Kids can demonstrate baseball skills May 15 at Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run

The local Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run baseball skills competition is scheduled for Saturday, May 15.

This is the third edition of the event in Maricopa; however, in a change from years past Maricopa Little League is now organizing the contest.

“They ran a portion of the event in the past, so it made sense for them to take ownership of the event,” said David Aviles, youth sports coordinator for the city of Maricopa.

The competition is a free, national program that gives boys and girls from the ages of  7-14 the opportunity to showcase their baseball skills. Boys and girls compete in four separate age groups, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.

Pitch, Hit and Run is designed to test three of the most fundamental aspects of baseball: batting, fielding/throwing and base running. All of the skills are individually scored, and each participant will accumulate a total score based on his or her combined performance.  An all-around champ will be selected from each age group.

Pitch, Hit and Run is intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the ‘fun’ element of baseball. Since there is no registration fee, everyone has the opportunity to participate.”

Competitors have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including team championships at Major League ballparks and the national finals at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game.

Last year Maricopa softball superstar Tailor Murphree was declared the overall winner of the Arizona Team Championship Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run competition, advancing through three levels of competition that tested her pitching, hitting and running abilities.

Registration for the event will be handled on site this year.

If you go:

What: Aquafina Hit, Pitch and Run baseball skills competition
When: Saturday, May 15; registration at 5 p.m.; start time at 6 p.m.
Where: Pacana Park, 19000 N. Porter Road
Cost: Free
Information: 520-560-6017 or visit maricopalittleleague.com

Submitted photo