Des Plaines Park District to host free Major League Baseball competition

The Des Plaines Park District will host a free Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition from noon-3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, at West Park, 651 S. Wolf Road.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. The competition is for all boys and girls ages 7-14.

Pitch, Hit & Run is the Official Skills Competition of Major League Baseball. This free grass-roots program provides children with an opportunity to compete in an event that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills. The pitch portion of the program tests how accurately a competitor can throw strikes to a designated “Strike Zone” target. The hit portion of the program tests a competitor’s ability to hit from a stationary tee for distance and accuracy. The run portion of the program measures a competitor’s speed in a sprint from second base, around third, and across home plate.

Competitors are divided into four age divisions 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 (as of July 17, 2013). Individual Pitch, Hit, and Run category boy and girl champions, plus the over-all competition champion, advance to the Sectional Level of Competition. Based on their performances at Sectionals, they have the opportunity to go on to the Team Championships at Major League Ballparks and the National Finals at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.

Participants must provide a form of age verification (birth certificate), and all participants must sign a registration/waiver form. May 5 is the rain date.

The 2013 official registration form is available by calling (847) 391-5711 or visiting, www.DPParks.org.

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