PONY Baseball and Softball offers its deepest sympathies to all who have been impacted by COVID-19 throughout the world. These are challenging times for everyone, but our company’s 69-year history assures us that our organization, our people, and the communities we proudly serve will rebound. We are resilient and will all emerge stronger and more united than ever to serve our youth.
We want you to know that PONY is currently working through all possible scenarios for 2020 regular season play, some form of tournament play and possibly World Series play. These scenarios would provide eligibility for our teams and leagues in all age groups of PONY Baseball and Softball.
Our priority is to insure a safe environment for a local league season. Once the regular season commences, PONY will evaluate the amount of time remaining in the summer and hopefully offer a version of 2020 tournament play. This could consist of a single state tournament if permissible under that state’s law, and in some circumstances, a multi-state Zone tournament as allowable. We are also consulting with each state that hosts a World Series to determine what course of action to take for 2020 World Series tournaments.
We recognize that elected officials are beginning to announce timelines for relaxing their strict measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus. In some areas stay-at-home orders could be lifted as early as May 1, while several areas have not yet announced an end to their restrictions.
On a federal level, in the United States, the President last week issued guidelines that will allow governors to take a phased and deliberate approach to reopening their individual states. Governors will devise and announce a plan that meets the diverse circumstances of their state.
Many of our spring and summer PONY facilities are located on school, municipal or public park grounds. PONY advises you check with local and state officials regarding the use of these facilities and in what phase they will reopen.
As our elected officials consider rolling out plans to reopen, we must ensure the health, safety and welfare of our PONY players, families, volunteers and fans. Most states are considering reopening in phases. Therefore, PONY encourages each team and league to consult their local and state health officials and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for guidelines and timeframes.
Our world is facing an enormous challenge. With sports at all levels on hold, we realize more than ever the importance of your PONY programs and how much we all miss the daily routine of practice, games and the social interaction.
Please adhere to your state mandate for reopening. Be sure to continue to take safety measures at your fields and parks. Be mindful of social distancing on the field and in the stands, personal hygiene and facemasks for players and fans.
Be safe and we hope that you use an abundance of caution as you consider reopening your league.