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Teens Flock To Play Ball In Pony League World Series

WASHINGTON (KDKA) -- Long drive! Right center field! That ball is gone!

Don't blame the pitchers. They're supposed to serve up gopher balls in a Home Run Derby. It's one of many events taking place in the home of the Pony League World Series.

Teams of teens from across the world gather for a double elimination tournament in Lew Hays Pony Field.

"Pony League baseball was founded here in Washington in 1951, with six original teams of 13 and 14 year old boys," said Abe Key, president of Pony baseball and softball. "Today Pony has more than 500 thousand annual participants all over the United States and in more than 40 countries. And this the 65th Pony League World Series in Washington, Pennsylvania."

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Ten teams will play a double elimination tournament to determine the World Champion.

German team coach Sven Huhnhold shows that a coach's philosophy is the same, world-wide.

"Don't look at the other guys. Maybe they hit like long balls, or may be hey do those extra things. We just focus on our game and try to be as able as we can."

The Pony World Series brings the community an estimated one and a half million dollars a year. That's a "grand slam."

"It's just a great opportunity to showcase Washington County to the world," Abe Key said.

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