Local Slugger, 12, Becomes All-Star at Nats Park

Images: Patch; Bannon Brazell with his trophy at Nationals Park (MLB.com).

A sixth grader at Vienna Elementary School broke into Major League Baseball, at least for a day.

Bannon Brazell, 12, took first place in his age group Sunday in a baseball/softball skills competition at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Bannon was one of 23 boys and girls from the Washington area who competedin the annual Scotts Pitch, Hit & Run program, according to MLB.com.

Pitch, Hit & Run is part of Major League Baseball's "PLAY BALL" initiative, which encourages participation in the sport at all ages. To reach Sunday's competition at Nats Park, the youth players had to advance from local and sectional competitions.

They ranged in age from 7 to 14, competing in eight age groups - four each in baseball and softball. "They sprinted through the outfield, whacked the ball as far as they could off a tee and threw strikes at a target," said MLB.com.

Bannon won the first-place trophy for the 11-12 age group in baseball. He and the winners in the other seven age groups were celebrated on the field before Sunday's game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLB.com.

The players are also eligible to compete in the national finals next month during MLB All-Star Week in San Diego. The All-Star Game takes place on July 12 at Petco Park, home of the National League's San Diego Padres.