BRIMFIELD, Ill. (25News Now) – A 10-year-old from Bartonville is headed to the World Series to compete for a national championship in MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition.
Ava Gossett won the local Pitch, Hit and Run contest through the Peoria Park District, then won the team championship at Rate Field in Chicago on September 5. She is now ranked No. 2 nationally and will represent the Chicago White Sox.
Gossett started in T-ball at Alpha Park at age 5. She now plays travel ball with the Central Illinois Blitz and takes pitching lessons. Last year, as a fifth grader, she led her school team in pitching and batting average.
“She’s been playing non-stop since she was six years old… just seems to be naturally gifted,” said Kim Gossett, Ava’s dad.
Last year, Gossett finished 17th in the nation in the competition. This year, she sits at No. 2.
“I walked in, then my dad said, read this. And I read it on his monitor. I was like, oh my gosh. But I had a weird little celebration dance,” Ava Gossett said.
Running is Gossett’s favorite event. Her scores climbed from 470 to 490. Her goal now is 500 and 510.
Forty kids from North America, the top five in baseball and softball in four age groups, earned the trip to the 2026 World Series.
The finalists will receive on-field recognition before Game 2, then compete Sunday, October 25, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, home of the National League champion Brewers.
“I’m really excited to be on the MLB TV and like doing the pledge. That’s the most part that I’m really excited about,” Ava Gossett said.
Behind the scenes, Gossett’s preparation includes late nights of school, practice, pitching and hitting lessons, and homework. Her family is preparing with RCX Sports, which runs the program, for travel and hotels.
“Just for her to grow as an individual and become a better person… She wants to be out there as just another individual and play as a team,” Kim Gossett said.
Gossett said she is practicing hitting off a tee and long toss behind her house. She has her eye on the prize: a glass trophy, after winning a blue Marucci bat in the last round.
“I was like, I’m gonna win that this year,” Ava Gossett said.
Gossett will take the field at Game 2 and compete for an MLB Pitch, Hit and Run championship.
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