IN MEMORIAM
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the loss of our friend, Ted Etheridge. Ted was a long-time officer and board member of North Seattle Baseball & Softball Association and was very active in Pony Baseball and Softball and youth sports. Ted's contributions have been tremendous to the baseball and softball programs in our Region. Ted will be missed by all of us In the Northwest Region and West Zone.
Age Determination Date Change
The PONY Baseball and Softball International Board of Directors has voted to change the age determination date for baseball to April 30 effective for the 2023 baseball season. After considerable discussion and careful deliberation, it was determined that this was the best course of action for our membership. Over the past couple of years, there has been a lot of discussion about the PONY age determination date. This is an important topic to everyone involved in PONY, and PONY has sought input from volunteers, parents, and coaches that has helped guide the PONY International Board of Directors to ultimately change the current age determination date forall divisions of PONY baseball to April 30.“This has been an ongoing topic of discussion and debated since we changed the date back to August several years ago,” stated PONY President Abraham Key. “By changing the date, we will now align with a large majority of youth baseball organizations. Many PONY member organizations did not make the change years ago and this will help us realign our membership and ensure them additional opportunities in the PONY organization.”There will be no loss of eligibility for any participants in the 2023 season, essentially the PONY program will be four (4) months older starting in 2023. Players born in the months of May, June, July and August will have a choice whether to stay in their respective age groups or move up into an older age group with their former teammates.
PONY Baseball League Age Key
KEEPING YOUNG ATHLETES INVOLVED IN SPORTSThe number 1 reason that youngsters drop out of sports is.....you probably already know this....."it's not fun anymore!" A study from the Milken Institute at George Washington University identified the determinants of "fun." The video below, by Dr. Amanda Visek, the lead researcher, summarizes the research study. You can view the story from GW Today, by clicking here, and a similar story from Forbes Magazine by clicking here. These are though provoking articles as we look at its juxtaposition with today's increasing professionalization of youth sports. The study helps identify actions for coaches, parents and league administrators. The study showed that:
- There are four fundamental tenets to creating fun—internal, external, social and contextual factors that make up the complete fun experience for kids.
- Eleven fun factors lie within the fundamental tenets and include being a good sport, trying hard, positive coaching, learning and improving, game time support, games, practices, team friendships, mental bonuses, team rituals and swag.
- The 11 fun factors are each defined by the various 81 fun-determinants—specific, actionable behaviors that foster fun.
- Among the 11 fun factors, being a good sport, trying hard and positive coaching were the most important when it comes to fun; together, these three factors were coined the “youth sport ethos”—a collection of 28 fun-determinants that set the standard for promoting a culture of fun.
- Swag—such as having a cool uniform or the latest sports gear—was rated as the least important determinant of fun.
The video and articles are worth some time as we strive to protect our nation's youth through baseball and softball programs.
PONY PARTNERS WITH DUGOUT CAPTAIN - OFFERS FREE COACHING HELP
Pony Baseball has partnered with Dugout Captain to provide assistance to coaches in practice planning, drill selection and workout planning. This is a much needed improvement to our League's programs and is free to all Pony members! Coaching baseball is challenging, regardless of your experience level. Pony Baseball's objective and the mission of Dugout Captain is to ensure that baseball is fun for our participants by supporting a positive, safe, and developmental environment for ballplayers to grow as athletes and individuals. Dugout Captain helps coaches do that through drill videos, practice plans, and training lessons, all built upon the philosophy that we can train champions and prepare them for the big leagues, while also ensuring that they have a smile on their face. It is our belief that the pressures, experiences, and adversities faced through sport teach life skills and character traits that will help players throughout their lives. This program, which normally costs leagues hundreds or thousands of dollars is free to Pony Members. For more information or to sign up your league, click here.