Schedule shortens for Pony
Here’s some advice for the teams involved in this year’s Pony League World Series: be prepared to play every day, and bring along a lot of pitchers.
Pitching has long been a critical ingredient to any Pony championship team. But this year, pitching will be even more important. A new tournament format made sure of that.
This year’s Pony League World Series – the 62nd overall and 51st to be played in Washington – has been shortened from nine days to only six, though the number of rounds in the tournament will remain the same as last year.
The Pony League World Series will begin Friday, Aug. 9 and conclude Wednesday, Aug. 14. There will be at least 17 games, and as many as 19, played in six days. Washington will play its first game Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
The World Series experienced some growing pains last year with the addition of the European Zone champion, which stretched the field to 10 teams and caused some problems with lodging and scheduling, each playing a role in the format change. The 10th team meant a second motel had to be found to house World Series teams. This year, the international teams will be housed at the Hampton Inn in Washington. The United States zone champions will stay at the Comfort Inn in Meadow Lands.
“There were a couple of reasons we changed the format. One was financial,” said Bob Gregg, director of World Series Tournaments, Inc., the local sponsoring organization of the Pony League World Series.
“We had to figure out how to reduce the costs with fewer nights housing. This is going to get teams out sooner. Another factor is that some teams have complained that the series is too long. There would be times – the California team last year, for example – because of various circumstances would play one game in the first six days they were here. So it was too long in that regard. With the changes we’ve made, after we get through the weekend, if you’re still in the tournament, then you’re playing every day that you’re here. No more layoffs, no more waiting around. As long as the weather’s good, you’re playing every day.”
Yes, rain will be a problem with such a compacted scheduled. Under the new format, two games are scheduled for opening night, followed by three each on Aug. 10 and 11. But on Aug. 12 and 13, there are four games each day, which has necessitated another change. On the Monday and Tuesday of World Series week, there will be daytime doubleheaders beginning at 10 a.m., followed by evening doubleheaders with a 5:30 p.m. start time.
“PONY Baseball has asked us, would we shorten it, play more games during the day, etc.? We had always fought that, just because it was beneficial to paying the bills to have more nights,” Gregg said. “We made more in terms of on-sight revenue, plus sponsorships, than it cost us in the previous setup with the different priced hotels and fewer teams. It’s not that way anymore.”
If rain does play havoc with the tournament, Gregg says there is an emergency plan in place. Colt Field, which is adjacent to Lew Hays Pony Field, will be utilized, allowing for two World Series games to be played at the same time.
“If we have a weather problem, Colt Field will be ready,” Gregg said. “The pitcher’s mound will be moved in, the bases will be shortened to 80 feet. The distance to the outfield fence, there’s nothing we can do about that. All of that will be done ahead of the World Series. If we need it, then it will be ready to go.”
With the new format, a team that loses its first game could still win the championship by winning six consecutive games over four days. That’s quite a challenge for a pitching staff.
And it might be an even bigger challenge for World Series Tournaments Inc., which relies on volunteers to run the series.
“I’m sure the PONY directors and officers are happy about the change. I think our people will be too,” Gregg said. “Sure, it’s the same number of games in a shorter amount of days, so for volunteers it’s going to be tough. .. For the people who are going to be there for every game, it’s going to be six long days, but it was nine long days before. We’ll be done Wednesday night and crown a champion, say thanks for coming and see you next year.”