Rhet McDonald has seen his hard work pay off, but that hasn’t interrupted his practice time with Nook Logan.

The 12-year-old shortstop for Advanced Sports Braves traveled playing ball during the summer, and one of the tournament directors must have taken notice by spreading his name around, allowing him to gain an invitation to the Stars and Stripes Winter World Championship in Orlando from Dec. 26 until Jan. 1. Only 72 12-year olds were invited, so Rhet doesn’t take the opportunity lightly.

Rhet’s father Shaun McDonald coaches him on the Advanced Sports Braves travel team, but because Shaun works offshore, he’s not able to work with him as much as he’d like. That missed time on the diamond was filled after Shaun received a phone call from former Detroit Tigers player and Natchez High School alum Logan.

“I was hearing good things about (Rhet) playing ball, so I contacted his dad,” said Logan, Mississippi and Texas Director of Grand Slam Tournaments. “I told him, I’m in the area, and I’m offering individual training sessions, so I started working with him twice a week.”

Six weeks later, Logan and Rhet took to the old Vidalia High School baseball field to practice agility and hitting drills. Logan, who said he loves helping out young talents who take it seriously, has become a huge source of useful information for Rhet, though Rhet’s questions will usually involve Logan’s playing days in the pros.

“It’s awesome because you can ask him about what all happens in MLB,” Rhet said.

Rhet’s new relationship with Logan has proved beneficial so far, and his father can see a difference in his son.

“He’s changed more as a leader,” Shaun said. “He’s improved in every area, but he’s becoming more of a leader on the field.”

Physically, Rhet believes he’s the best at playing in the field, but Logan has been impressed by Rhet’s presence at the plate.

“He can hit,” Logan said. “For his age, at age 12, he could fit in with us when we played at that age. I’m teaching him things I didn’t learn until I was 20.”

Logan believes it’s his responsibility to help the youth in the area develop their craft, and that is mostly the reason Logan decided to host a high school player showcase Saturday at Sullivan Field at Copiah Lincoln Community College in Wesson. Logan invited all Mississippi coaches to the showcase, and players can signup nl7elitesports.com/showcase.

“You can come out and show what you can do in a showcase,” Logan said. “Once you get your name out, all you have to do is play.”

Now that Rhet has his name floating around, playing is all he has to focus on in December.

The Delta Charter School seventh grader plans on making the most of his opportunity.