USA Baseball has officially announced the 16 teams for the 2024 National High School Invitational (NHSI), presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, to be held in Cary at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

The city of nearly 180,000 will host teams with renowned histories and accomplishments. Defending champions and seven-time NHSI participants Huntington Beach High School will be joined by three-time champions Orange Lutheran High School, both from California. 

"There is no better way to kick off our 2024 season than with the eleventh annual National High School Invitational," said Paul Seiler, Executive Director/CEO of USA Baseball. "This tournament has an unparalleled history of phenomenal players and talented champions, and we look forward to adding more to that in just a few months. We look forward to welcoming the sixteen teams and their families and fans to the USA Baseball National Training Complex in April," he added.

"The GRSA is proud to be a host partner for the NHSI 2024 for the eleventh year," said Tori Collins, Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. "We have always valued our relationship with USA Baseball and are proud of the many outstanding events they bring to the National Training Complex in Cary each year. Not only does the NHSI have a tremendous economic impact on our community, but it also strengthens Cary's brand as a premier amateur sports destination." 

Participating teams include Huntington Beach, which has won the NHSI title twice and is one of three schools with multiple championships in the tournament. Meanwhile, neighbours Orange Lutheran will be seeking the fourth title. The Lancers are looking to recapture their glory days (2017 to 2019) when they set an unprecedented record by winning three consecutive NHSI titles. Orange Lutheran finished the 2023 season with a 20-12-1 record and a berth in the CIF SoCal Division I Baseball Championships. 

Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City, California), a three-time NHSI participant, returns to the field for the first time since 2019. The Wolverines have reached the tournament final in each of their three appearances, posting a 9-3 overall record and finishing as runners-up in 2012, 2013, and 2019. Nevada 5A state champion Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) is appearing in the NHSI for the third time and second in a row.

Farragut High School (Knoxville, Tennessee), the 2023 Tennessee 4A state champions, returns to the NHSI field for the first time since 2015. Puyallup High School (Puyallup, Washington) also is back to the tournament for the first time in nine years after posting a 3-1 record in 2015. 

Schools from Florida are making a comeback to NHSI. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Florida) will make its third appearance in 2024 after appearing in 2016 and 2017. Last season's 2A state champions, St. Johns Country Day High School (Orange Park, Florida), will play at the National Training Complex for the second time in three years, while Hagerty High School (Oviedo, Florida) will play in the NHSI for the second year in a row.

The 11th annual tournament features a number of newcomers, with seven schools making their NHSI debut, including 2023 5A state champion Casteel High School (Queen Creek, Arizona) and 2023 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) titleholder St. John's College High School (Washington, D.C.). 

Also joining the 16-team field for the first time are Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, Arizona), Corona High School (Corona, California), Key West High School (Key West, Florida) and two host state schools, Apex Friendship High School (Apex, North Carolina) and Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, North Carolina). 

It is important to note that the venue for the activities is more than significant. The USA Baseball National Training Complex (NTC), in partnership with the Town of Cary, has been the official home of USA Baseball since 2007. The NTC has been the site of the NHSI since its inception in 2012 and includes four baseball fields, all maintained to Major League Baseball (MLB) standards.

Many of MLB's most outstanding players have passed through, including four-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mike Trout and two-time National League (NL) MVP Bryce Harper, underscoring the importance of the site. 

Among the talented players the NHSI has hosted are 2016 National League MVP Cody Bellinger and 2021 World Series Champion Max Fried, as well as All-Star Matt Olson and Gold Glove winner Anthony Volpe. In addition, nine 2023 MLB Draft selections participated in the event, including Garrett Baumann, Eric Bitonti, Landen Maroudis, Noble Meyer, Adrian Santana, and Ralphy Velazquez, all of whom were taken in the first four rounds. 

In terms of tournament format, the NHSI is a single-elimination tournament, with each participating team guaranteed to play four games. The final bracket and schedule are still being finalised and will be announced in due course.

The complete list of participants in the NHSI 2024:

-Apex Friendship High School (Apex, North Carolina).

-Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nevada).

-Casteel High School (Queen Creek, Arizona).

-Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, Arizona).

-Corona High School (Corona, California).

-Farragut High School (Knoxville, Tennessee).

-Hagerty High School (Oviedo, Florida).

-Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City, California).

-Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, California).

-Key West High School (Key West, Florida).

-Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, California).

-Puyallup High School (Puyallup, Washington).

-St. John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.).

-St. Johns Country Day School (Orange Park, Florida).

Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Florida)

Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, North Carolina)