Coloma Township Park District
508 East 11th Street
Rock Falls, Illinois 61071
Phone: 815-625-0272 Fax: 815-625-5131 E-Mail:ctpd4fun@essex1.com
Administrative Office Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Pitch Hit & Run Competition Rescheduled
Aquafina and the Coloma Township Park District will be sponsoring their Tenth Annual Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit and Run Competition is at Wallingford Park on Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 AM. The competition is being rescheduled due to the bad weather conditions last Saturday.
The competition is open to boys and girls 7 through 14 years of age in the Coloma and Montmorency Townships. The participant’s age is determined as of July 17, 2008. The four age groups are: 7 & 8 year olds; 9 & 10 year olds; 11 & 12 year olds; 13 & 14 year olds with boys and girls competing together. No Metal Spikes Are Allowed.
Each boy and girl will compete in three categories: Pitching, Hitting, and Running. Any participant who competes in more than one local competition shall be disqualified from the 2008 Pitch, Hit and Run.
The Pitch portion of the program will test how accurately a competitor can throw strikes from 45 feet to a designated “Strike Zone” Target. Each competitor receives six pitches to hit the designated “Strike Zone” target 45 feet away. The “Strike Zone” target (17” X 30” banner) reflects a typical MLB standard strike zone. The competitor must deliver each ball in an overhand or sidearm motion from the pitching rubber or chalk line (an underhand delivery is not permitted and will result in the participant receiving zero points). The competitor must have one foot touching the rubber/chalk line when the pitch is released. Each attempt hitting any portion of the “Strike Zone” target is worth 75 points. If the competitor fails to hit the “Strike Zone” target in his/her six attempts, he/she sill receive the minimum score of 50 points.
The Hit portion of the program will test a competitor’s ability to hit a baseball from a stationary tee, along a tape measure from home plate, toward straight-away centerfield. Hits will be measured for distance and accuracy. Each competitor will be allowed three swings in an attempt to hit the ball. A swing and a miss counts as one attempt (one swing = one attempt). Only the best attempt, as determined by the administrator, will count toward a competitor’s score. Scores will be based on distance and accuracy. If the competitor fails to hit the ball in his/her three attempts, he/she will receive the minimum score of 50 points. A competitor will receive the minimum score of 50 points for a hit of less than 50 feet.
The Run Portion of the program will measure a competitor’s speed in a sprint from second base, around third and across home plate. The competitor must run 160 total feet. The competitor will start at second base or indicated start line. He/She will begin from a standing start, and begin running when the administrator yells GO! The runner will be timed from the moment he/she leaves second base, touches an anchored third base, and crosses home plate. No sliding is allowed. The runner must touch all bases for the time to be official. If a runner misses a base, he/she will receive the minimum score of 50 points and not be given the opportunity to run again. A competitor will receive the minimum score of 50 points for intentionally sliding into home plate. A competitor will receive the minimum score of 50 points for a time of more than 11 seconds.
Twelve trophies and ribbons will be awarded in this local competition. The trophies will be awarded to the All-Around Winner for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each of the four age groups. The All-Around Champion, Pitching Champion, Hitting Champion and the Running Champion in each of the four age groups in this local competition will be eligible to compete in the Moline, Illinois Sectional Pitch, Hit & Run Competition on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM. The youngsters that have the opportunity to advance to the Team Champion are the 1st Place All-Around Champion in each of the age groups. The All-Around Champions DO NOT automatically advance to the Team Championship. His/her score must be compared to the other Sectional All-Around Champions in the MLB team market in order to determine the top four (4) scorers in each age group competing at the Team Championship.
Entry blanks may be picked up at the Coloma Township Park District Administrative Office at 508 East 11th Street in Rock Falls. Registration will be accepted at the Park District Administrative Office prior to the event or Wallingford Park the day of the event. There is a $1.00 registration fee for this competition. For further information please call the Park District Administrative Office at 1-815-625-0272 or stop by at 508 East 11th Street in Rock Falls, from 9:00 am until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday and register.