THe Journey

“The Journey”

The Journey through youth and amateur baseball in the Pacific Northwest is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming path for families. From the first swings at 9U to the final season of high school, each year brings new opportunities, challenges, and decisions. That’s where the Northwest Nationals come in. With experience and a proven developmental model, the Northwest Nationals are a trusted partner for families navigating this complex and evolving landscape.

We help parents and players make informed, strategic choices whether it’s understanding age-level transitions, training priorities, or the ever-changing college recruiting process. In today’s recruiting environment, where exposure looks different and quality over quantity matters more than ever, we guide families toward the events and opportunities that truly matter, saving valuable time and money by avoiding unnecessary showcases or tournaments that no longer move the needle.

Our honest communication to help ensure families aren’t chasing hype, but instead following a clear, efficient, and purpose-driven path built around each player’s goals. This journey is about more than just making the next team, it’s about building a foundation for success and making the right choices along the way.

A Year-by-Year Look at the Northwest Nationals Recommended Path:

  • 9U–10U: Foundation & Fun

  • 11U–12U: Skill Building

  • 13U: Growth

  • 14U: Transition & Growth

  • Going into Freshman Year: Transition & Growth

  • Going into Sophomore Year: Showcase & Direction

  • Going into Junior Year: Recruitment & Readiness

  • Going into Senior Year: Recruitment & Readiness

Below is an outline from 9U to Senior year to help give an overview of The Journey.

“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)

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

    • Hit 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:

      • Skills Development

      • Sportsmanship

      • Love of the Game

    • Key Tips:

      • Choose a local league or developmental club

      • Emphasize fundamentals over competition

      • Keep it fun

“10U Journey”

10U - Foundation & Fun

    • Attend Little League/JBO or Club Practices/Games

    • Play 40 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)

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

    • Hit 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:

      • Skills Development

      • Sportsmanship

      • Love of the Game

    • Key Tips:

      • Choose a local league or developmental club

      • Emphasize fundamentals over competition

      • Keep it fun

“11U Journey”

11U - Skill Building

    • Attend Club Team Practice/Games

    • Play 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)

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

    • Hit 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 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

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

    • Hit 3-4 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

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

    • Hit 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

    • Work to Attend 13U Perfect Game National Showcase

      • No Need to Attend Additional Showcases

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games (Increase IQ)

    • Consider Playing Fall Baseball

    • Play Multiple Sports

    • 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

    • Hit Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 1-2 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Work to Attend 14U Perfect Game National Showcase

      • No Need to Attend Additional Showcases

    • Attend College or Professional Baseball Games

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Consider Playing Multiple Sports

    • Reduce Off Weekends During Season

    • 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 3-5 High Quality Tournaments a Year

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

    • Pitching Instruction 1-2 Day a Week

    • Hit Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 1-2 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Work to Attend Perfect Game Sophomore National Showcase

      • No Need to Attend Additional Showcases

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Consider Playing Multiple Sports

    • Attend Various University Camps of Player Interest

    • Reduce Off Weekends During Season

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

  • Focus:

      • 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

“Going into Sophmore Year”

Going Into Sophomore - Showcase & Direction

    • Attend High School and Club Team Practice/Games

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

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

    • Pitching Instruction 2 Day a Week

    • Hit Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 2 Day a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Consider Playing Multiple Sports

    • Attend PAC NW, Prep Baseball Report Showcase and/or Baseball NW Event (Doesn’t need to be all)

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Attend Various University Camps of Player Interest

    • Reduce Off Weekends During Season

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

  • Focus:

      • Position-specific development

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

      • Attend showcase events and college camps (if appropriate)

      • Compete at a high level

    • Key Tip:

      • Start to gain college exposure.

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

“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 5-7 High Quality Tournaments a Year

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

    • Pitching Instruction 2 Days a Week

    • Hit Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 2 Days a Week

    • Position Player Work 2 Days a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Attend PBR Future Games in Lake Point, GA

    • Attend PAC NW and/or Baseball NW Event

    • Attend Area Code Tryout

    • Work to attend NW Scout Games

    • Attend Official Visits at Colleges and Universities

    • Attend Various University or College Camps of Player Interest

    • Play Fall Baseball

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

    • Focus:

      • Compete at a high level

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

      • Leverage trusted coaches for honest evaluations

      • 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 5-7 High Quality Tournaments a Year

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

    • Pitching Instruction 2 Days a Week

    • Hit Daily

    • Hitting Instruction 2 Day a Week

    • Fielding 2 Day a Week

    • Performance Training 3 Days a Week

    • Attend Area Code Tryout

    • Work to attend NW Scout Games

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

    • If Uncommitted - Attend Various University Camps of Player Interest

    • Obtain a 3.8 or Higher GPA

    • Focus:

      • Compete at a high 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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