Heights Little League Hosted Inaugural Pitch, Hit and Run Competition

Thirty-five competitors participated in the the inaugural Pitch, Hit and Run Competition hosted by the Hasbrouck Heights Little League hosted this past Sunday.

The 35 participants included 29 boys and six girls who competed in four age categories. The contest was opened to all Hasbrouck Heights residents that met the age requirement.

The winners advance to the Sectionals competition on Sunday, May 15 in New Milford. The First Place Winners advance in each age and gender group: All-Around Champion, Pitching Champion, Hitting Champion, and Running Champion.

“All of the competitors had a lot of fun. This was our first time participating in the MLB/Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run and everything went very well,” said event coordinator George Friedel. “We look forward to running a competition again in 2012.”

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 boys baseball division). Any method of underhand/overhand pitching or throwing was accepted. An attempt hitting any portion of the target was be 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 in the Arizona Diamondbacks Stadium – Chase Field.