ASHEBORO — The Asheboro Copperheads will host a free Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition for area youth on May 9 beginning at 9 a.m. at McCrary Park.

Pitch, Hit & Run is the official skills competition of MLB and recognizes individual excellence in core baseball skills. Competitors will be divided into four age divisions: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Boys and girls will compete together according to their age group. Age is determined as of July 17, 2009. All participants must provide a copy of a valid birth certificate or baptismal record at all levels of competition. Participants may compete in only one local event.

The individual Pitching, Hitting and Running champions, along with the All-Round winner in each age group of the local competition will receive awards and will advance to the Sectional competition. There are four levels of competition, including team championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Participants will be required to pitch to a designated “strike zone” target, hit from a stationary tee for distance and accuracy, and run a specified distance on the base path. All events are individually scored and converted to a total point score. The All-Round winner will be the competitor with the highest accumulative score, but there will be winners in each skill phase of the competition.

Registration forms may be obtained by contacting the Asheboro Copperheads at 460-7018, and will be available at the Asheboro Parks and Recreation office and at Asheboro Batting Center. Participants are encouraged to pick up registration forms and have them completed when they arrive for the local competition, although registration will be allowed at McCrary Park the day of the event. Competition will begin at 9 a.m. and will continue until 11:30 a.m. to allow those who are playing in area youth games that morning an opportunity to compete at the most convenient time for them. No metal spikes will be allowed.