The City of Allentown’s Department of Parks and Recreation will host two free baseball and softball skills contests this Saturday, May 13 at 10am at the Allen High School baseball and softball fields.

Major League Baseball® Jr. Home Run Derby™ is a free national program that tests hitting skills and power to determine the best home run hitters in the country. Scotts® Major League Baseball® Pitch Hit & Run™ is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball®. This grassroots program is designed to provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills.

The Jr. Home Run Derby™ will take place on the William Allen Softball Field. The Pitch Hit & Run™Competition will take place on the William Allen Baseball Field.

In Home Run Derby™ boys and girls compete together in one of two age groups (12 and Under or 14 and Under) with the participant’s age being determined as of July 17, 2017. If a participant's date of birth is on or after July 18, 2004, he/she will compete in the 12U age group. If a participant's date of birth is July 18, 2002 - July 17, 2004, he/she will compete in the 14U age group.

The local Home Run Champion in each age group advances to the Regional Competition. At the Regional Competition, the scores are reset to zero and the Home Run Champion in each age group advances to the National Finals.

The Regional Champion in each age group will receive a trip for two (participant and legal parent/guardian) to MLB All-Star Week in San Diego for the Jr. Home Run Derby™ National Finals.

In Pitch Hit & Run™ boys and girls are divided into four age divisions: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14.

The individual Pitching, Hitting and Running Champions, along with the All-Around Champion in each division age group at the Local Competition will be awarded and advance to the Sectional Level of Competition. In all, there are four levels of competition in Pitch Hit & Run™, including Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals during the 2017 MLB™ All-Star Week®.

Both contests require a copy of a birth certificate for participation. Registration and parental waiver forms may also be required prior to the start of the competition.

Extra copies of the registration forms will be on site at the competitions.

Follow “Allentown PA Parks and Recreation” on Facebook to stay up to date on the status of the competition for Saturday. You may also call the Parks & Recreation Inclement Weather Hotline at 610-437-7757 over the weekend to check the status as well.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Chris Hendricks at 610-437-7757 or chris.hendricks@allentownpa.gov.

More information is also available at https://www.pitchhitrun.com/about and http://m.mlb.com/junior-homerun-derby/faq

--30--