Sports
Pony Baseball World Series in Chesterfield.
By Nick DeRatto
May 7, 2008 - 12:39:58 PM

Last summer, softball fans got more than enough action as Chesterfield County welcomed hundreds of players for the National Softball Association’s Girls Fast Pitch B World Series.

Next year, it’s baseball’s turn.

In the summer of 2009, Chesterfield County will host the first annual Pony Baseball Bronco 11 World Series.

“Pony Baseball has been hosting world series tournaments for other regions and zones for awhile now,” says Blake Eller, President of Chesterfield Baseball Club. “They started a world series for a new age group and Chesterfield was first on the list of possible places to host it, so we jumped at the chance.”

Held from July 29 to August 1, 2009, the four-day tournament will feature eight teams: six from the United States, one from the Caribbean, and one from Mexico.

“We hope to add teams from Europe and Asia Pacific within the next five years,” says Eller. “We’re real excited about it. One of our teams will get to be in it, but that’s not why we are excited. It will be great for our kids to play such high caliber of ball.”

While the World Series is still over a year away, CBC is already planning fundraisers to help finance the event. In all, the tournament will cost CBC $70,000 to $80,000.

“It’s still early, so we haven’t gotten too far into the fundraising yet. We’re going to do a few fundraisers and solicit sponsorship from local business,” says Eller. “We’ll probably try everything.”

In addition to look at fundraising opportunities, officials with CBC are also working to decide what other activities will take place during the World Series.

“We’ll probably have a breakfast for all eight teams at a banquet hall,” says Eller. “We’ll also try to have a college coach or ex-player to come in and talk to the players.”

Chesterfield Baseball Club has a three-year contract with Pony Baseball, so they will continue to host the Bronco 11 World Series as long as they are financially able. All games will be played at the Ironbridge Sports Complex.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421



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