TAMPA — Then there were 22.
In June 2018, hundreds of the most talented high school players in the country were trying to shine enough to get asked to the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. Eighty-two got the call to begin playing “Survivor” to make the 18-and-under American team. The 82 were split into four teams and played a round-robin.
“They put together an incredible group of talented, talented players who also were incredible kids,” remembered Anthony Volpe’s father, Michael. “There were good days and bad days. I really had no idea if Anthony was going to make it.”
He survived and advanced through the first cut to 43. That group was split into Team Stars and Team Stripes for games and workouts from June 25-28. When that phase was over, players returned home and waited for a call.
“You start with the best players in the country and it really is up for grabs who is going to make [the team],” said George Washington University head coach Gregg Ritchie, who was the bench coach for the U.S. 18-and-under team that year. “You have to make your mark. And day after day, event after event, game after game, Anthony kept leaving his mark.”
In August 2018, it was decided which 26 would travel to Fort Lauderdale in early…
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