Tri-T Pony to welcome Japanese players
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
For the past 32 years, PONY Baseball has hosted its Japanese counterparts in an annual “Friendship Series,” a week-long schedule of games featuring their Asia Pacific Zone all-stars as they go up against elite American all-star squads.
Since 2005, the Japanese players have arrived in California to play teams from the Golden State then have flown cross country where they would play teams from Pittsburgh, as well as all-star squads from North Allegheny, Mars, Cranberry and Butler in Western Pennsylvania.
On Aug. 11 at the Fields of Dreams, Tri-T Baseball League will host this year’s Japanese all-star aggregation, a first for the local league and an opportunity their leaders felt was too good to pass up.
“We were so pleased that we were asked to participate in this event,” said Bob Richards, a PONY region director for the past 16 years. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the kids who try out and are ultimately selected to represent our league.
“At the same time, it’s an outstanding opportunity for the Japanese teams to visit not only our country, but our fine community,” Roberts said. “When I approached league president Jim DeChellis and it was presented to our board, they loved the idea and it was a resounding yes from everyone.”
Planning began in February with each all-star team set to play doubleheaders simultaneously beginning at 11 a.m.
Pre-game ceremonies will include gift exchanges between the teams with proclamations from township, county and state officials.
PONY field director John Evans has been responsible for not only coordinating the efforts to bring Japanese all-star teams to America, but has also coordinated efforts to take American all-star teams abroad.
He notes that the games will be played under PONY’s international rules.
“This is international play and we’ll treat the games as such, meaning that if a game is tied we’ll play an extra inning,” Evans said. “However, if the game is still tied after that extra session then the game remains tied.”
“Evans said they make it more than just a baseball experience.
“We know what happens between the lines, it’s what happens outside the lines that is most important during their stay,” he said. “The camaraderie keeps things going so my advice is to go to the park and make plenty of noise because the Japanese are used to playing in front of noisy crowds.”
“Arguably the most touching time is when the players have to say good-bye to one another as they’ve created a bond with host families during their three-day stay.”
John Pelles, manager of Poland’s Land-O-Frost squad, will be assisted by former Class AA league pitcher Dan Shannon as they lead the 14 year-old all-stars.
Chad Miller, president of Boardman Community Baseball is set to manage the 13 year-old all-star unit with help from coaches within the league rounding out his staff.