DENVER - On Monday, a pitcher from Northeast Iowa will return to Busch Stadium to try to throw strikes. He will also take a few swings and sprint between the bases.

Luke Farley, 12, of Denver, will get another chance to demonstrate the fundamentals on the Cardinals' turf.

"You just get used to the field after a while," he said.

Last month, his high score at a Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run team championship in St. Louis allowed Farley to advance to the final tier of competition. He is one of 12 boys and 12 girls to compete Monday in the national contest, also in St. Louis.

"Definitely a great accomplishment," said Abby Lane, a spokeswoman with Pitch, Hit & Run.

Farley has played ball since he was 4. He thinks being judged on his abilities alone, rather than participating as part of a team, turns up the pressure a bit.

But he's having fun. While in the neighborhood, he hopes to rub shoulders with Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.

He has managed to stay focused, advancing from a competition in Denver, then succeeding in a sectional contest in Waterloo. He then finished first in his age group during team championships, which were held at all 30 major league ballparks.

This year, more than 600,000 girls and boys participated in Pitch, Hit & Run, according to the organization. The contest, in its 13th year, is lauded as the official youth skills competition in Major League Baseball.

At each level, judges score the precision of pitches, accuracy and distance of hits and quickness around the bases. Farley said his strength is pitching, but top levels of competition will recognize an well-rounded player.

"Pretty much you've got to do good in all three now," said Larry Farley, his father. "There's no poor players left."

Larry Farley is city administrator in Denver but also finds time to help organize the local Pitch, Hit & Throw contest. His brother happens to be Mark Farley, football coach at the University of Northern Iowa.

As a sixth-grade student, Luke played up a grade level, taking a spot on the Denver Baseball Club through the Iowa Baseball League, according to his dad. Luke also plays with a tournament team, the Denver Construction Rockies.

To prepare for nationals, Luke Farley hurls pitch after pitch at a net in his back yard. He also practices hitting and running.

Advancing to the finals offers its own rewards. The contest coincides with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Farley and fellow competitors will attend the superstar showdown, shag balls during a home run derby, participate in an on-field ceremony and share a meal with professional ballplayers. There is also some hardware.

"Every child goes home with the same-size trophies," Lane added.

Two other young people from Northeast Iowa advanced to the team championship in St. Louis. Cade Alberts of Aplington finished first in the 9- and 10-year-old division, and Taylor Cole of Charles City placed fourth in the 13- and 14-year-old age group, according to Major League Baseball.

"It definitely was an experience he'll never forget," said Jennifer Alberts, Cade's mother.

Farley is the third Iowan to advance to the national finals. Tyus Adkins of Coralville went in 2004 and Dakota Warnell of Albion got there in 2006.

A trip for two to St. Louis is paid for, but both of Luke's parents and two siblings will come along to cheer him on.

"So we are pretty excited," Larry Farley said.