Mount Tabor Slugger Stars at Yankee Stadium

Ty Sallie, a 10-year old Mount Tabor athlete, is waiting to see if he qualifies for a national competition after pitching, running and hitting his way to victory in Yankee Stadium.

Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run is an annual competition held at numerous locations throughout the country for youths to compete.

When Sallie competed at the event held at Volunteers Park in Parsippany, not only was he declared the winner of each of the categories at the local level, he also placed in the top three spots of every competitor in the tri-state area.

On June 22, Sallie competed in the three categories against two other athletes in his age group and came out the top 10-year old in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

“It was really fun,” said Sallie. “I had butterflies in my stomach at the beginning.”

Sallie often attends Yankee games with his grandfather but never imagined he would ever get to play on the field, he said.

Not only did he win, but he beat the other kids by 100 points, an accomplishment he attributes to his fervent practices with his father and coach, Eddie Sallie.

“It helped me keep my head down when I swing and when I pitch I make sure I don't throw side arm and when running, I start my turn early,” said Ty.

“We were watching from behind the dugout on the first base line,” said Eddie Sallie. “At first I just wanted him to try his best and have fun. I told him, even though you're at Yankee Stadium with all the pressure and the excitement, just enjoy being there.”

His mother, Kelly Sallie, was more nervous than he was, she said, but calmed down when she saw how comfortable Ty was on the field.

It wasn't until he won, and stepped back onto the field to be honored during the opening ceremonies of the game, that Ty started getting nervous.

“He and the other winners met and were announced individually on the Jumbotron to a round of applause from crowd while both teams were in the dugouts,” said Eddie Sallie

As the Team Pitch, Hit and Run Champion, Ty's score will be put into a pool to be compared with the winners from baseball stadiums across the county. The top three kids will go on to compete at the All-Star game.

The results will be announced on June 30 on the Major League Baseball Network. Ty, who earned a score of 755, will need to be one of the top three 10-year old athletes in the country to move on to the final round.

“I think im happy with my scores,” said Ty. “But, I hope I get to move on.”

For now, Ty will just keep on practicing.

“As a dad, I cant be more proud,” said Eddie. “Every time be completes one goal, he goes after the next one.

“I want to say thank you to Sunday Parsippany Baseball for hosting the local and sectionals and also to Par-Troy West baseball, all the board members and all of Ty's teammates for all their support,” he added.