Pitch, Hit, Run Sends Two to Sectionals

Nathan Schlaiss, 9, of Lake in the Hills took a couple of practice swings and took in a few last words of encouragement from his dad before stepping up for his turn at the annual Pitch, Hit and Run competition Sunday.

The local event, held at noon at Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills, is sponsored by Major League Baseball. The competition allows boys and girls ages 7 to 14 years old throughout the country the chance to showcase their pitching, hitting and running skills.

After some impressive pitching and hitting, Schlaiss earned his way to the upcoming sectional competition on May 15 in McHenry.

Also moving on is Ricky Monbrod, 11, of Crystal Lake. Monbrod advanced to the sectional last year, but didn't compete because he didn't want to miss his American Little League game scheduled at the same time, he said.

Monbrod hit four towering flyballs during the hitting contest.

During the free local competition, first-place all-around pitching, hitting and running champions are selected from each age group. The groups are divided by 7 and 8 year olds; 9 and 10 year olds; 11 and 12 year olds; and 13 and 14 year old players.

Local champions advance to the sectional competition.

All-around champions from the sectional events are compared and ranked. The top three participants in each age and gender group per MLB team market will advance to the Team Championships, held in June in all 30 Major League Baseball Markets, according to the 2011 Pitch, Hit & Run registration form.

The top players' scores nationwide from the team contests determine who participates in the National Finals at the 2011 MLB All-Star game.

LITH Recreation Supervisor Trevor Bosack and Joe Davison, athletic supervisor for Crystal Lake Park District, coordinated Sunday's competition.

Turnout was lower than in past years, Bosack said.

"We usually had at least 15 to 20 players minimum even if the weather was bad," Bosack said.