Des Plaines Park District winners move on to sectionals

The Des Plaines Park District hosted a Free Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition on April 29 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Prairie Lakes Field, 515 E. Thacker St.

Pitch, Hit & Run is the official Skills Competition of Major League Baseball, designed to provide children with an opportunity to compete, in a free 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.

In the Girls, Ages 7-8 category, the All Around Champion was Maggie Gaughan, who won all three events.

In the Girls, Ages 9-10 category, the All Around Champion was Annie Gaughan, who won the Hitting and Running events and tied with Brianna Migaczewski in the Pitching event.

In the Girls Ages 11-12 Category, Samantha Parell was named the All Around Champion, winning both the Pitching and the Running events.

In the Boys, Ages 7-8 category Gabryl Escobar was the All Around Champion, winning the Pitching and Hitting events. Matthew Lowery won the running event.

In the Boys Ages 11-12 category, Brandon Matias was the All Around Champion, winning the Hitting and Running events. Vincent Parcelli won the Pitching event.

The winners now have the opportunity to advance to the Sectional Competition to be held on Saturday, May 19 at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg.

For more information about Des Plaines Park District events call 847-391-5700 or visit www.DPParks.org