Cody Guiliano and his trophy at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
Leave it to a brown-haired, athletic youngster to insert himself and his hometown of Valley Center into the national sports consciousness.
And while doing so, he was able to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
On Sunday October 30 at the Finals of the MLB Pitch, Hit & Run skills competition held at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, wunderkind Cody Guiliano was dominant—while capturing the 7–8-year-old baseball division. For the record, Cody is 8.
All told, there were 32 finalists at the event, ranging in age from 7-14—who competed in eight different baseball and softball divisions. This showcase features pitching, hitting and running because these are considered to be the most fundamental of all baseball skills.
The 26th annual Pitch, Hit & Run Finals were held in conjunction with the first two games of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies. As an aside, nine active major leaguers are alumni of the PH & R competition—including current Padre Brandon Drury and former Friar Eric Hosmer.
Simply making it to the aforementioned Finals is a monumental achievement since thousands of youngsters participated in competitions all across the country. Not only did Cody have to emerge as the top performer at a local competition here in Valley Center but he then had to prove to be the very best at a regional event contested at San Diego’s Petco Park.
His overall score at Petco was then compared with the winners from 17 other regional sites held at major league parks throughout the country to determine whether he had qualified for the national Finals. And indeed, his excellence had earned him a place among the top four finishers and he was designated to represent the San Diego Padres.
Cody was accompanied by his dad Matt on a flight to Houston on a Friday. The two of them took in the second game of the World Series as guests of MLB on Saturday, October 29. Cody’s mother Melissa was able to arrive in time to watch him perform the following day.
Normally a somewhat shy and reserved youngster, when Cody is in an environment where he feels comfortable and at ease, he becomes thoroughly engaged, and a smile often creases his face. And inside the confines of Minute Maid Park, he appeared totally in his element.
Although he was quick on the bases, the VC youngster really stood out when it came to pitching and hitting. Considered to be his greatest strength, Cody threw with such accuracy that it generated plenty of buzz from impressed onlookers.
And oh, that swing of his! Hitting out of a closed stance, he powdered the ball with a smooth and rhythmic stroke that culminated with a sweet follow through.
So with all that going for him, it really came as no surprise that when all the tabulating was done, VC’s own Cody Guiliano had shown himself to be the very best of the 7–8-year-old baseball entrants – his final score of 1,020 points easily outdistancing that of runner-up Jaden Kensy (860), who hailed from Buffalo, New York.
Needless to say, Cody’s effort was outstanding but the magnitude of it surprised even his parents. They were somewhat amazed that he seemed so cool and composed in such a high-profile setting. “Believe me,” said his father, Matt, “We were a lot more nervous than he appeared to be. He did a really nice job.”
Back in Valley Center as a national champ, Cody will get back to his accustomed routine of being a home-schooled third grader. And his sports pursuits will continue on, which include playing baseball year-round and getting on the pitch for some youth league soccer. Moreover, he hopes someday soon to try his hand at flag football and basketball.
But for now, what he can do with a bat, ball and his legs will be his calling card. After all, very few people can say that they’re the best in the country at anything, let alone at the age of eight. So here’s hoping that his noteworthy exploits on the diamond heretofore are merely a precursor of what his future may hold.
He’s already done something truly special and, in the process, Cody has given his hometown something to be mighty proud of. You go Cody and keep right on pitching and swinging!
Cody Guiliano and some competitors from other cities.