Major League Baseball Properties and Aquafina announced the 2010 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run, the "Official Youth Skills Competition of Major League Baseball,"  welcomed USA Gold Medal Softball players Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley at the program's National Finals, which took take place on July 12 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. as part of 2010 All-Star Week events. After conducting over 4,000 nationwide competitions - including the first-ever nationwide Girls Softball Division - the youth skills program reached more than 600,000 boys and girls between the ages of seven and 14, providing an integrated competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball and softball skills. Aquafina, the "Official Bottled Water of Major League Baseball," is in its third year sponsoring the grassroots program following its sister brand, Pepsi, the "Official Soft Drink of Major League Baseball," which was the title sponsor between 2002 and 2007.

Finch and Watley attended the Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) National Finals and recognized the champions during an on-field ceremony during the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby on July 12. The top nationwide competitors (names listed below) from each age group (7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14) have advanced to the PHR National Finals. The PHR program invited youth to demonstrate their pitching, hitting and running abilities and all 30 MLB Clubs hosted competitions at their ballparks earlier this season. The addition of the Girls Softball Division gave young girls the opportunity to be awarded and advance separately through all four levels of competition.

"Major League Baseball is committed to providing a positive environment for our youth, giving kids the chance to learn and grow both on the field and off," said John Brody, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales and Marketing, Major League Baseball. "Through the generous support of Aquafina, the Pitch, Hit & Run program reached over half a million young people across America. We are proud to have these boys and girls participate in a unique event that gives them the chance to travel to the All-Star Game, put their skills on display and meet other players from different parts of the country."

"Aquafina is proud to join with Major League Baseball to support a program that encourages kids to strive for excellence through sports," said Jeff Dubiel, vice president of sports marketing for Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages. "Having Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley involved in recognizing the kids who excelled in the program is a home run. I can think of no better way to inspire and reward the 600,000 kids who participated in Pitch, Hit & Run this year than with personal recognition during All Star week by two of the sport's most accomplished athletes."

This is the 14th year MLB has run a youth skills program. Information regarding dates, times and locations of local competitions as well as entry forms and other materials for the 2010 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run initiative are available online at www.MLB.com/PHR.

The two SCMAF Participants are highlighted in RED.

2010 National Finalists