THe Journey

“The Journey”

The Journey through youth and amateur baseball in the Pacific Northwest is both exciting and, at times, overwhelming for families. From those first swings at 9U to the final season of high school, each year brings new opportunities, challenges, and pivotal decisions. That’s where the Northwest Nationals come in. With decades of experience and a proven developmental model, the Northwest Nationals are more than just a competitive program, we are a trusted partner for families navigating the complex and ever-evolving baseball landscape.

Success in baseball isn’t defined by trophies or quick wins, it’s built through deliberate development and a relentless commitment to growth. While every player begins at a different point, long-term success comes from consistent progress across all areas of the game: skill development, strength and conditioning, mental performance, and team dynamics. It’s this pursuit of complete development that sets the foundation for lasting impact. In this sport, the process is the priority, and true achievement comes from embracing the grind, year after year.

To make the most of this journey, families must make informed, strategic decisions, whether it’s navigating age-level transitions, identifying training priorities, or understanding the constantly shifting college recruiting landscape. In today’s recruiting environment, where exposure looks different and quality matters more than quantity, knowledge is power. Educated families who focus on the right development, the right events, and the right programs can avoid wasting time and resources on ineffective showcases, tournaments, or hype-driven opportunities that don’t move the needle.

What the baseball community needs now more than ever is honest communication and a clear, purpose-driven path that supports each player’s individual goals. This journey isn’t just about making the next team, it’s about building a foundation and being relentless in the athletes goals. It’s about making the right choices, at the right time, with the right guidance.

Below is a general outline from 9U through senior year to help families better understand The Journey. It’s designed as a roadmap to support informed decision-making throughout each stage of a player’s development in the Pacific Northwest.

“9U Journey”

9U - Foundation & Fun

    • Attend Little League/JBO Practices/Games

    • Play 30-40 Games a Year (Spring/Summer) - No Need to Travel

    • Play Catch 2-3 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Start Play Catch 2-3 Times a Week in January

      • Take Time Off From Throwing - Off Season (Fall-December)

    • Hitting Routine 2-3 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Hitting Routine 2-3 Times a Week in the Off-Season

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games (Increase IQ)

    • Play Multiple Sports

    • Take Family Vacations - Have Off Weekends During Season

    • Focus:

      • Foundation and Fun

      • Basic Skill Development

      • Basic Baseball IQ

      • Foster Love and Passion for the Game

    • Key Tips:

      • Choose a local Little League or JBO

      • Emphasize fundamentals over competition

      • Keep it fun

“10U Journey”

10U - Foundation & Fun

    • Attend Little League/JBO or Club Practices/Games

    • Play 35-45 Games a Year (Spring/Summer) - No Need to Travel

    • Play Catch 3-4 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Start Play Catch 2-3 Times a Week in January

      • Take Time Off From Throwing - Off Season (Fall-December)

    • Hitting Routine 2-3 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Hitting Routine 2-3 Times a Week in the Off-Season

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games (Increase IQ)

    • Play Multiple Sports

    • Take Family Vacations - Have Off Weekends During Season

    • Focus:

      • Foundation and Fun

      • Basic Skill Development

      • Basic Baseball IQ

      • Foster Love and Passion for the Game

    • Key Tips:

      • Athlete in local Little League or JBO, or in/considering club program

      • Emphasize fundamentals, development and competition

      • Athlete has proficiency in basic skills (hitting, throwing and fielding)

“11U Journey”

11U - Skill Building

    • Attend Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 45-50 Games a Year (Spring/Summer) - Travel to 1 High Quality Tournament a Year

    • Play Catch 4 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Start Play Catch 3-4 Times a Week in January

      • Take Time Off From Throwing - Off Season (Fall-December)

    • Hitting Routine 3 -4Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Hitting Routine 3-4 Times a Week in the Off-Season

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games (Increase IQ)

    • Play Multiple Sports

    • Take Family Vacations - Have Off Weekends During Season

    • Focus:

      • Emphasize Fundamentals Over Competition

      • Increased Baseball IQ

      • Understanding the Positioning on the Field in Player Position

      • Team Concepts

    • Key Tip:

      • Chase Reps and Great Coaching

“12U Journey”

12U - Skill Building

    • Attend Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 50-60 Games a Year (Spring/Summer) - Travel to 2 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Play Catch 4-5 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Start Play Catch 3-4 Times a Week in January

      • Take Time Off From Throwing - Off Season (Fall-December)

    • Consider Pitching Instruction 1 Day a Week

    • Hitting Routine 4-5 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Hitting Routine3-4 Times a Week in the Off-Season

    • Consider Hitting Instruction 1 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 1 Day a Week

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games (Increase IQ)

    • Consider Fall Baseball

    • Play Multiple Sports

    • Take Family Vacations - Have Off Weekends During Season

    • Focus:

      • Continue to Increased BBaseball IQ

      • Team concepts

    • Key Tip:

      • Don’t Chase Rankings and Watch Out for FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

“13U Journey”

13U - Growth

    • Attend Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 60-70 Games a Year - Travel to 2-3 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Play Catch 5-6 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Start Play Catch 3-4 Times a Week in December

      • Take Time Off From Throwing - Off Season (Fall-November)

    • Pitching Instruction 1 Day a Week

    • Hitting Routine 5-6 Times a Week - In Season (Outside of Team Practice)

    • Hitting Routine 3-4 Times a Week in the Off-Season

    • Hitting Instruction 1 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 1 Day a Week

    • Performance Training 2 Days a Week

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games (Increase IQ)

    • Consider Playing Fall Baseball

    • Play Multiple Sports

    • Recruiting and Showcases:

        • Goal to Attend 13U Perfect Game National Showcase (Competition)

        • No Showcases Needed Due to NCAA Rule Change

      Focus:

      • Big Field Adjustment

      • Advanced Skill Work

      • Begin Strength and Conditioning

    • Key Tip:

      • Patience is power. Physical Maturity Varies Greatly

“14U Journey”

14U - Transition & Growth

    • Attend Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 70-80 Games a Year - Travel to 3-4 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Catch Play/Pitching Routine Daily (Short Break Based on Workload)

    • Pitching Instruction 1 Day a Week

    • Hitting Routine - Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 1-2 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Consider Playing Multiple Sports

    • Reduce Off Weekends During Season

    • Recruiting and Showcases:

        • Attend University Camps of Player Interest

        • Goal to Attend 14U Perfect Game National Showcase (Competition)

        • No Showcases Needed Due to NCAA Rule Change

    • Focus:

      • Advanced skill work

      • Seek high-quality instruction and game reps

    • Key Tip:

      • Start asking: Where do we want to be in 3–4 years

“Going into Freshman Year”

Going Into Freshmen - Transition & Growth

    • Attend High School and Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 80-90 Games a Year - Travel to 3-5 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Catch Play/Pitching Routine Daily (Short Break Based on Workload)

    • Pitching Instruction 1-2 Day a Week

    • Hitting Routine - Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 1-2 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Consider Playing Multiple Sports

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

  • Recruiting and Showcases:

      • Attend University Camps of Player Interest

      • Attend 1 Showcase for Knowledge - Schools Not Looking at Athletes Due to NCAA Rule Change

  • Focus:

      • Winning a High School State Championship

      • Position-specific development

      • Join teams or programs with a focus on development and visibility

      • Understand the difference between club and high school ball

    • Key Tip:

      • There’s no single path. College, junior college, and pro routes all start here

      • Create social media accounts, particularly X (Twitter) account.

“Going into Sophmore Year”

Going Into Sophomore - Showcase & Direction

    • Attend High School and Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 70-80 Games a Year - Travel to 5-7 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Catch Play/Pitching Routine Daily (Short Break Based on Workload)

    • Pitching Instruction 2 Day a Week

    • Hitting Routine - Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 2 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Consider Playing Multiple Sports

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Reduce Off Weekends During Season

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

  • Recruiting and Showcases:

      • Attend University Camps of Player Interest

      • Attend PAC NW, Prep Baseball Report Showcase and/or Baseball NW Event (Does Not Need to be All - Do for Experience and “Getting on Radar”)

      • Goal to Attend Perfect Game Sophomore National Showcase

  • Focus:

      • Winning a High School State Championship

      • Position-specific development

      • Join teams or programs with a focus on development and visibility

    • Key Tip:

      • Start to gain college exposure.

“Going into Junior Year”

Going Into Junior Year - Recruitment & Readiness

    • Attend High School and Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 80-90 Games a Year - Travel to 5-7 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Catch Play/Pitching Routine Daily (Short Break Based on Workload)

    • Pitching Instruction 2 Days a Week

    • Hitting Routine - Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 2 Days a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

    • Recruiting and Showcases:

        • Attend Official Visits (After Aug. 1st at Colleges and Universities)

        • Goal to Attend PBR Future Games in Lake Point, GA

        • Attend PAC NW and Baseball NW Event

        • Attend Area Code Tryout

        • Goal to attend NW Scout Games

        • Goal to Attend the Perfect Game Jr. National Showcase

    • Focus:

      • Winning a High School State Championship

      • Competing at a highest level

      • Finalize highlight videos, reach out to schools, explore college visits

      • Be prepared for timelines, offers, and hard conversations

    • Key Tip:

      • Fit matters more than level. A great fit at D3 beats a bad fit at D1.

“Going into Senior Year”

Going Into Senior Year - Recruitment & Readiness

    • Attend High School and Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 80-90 Games a Year - Travel to 5-7 High Quality Tournaments a Year

    • Catch Play/Pitching Routine Daily (Short Break Based on Workload - Fall)

    • Pitching Instruction 2-3 Days a Week (If a Pitcher)

    • Hitting Routine - Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 2 Day a Week

    • Fielding 2 Day a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

    • Recruiting and Showcases:

        • Attend Area Code Tryout

        • Goal to attend NW Scout Games

        • Goal to Attend PG National Showcase

        • If Uncommitted - Attend PAC NW, Prep Baseball Report and Baseball NW Event

        • If Uncommitted - Attend Various University Camps of Player Interest

      Focus:

      • Winning a High School State Championship

      • Competing at a highest level

      • Be prepared for timelines, offers, and hard conversations

    • Key Tip:

    • Fit matters more than level. A great fit at D3 beats a bad fit at D1.

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