Aysha Houk will get the chance to do what few athletes have the opportunity to do.
The Iola Middle School sixth-grader will compete at a Major League Baseball stadium today when she takes part in the Pitch, Hit and Throw competition at Kauffman Stadium.
“It is really exciting,” Houk said. “I’ve never gotten to do anything like it.”
The competition measures several of the skills needed to excel on the diamond, including speed, in which they test how fast a runner can go from second base to home plate, a skill Houk is particularly proud of after she was tested at 6.2 seconds.
Houk qualified for the trip to Kauffman by winning her regional competition in Council Grove earlier this year.
“It was hard, but I am glad I made it,” Houk said.
Iola fans know Houk from seeing her hone her skills at Mustang baseball games when her brother Ethan Tavarez is playing. Houk and the other future Fillies and Mustangs often can be found playing off the side.
While Houk is excited to just be going to the stadium, she says that her trip would be perfect if she could meet her favorite Royal.
“I’m hoping to meet Eric Hosmer,” Houk said.
The competition is part of a busy day for Houk who is also playing in a youth tournament in St. Joseph, Mo., with the SEK Sluggers.
