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BRADLEY COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION

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22

Apr, 2018

Cal Ripken Jr. hosts instructional clinic at SUMA PONY European Zone Championships


Former PONY player and Major League Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. attended yesterday’s action at the SUMA PONY European Zone Championships in Prague, Czech Republic. In addition to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the host nation and witnessing great PONY baseball and softball, Ripken held a clinic for the tournament’s participants.

(Click photo below to view the entire gallery)

Cal Ripken Jr. Instructional Clinic - SUMA PONY European Zone Championships

Nicknamed “The Iron Man” for his Major League record 2,632-consecutive games played, Ripken, Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. A Baltimore Oriole for his entire 21-season playing career, Ripken, Jr. was a 19-time All-Star, two-time AL MVP, an eight-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and the 1982 AL Rookie of the Year. His #8 was retired by the Orioles in 2001. A World Series champion in 1983, Ripken, Jr. finished his career with 3,184 hits, 431 home runs and 1,695 RBI. He was also the recipient of Major League Baseball’s Roberto Clemente Award in 1992.

“We are honored to have PONY graduate and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. attend the 2018 PONY European Zone Championships in Prague,” said PONY President & CEO Abraham Key. “PONY is proud to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovakia. PONY was founded outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1951. And there is an interesting moment from Czechoslovakia history, related to Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Agreement,  a memorandum of understanding completed on May 31, 1918 between members of Czech and Slovak expatriate communities in the United States of America. It is named for the city of Pittsburgh, where the agreement was made. The agreement prescribed the intent of the cosignatories to create an independent Czechoslovakia.”


Held for the last 14 years in Prague, the SUMA PONY European Zone Championships are the premiere tournaments for 14U baseball and 16U baseball and 16U girls softball in Europe. This year, the event reached new heights in participation with 40 baseball teams and 16 girls softball teams competing. The winning teams in each age division receive an automatic bid to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pony World Series in Washington, Pennsylvania; Colt World Series in Marion, Illinois and East Zone Girls Softball Nationals in Sterling, Virginia, respectively.


"We are very excited, because in the year with the highest participation of teams ever, total 56 teams, we welcome Cal Ripken Jr. at our event," said Jan Bagin, PONY European Zone Director. "It is for the first time ever in Czech baseball history, that a Hall of Fame member with such outstanding records and career achievements visited our country. I believe for all players such moments motivate them for their baseball future."

Special thanks go out Ripken for his kindness to interact with the participating players, to the Prague Eagles for being gracious hosts of the event, as well as SUMA Information Technology, the tournament’s official sponsor.

Contact

Bradley County Parks & Recreation
3110 PEERLESS ROAD 
CLEVELAND, Tennessee 37312

Phone: 423-728-7035
Email: [email protected]

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