Pitch Hit and Run

Three area youngsters traveled to Albemarle to compete in the youth version of a skills competition called Pitch, Hit and Run; which is put on as a collaborative effort of Aquafina and Major League Baseball.  The Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit and Run contest is a free skills competition for boys and girls ages 7-14. The 1-day event emphasizes the fun element in baseball and allows youngsters to showcase their pitching, hitting and running abilities. PHR is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball and can be hosted by any organization, league, civic group or set of volunteers in the community.

Austin Daniels (Bill Daniels Photo)

Competitors compete in four age groups: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, with age being determined as of July 17, 2009.  At each level of competition competitors will receive an item for their participation. Prizes at different levels of competition include ribbons, medals, trophies and other awards. National Finalists receive a trip to St. Louis for the 2009 All-Star Game.  There are four levels of competition with local winners qualifying for the Sectional event.  Sectional winners are put into a pool, and the best performances will advance to the MLB Team competition.  Winners at that level become eligible to qualify for the National Finals which are held during the All-Star week festivities, each of which gets an all expense paid trip to St. Louis for the All-Star game.

Lane Johnson (Bill Daniels Photo)

Austin Daniels, Peyton Lowery and Lane Johnson traveled to Albemarle to take part in this event.  The three youth who made the trek were the local winners of the contest, which was put on as a part of the Little League Baseball festivities here in the county.  To be eligible to make the trip the youth had to win each individual event, or the overall competition locally.  Lowery took the overall crown locally in his age group, winning the hitting competition as well.  Daniels walked away with the pitching crown, with Johnson taking the crown in his age group, giving each of the youth the opportunity to compete in the sectional event in Albemarle.

Peyton Lowery (Bill Daniels Photo)

All three youth displayed their skills, putting on quite a show, as each one seemed to better their efforts from here in the County.  They had a great time, and enjoyed the opportunity to display their skills, with each one taking a sense of accomplishment from the competition.  Congratulations to each of these youngsters on their local victory, as well as their performance in Albemarle.  Great job guys!