A new chapter for youth baseball in Central Texas
Elite 9, a youth baseball organization that arrived in Belton, Texas, recently held tryouts that drew roughly 90 children between the ages of eight and fourteen. The participants were evaluated for the Smokies baseball team, a local squad that will benefit from the program’s developmental focus.
Dawerlyn Amancio, one of the owners of Elite 9, selected Belton because of personal connections and friendships within the community. He emphasized that the organization’s purpose is to train and develop young players, teaching them fundamentals such as hitting home runs and mastering core skills.
The group plans to open a dedicated athlete‑development facility in the area, a space that will be accessible not only to Smokies members but also to other youth ballplayers seeking instruction. A ribbon‑cutting ceremony is scheduled to mark the facility’s inauguration, signaling a tangible commitment to the region’s sports ecosystem.
Local families and coaches have welcomed the initiative, noting that the new pathway could nurture talent that might otherwise lack structured guidance. With the ribbon‑cutting ceremony on the horizon, Elite 9 hopes to cement its role as a catalyst for growth in Texas youth baseball.