Jackson Merrill's parents, Josh and Jennie (Courtesy Merrill Family)

This story was excerpted from AJ Cassavell’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here . And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SAN DIEGO -- Jackson Merrill was 16 years old playing youth baseball in Maryland when he was approached with the opportunity to play for an elite travel ball team in North Carolina.

The only thing Merrill loved more than playing baseball was challenging himself playing baseball. But travel ball in North Carolina would be a major commitment for the Merrills. The cost of the team, the cost of the travel, the cost of equipment -- as any parent of a ballplayer can attest -- would be a burden.

“We were fortunate to be both teachers, but yet it was still a s

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