Durham native Morales headed back to Florida

After successfully qualifying for the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) All-American Game in Florida as a nine-year old, 10-year-old Durham native Demetrio Morales is headed back to Florida to compete with the best 10U baseball players from around the nation at the USSSA All-American Game on Aug. 6 at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida.

“He just really enjoyed himself on the trip last year and the experience. We figured it would be a shot in the dark to make it again, but we made the trip and wanted to see if he could continue to do it every year,” said Kristi Morales, Demetrio’s mother.

Morales traveled to Atlanta, Georgia on June 6 and was one of the Top 25 All-Americans chosen for the 10U age division.

For Morales, preparing for the tryout in Atlanta was far from an easy process. The Cairo-Durham student battled the elements throughout the spring, practicing in the cold if he had to. Morales even traveled to Albany and Saugerties to continue to hone his craft in preparation for the tryout.

When Morales is not preparing to play against the best players from around the nation, he plays for the Columbia Clippers travel baseball team.

Morales’ coach Ryan Heimroth has pushed the 10 year old, who has developed a new work ethic because of it. He’s also been granted ample opportunities to pitch and has blossomed as a pitcher with the Clippers.

Morales’ ultimate goal is to go to a baseball school in Puerto Rico, where he currently has family, however, his focus right now is on Aug. 6 when he can showcase his talents amongst the best 10-year-old ballplayers in the nation.

“I’m really excited, I can’t wait to watch him play again,” Morales said.