Delmarva Shorebirds to Honor Wild Ponies with Special Identity

On Saturday, May 17, the Delmarva Shorebirds will take the field as the Delmarva Wild Ponies, paying tribute to the historic Wild Ponies of Assateague Island. This special identity will feature on-field jerseys and hats, branded merchandise, and an evening dedicated to celebrating this unique aspect of the Delmarva community. Assateague Island, a 38-mile strip divided between Virginia and Maryland, is home to around 150 wild ponies, living in two herds separated by the state line. These ponies have become a beloved symbol of the region, with local legends suggesting their origins date back to a 16th-century shipwreck or mainland owners bringing them over to avoid taxes and fencing laws.
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The Wild Ponies have become an integral part of Delmarva's identity, with events like the annual "Pony Penning" hosted by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, where the ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island for an auction to support the fire company. The Shorebirds' new identity aims to honor and raise awareness of this iconic attraction. Chris Bitters, Shorebirds General Manager, emphasized the community connection, stating, "The Shorebirds have and always will be a community-minded organization first, and we thought what better way to honor Delmarva than by connecting the Shorebirds brand with the Wild Ponies on Assateague Island." This new identity not only celebrates a local treasure but also aims to increase awareness of the Wild Ponies on a broader scale.