Come Monday evening, Jackson Braddock sat in front of the TV, his eyes glued to the MLB Network and his ears waiting to hear whether he was headed for Miami. The Ship Bottom 13-year-old was an announcement away from achieving a goal he’s been working toward for six years.

“I started when I was 8 and I didn’t do too well the first time,” said Jackson, who on June 18 took first place in the annual Pitch, Hit & Run “team” competition at Citi Field in New York, home to his favorite Major League Baseball team, the Mets.