PONY ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP
Pony Alumni Scholarship Applications are due by May 1. If you know a graduating senior who participated in a Pony Baseball program for a minimum of two seasons, have them complete a scholarship applications, along with the other required materials and submit them prior to May 1, 2024.
Click link below for the application form.
NORTHWEST REGION SHETLAND PLAYERS AT THE 2023 MLB ALL STAR FANFEST
During the 2023 MLB All Star Fanfest in Seattle, PONY Northwest Region Shetland players played exhibition games at PlayBall Park. Players from North Seattle Baseball and Softball, Seattle Pony, West Seattle Baseball Association and Lakewood Baseball Club participated in the event. Check out the smiles on their faces.
Players from Seattle Pony and Lakewood Baseball Club get some coaching and advice from Olympic Champions and Softball icons Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley
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.