Local Ball Player Hitting, Pitching and Running His Way to National Competition

Christian Huckfeldt, 14, finished first in the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Sectional Competition, held in King of Prussia May 22. The competition gives aspiring baseball players the chance to showcase their skills in three different categories: pitching, hitting and running.

This victory marks the completion of the second round for Christian in the Pitch, Hit & Run competition. He advanced to the sectional round after winning the local competition, held in Roslyn.

Now, Christian will head into a field of competitors from all over the state, and if he emerges victorious again, he will advance to the National Finals, held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game July 12.

"My expectations are just to go out there and try my best, and see what happens," Christian said. "I did not expect to go this far, or think I would do as well, but it was a nice surprise."

The victory should come as no surprise to those who know Christian. He's played baseball since he was 9 years old and has developed the skills to play three different positions. The eighth-grader is a right handed starting pitcher, a shortstop, and a third baseman on the Sandy Run Middle School baseball team.

Next year, he will be a freshman at Upper Dublin High School. Incoming students generally play on the freshman team, but Christian says he would like to earn a spot on the junior varsity, or even varsity team.

He says that he has been encouraged throughout his whole baseball career by his parents, and he has been able to develop his skills from the coaching of his father.

"My mom and dad have both inspired me to play a lot," he said. "They come to all my games and are always cheering me on from the sidelines. My dad has been my travel coach since I started playing baseball, and he's helped me develop all of my skills like hitting and pitching."

While pitching, Christian throws three different pitches. He throws two types of fastballs and a changeup, and he said he would like to develop a few more pitches throughout his career.

"When I'm out on the mound, I try to remember that every pitch is a new pitch," he said. "If I gave up a hit or struck a kid out, I just try to forget about that because everything could change on the next pitch."

When Christian is playing baseball, he sets multiple goals for himself.

"If I'm pitching, I try to go all seven innings," Christian said. "If I'm in the field, I want to make a couple of good plays. If I'm hitting, I strive for a certain batting average."

Although Christian said he has an interest in playing college baseball and possibly pursuing a professional career one day, he has just one goal right now, and that's advancing to the National Finals of the Pitch, Hit & Run competition.