After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition returns to Mesa and numerous sites nationwide. This year’s free event for boys and girls ages 7 to 14 will be held Saturday, April 17, at Red Mountain Softball Complex, 7808 E. Brown Road in Mesa.

Times by age group are:

•  Ages 7-8, 3 p.m.
• Ages 9-10, 4 p.m.
• Ages 11-12, 5 p.m.
• Ages 13-14, 6 p.m.

Kids can compete in either the baseball or softball division and have the opportunity to advance through three levels based on their competition scores: Local, team championships in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks in June and the finals during MLB All-Star Week in July, according to a release.

All kids must register on the MLB Pitch, Hit and Run website (see related links below) by noon April 14 to participate. Be sure to search and register for the City of Mesa local event. No onsite day of registrations will be taken.

Winners for each age division will be announced after all kids in that age group have competed and their scores calculated. One champion will be determined by comparing the cumulative score of participants’ pitch, hit and run scores in each age division.

The goal of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is to keep kids active while following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Its safety measures, according to the release, include:

• Participants must be able to follow the physical-distancing protocol of 6 feet or greater, which also includes refraining from high-fives, handshakes and other physical touching.
• The event will provide frequent cleaning procedures to disinfect hands, surfaces and equipment.
• Youth sports administration has the right to change these policies at any time based on CDC, government, and department policies and recommendations..