On a summer day on a baseball field in Bigler, Pa., 11-year-old Ty Bender was taking a few swings in the batter's box as he and his team prepared for a game on Thursday night. 

For Bender, his athleticism and skill playing baseball have earned him a trip to Kansas City, which is the site of this year's Major League Baseball All Star Game. 

"It's overwhelming," said Ty's mother, Barbie Bender. 

Bender took part in the National Pitch, Hit and Run Competition. Locally, Bender competed against other kids in his age group. After winning in Bigler, he headed to State College to compete against other kids his age. He finished in the top three in that round and eventually won a chance to compete in PNC Park, which is the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Since he placed in the top three out of that round, he won a trip to the MLB All Star Game, where he will be representing the Pirates. 

"I was extremely excited," said Bender after he found out he had won. 

The results were announced on the MLB Network. 

Bender has been playing baseball since he was five years old. Currently, he catches, plays outfield and sometimes pitches. But at the plate he has been known to be able to make solid contact with the ball. 

"He's been an extraordinary player for us ever since I first started coaching him," said Tim Morgan, one of the coaches on Bender's team. 

Despite his success and opportunity, Ty's mom says that he hasn't let it go to his head. 

"He keeps saying, 'I don't know what the big deal is mom. I don't know what the big deal is,'" said his mom. 

For now, he's just worried about his own team and how they play in their upcoming game. Then he'll worry about the All Star Game.