Young Slugger Sets Sights on Team USA
He’s only 13, but his sights are set on playing baseball at Vanderbilt or Virginia.
McCulloch Intermediate School student Patrick Turner recently was selected to play ball in the USA Baseball North Texas Identification Series, one step closer to playing for Team USA.
He is one of about 200 children in the country selected for the honor — and the only one from the Park Cities.
“It’s just a great experience to be one of the best in North Texas,” Patrick said. “I want to be one of the best kids in the country.”
Patrick spent Aug. 12-16 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., where he and 14 other North Texas players in his age group will play against teams from 15 regions across the country.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” said Chris Turner, Patrick’s father. “The scouts and Team USA coaching staff will watch and evaluate every kid.”
After the week, Patrick hopes to be one of 59 players selected for national team trials and development opportunities, eventually making it to Team USA.
“I want to keep improving,” said Patrick, who plays for the Dallas Tigers select team and hit nine home runs last season. “I’m trying to work really hard to be one of the best in the country and keep practicing every day.”
The Turners are an athletic family and are familiar with competition, as Chris played basketball in college, and his other children excelled in golf and tennis.
“We’re sort of prepared for the third time through to see what it takes to be a high-level athlete,” Chris said. “It’s exciting to have a kid who works that hard and is that committed to trying to improve.”
