IMPORTANT UPCOMING MEETINGS & DUE DATES
February 15 - Pony & Colt Interlock Schedule Information Due to Tony Stapleton
February 15 - Palomino Team Information Due to Tony Stapleton
February 22 - Tournament Planning Discussion with League Officials, 11:30 a.m., Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library, 900 Meridian Ave
E, Milton, WA
March 1 - Palomino & Thorobred League Organizational Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Denny's Banquet Room, 1246 N. Central Ave, Kent WA
March 3 - 6:30 p.m., Pony Interlock Scheduling Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Big E Ales, 5030 208th St SW, Lynnwood WA
March 30 - Colt, Palomino & Thorobred Performance Bonds due to Tony Stapleton
March 30 - Palomino & Thorobred League Fees due to Tony Stapleton
March 31 - 6:30 p.m., Colt, Palomino and Thorobred Scheduling Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Big E Ales, 5030 208th St SW, Lynnwood WA
2020 PALOMINO & THOROBRED SEASONS
Information has been requested from leagues regarding Palomino 18U and Thorobred 23U Teams for 2020. Information is due to Tony Stapleton, Palomino/Thorobred Director by February 15. Contact Tony for more information
INTERLOCK SCHEDULING FOR PONY AND COLT
All League Presidents were sent information regarding Pony and Colt Interlock Scheduling for the 2020 season. Information is due by February 15. If your league has not received the information, contact Tony Stapleton, North Section Director.
2020 PONY ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP
Pony Baseball and Softball is proud to announce an Alumni Scholarship for graduates of Pony 14U™, Colt 16U™ and/or Palomino 18U™ leagues. In order to be considered for a scholarship a baseball or softball player must have played on a Pony affiliated Pony™, Colt™ and/or Palomino™ team for at least two years prior to application and be a senior in high school.
Likewise an application must be submitted prior to May 1st, 2020 along with the School & Community Activities Form, an Essay on the designated topic, an Official Secondary School Transcript, test results from either the SAT, ACT or TOEFL, a copy of the Letter of Acceptance from the school you are planning to attend, a Notarized Letter confirming participation in an affiliated league and two Letters of Recommendation.
When the aforementioned information has been received, the Scholarship Committee will consider the application complete.
The Scholarship Committee will administer eight scholarships annually, one each to the four United States Zones (North, East, South, and West), Asia Pacific Zone, Caribbean Zone, Canada and Mexico.
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.
HOW BASEBALLS ARE MADE