Football: Rio Ruiz decides he wants to play for 18U baseball team
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
La Puente Bishop Amat had better start getting its backup quarterback ready to go, because Rio Ruiz has decided he will play for the USA 18U national baseball team in September, which would force him to miss at least three football games this fall.
Ruiz made the latest cut for the 18U team and will return to North Carolina for a second round of tryouts that begin on Sept. 12. He’s expected to make the team and then travel to Cartagena, Columbia, for the national tournament Sept. 23-Oct. 2.
Ruiz would miss nonleague games against La Mirada, Damien and Cathedral, returning for a game against Venice on Oct. 6 in preparation for Bishop Amat’s Serra League showdown against Alemany on Oct. 14. He would be with the Lancers for their game against defending Pac-5 champion Anaheim Servite on Sept. 9.
Ruiz’s father, Rudy, said the family has informed Bishop Amat Coach Steve Hagerty of the decision. Ruiz has tried to balance football and baseball. He has committed to USC for baseball and could be a first-round draft pick in June.
‘They know it’s a unique and special opportunity for him,’ Rudy Ruiz said.
-- Eric Sondheimer