The Guam Baseball and Softball Academy, in collaboration with PONY Baseball, proudly announces the 11th Annual GBA/GSA/PONY Summer Skills and Games Academy, a four-week celebration of baseball and softball development featuring elite-level instruction, fun activities and international exchange.

This year’s academy includes two weeks of baseball and two weeks of softball instruction, combining Guam’s local coaching talent with experienced visiting coaches from Japan and Saipan. Week 1 (June 15–19) and Week 3 (July 6–10) will feature instruction led by local coaches and staff, while Week 2 (June 22–26) will welcome visiting Japanese baseball coaches and Week 4 (July 13–17) will feature visiting Japanese softball coaches.

Returning to Guam this summer are former Japanese professional baseball players Shōtarō Tashiro and Ryo Akiyoshi. Tashiro, a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder, previously played for the Saitama Seibu Lions and Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Akiyoshi is a former NPB pitcher who played for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Their return highlights the continued partnership between Guam and Japan in promoting youth sports development and cultural exchange through baseball and softball.

The full-day academy runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed to provide young athletes with. high-quality daily on-field instruction in hitting, pitching, fielding, catching, base running, game awareness, and overall player development in a positive and energetic environment. In addition to on-field training, participants will enjoy afternoon team-building activities including scrimmages, swimming, bowling, movies, and other fun events.

The academy also offers an all-inclusive experience featuring beverages, lunch, and transportation to all off-site afternoon activities. Every participant will receive an official GBA Academy shirt and a certificate of completion.

“We are excited to once again partner with PONY Baseball and welcome back coach Shōtarō Tashiro and Coach Ryo Akiyoshi to Guam,” said a GBA representative in a press release. “Their experience and passion for teaching continue to inspire our athletes while helping raise the level of baseball and softball on Guam.”

The GBA would also like to recognize and thank its valued sponsors and community partners for their continued support of youth sports development on Guam, including Coast 360, Atkins Kroll Guam, Triple J Auto Group, Discovery Learning Center, Guam Behavior Health and Wellness Center, and Guam Guam Style Consulting LLC. Special appreciation is extended to Pacific Islands Club Guam for hosting the visiting coaches and helping make this international exchange experience possible.

Over the past decade, the GBA/PONY Summer Skills and Games Academy has become one of Guam’s premier youth sports development programs, attracting players from across the island while creating opportunities for athletes to learn from international coaches and instructors in a fun and competitive environment.

Program details, registration information, and schedules are available through social media platforms. Registration is online at events.guamtime.net/event/gba-pony-summer-baseball-and-softball-academies

For additional information, please contact Mike Soderquist at islandigest@gmail.com or 671-858-1238.

(Daily Post Staff)