The 15th annual 17U WWBA National Championship begins June 30 in the Atlanta area, with reigning-champions FTB Tucci back to secure a second title.
This tournament will include teams from across the country, with a large portion of the pool coming from Georgia and Florida. Other states represented are, California, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama. On the international front, there will be a team from Puerto Rico and Ontario rounding out the 392 teams participating.
The National Championship will feature 83 of the top-100 ranked players from the class of 2018. Righthanded pitcher Kumar Rocker leads off at No. 1, with No. 3 outfielder Jarred Kelenic following. Nos. 4-10 – Joe Gray Jr., Ethan Hankins, Will Banfield, Triston Casas, Nolan Gorman, Austin Becker and Elijah Cabell – will be in attendance as well.
There will also be a cast of top baseball programs represented, with several committed to Vanderbilt, Virginia, Texas A&M and the 2017 National Champions, Florida. Miami, LSU, Mississippi State and Arizona are in the mix as well.
Previous champions of this event include: East Cobb Braves (2003), Houston Kyle Chapman (2004), NorCal/All American Prospects (co-2005), All American Prospects (2006), East Cobb Braves (2007), Diamond Devils (2008), ABD Bulldogs (2009), Diamond Devils (2010), East Cobb Braves (2011), Houston Banditos (2012), Orlando Scorpions (2013), Evoshield Canes 17u (2014), CBA Marucci (2015) and FTB Tucci (2016).