Manatee County slugger Benny Banta qualifies for MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Finals

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - Whether the Rays win or lose, one Manatee County boy is already World Series-bound.Benjamin Banta, who goes by Benny, has qualified for MLB’s Pitch, Hit Run National Finals.According to his dad, Benny won the local competition in St. Petersburg, then advanced to compete at Tropicana Field — where his score placed him among the top five in his division across all 30 MLB stadium competitions nationwide.His invitation includes an all-expenses-paid trip for him and one guardian Oct. 23-25, when he’ll compete for the national title.Benny plays travel baseball for Bay Area Pro in Manatee County.Good luck, Benny!