30 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® FAMILY 2025-2026 Throughout Monterey County, one of the most divided activities for kids is also one of the most unifying for families. Yes, we’re referring to youth baseball. PONY Leagues begin in late winter and typically group participants by where they live and how old they are. Within those divisions, there are other divisions. Kids from the same city play on different teams. Each team has its own color and its own team name. Sharks, T-Rex’s, Bears. These divisions are the essence of competitive sports. Or at least, they are most of the time. “There is great camaraderie,” says Tommy Bommarito, current president and CEO of—as well as coach in— Monterey PONY League. “We have a strong, strong sense of community. We try to get the whole family involved.” PONY League (PONY being an acronym initially for “Protect Our Neighborhood Youth” and currently for “Protect Our Nation’s Youth”) began in Pennsylvania in 1951 and quickly spread throughout the nation and world. Monterey’s youth baseball league—pre-PONY—began roughly around the same time and later joined PONY in 1992. Official PONY rules are interpreted by a regional board—Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, etc.—while practices are led by volunteer coaches. Above: The Shetland Sharks are the youngest players in the PONY League, consisting of children ages 6 and under. Below: Shaun Jones is the coach of the Shetland Sharks, and his wife Sarah is the Team Mom. JOCELYN SMITH A WINNING LEAGUE For PONY baseball, it’s the familial connections that count more than the scoreboard. By Jesse Herwitz LEILA HERWITZ But the most noticeable—and perhaps beloved—aspect of the league is that playing levels are named after horses: Pony for 14-year-olds and under, Bronco for 12 and under, Mustang for 10 and under, Pinto for 8 and under, and for 6 and under, Shetland. Bommarito got his start as a coach the way most people do; as a parent
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