A local competition is giving kids the chance to swing for the fence this spring.

Pitch, Hit and Run, a local subdivision of a Major League Baseball competition, will pit boys and girls against each other to advance through rounds involving core baseball skills. Four age groups – 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 – will be available for kids to enroll in. Age group winners will advance to a sectional level of competition.

The Pitch, Hit and Run Competition will take place May 11 at 12 p.m. in Middleton’s CIBA Sport Center. Participants are asked to bring along a copy of their birth certificate. Parents or guardians must sign a waiver before the competition begins.

Those with questions about the competition can call Luis at 608-203-8836.  

Saturday event to benefit MHS music programs  

The annual high school music program fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday and includes an auction with plenty of unique items for grabs.

The "A Little Taste of Italy" dinner event that features non-stop music performances by the Middleton High School bands and orchestras will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. in the MHS Student Center and courtyard areas of the school.

The event includes a silent auction featuring items like a bi-plane ride, a portrait session, gift cards to area restaurants, a sailboat ride and picnic, a ride to school on a fire truck and more.

For the Italian dinner, diners can choose lasagna or spaghetti (meat or vegetarian), and also receive salad, a dinner roll, a beverage and dessert.

Organizers said tickets are $13 for adults in advance, $6 for children under 12 and $10 for seniors. Tickets are $15 at the door.

25,000 tickets already sold, rep says   

In its 15th year, the Wisconsin Film Festival will present 158 films between five area theaters from April 11-18.

The festival -- programmed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute and the UW Department of Communication Arts' film studies program -- will offer four extra days of films, doubling its viewing schedule over years past.