16AA - USA vs Cuba - Championship Highlights

The Taiwan-televised USA vs Cuba championship game produced memorable highlights that are a must-see. Click the link above to see the great footage. While although Christopher did not play in this game, the entire team was pivotal to the success of their Gold medal run. If you look closely, you'll see #21 in the background providing his highly enthusiastic and energized support for his team - TEAM USA.

Congratulations!

USA Beats Cuba 7-6 Wins Gold

(Photo Courtesy USA Baseball - www.usabaseball.com)

Correction: USA trailed Cuba throughout most of the championship game, but USA chipped to win the GOLD.

See complete details by visiting www.usabaseball.com.

Team USA Won Game 3 vs Netherlands 15-1

USA beat Netherlands 15-1 in Game 3. Christopher Rivera went 1-for-2 with an RBI double and a run scored. Click here for the complete story.

Team USA Racked Up Another Win in Game 2

Game 2 versus Czech Republic began with a 1, 2, 3 inning from Ricky Jacquez, which set the tone for the team. A scoreless and hitless four innings, Jacquez commanded the mound. Deshorn Lake closed out the last two innings, giving up only one unearned run and Albert Almora capped the win with a grand slam to end the contest 18-1.

USA Set Record 28 Runs in Game 1 vs Hong Kong, Score 28-0

USA took Game 1 in aggressive fashion in the 2009 IBAF "AA" World Youth Baseball Championship Group Play in Taiwan.

Combined pitchers, Hayden Hurst and JoMarcos Woods, and the powerful catcher Evan Powell's 7-RBI, grand-slam slug fest, led USA to a one-hit shut out with a final score 28-0. Christopher Rivera went 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, and a stolen base.

Recap | Box | Log

Cumulative Stats

16U Blog

Images, stats and information courtesy www.usabaseball.com

Christopher During Game 3 - USA vs Australia

This raw video was sent to me from Taiwan of Christopher's at-bats and fielding during Game 3, USA vs Australia, where USA shut out Australia 6-0 Wednesday, Aug. 12 (Thursday, Aug. 13 Taiwan time).

USA Shut Out Australia 6-0

(Image courtesy USA Baseball)

USA shut out Australia in Game 3 of its final exhibition game in Taiwan. Read the full 16U USA Baseball Team article here.

Official games begin Saturday versus Hong Kong 9:30 a.m. (local time), 9:30 p.m. EST (Friday), 6:30 p.m. PST (Friday).

USA Baseball Announced the 16U National Team

The Rivera Family is pleased to announce Christopher was named to the 16U USA Baseball National Team. The team flew to Taipei, Taiwan Saturday, Aug. 8 (away from the typhoon-stricken southern areas) to compete in the IBAF "AA" World Youth Championships Aug. 15-23. Team USA with face teams from Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Australia, Netherlands, Mexico, Hong Kong, Czech Republic and Korea.

A series of "firsts" are tied to this championship team as Chris Rivera is the first 14 year old invited to the 16U Trials, which was held Aug. 1 through 7 in Calif. at Cal State Fullerton and Urban Youth Academy, Compton, and the only 14 year old in history to be named to the 16U National Team. Deshorn Lake is the first player to represent St. Thomas of U.S. Virgin Islands.

Read more by clicking on the photo above or visit http://www.usabaseball.com/.

USA Baseball Announced the 16U National Team Roster

Christopher fielded a ground ball and preps to throw to first base.

Christopher chatters with his 16U USA trial teammates during Game 3.

Dad congratulates Christopher after USA Baseball announced the 16U National Team Roster.

Mom and Dad congratulate Christopher after USA Baseball announced the 16U National Team roster.

Francisco Lindor, Christopher Rivera and Ricky Jacquez were among the 18 players named to the 16U USA Baseball team Friday. Team USA will compete in Taiwan in the 2009 IBAF "AA" World Youth Baseball game versus teams from Taipei, Cuba, Australia, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Mexico, and Korea during the month of August.