Long Beach PONY baseball is gearing up for another season at Whaley Park and registration for 13-14 year olds will be open until Jan. 26. Long Beach PONY has been the most successful youth baseball league in the city for the last decade with nine West Zone finals appearances, five World Series appearances and two World Championships.
“If you plan to play in High School in the next couple of years, then there is one place for you to get the training and pressure-filled experiences to put you ahead of the rest of the pack,” Long Beach Pony president Ken Jakemer said. “We’re dedicated to, and focused on, the development and preparation for our players to not just make a High School team, but to lead and star on the team.”
Jakemer added that a lot of his players have benefited from playing on the age appropriate field with 80’ bases and 54’ pitching mound. MORE INFORMATION
Long Beach PONY also hosts skills clinics like the one they had in December. Former players like Ryan Skjonsby, Charlie Royle, Dan Leavitt, Josh Goldberg, Sam DeCarlo, Toto Haycox, Matt Heavin and current Major League Baseball pitcher Chase De Jong were all on hand to teach the next generation of local baseball players.
“Having Chase there answering questions was such a memorable moment,” Jakemer said. “He was so generous with his time and passion for the kids and the game of baseball. He is truly a class act, and the face of what we strive to achieve with each year’s incoming players. Developing great people who strive to be the best, both on and off the field.”
