Children living in and around Pearl River County will have an opportunity to compete for the chance to attend Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week.

For the second year, the Pearl River Central Athletic Association will host the Scotts Major League Baseball Pitch Hit and Run competition. The event will take place on April 21 at 8 a.m. at the PRCAA Baseball Complex.

The baseball complex is located behind the Pearl River Central Lower and Upper Elementary in McNeill.

PRCAA Commissioner Joe Nameth said the competition is open to boys and girls. In order for children to compete, they need to bring a copy of their birth certificate and their parent or guardian needs to complete a registration and waiver form the day of the event. The competition allows children to showcase their skills in either baseball or softball. Participants will be divided into four age groups, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14.

During the pitch portion of the contest, children will have six attempts to hit the “strike zone.” Nameth said the strike zone is a banner that reflects a standard MLB strike zone.

When it comes to the batting portion of the contest, participants will be tasked with hitting the ball off a stationary tee.

The goal is to hit the ball as far as possible but also to hit it in a straight line.

Children will have three attempts to do so. Their farthest hit will be the one that will be logged. The last part of the competition will task participants to run from second base to home plate.

They will run the course twice and their best time will be recorded.

Nameth said the champion of each individual competition for each age division, as well as the overall champion, will move on to the sectional level of the competition. During sectionals, the winners will move on to compete at the team championships event, which will be hosted at an MLB ballpark. The winners from the team championships will have an opportunity to compete at the national finals, which will take place during MLB’s All-Star Week. This year’s All-Star Game will be at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

“Last year we had about 40 children participate but we are expecting that number to increase this year,” Nameth said. “The children had a lot of fun and I can’t wait for it.”

The PRCAA will also host a Jr. Home Run Derby at 12 p.m. on April 21.

Participating boys and girls will be divided into two divisions, 12U and 14U. Nameth said this event is not sponsored by MLB, so the children will not have the opportunity to participate in the regional competition.

For more information about the Pitch Hit and Run competition, visit pitchhitrun.com. For other questions about the two events, email Nameth at prcaabbcommish@gmail.com.