It was an exciting day at opening ceremonies for the PONY Bronco Baseball World Series in Los Alamitos where players from 8 different teams internationally and locally came to the Los Alamitos Youth Baseball field on Aug. 1. Teams representing South Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, Vacaville, California and Los Alamitos were in attendance along with local dignitaries.
The opening ceremonies included a presentation of colors from the Joint Forces Training Base Sunburst Youth Academy cadets, and the ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by U.S. Marine Corp Major Arnie Carillo. Each country’s national anthem was played as the teams lined up in the infield. Games began the same day as opening ceremonies and continued through the weekend.
“I’m really excited and relieved it’s finally here,” said LAYB President Brian Gorman. “If you’ve made it to this level, you’ve done a lot right.”
Los Alamitos Mayor Warren Kusumoto, Councilmen Troy Edgar and Dean Grose, Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce’s Sherry Kropp along with Major League Baseball players Clyde Wright and Greg Harris were among those in attendance. Also present was the 1983 PONY Bronco World Series Championship team from Los Alamitos.
Major League Baseball player, Clyde Wright said the kids playing in the PONY Bronco Baseball World Series have a chance of a lifetime. He encouraged the kids to play their best, to stay in school and to aim for going to college. He said one out of 8 players present have a chance to play in the Major Leagues.
Los Alamitos pitcher and first baseman, Tyler Chaffee, 12, said he felt happy and excited to be at the World Series. He said it was an honor to be in it.