Youngsters Participate in Pitch, Hit and Run Sectionals

Five youngsters from Hasbrouck Heights participated in the Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Sectionals competition on Sunday hosted by Parsippany Sunday Baseball in Lake Hiawatha.

The two girls and three boys qualified through the local event hosted by Hasbrouck Heights Little League in April. Two placed first in their age category.

Paige McGuire, her first year in the event, was the overall winner in the 7-8 age bracket. Mark Ferraro was the overall winner in the 13-14 age category. Each of their scores will be compared with the other Sectional winners in the same age and gender group for their MLB Team Championship market. If the score is one of the top three in his/her age group in the market, he/she will advance to the Team Championship competition.

Other Hasbrouck Heights participants included Katie Armonaitis, Trey Armonaitis and Aaren Ferraro.

The Pitch portion of the program tested how accurately a competitor can throw strikes to a designated "Strike Zone" target from a designated distance (35 feet for the girls softball division and 45 feet for the boysbaseball division). Any method of underhand/overhand pitching or throwing was accepted. An attempt hitting ANY portion of the target is deemed a strike.

The Hit portion of the program tested a competitor's ability to hit from a stationary batting tee, along a tape measure from home plate, toward straight-away centerfield. Hits were measured for distance and accuracy.

The Run portion of the program measured a competitor's speed in a sprint from the start line, touching third base and across home plate. Participants in the boys’ baseball division ran a total of 160 feet, whereas those in the girls’ softball division ran a total of 120 feet.

Players may advance through four levels of competition – Locals (HHLL), Sectionals, Team Championships and National Finals.  The top participants compete in the PHR National Finals, which is hosted annually in conjunction with MLB All-Star Week. This year’s All-Star Game and National Finals will be at Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals.

The Pitch, Hit and Run Competition is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball, sponsored by AquaFina.

Information submitted by Faith C. Ballantine-Armonaitis, Publicist.