Bridgeport’s Christopher Harbert has earned a spot on the USA Baseball National Team Identification Series “NTIS” Team Capital 13U team. He said he’s very excited to be part of the 18-man roster to play Aug. 10-13 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, NC.

 

“This means that all the hard work that I have put in has been worth it,” Harbert said. “I have always been a big fan of baseball and its history. So to be able to train and play where some of my favorite players have is a huge opportunity.”

 

Harbert traveled to Millersville, Md. Feb. 18 for the first round of tryouts.

 

“About a week later, my dad received an email saying that I had advanced to the second round of tryouts in Ruther Glen, Pa. on July 11 and 12,” he said. “The tryouts in Ruther Glen were to try to make the National Regional team which play games against the 15 other regions in the U.S. in August in Cary, NC.”

 

Among athletes taking part in the August games, USA Baseball will invite a minimum of 62 players to future National Team Trials, National Team Development Program and Tournament of Stars with the ultimate goal of being selected to represent the country as part of Team USA in 2018.

 

A statement on the USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler on the USA Baseball Web site said:

 

"The NTIS program gives players from across the country the opportunity to wear USA across their chest. It is an outstanding achievement for the athletes to be able to represent their region, and an honor to have a chance to be selected for next year's National Team Programming." 

 

Harbert couldn’t be happier about the opportunity.

 

“When you feel this strongly about something, it’s hard to put into words,” he said.

 

A pitcher and first baseman, Harbert has had a love for the sport and played it as long as he can remember.

 

“I played T-Ball, C-Ball, A-Ball, Little League, Patriots and several other travel teams,” he said. “…My teammates and I have had the benefit of having very dedicated coaches that teach baseball the right way.”

 

In addition to his coaches, Harbert said he owes much to his parents and other family members who have supported him.