Ramona PONY Baseball WINS!
By Tracy Rolling

Catcher Josh Bard from the San Diego Padres makes a special appearance at last month's closing ceremonies for Ramona PONY Baseball. Bard is autographing a baseball for local fan Josie Ward. Photos by Tracy Rolling

Ramona PONY Baseball President Doug Ford said he got the call he'd been hoping for last month. A San Diego Padres representative told him Ramona PONY Baseball will receive assistance through the Little Padres Park Program.

This means a bright future for Ramona ballplayers, as lights will be installed on four different fields: Pony, Bronco, Mustang and Pinto.

Dedicated to the baseball youngsters of San Diego County, the Padres have created and renovated more than three-dozen little league parks and softball fields over the past 10 years.

Ford said the construction and installation of lights is tentatively scheduled for August - in between hosting the PONY Regional Tournament on July 19 and 20 and the first day of winter ball, which begins on Sunday, Sept. 7.

"The schedule will be very tight," said Ford, optimistic it will be done so players can begin benefiting with more games and longer practices. Another benefit is the possibility of drawing bigger tournaments to Ramona.

Shetland Blue All-Star team members smile, knowing they had a great season. Pictured in random order are team manager Dan Hogan, assistant managers Bret Stateham, Dick Hogan, and Erin Crist, and players Andrew Ramirez, Hunter Pietile, Kian Hogan, Chase Stateham, Owen Pearce, Dakota Martinez, Bryce Rolling, Cody Crist, Eric Moberg, J.T. Buttle, Jacob Jaramillo and Alex Guzman.

Ford also shared that, thanks to the article in last month's Ramona Home Journal, Ratzloff Construction called and donated all of the trenching for the project.

"It's been an amazing season," said Ford, grateful to the Ramona community for its support.

The Shetland Red All-Star team takes the division championship. Players display the "We're number one" sign. Pictured in random order are team manager Steve Gotowala, assistant coaches Dave Schwanter and Jose Bravo, players Jaedon Gotowala, Nolan Castberg, Matthew Wrenn, E.J. Edelman, Faith Schwantner, Christopher Bradley, Logan Godwin, Kevin Weichert, Shane Swadner, Kyle Weichert, Michael Bobd and Jasper Cole.