Hudson Kiwanis baseball again highlights pitch, hit and run competitions
The third annual Gary Gough Classic is May 19 through 21, with the event again including a Major League Baseball's Pitch, Hit and Run competitions as well as an MLB Junior Home Run Derby.
The tournament is for all players in the Hudson Kiwanis Baseball spring season from ages 7 through 14.
The Pitch, Hit and Run competition and the Junior Home Run Derby is May 20 at 8 a.m. at Barlow Farm Park in Hudson. Both are free to kids in specific age groups.
"This is a great opportunity to bring the whole community together for a weekend of baseball," said tournament Director Chris Lawrence. "It also honors Gary who dedicated many years to the families and children of Hudson."
Gary Gough is a longtime Hudson resident who devoted more than three decades to Hudson Kiwanis Baseball through coaching, training and managing umpires, scheduling games and numerous other duties.
The Gary Gough Classic allows Hudson Kiwanis Baseball to crown multiple champions from the same league in the same season, including the postseason playoffs at each level. Last year 42 teams and more than 400 players participated in the event.
Most of the games in the Gary Gough Classic are played at Barlow Farm Park, with additional Hudson City Parks hosting the remainder of the games.
Pitch, Hit and Run is an annual competition coordinated by Major League Baseball that features baseball and softball competitions for boys and girls ages 7 to 14. It is free to enter for youth from any community. The Junior Home Run Derby also can be entered free of charge and is open to boys and girls ages 12 to 16.
Over the past two years, top participants who qualified at the Hudson Kiwanis event have gone on to compete at Progressive Field or Great American Ballpark prior to Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds games. The top participants at those locations have moved on to the Pitch Hit and Run finals and Junior Home Run Derby championships, which are either at the World Series or the Major League Baseball All Star Game.
"We have some very talented young people here in Hudson and throughout Northeast Ohio who have participated in our event," said Dave Rodgers, who coordinates Pitch Hit and Run and the Junior Home Run Derby for the Kiwanis Club of Hudson. "It is fun to watch as some of those kids advance through the national competition."
Those planning to attend are encouraged to register in advance at http://www.mlb.com/pitch-hit-and-run and at http://www.mlb.com/junior-home-run-derby.
Registration is also underway for the 46th season of Hudson Kiwanis Baseball and is open to children ages 5 through 18. The season begins in late April for players ages 12 and under and concludes in early July. For players 13 and up, the season starts closer to the end of the school year.
Those interested in playing, becoming a youth umpire or a volunteer coach can register at http://www.hudsonkiwanis.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Gary Gough Classic by Hudson Kiwanis highlights youth baseball
