BREMEN — In March 2000, the Bremen Little League learned the Plymouth Pony League could not guarantee their teams a place in their summer league. Board members Mark Andrews, Joel Dillon, Rex Dumph, Eric Hudson, Steve Pittman and Brian Rassi held an emergency board meeting and voted unanimously to form a pony league in Bremen. The Bremen Park Board agreed to allow the league the use of its slow-pitch softball diamond.

Calls went out to possible players, and the first season ended with 46 boys participating in the inaugural year.
The sponsors for the first year were Bremen Ford Mercury, Bremen Insulated wire, ET Lubricants and Quinn & Associates.
LaVille joined that year, bringing in another team, which allowed more than 60 players to play summer baseball in Bremen.
Since then, the league has seen many changes. In 2002, more than 145 boys participated with teams from LaVille, Triton, Nappanee, Wakarusa and South Bend, and the league has averaged five to seven teams each year.
There have also been physical changes over the years. In 2000, the diamond added a pitcher’s mound and a working concession stand. In 2001, new team benches were added along with fencing along the baselines. New concession stand equipment was purchased.
In 2002 the Pony League board undertook a building project on the concession stand, re-shingling the roof and adding an announcer’s tower as a second story. The park board and the Johns Mansville Company covered the costs of the project and, along with current board members, provided the labor to finish the project in one day.
In 2003, new bleachers were installed, and in 2004 the league had new, safer dugouts constructed. Last year, the league became its own corporation.
The league has continued through the past 10 years with the support of many local and area businesses. With donations from German Township, the Town of Bremen, the Bremen Park Board, businesses and many volunteers, the Bremen Pony League continues to allow the 13- to 15-year-old boys a safe place to play baseball.
In recognition of the 10-year anniversary, the Bremen Pony League will honor past players during the 2010 season. More information about the league and the upcoming celebration is available at www.bremenponyleague.org.