Are you ready for softball?

By Jon Moffett

A two-week PONY national tournament starts Saturday.

YOUNGSTOWN — Hundreds of people from all over the Northeast will be calling the Mahoning Valley home thanks to the two-week PONY National tournament, which begins Saturday.

The 10-and-under and 12-and-under age divisions begin Saturday, while the 16-and-under and 18-and-under age divisions start July 26.

The opening ceremony is Saturday at Eastwood Field in Niles. Teams begin pool play shortly after.

The 10U age division will play at Liberty Township Park. The 12U age division will split time between Boardman’s Fields of Dreams, McCune Park in Canfield and the Optimist Club of Bazetta’s Candlelite Knolls.

Admission is $8 each day ($5 for senior citizens and after 4 p.m.). Children under 7 are free. Weekly passes are $30.

There are 14 teams signed up for the 10U division and 49 teams in the 12U division. Tournament officials expect a few more teams to finalize their registration by Friday. Teams in the 10U division represent Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

Teams in the 12U division represent those states as well as Delaware, Michigan, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The influx of people into the area excites tournament officials.

“We hope this will be a tremendous boost to our local economy,” said Rob Durig, tournament director and president of Thunder Elite Fastpitch.

Boardman Community Baseball president Tim Kaple added that the area can be attractive to these tourists.

“This area has always been known for its baseball and softball activities,” Kaple said. “We are starting to be recognized as an area where people want to come to just have fun at economical prices.

“It’s a great place for people to spend a week of their summer.”

For more information on the tournament and a complete list teams involved, visit mvpony.com.

moffett@vindy.com