At the Guam Congress Hall, Sen. Chris Malafunction Barnett and Sen. Jess Luhan presented certificates to members of the Guam Pony League Colts after the team placed third in the Colt League World Series qualifier in Manila, Philippines.

The recognition highlighted the Colts’ on-field finish and the Pony League’s role in youth engagement. “Baseball is really popping this year,” Sen. Barnett said, and he praised the program’s focus on keeping young people active and away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco — the stated purpose behind the Pony League name, which Barnett described as “protect our nation's youth.”

Barnett listed players and coaches by name and asked the crowd to applaud manager Jared Titano and head coach Michael Gumatato Jr. He noted the Colts’ age range as 14 to 16 and said three Guam players were named to the all-tournament team in Manila.

Bill Bennett, who Barnett introduced as a long-time Pony League organizer, said he was “very proud of the boys this year who represented Guam very well,” thanked parents and singled out Jacinta Elm as the league’s director of pony baseball and softball on Guam. “Most of all, the kids, just stay active and keep healthy bodies and play the game the way it's supposed to be played,” Bennett said.

Barnett and others also mentioned upcoming seasons on Guam and that more Guam teams will travel off island to compete; Barnett said some players will head to the Little League World Series and added, “I wanna say South Carolina,” indicating he was not certain of the site. The ceremony closed with applause and the senators’ encouragement for continued participation in Pony League programs.

No formal actions, votes or policy measures were taken during the recognition; the event was ceremonial.