2011 PONY Nationals / Cary, NC

Talking about memories...one of my favorite peeps from my memories!

 

The Pony nationals seem to have shrunk in pool size. If I recall correctly, back in 2007 when the Storms brought home the 14u National title, there were 114 teams in. This year, both 16u and 18u have only 41 teams in each division. Perhaps this accounts for lack of new coverage?

 

Or maybe lack of coverage contributed to lack of participation?

With so few local teams participating that means many hotels, restaurants, Walmarts, should have been pretty busy. I saw quite a few players still in uniform just about everywhere I went the past week or so.

Some sports' practices get more coverage than softball.

 

NC Challengers 16u moves on to the semi finals after defeating Hartford Extreme (MD) 5-0

 

Great job 16U Challengers!!!

 

Awesome for our NC teams. I have been talking to many college coaches the past couple days and have been told that Ponys are considered "low grade" tourneys. One NC coach as well as Georgia college coach said "anyone playing in Ponys is not good enough to play on my team" when I asked why are not more coaches out watching these games. Maybe that is another reason participation is down as well. No offense to the Challengers but last time I saw them play(3 weeks ago) they did not look like a team with many college bound players. Any college coaches on this site have an opinion on Ponys and recruiting?

 

Looks like 16U Challengers won it all.

Cape Fear Storm Finished third in 18U

 

Am I missing something?

Let me be clear that I am not trying to start anything...

I am kind of confused. If nobody playing in Ponys is good enough to be on their team, why are they there???

 

Not here to make any excuses, but I felt sorry for the 18u Challengers as they had 4 players get hurt or had flu like symptons. Still they played hard till the last out.

 

No offense to the Challengers but last time I saw them play(3 weeks ago) they did not look like a team with many college bound players.


Easton: What do you mean "NO OFFENSE TO THE CHALLENGERS"? Thats a real nasty remark! Is your DD that great that she is being recruited from teams all over the country? Let me tell you something about the 18u Challengers, except for 2 players they are made up of freshman and sophmore's and no seniors. Before you make an AZZ of yourself, it would be nice if you learned more about the team before making idiotic remarks.

Sorry Cheeze, not looking to make a war of words. I just took offense to his remaks!