Morgan Hill team is playing in the Pony League World Series in
Indiana
One team is from Mexico; another is from Puerto Rico. Some
represent European nations. But the one that is generating the most
excitement around here is from Morgan Hill, California.
Morgan Hill team is playing in the Pony League World Series in Indiana
One team is from Mexico; another is from Puerto Rico. Some represent European nations. But the one that is generating the most excitement around here is from Morgan Hill, California.
In all, just 10 teams from all around the globe qualified for this year’s Pony League World Series, which is currently underway in Lafayette, Indiana.
The 17-member local squad is comprised of 15- and 16-year-old high school baseball players from Live Oak, Valley Christian, Bellarmine, Sobrato, Gilroy and Monte Vista Christian.
“It’s the first time in history that Morgan Hill has ever gone to the Pony League World Series,” said Gary Winzeler, whose son Blake plays outfield on the select team. “We’re all really excited.”
Just about the time this paper is dropped off on residential doorsteps from Morgan Hill to Hollister the elite team from Morgan Hill will be playing in its third game of the tournament against Mexico. On Monday, they will face Missouri.
Under the tournament’s guidelines each of the team’s plays in four games in a round robin format. Out of that format, the top four teams make the semifinal round with the winner of those rounds competing in the championship game on Aug. 10.
The tournament also follows Olympic rules, meaning that the more runs a team scores and the fewer runs it gives up is all the better.
“If we’re up 20-0 in a game, I’m going to try and score 30. That’s the way it goes because if you don’t, it will hurt you in the end. You can’t let up. It’s going to be tough,” said Morgan Hill coach Dave Newton from his cell phone as he watched the opening game of the tournament from the stands on Wednesday. “I think we have a chance to definitely get to the semifinals. I think we could win our bracket, we got a good draw.”
In order to qualify for the once-in-a-lifetime trip to the World Series, Morgan Hill captured the West Zone Tournament last week by beating Bakersfield 14-7 in the title game. Morgan Hill went a perfect 4-0 in that tournament.
“Our fielding and defense has been strong and so has our pitching,” Newton said. “Matt (Cummins) and Jonathon (Hughes) and Alika (Bantilian) (all pitchers) have really carried us. It’s going to be interesting. We are the one team from the smallest community in the tournament.”
With the Olympic format in place and being an underdog to go all the way, Newton has decided to change his coaching philosophy for this tournament.
“I’m going for everything – try to score as many runs as I can. Not to be disrespectful of the other team but if I’m up 20 runs, I’m going for 30,” he said. “The kids are all real excited. It’s the first time ever that any team out of our program (Morgan Hill) has gone this far. It’s great out here.”
During the tournament team members stay with local families that are hosting the tournament while the coaches stay in local hotels and motels.
“We only see the players at games and during practices,” Newton said. “We’re all excited to get started.”
While most teams kicked off its tournament on Wednesday, Morgan Hill played its first game on Thursday against Slovakia.
Morgan Hill Pony Baseball Roster
Philip Phrappas, 2B, Valley Christian
Mike Devine, LF, Live Oak
Christian Lam, 1B, Valley Christian
Billy Hill, SS, Sobrato
Matt Cummins, P,SS,3B, Live Oak
Branden Elam, C, Gilroy
Ryan Walters, P, Valley Christian
Danny Nelson, CF, Sobrato
Blake Winzeler, OF, Bellarmine
Steven Rodriguez, C, Live Oak
Jonathon Hughes, P,3B, Valley Christian
Alika Bantilian, P, Live Oak
Kevin Grove, RF, Gilroy
Charlie McClung, C, Monte Vista Christian
Stephen Smith, 2B,OF, Live Oak
James Johnson, P, Live Oak
Ryan Evanger, 1B,OF, Gilroy
Coaches:
Dave Newton, Mike Bouslog, Mark Cummins
