Joey Lippo (left) with fall ball teammate James Besaw. (Teresa Besaw photo)
Lippo (far left) and teammates wielded big bats during the little league season. (Joe Lippo photo)
Joey Lippo is on his way.
The Coupeville Middle School eighth-grader is quickly scaling rungs in the baseball world, attracting attention as he does.
Coming off successful summer little league and fall ball seasons, Lippo has been selected to attend a national level spring training program in Mesa, AZ Jan. 17-20.
The only player to represent Washington state from the 12-14 year-old category, Lippo earned his spot with a stellar performance at a tryout in Bellevue, where he beat out a field of 30 players.
His booming bat and slick glove both nabbed the eyes of scouts.
Coaches at the national event will hail from colleges at the D-1 and D-2 levels, as well as a coach from Team USA.
His father, Joe Lippo, was having trouble staying calm after the news came through. While his son has been attending informal morning practices set up by CHS players — the only middle school student to do so — the invite to Arizona is a major step.
“I can barely contain myself,” Joe Lippo said. “My entire extended family is only mildly surprised. I, on the other hand, want to make town square announcements.”
Coupeville Sports 