At age 10, La Feria native Cris Ortega lives for the game of baseball. Ortega is currently playing for the RGV Lions and had a recent tryout for the 2017 USSSA All-American Southeast team, with the ages running from 9U-14U.
Ortega was one of four players from the region selected for the showcase, which is held in Orlando, Florida, on Aug 6-12 at the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex.
The Valley Morning Star recently caught up with Ortega.
Q: How long have you been playing baseball?
A: I have been playing since I was 5 years old.
Q: How did you get selected to play in the showcase?
A: The showcase was an open tryout to everyone. My trainer, Alejandro Martinez, encouraged me to give it a try so I went out there and did my best.
Q: What was your reaction when you got the news that you were selected?
A: I was shocked because there were a lot of really good players. I was lucky to be one of the four selected from the region.
Q: What team are you currently on and how is the season going?
A: I am currently on the RGV Lions. Our season is over as of right now, but I continue to train because I love to play baseball.
Q: What position do you play?
A: I play first base and this season I was also one of the pitchers.
Q: Who’s your favorite MLB team?
A: My favorite baseball team is the Cleveland Indians.
Q: Who is your favorite player and why?
A: Francisco Lindor is my favorite player because I like the way he bats and how he plays the game.
Q: If you could play one game in the MLB, who would you play for and why?
A: I would play for the Cleveland Indians because I have liked them since I played T-ball.
