South Brunswick Pitcher, 13, Chosen for USA Baseball North Atlantic

Jacob Ciccone, 13, of South Brunswick, has been chosen as a pitcher for the US Baseball Team North Atlantic. Jacob made it through two rounds of eliminations to earn this spot.

Jacob has been playing baseball since he was five years old. “He’s a left-handed pitcher,” his father said. “He’s just hitting 70 mph and he’s now going to eighth grade.”

He first participated in an open try-out for the state of New Jersey, where the field was narrowed to 130 athletes from around New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Sixteen athletes were chosen from that tryout to form the North Atlantic USA Team.

Although USA baseball is a national program, very few athletes in New Jersey were selected for this opportunity.

“It’s unique, it’s going to be a growing program, the momentum’s starting now,” Dave said. “More and more kids want to be able to try out for USA Baseball.”

Jacob will travel to the USA Baseball Complex in Cary, North Carolina on September 4th to compete against 14 other regional teams from around the United States.

Scouts there will choose 58 athletes to attend the 2015 USA National Team Development Program next year and represent the USA in international competitions.

Although USA baseball is a national program, very few athletes in New Jersey know about this opportunity.

“It’s unique, it’s going to be a growing program, the momentum’s starting now,” his father said. “More and more kids want to be able to have that opportunity.”

His father described Jacob as very humble and a team player. Jacob also one day hopes to play baseball for a Division 1 college.