Mar 24, 2024 By Chris Dugan 4 min read

The Pony League World Series is at a crossroads, and the path it takes will impact its future in Washington.

For the past nine years, with Dick’s Sports Goods as its title sponsor, the Pony League World Series was never in better shape. Last August, the crowds were big – more than 29,000 attended – and the Washington County team advanced all the way to the championship game before losing to Edogawa, Japan. Several games were shown live on the CW and what was then-called AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, and all contests were streamed over the Internet.

The television broadcasts were available to more than 13 million people in the United States. Last year, more than 46,000 users visited the world series website to watch games via live streaming and get series information.

The world series never looked better, both literally and figuratively. The title sponsorship had helped spruce up Lew Hays Pony Field, giving the aging facility a different look that was praised by both teams and fans.

However, over the winter, PONY Baseball and Softball Inc., and World Series Tournaments Inc., – the latter is the organization that runs the event in Washington – was thrown a curveball, to use a baseball term. They were informed that Dick’s Sporting Goods had decided not to renew its title sponsorship, which began in 2015.

“We had three-year contracts with Dick’s Sporting Goods and they chose not to renew after the last one expired,” explained Nathan Voytek, tournament chairman and president of World Series Tournaments Inc.

“We have to find a replacement. The good news is the momentum is great after Washington County’s run to the championship game last year. The world series is in decent financial shape.”

Voytek and PONY Baseball and Softball president Abe Key both expressed disappointment in Dick’s not returning as title sponsor, both saying they had not been given much warning that a change was imminent.

“We’re sorry to see Dick’s go,” Voytek said. “They had a change in leadership and a change in how they spend their sponsorship dollars. They taught us a lot. They provided a lot of resources. Their sponsorship gave us a lot of activation. Beyond just the cash that was provided, they did other things. They had the Fanfest prior to the world series, which was held at the Washington store and was well-attended.

“But things change. Heinz Field is no longer Heinz Field, right? With sponsorships, things change.”

Added Key, “The Pony League World Series was a great baseball tournament for a long time. It became a great event when Dick’s Sporting Goods came aboard. When they ended their sponsorship, it came as a surprise.”

World Series Tournaments Inc. is currently scouting for a new title sponsor. Voytek would like to have one in place for this summer’s world series. He knows time is running out. It’s the bottom of the ninth inning.

“We think we can help a regional or national company expand its reach,” Voytek said.

Finding a title sponsor is a key piece in helping the Pony League World Series remain in Washington. Historically, the Pony League World Series is one of the longest-running, steadiest and most popular events on a busy summer schedule in Washington County.

While the world series has expanded over the years to its current 10 teams, so too have the budgets and economic impact on the local area. A survey estimated the economic impact of the Pony League World Series on the Washington County economy last year was more than $5.8 million.

The situation isn’t desperate. Voytek said that even if a title sponsor cannot be found in time for this year’s world series it will still be held in Washington, perhaps as a scaled-down version of what it had become.

He did caution that without a title sponsor the numbers will move in the wrong direction. The long-term viability of the Pony League World Series in Washington is on the line.

“We’re at a crossroads,” he said. “In the short term, we can handle it. In the long term … we need a title sponsor.”