The Wilshire Warriors 10u are making a name for themselves. The team of boys ages ten and under advanced farther than ever before in the All Star Tournament reported Heather Boylston, mom of Henry Beck Boylston – Warrior short stop and pitcher, and volunteer League Co-Commissioner. This year the team, coached by Brandeaux Tourville and his bothers Joe and John-Luc, went to the semi-finals of the PONY Region tournament competing against the Mid Valley Bears. They ended the season as District and Sectional Champions.
“We are noticing that as we travel to these tournaments that our Wilshire Warriors have become a respected program and we are winning!” said Heather. Most of the boys have been playing together since they were seven years old. Members of the team are Henry Beck Boylston, Owen West, Colin Kneafsey, Tanner Mahon, Seamus O’Malley, Finn O’Brien, Eric Park, Aidan Gerber, Gabe Williams, Diego Marin and Anthony Hashimoto. Michael Mahon, father of Tanner, serves as team manager.
It’s been a banner year for the league with several Warrior teams doing well in league competition. The 6u Wilshire Warriors AllStar team won an AllStar Game, a first for the league. The 8u All-Star team won the Silver Bracket in the USSSA All-Star Xtravaganza in Chino Hills. The 11u Wilshire Warriors All Star Team coached by Matt Magallon and his brother Mitch, came in 2nd place at the North Valley Sectional Tournament earning a spot as a top 10 team in the PONY region and the right to compete in the Regional Tournament in Camarillo.
The Wilshire Warriors league plays at Pan Pacific Park and John Burroughs Middle School. The co-ed program is open to kids ages 4 through 14. PONY (Protect Our Nations Youth) is a highly respected national youth baseball organization created as an alternative to Little League. The key feature of PONY is that, as players get older, the diamonds are enlarged and advanced rules (leading off, stealing, etc.) are incorporated in the game. Another key feature of PONY is that it runs a national all-star competition each summer leading up to a World Series. Wilshire-Warriors all-star teams will be formed at each age level at the end of the rec league season.
In addition to the Wilshire Warriors PONY Baseball spring recreation league program which is open to all players, there is also an invitation-only intensive travel ball team that plays year-round. Visit their website at www.wilshirewarriors.com for more information.