Cover photo by Jakub Pláteník
PONY Europe welcomed 34 teams from 12 countries in Prague, Czech Republic. With over 120 games scheduled, the Eagles Park complex, as well as Tempo Titans fields and the SaBaT Prague field, filled with baseball and softball players from all over Europe.
The Darnitsa Tigers, a Ukrainian Baseball team from Kyiv, Ukraine, took part in the tournament. Ms. Victoria Hryhoriev, the Technical Leader of the Ukrainian team, was welcomed by Mr. Jan Bagin, Director of PONY Europe. The organizers from Eagles Praha provided the team from Ukraine with free lodging and some necessities. The Czech Baseball Association provided the team with free meals.
In Men's Baseball, the German Baseball Academy (GER) triumphed in the COLT U-16 category. The London Archers (GBR) won in the PONY U-14 category.
In Women's Softball, the winners of the COLT (U-14) category were the home team Eagles Prague (CZE), while the Piranhas Beroun (CZE) prevailed in the KRCANDA PONY (U-16) category.
All these teams secured their participation in the World Series in the USA, where they will represent Europe later this summer.
The group-rounds and play-off matches were played during the first three days of the tournament. The bad weather partially canceled the Sunday games, but the organisers made sure to anticipate the finals in the morning to secure the games happened.
For the COLT Category, the individual baseball awards went to:
Richards Darrion, German Baseball Academy (GER), as Best Hitter.
Jan Kozel, Czech Baseball Academy (CZE), as Best Pitcher.
Leandro Salazar M., NL Braves (NED), as MVP.
For the PONY Category, the individual baseball awards went to:
Djevan Jansen, NL Twins (NED), as Best Hitter.
Mac Menzer, London Archers (GBR), as Best Pitcher.
Kento Ikegaya, London Archers (GBR), as MVP.
For the COLT Category, the individual softball awards went to:
Nicole Kalenská, Eagles Prague, as Best Hitter.
Nikola Škardová, Eagles Prague, as Best Pitcher.
Rebeka Wenclová, Joudrs Prague, as MVP.
More information and many photos can be found on SUMA Pony League Facebook Page.
The event has been supported by Pony Europe's traditional partners: the companies SUMA, the Capital City of Prague, and the Prague 4 district.
