BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — East KY Youth Athletics will be hosting the MLB Hit, Pitch, and Run competition June 22 at Frank Horn Field in Inez.

The event is for girls and boys aged 7-14 to test their skills and qualify for a chance to play at the Great American Ballpark where the Cincinnati Reds play their home games.

Age divisions will be 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.

At least 170 kids need to register to guarantee the winners an automatic bid to play in Cincinnati. Otherwise, winners will be entered into a pool and the top scores from the East Region will be selected.

The winners of the team championships in Cincy will represent the Reds and play before Game 2 of the World Series.

Players will be judged on running, speed, hitting, power, and throwing accuracy.

Each participant will hit five times and be scored by distance. They will use a tee and a baseball or softball, depending on the gender and age.

For the running portion, each player will run 90 feet twice. The quickest of the two will be scored using a speed calculator made by the MLB.

To test throwing, the participant will throw five balls at a score target from 35’ to 45’ deep, depending on the age.

The total score of all three events will be calculated to determine the winner.

If East Ky Youth Athletics receives enough sponsorships, a homerun derby contest will also take place.

Find the link to register can be found on the East KY Youth Athletics Facebook page.

You can contact Kenny Maynard directly on Facebook or by email at director@eastkynflflag.com with any questions.