Rains cleared just long enough Saturday for the annual Pony
Baseball opening day ceremonies to be held at Britton Middle
School.
Rains cleared just long enough Saturday for the annual Pony Baseball opening day ceremonies to be held at Britton Middle School.
But with heavy rains on both Friday and Sunday, the games had to be cancelled. Player agent Gregg Hall said he plans to make up the games during the season when possible or during the last week of the season.
The 750 players and each of the teams in the divisions were announced.
Players and board members were recognized for their hard work. The Reggie Arias Award, which is for the MVP of the Pony Division in 2002 was presented to co-winners Brandon Azevedo and Kyle Mosbrucker.
The Christopher Heley award, which is for Bronco player that demonstrates a quiet, dedicated, fun-loving and never quitting baseball attitude was awarded to Adam Perez in the National League and Stephen Smith in the American League.
Laura Moquin was the recipient of the first Dan Larice Memorial Award, awarded to the league volunteer who shows the same giving attitude that Larice consistantly showed.
Retired board members Bob Benevento, Ken Howell, Andy Peabody, Patty Goularte, Tom McClung, Gordon Perry and Ralph Villafuerte were also recognized for their service.
The awards were presented by Pony President Roy Jackson, who was there for his last time. After 18 years, Jackson will be retiring from his duties as president.
The regular Pony season wraps up the first week of June. After that travelling all-stars teams are announced.
They are picked by the coaches from some of the top players in the league to represent Morgan Hill in tournaments. Traditionally, Morgan Hill has put together some strong teams.
There are six Divisions of play in Pony Baseball.In the Shetland Division (ages 5-6), players learn the fundamentals of the game in a non-competitive fashion.
The Pinto Division (ages 7-8) introduces players to the rules of the game.
The Mustang Division (ages 9-10) is the first division that really starts to get competitive with umpires and standings.
In the Bronco Division (ages 11-12), players play under the full rules of professional baseball.
The Pony (ages 13-14) and the Colt (15-16) are the top two levels and feature highly intense and strategic games.
