Jackie LaPointe came back to Ellicott City from Yankee Stadium in New York City with a smile and a trophy, meeting two goals some of the best in Major League Baseball never reach.

Thirteen and just out of middle school, Jackie accomplished both by coming in third in the national finals of Major League Baseball's Pitch, Hit & Run competition.

More than 600,000 kids from across the country entered the competition for girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 14. Jackie was one of 24 youths to make it to the finals and competed in the 3-14 age group of the competition which took place July 14, the day before the All-Star Game.

Jackie said she wore Yankee shorts -- white with blue stripes -- a blue T-shirt from Aquafina, the sponsor of the competition, and a Baltimore Oriole visor.

None of the big-league trademarks, though, compared with her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she said.

"It was a great experience competing in Yankee Stadium, especially since it will soon be torn down. It was so much fun," Jackie said.

She pitches and plays outfield for the Howard County Youth Program Patriots Blue 14-and-under girls softball travel team. She started playing softball at age 7 and said she plans to try out for the softball team at Howard High School, where she will be a freshman in August.

Of the three events, Jackie said her favorite is the base-running competition, a timed sprint from second base, touching third to home plate. "I'm a good runner," Jackie said.

She's a pretty good pitcher, too.

Competing in the Super Regional, one of two local competitions qualifying Jackie for the national competition, she put up on the board a perfect 6-for-6 in the pitching competition.

Rules for the pitch portion of the national competition allow only three chances to throw strikes at a target, Jackie said.

The hit portion is a test of distance and accuracy. Competitors hit a baseball from a stationary tee at home plate toward centerfield.

Jackie said the three events, all on the infield, gave her a bird's-eye view of Yankee Stadium.

It's really big, she said.

After the competition she had the view from the outfield shagging balls during the Home Run Derby, which preceded the main event, the All-Star Game.

Paul LaPointe accompanied his daughter to the national competition, an all-expense paid trip that included tickets to the All-Star Game.

For Paul LaPointe, though, it was about Jackie. "I'm happy and proud of her," he said.

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