BleacherCoaches.com

Season has already been underway for quite some time now, and as always, the Boilers stand above the rest.

Who are some of the better Pony 14 year old players on each team, that could possibly make some thunder on their high school teams next spring?

i imagine Nemo Trexler would, i hear hes going to mccort on a full scholarship, and Justin Vardian is going to be a 9th grader at JHS and he may play if Dee Dee Osbourn holds him up on the squad, and then Brad Coleman, has a live arm and is good at 6

i heard it was only partial scholarship. Hey if Valley didnt recruit the kid away from OMOS we wouldnt be saying that

The Johnstown Pony League is a joke. They are now down to four teams, three of which have no chance due to the fact that the Boilers cherry pick the best players in the area for their exhibition season (the regular season) on their way to the Pony League World Series. The only reason they're in the league is because they have to be in a sanctioned league in order to get to Washington, PA. No offense to Coach Day and his staff, as they are very knowledgable; but what are the other teams gaining by being mercy-ruled every time they play the Boilers. The Boilers would be better off playing a travel-team type schedule if it were allowed. As for the remaining three teams; Pinnacle, 1st Summit, and Moxham PNA, good luck in 2011 playing for 2nd place.

If the Boilers played a travel schedule a perfect season would be history. But the kids might actually improve, too.

The other teams are actually gaining by playing against them. Moxham's pitchers will get better by facing Boiler hitters. Pinnacle's hitters will get better by seeing Boiler pitching. It usually doesn't go the other way.

This upcoming Boilers team will not be as good as years past. Only 4-5 14 year olds and a ton of 13 year olds. Teams should be able to compete this year.

Crimson09Crazy wrote:This upcoming Boilers team will not be as good as years past. Only 4-5 14 year olds and a ton of 13 year olds. Teams should be able to compete this year.

OK...Keep thinking positive, but I'm not sold on the idea. I know what has come out of the pool of little leaguers this past season. Im not a great fan of the Boilers but..The Boilers will continue to make the City League an exhibition season until one of three things happen: the coaching breaks down/retires ; Brian Hale pulls the purse strings or the city changes the drafting procedures for the league. We all love to see great baseball, and the Boilers have provided us with hat, but I'm really dont feel they are doing themselves or the kids they are playing any justice. Hell, most of the games are 10 run rule games, how much experience can any of the kids get from that situation...day in and day out?

The boilers will still dominate no matter what. The coaching these kids recieve is the bets hands down. If the 13 year olds listen and listen well and do what they are told, they will win and win big.

PNA had the best pitcher in the league last year and they still couldn't knock them off. But PNA returns some talented players, they might be able to catch them on a game or two.

oldschoolcoach wrote:

Crimson09Crazy wrote:This upcoming Boilers team will not be as good as years past. Only 4-5 14 year olds and a ton of 13 year olds. Teams should be able to compete this year.

OK...Keep thinking positive, but I'm not sold on the idea. I know what has come out of the pool of little leaguers this past season. Im not a great fan of the Boilers but..The Boilers will continue to make the City League an exhibition season until one of three things happen: the coaching breaks down/retires ; Brian Hale pulls the purse strings or the city changes the drafting procedures for the league. We all love to see great baseball, and the Boilers have provided us with hat, but I'm really dont feel they are doing themselves or the kids they are playing any justice. Hell, most of the games are 10 run rule games, how much experience can any of the kids get from that situation...day in and day out?

Did some research; the City Pony League went from 11 teams in 2007 to the current 4 teams in 2011. Why is that? Kids are either going to Highland, where play is competitive; or they are staying in their local wood-bat leagues, a la Portage and Forest Hills/Adams Township. The kids, especially this year, do not want to spend 7 of their games getting destroyed by the Boilers. What did Pinnacle learn or get better by losing 37-1? I do give their coach credit though, he only reports a 10-run differential to the Tribune. Check their website for the real scores.