro added.  Head coach of the 14U National Team Dave Webb agreed, saying, “I have to commend the team managers in the job they did in bringing in players that were not only talented but had the right approach towards the game.  We’re fortunate to be working with such an outstanding pool of players.”

The 2008 14U National Team will first travel to Los Angeles for training before heading to Guatemala City, Guatemala for the 2008 COPABE “A” Pan Am Regional Championships.  LoSauro said, "It's not often that a coach gets to work with players of great ability and strong character. I am very excited about the opportunity to bring these players into international competition and to be part of such a great experience."

Please see below for a complete 2008 14U National Team roster.