Â
Three local members of the USA Softball Junior Men's National Team are, from left, Cody Valeros and Carson Criner, both from Lincoln High; and recent Stagg graduate Aaron Madrid. The trio took part in an exhibition doubleheader against the Italian Athletic Club and the Airtronics 60-and-over team on Wednesday at the Louis Park complex.CALIXTRO ROMIAS/The Record
by Bob Highfill
STOCKTON - Aaron Madrid has proudly worn the uniforms of Stagg High and the club baseball teams on which he's played over the years.
But having the letters USA on his cap and jersey is special.
"It feels great," said Madrid, a recent Stagg graduate, who will play baseball next season at Delta College. "It's outstanding to be on this team. Representing your country with all of these other great softball players. It's just going to be real fun."
Madrid, 18, and Lincoln infielders Carson Criner, 16, and Cody Valeros, 17, are members of the USA Softball Junior Men's National Team that stopped Wednesday in Stockton for an exhibition doubleheader as part of a tour leading to the International Softball Federation Junior Men's World Softball Championship from July 11-20 in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
The Italian Athletic Club beat Team USA 8-3 in the first game at Louis Park. Former Sonora High multi-sport standout Nate Devine clubbed a grand slam and a three-run home run for the IAC. In the nightcap, Team USA played Airtronics, a men's 60-and-older fastpitch team. The result of the game was not available at press time.
The area trio on the Junior Men's National Team was selected from a pool of about 40 players from around the country who went through tryouts last summer in Michigan. The 19-member team has played about a dozen games together over the past several months. Most of players on the Junior Men's National Team have baseball backgrounds, as fastpitch softball leagues are harder to find.
Officials with the Amateur Softball Association and men's softball enthusiasts throughout the U.S. recruit players for the national program.
Warren Jones, president elect of the ASA, said the popularity of men's softball could hinge on a vote this December by the International Olympic Committee whether to reinstate women's softball for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. Women's softball was voted out of the Summer Games by the IOC in 2006 and again in 2009, and has not been included in the Games since 2008 in Beijing. Men's softball never has been an Olympic sport, but there is hope that will change.
"That's the only way men's softball will get back to the level it was 20 to 30 years ago," Jones said. "I was in South Africa in May for a meeting and I'm more optimistic the vote will go through than I was before the meeting. Japan (which won the gold medal in Beijing) is pushing hard for it."
In the meantime, Valeros said he's looking forward to the ISF World Championship, which includes teams from Denmark, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Argentina and Australia.
"It's been a real fun time," said Valeros, who played second base Wednesday. "It's been a great experience traveling with the team and playing other teams from other states, and having fun with other kids from other states."
Valeros had never played fastpitch softball prior to trying out for the junior national team, comprised of players ages 19-and-under.
"It took a little time adjusting to under-hand pitching," Valeros said. "The ball moves a lot faster and moves a lot more than a baseball."
Criner has been playing fastpitch softball for more than two years. His brother and father play fastpitch softball. Criner, who played first base Wednesday, said the team is getting to know itself.
"It will just be about getting as many games as we can and build that team chemistry so when we get to Canada, we'll be whole," said Criner, who will be a senior this fall.
"I'm looking forward to playing with people from all over the country, especially my team. They're all from different states and coming together, and playing against other national teams and just trying to win."
Contact sports editor Bob Highfill at (209) 546-8282 or bhighfill@recordnet.com. 
and on Twitter @bobhighfill.
