For the first time in nearly twenty years, the Morgan Hill Pony Baseball league has a new president.
Retiring president Roy Jackson, who was honored at a testimonial dinner earlier this year, will be succeeded by the newly elected Bob Morris.
Morris, a long time local resident as well as coach and board member, most recently served as treasurer of the league. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Silicon Valley based LynuxWorks, Morris is expected to use his financial acumen and leadership to guide MHPB through the leadership transition.
Mike Rusch and Gregg Hall were re-elected to their respective positions of vice president and player agent for the league.
Steve Barber, long time coach and former board member was elected league secretary. Second-year board member and former MHPB player Rob Conlan was elected treasurer. These five officers constitute the Executive Board of Morgan Hill Pony Baseball and are responsible for the leadership and direction of all programs within the organization.
Baseball operations are under the direct supervision of the division representatives, who report to the player agent.
This year there are four new DRs and four second-year reps. The Shetland Division (age 5 and 6) will be led by new member Jim Person as well as second year rep John Howard.
The Pintos (age 7 and 8) will be led by two new reps, Chris Blocker and Cody Pyle. The Mustang Division (age 9 and 10), led by second year rep Dominic Bejarano, is looking for a second representative to share the work load.
Bronco (age 11 and 12) is to be led by second year rep Dan Mendolla and long term member and DR Louis Andrade. Alan LaBranche and new DR James Neet will head up the Pony Division (age 13 and 14).
Long term board member John Bennett will head up the Colt Division (age 15 and 16), and Roy Jackson is expected to continue to lead and coach the Palomino Division select team of 17 and 18 year old players.
Staff positions in the league will be filled by a mix of both new and old faces. Co-chairpersons Laura Moquin and Tam Bouslog will lead the Boosters.
Joe Sorci returns as training director, and Mike O’Connell will again run the winterball program.
The husband and wife team of Tim and Judy Mason return to manage league equipment and the baseball store, while Joe Devine and Mike Heil return to manage the league database and website.
Second year board members Tracie Zarubi and Craig Martin return as newsletter editor and tournament director respectively.
After a one-year hiatus, retired board member Bob Benevento returns to head up league publicity.
Fields and facilities will be maintained under the leadership of new member Ray Wiley. Christine Kiernan, an experienced snack shack manager out of the Carmel area, takes over the snack shack and promises lots of good changes.
Newly elected members Daryl Hughes and Bill Siment will be responsible for directing the sponsorship and fundraising efforts.
Long time league supporter and active mom Carolyn Rusch will be the new lead scorekeeper.
Morgan Hill Pony Baseball is one of the oldest and largest active sports associations in the community and has been affiliated with internationally acclaimed PONY Baseball for more than twenty years.
The league meets twice monthly during the baseball season and monthly during the offseason. Meetings are usually held at the training facility of Anritsu.
The Pony league site is www.mhpb.org and messages can be left at 778- 6472.
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