Woodrow Foster doesn't like to brag.
Even though the 12-year-old Foster will be competing in Scotts Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run national finals in San Diego as part of the All-Star Game festivities before the Home Run Derby on Monday, he hasn't had the urge to gloat about it.
"I haven't really told too many people," Foster said Wednesday.
"He's just modest," his mother, Amber, added.
Foster has been competing in the Pitch, Hit & Run competitions for the past five years and advanced to the national finals for the first time after winning four straight regional titles at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. He said he'll do his best to remain calm when he competes in the 11-12-year-old division Monday at the San Diego Padres' Petco Park.
"I've been at Busch Stadium four times, so the past couple years at Busch I wasn't too nervous because I'm used to that," Foster said. "But now that I'm going to San Diego, it's going to be a little bit different. I just hope I don't get too nervous and mess up, but I'll just head out there and do my best."
After Foster and his 9-year-old sister, Carly, captured regional baseball and softball championships, respectively, at Busch Stadium on June 4, they were not given their scores and were told to watch the MLB Network on June 27. The top three finishers in each age division from both sports - pulled from the majors' 30 regional team championships - would move on to the national finals.
Amber and Carly were watching the selection show when Woodrow walked into the room. He glanced at the TV on the wall just in time to see his name on the screen.
"He didn't say a whole lot - it took a minute to sink in," Amber said. "He's kind of modest, I guess."
"I was just really shocked because I really didn't think I was going to make it," Woodrow said. "When I saw it, it was unreal."
Carly had performed well enough that her family actually thought she was going to advance. Their father, Woody, was in another room when Woodrow's name appeared on national television.
"Carly came in to tell me that he won," Woody said. "At first, I thought she was joking and I'd come out there and see her name. When I saw Woodrow's name up there, it just made me feel very proud."
Even though he plays tournaments every weekend with the Fulton Hornets 12-and-under baseball team, Woodrow said he spends his time getting ready for the Pitch, Hit & Run competitions with his dad. Woodrow will bring Woody with him to San Diego, where they'll also get to attend Tuesday night's All-Star Game.
Woody says he'll help Woodrow stay focused.
"I just gotta keep whispering in his ear every so often," Woody said. "If I see him lolly-gagging around I'll just say, 'Let's get this done and then we'll have our fun.'"
Woodrow will have a lot of chances to meet major league players during the trip. He's a St. Louis Cardinals fan and was hoping to see Matt Carpenter, but Carpenter was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after suffering a strained right oblique in the Cardinals' 7-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
Carpenter was the Cardinals' lone All-Star representative, but he will be replaced by rookie teammate Aledmys Diaz.
"I'll probably try to find (the Boston Red Sox's) David Ortiz because it's his last year and he's really good," Woodrow said. "I want to get an autograph from him."
To the Fosters' knowledge, the Pitch, Hit & Run competition will not be televised, but Fulton residents may still see Woodrow on TV. Everyone who competes in the national finals gets the opportunity to shag balls during the Home Run Derby.
"That's probably going to be the best part," Woodrow said. "You get to catch balls from some of the best hitters in the major leagues. I might try to make a few plays out there."
"We don't need him to do any crazy back flips and breaking arms," Amber said as she laughed. "We need him back for his baseball team next week."
There will be 24 kids shagging balls during the derby, but viewers at home might be able to pick out Woodrow on the field.
"I'm probably going to try to wear my Fulton hat during the derby," Woodrow said. "I've been deciding if I want to wear that or a Cardinals hat."
Amber said that she even though there's been some time for this to sink in, it's still surreal.
"It's like, 'Wow, buddy! Do you realize what you get to do?'" she said. "Regardless if he wins or not, to be top three and get to go and field balls from the best of the best, people he's looked up to all of these years, is amazing. I'm just so excited for him."