Swinging for the Rockies

MONTROSE — While Todd Helton and the Colorado Rockies were in Chicago facing the White Sox Saturday, some of the local youth were doing their best Rockies impression as they were vying for a chance to take their skills to Coors Field later this summer.

Competitors between the ages of six- and 13-years-old faced off in throwing, running and hitting contests at Baldridge Park.

Only the first place finishers advance to the regional competition, which is held in Grand Junction on July 20.

If the contestants do well at regionals they will compete at the state championship at Coors Field in August.

Advancing to the regional competition are Kennedie Minerich (6- to 7-year-old girls), Madisyn Minerich (8- to 9-year-old girls), Stephanie Rowan (10-to-11 year-old girls), Austin Martinez (6- to 7-year-old boys), Jared Miller (8- to 9-year-old boys), Kolphy Martinez (10- to 11-year-old boys) and Tyrus Lopez (12- to 13-year-old boys).