Aug 3, 2015 2 min read

A few years ago, it was looking like the Pony League World Series, which has become an important calling card for Washington County and a signal achievement in the community’s recent history, was going to pull up stakes and head west to Michigan. This would have been a blow to the county’s image and its bottom line – the Pony League World Series is a valuable source of exposure for the city of Washington and the county, not only across the country but around the world.

It kicks off again this year Friday at Lew Hays Pony Field in Washington Park and arrives with what appears to be a new lease on life.

First, it has established a sponsorship deal with Dick’s Sporting Goods. As Observer-Reporter sports writer F. Dale Lolley reported in June, the Coraopolis-based company will provide team uniforms and equipment for the six-day tournament, which will draw rising baseball players in their early teens from around the world. In return, the Pony League World Series will be called the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pony League World Series for the duration of the agreement, and Dick’s will also handle the series’ retail sales.

The sponsorship deal is “a huge statement to tell you that the world series is solid,” according to Bob Gregg, president of Tournaments Inc., which organizes the Pony League World Series. He said in June, “It’s growing, and it’s going to be in Washington …”

And residents of the region should get out and support it. Who knows? You might see the next Andrew McCutchen or Gerrit Cole there.