PONY BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ORGANIZATION SUGGESTED RESTART PROTOCOL
For those organizations who are planning a return to practice/play, please review the suggested restart protocol available at this link to the Pony Website: CLICK HERE. The decision to return to practice and/or playing games is a league decision that must be made based upon the guidance and direction from the health officials in your specific jurisdiction as well as the needs/desires of each organization's members.
You can also review the Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Considerations for Youth Sports: CLICK HERE.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Region Director Ken Hawkins.
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.