Bruns ready for all-star chance in San Diego

Brittyn Bruns comes from a Rockford community that has produced many all-stars on the softball field.

The eight-year-old will also know a thing or two more about being an all-star after this weekend.

The daughter of Chad and Brandi Bruns, Brittyn Bruns was one of three competitors nationally in the 7-8 age division to qualify for the Scotts Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run contest national finals, a featured event in the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Weekend at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

"I did it last year and it was fun, so I decided to do it again this year," the soon-to-be third grader at Parkway said. "I didn't expect to make it this far."

A total of 40 children representing 20 states and one Canadian province will be showcased in the two skills' challenge events, which also include the inaugural T-Mobile Jr. Home Run derby on Saturday.

The Pitch, Hit & Run challenge will follow on Monday at noon prior to the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day and Home Run Derby. The Scotts challenge is open to youngsters ages 7-14 from across the country and divided into baseball and softball divisions. Contestants are scored in three areas: throwing strikes in a designated strike zone target, hitting off a stationary tee for distance and accuracy and a timed run from second base to home plate. The events are scored individually and then converted into a total-point score.

The contest started with approximately 625,000 participants in more than 4,600 competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada. The journey to San Diego for Brittyn Bruns began in the spring at a local qualifier in Rockford, where she competed against several of her friends and teammates.

After having won competitions at the local, district and regional level, Brittyn Bruns won her division at the Cleveland Indians team championships. Her combined score in Cleveland ranked among the top three nationally, which the family later learned on television.

"We were all sitting on the couch, and my mom, she wasn't even paying attention," the young Bruns recalled. "Everyone started cheering when we saw my name up on the TV. I was really excited."

The rest of the family can't hold back their excitement, either.

"It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing," said Chad Bruns, who also gave thanks to the Rockford Recreation Association for giving the kids the opportunity to compete. "Last year was in Cincinnati. It would have been a lot more feasible and easier to get to last year, but with it being in San Diego this year, I think it's going to be more of an experience. It was kind of hard to believe at first - it still is."

"I kind of feel the same way my husband does," Brandi Bruns said. "It's an awesome experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that our whole family gets to go on. They paid for Brittyn and a travel companion, so we just kind of made it a whole family thing. The grandparents and aunt and uncle are coming out, too."

The other two girls remaining in the 7-8 division are Mariah Harrison of Fort Mitchell, Ala., and Rylee Kalocay of Upper St. Clair, Pa.

Finalists from both youth competitions will take part in various All-Star Weekend festivities, including the All-Star FanFest at the San Diego Convention Center, All-Star Sunday, featuring the All-Star Futures Game and All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. They will also be given the opportunity to fetch balls in the outfield at the Home Run Derby on Monday evening.

Brittyn Bruns said she is looking forward to all of the events and potentially meeting Boston slugger David Ortiz, a player on the American League team. She hopes to play ball like the player known as "Big Papi", too, when it's time for her to compete on Monday.

"I'm excited," she said. "(My goal) is to have fun and do my best."