Teyghan Hovland, a sixth-grader at I.J. Holton Intermediate School, grew up wanting to be just like his uncle — Mike Wuertz, who played eight seasons in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s.

Now Teyghan has a chance to get a little closer to some former and current MLB players as he was selected to play for the Stars and Stripes 12U All-American Team in the 2014 USA baseball winter championships Dec. 26-31 in Orlando, Florida.

The teams in the winter championships are coached by current and former MLB players and a few players who will be involved are Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals, former Braves pitcher Tom Glavine and former Twins player Josh Willingham.

“I really want to see Bryce Harper,” Teyghan said.

Teyghan was selected to play in the winter championships after he played in the Back to School Bash tournament in Wisconsin recently.

Teyghan’s father, Jeff Hovland, said his son enjoys playing for different coaches and getting to know new teammates.

“He’s tired of hearing from me after six years of me coaching him,” Jeff said. “I like it too, because now I don’t have to coach. I can be a parent a little bit. Everything I do for him is not right, and now he can get a little help with his form and his pitching style.”

Teyghan said he enjoyed making friends from all over the state after he played in the Back to School Bash and with social media, he’s also able to stay in touch with them. Teyghan plays in a fall baseball league in Rochester, and he also plays football and basketball.

He said he’s looking forward to playing in some good games in Florida.

“I’m kind of excited because I’ve never gotten a chance to play on that kind of a team,” he said. “I’m kind of looking for some competition, and I want to win some games.”

Jeff said his son has learned a lot by playing with some older players on the baseball diamond and Teyghan is now at that age where he’s learning to pitch instead of just throwing. Playing in the winter championships will be a great experience for Teyghan.

“What I see evolving in him is leadership,” Jeff said. “It really shows in him right now as a sixth-grader, how he’s able to lead the new fifth-graders. He’s had older kids help him out and that’s really unique for him.”

To build up funds for Teyghan’s trip, Jeff is planning a couple of fundraisers in Austin. To donate to the cause, anyone can visit the following Web Site www.reachingourgoal.com/MQCGUR.