MLB Pitch, Hit & Run 2026
A FREE official Major League Baseball skill competition for boys and girls ages 7–14. Showcase your talent and compete for a chance to advance to MLB Team Championships and the World Series Finals!
THE THREE COMPETITIONS
Every participant competes in all three events to earn a cumulative score toward advancement.
PITCH
Tests throwing accuracy from a designated pitching distance into an official strike zone target.
- 5 total throwing attempts per participant
- Points awarded for hitting target zones
HIT
Measures power and hitting accuracy off a stationary batting tee into fair territory.
- 5 total swings off the tee
- Score calculated by distance and trajectory
RUN
Evaluates baseline speed in a timed sprint measuring agility and base-running acceleration.
- Timed 90-foot sprint distance
- Fastest recorded time counts toward score
RULES & ADVANCEMENT
Age Divisions
Separate baseball and softball divisions across 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 age brackets based on the cutoff date of November 15, 2026.
Equipment Standards
All bats must carry USA Baseball, BBCOR, or BPF 1.15 approval stamps. Rubber cleats or athletic footwear required on the field.
Path to the MLB World Series
Local champions advance to Team Championships hosted at Major League Baseball ballparks, with top national scorers earning an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Series!
Valley De Oro
Join us on the Valley De Oro Little League fields on December 5, 2026. Admission is 100% free for all registered youth ballplayers.
REGISTER YOUR ATHLETE TODAY
Registration is open from Sep 1, 2025 through Nov 15, 2026. The event begins at 9:00 AM — don't miss out on this official Major League Baseball youth experience at Valley De Oro!
Required prior to event participation. Parent or legal guardian approval required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything parents and participants need to know about schedules, gear, drill scoring, and advancement.
General Event Information
What is MLB Pitch, Hit & Run?
When and where is the event being held?
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 (Rescheduled from Tuesday, Dec 1 to allow full daylight for all divisions)
Location: Valley De Oro Little League | 3230 Sweetwater Springs Blvd. Spring Valley, CA 91977
Cost: Completely FREE for all participants!
Event Starts: 9:00 AM
How long does the event take?
Can I volunteer at the event?
Eligibility & Registration
Who is eligible to participate?
- 7–8 Division
- 9–10 Division
- 11–12 Division
- 13–14 Division
Can an athlete participate in both Baseball and Softball?
Is pre-registration required?
What proof of age is required?
- Birth Certificate, Passport, or State ID
- School Report Card or online school portal screenshot displaying student name and birthdate.
Equipment & Attire
What equipment should participants bring?
- Fielding Glove: Required for the pitching portion.
- Footwear: Rubber cleats or athletic sneakers (metal spikes are strictly prohibited).
- Personal Bat (Optional): Hitting tees and approved bats will be available on-site, but athletes may use their own bat as long as it meets official certification standards.
What are the bat certification rules?
Baseball Bats: Must feature the USA Baseball™ stamp, BBCOR stamp, or be labeled with a BPF of 1.15 or lower.
Softball Bats: Must feature a USA Softball™, USSSA, ASA, ISA, ISF, or NSA stamp, or have a BPF of 1.20 or lower.
Are batting helmets mandatory?
Competition Drills & Scoring Details
How does the PITCH competition work?
Distance: 45 ft for Baseball; 35 ft for Softball.
Attempts: 5 throwing attempts (overhand or underhand) toward an official 17″ × 30″ MLB strike zone target hung 20″ above the ground.
Scoring: Outer target hit = 50 pts; Center bullseye hit = 100 pts; Miss = 0 pts.
How does the HIT competition work?
Setup: Hitting off a stationary batting tee set up at home plate into fair territory.
Attempts: 5 total swings.
Scoring Zones:
- Foul Zone (0–10 ft): 0 pts
- Zone 1 (10–60 ft): 15 pts
- Zone 2 (60–90 ft): 25 pts
- Zone 3 (90–150 ft): 50 pts
- Zone 4 (150–210 ft): 100 pts
- Zone 5 (210–270 ft): 150 pts
- Zone 6 (270+ ft): 200 pts
How does the RUN competition work?
Distance: A straight 90-foot sprint from a standing start line across a timed finish line.
Attempts: 2 timed attempts.
Scoring: The fastest time is converted into a point total using the official MLB Run Conversion Table (e.g., 4.5 seconds = 500 points).
Advancement & Awards
How are winners determined & what if there is a tie?
An athlete's score from all three drills (Pitch + Hit + Run) is added together for an Overall Gross Score. The highest scorer in each age/sport division is crowned Local Champion.
Tiebreakers: In the event of a tie, on-field pitch throw-offs occur. If a throw-off isn't feasible, tiebreakers are prioritized in order of score in Pitch, then Hit, then Run.
How do participants advance to MLB Stadiums & World Series?
- Local Competition: Scores for all local champions are submitted to the national MLB database.
- Team Championships: Top regional performers advance to compete at Major League ballparks (such as Petco Park or Dodger Stadium).
- World Series Finals: Top national champions earn an all-expenses-paid trip for the athlete and guardian to compete in the Finals at the MLB World Series!