By Nick Sulpizio
Major League Baseball has launched their Pinch, Hit & Run competition, sponsored by Aquafina. This unique program is bringing children from ages 7 to 14 together to participate in an exciting baseball and softball skills competition. This is an excellent opportunity for Santa Clarita’s young ball players to show off their natural skills, and for Mom and Dad to enjoy a day outside.
PHR participants will attempt to advance through four levels of competition: Local, Sectional, Team Championships at all thirty different Major League parks, and the National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game. It’s a fun, yet informative process, as it gives youngsters the impression that things get tougher as you work your way through the ranks.
At its core, the competition is intended to bolster youth participation and draw attention to the fun part of baseball and softball. Each participant must compete in a Local competition, which is hosted by any organization, league, civic group, or volunteers in the community. Keep in mind that the Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run competition is free of charge to both the participants and the organization hosting the event.
The competition is a one-day event that’s easy to put on, and can conclude in just a few hours. All registered hosts will be given a kit with a handbook, promotional posters, registration forms, strike zone banner, award ribbons, baseball cards of the participants, and other information needed to run the event.
Four levels of competition – Local, Sectional, Team Championship and National Finals
Local: Hosted one day in March, April or early May
Sectional: All Local winners advance to a Sectional in their area
Team Championship: The top scorers are eligible to compete in an MLB stadium in June
National Finals: The top scores nationwide earn an all-expense paid trip to the MLB All-Star Game to compete in the National Finals competition
Please email pitchhitrun@website.mlb.com with any questions, including your name, address and organization to help bring this even to our city. Now that Santa Clarita has hit the sunny months, just imagine the perfect atmosphere it would provide for this event. If you or your organization decides to host the event, let us as know and we’ll stop by to cover it. It will be a fun time for all.