Smithville slugger in Little League Home Run Derby

There's nothing soft about how Val Regalado hits a baseball and at 12 years old it's helped him become one of just eight in the country to reach the finals of the first ever Little League Home Run Derby.

"Kids are from California, kids from Nevada, kids from Oklahoma, kids from Washington, he's competing against the best ones in every state and so what he's done is a huge accomplishment," says Regalado's hitting instructor Coach Mike Marlow.

Regalado says, "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being in a different state, hitting in those places, competing and making it through, feels great."

Regalado, who's from Rosanky, advanced after hitting 33 homers in a local Smithville competition. He followed that up as one of the top performers in the Seattle Regional and now he's the only player representing Texas in the finals.

"It's crazy. There's pressure on me, but I have to pretend there is none and when I'm hitting, I just have to do what I do best," Regalado says.