LMCU Ballpark to host 'Pitch, Hit, and Run' competition

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Terry Lowery describes LMCU Ballpark as "our baseball cathedral of West Michigan." That's why he's so excited to be organizing a Pitch, Hit, and Run competition at LMCU Ballpark where youngsters will get to test their skills on the same surface where the pros play.

Lowery is the director of baseball operations for Fans of Valley Field, the organization behind the restoration efforts going on at Sullivan Field on the west side of Grand Rapids. That's typically where this Pitch, Hit, and Run competition would be happening. But because of all the renovations, Sullivan Field wasn't available for the competition this year. The organization contacted the West Michigan Whitecaps to see if they could help, and the team delivered.

"It meant the world to me. You know, we have the historic ballpark, and my heart was a little broke when we found out we couldn't compete there, as were the kids. So then, once we found out we were going to be competing here, just elation," Lowery said of LMCU Ballpark.

Pitch, Hit, and Run is a skills competition. Participants are judged by how accurately they can throw, how far they can hit, and how fast they can run. LMCU Ballpark's event will happen on Friday, May 1 and the winners will be able to advance to a regional competition where they'll be able to play at an MLB park of their choosing in Detroit, Chicago, or Cleveland.

"It's an incredible experience. You might not know, but the 1% of the 1% actually get to play in the Major Leagues. Very few people, especially these kids, get a chance to step on to a major league ball field," Lowery said.

If you'd like to sign up for the competition, you can do so by clicking here.