Pitch, Hit and Run set for April 11

MADISON – Youth who love the sport of baseball can enter the Major League Baseball or MLB Local Pitch, Hit and Run competition.

The Pitch, Hit and Run event will be held on April 11 at Palmer Park in Madison Baseball Association’s Field 7 and 8. Event hours will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event is free.

The four eligible age groups are 7 and 8 years old; 9 and 10 years old; 11 and 12 years old; and 13 and 14 years old.

Organizers will determine age as of July 17 of the current year. Each local winner of pitching, hitting and running and the All-Around Champion in each age division will advance to the sectional competition.

All participants must provide a copy of a valid birth certificate and must submit a signed registration and waiver form, Gayle Milam said. Milam works as Special Event Coordinator for the City of Madison.

For pitching evaluation, participants will throw six balls from 45 feet to the designated “Strike Zone” target. Organizers will call a strike if a pitch hits any portion of the target. Each strike is worth 75 points.

During the exercise for hitting the ball, the youth will have three chances to hit a baseball from a stationary tee, along a tape measure toward straight away centerfield.

Organizers will measure hits for distance and accuracy. To derive points, organizers will take the best distance and convert it with the accepted conversion table.

For the running portion, players will sprint 160 feet from second base, touch third and run across home plate in the fastest time possible. Judges will convert time to points by using the conversion table.

To learn more about dates and times for local competitions, call Milam at 256-772-9300 or email gayle.milam@madisonal.gov.