A young Iolan got to live out a dream on Saturday afternoon.
Jenna Curry competed on the same field as the professionals as she participated in the ‘Scott’s Pitch, Hit and Run’ competition at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
“I was nervous, but it was cool to be where the Royals play,” Curry said.
While the Kansas City Royals were preparing for their game later that night against the Houston Astros, Curry and the other competitors in the youth competition took center stage.
The 12 year old finished third in her age group and earned a plaque for her achievement.
She earned her way to Kauffman by winning her local and sectional competition.
The competition started off with the running aspect. The participants were each timed as they each ran from second, rounded third and crossed home plate.
The next skill they were tested in was hitting. They each had to hit the ball up the middle of the diamond and go for the greatest distance possible. Curry was able to hit all of hers to the outfield grass.
The event wrapped up with the pitching portion. Curry, a third basemen for her traveling team, threw over-hand for the event because that is more natural as she isn’t used to pitching with the conventional softball motion.
“They said I could throw it either way, but I was more comfortable throwing over-hand,” Curry said. “I have more aim with that way.”
Curry and her family also earned tickets to the Royals’ game that evening, but they couldn’t attend because Curry’s traveling team, the SEK Sluggers, had a tournament in Olathe.
Curry’s team had much more success than the Royals did on Saturday night. While Kansas City lost 13-5 to Houston, the Sluggers won their tournament to cap off Curry’s big day.
