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Why PONY is the ELITE League?
Temple Terrace PONY Baseball is different then other youth baseball leagues’ in the Tampa area in many ways. The rules of play are designed to maximize player development and minimize chance of injury. Players age 3 -14 years old are placed in divisions strictly by age at two-year intervals so that kids are competing with others around their same age and physical development. Most importantly, young players are introduced to more advanced rules at younger ages so that they are challenged with traditional baseball concepts as they grow. It is no wonder that so many local travel-ball and high school players develop their skills by playing PONY Baseball. So if your child would like to lead-off and steal a base, pick a runner off first, and learn to play baseball like the major-leaguers, then PONY Baseball is for you.
The speed of the game is more realistic in PONY ball, i.e., pitching, hitting, running, and fielding. All of this happens at a more rapid pace on a smaller field thus making the players react and perform at a quicker rate. If players can perform and react at a quicker rate in games and practices over the course of 3 to 4 months they will become better players. When they transition to high school ball, the distance will be negligible, but the PONY player will have better reaction times then players from the Juniors Division.
There are currently over 375 Major League players who are graduates of PONY baseball. To name a few – Alex Rodriquez, Tony Gwynn, Mark McGwire, TJ Snow and Kevin Appier.
Following are the top reasons why players and parents choose to play Temple Terrace PONY Baseball (ages 3 -14):
1. Real Baseball – Starting at age 9, Pony allows for full baseball rules. This means leadoff and steals, and pitchers pitching from the stretch with runners on base. When asked, almost unanimously players’ answer they prefer to leadoff and steal bases. Why? Because it is more fun! Our players are also more prepared to play school ball, starting in 7th grade because they have played “real baseball” for a couple of years.
2. Temple Terrace PONY Baseball graduates the playing field distances every two years. Field dimensions (base paths and pitching distance) are gradually expanded with each division to match the growth and development of young players. This ensures that all players will compete on a field that matches their abilities and improves safety concerns that can occur when older players are on fields that are too small:
· Wrangler (ages 3-4) – coach pitch followed by T-Ball to allow for hitting success (parents assist and bond with kids)
· Shetland (ages 5 –6) – Coach pitch followed T-Ball to allow for hitting success, 50’ foot bases
· Pinto (ages 7-8) – Player pitch and / or Coach pitch and 50’ bases
· Mustang (ages 9-10) – 44’ pitching distance and 60’ bases
· Bronco (ages 11-12) – 48’ pitching distance and 70’ bases
· Pony (age 13-14) – 54’ pitching distance and 80’ bases
· Colt (age 15 - 19) – Major League distance 60’-6” pitching and 90’ bases
From a player development viewpoint, this 2-year graduation program is as critical to development as keeping pitchers from throwing breaking balls. Competing leagues in town play 46’ pitching and 60’ bases through age 12. This size field becomes too small for 12-year olds. Then at age 13, they are asked to advance to 60’ 6” pitching distance, and 90’ bases. This extreme field size graduation is very difficult for players to adapt to. In addition, graduating from 46’ pitching to 60’ 6” is difficult for both the batters and the pitchers. Imagine, as 12-year old you may be throwing the ball past hitters from 46’, and then turn around as a 13-year old and all of a sudden it appears you are lobbing the ball from 60’ 6”. Temple Terrace PONY field graduation allows for consistent development among all age groups.
3. Some parents choose Temple Terrace PONY baseball because the season starts in the middle of March and District Tournaments are completed by the middle of June. They can still enjoy the summer together as a family, or continue playing ball with tournament teams.
Some other things to consider:
· How about being a big fish in a small pond or would you rather be part of a league that has over 1,200 players like many of the Little Leagues in the Tampa area.
· No boundaries, kids can play with their friends that might not live in the same district they are required to play in. Why not take your friends with you and start your own team.
· All Star Tournaments start in the Wrangler division and continue all the way through the Palomino Division. Temple Terrace consistently finishes high enough in the Divisional Tournaments to send teams to the State Tournaments and beyond. There is no better time spent with family and friends then traveling to a tournament with your kids and their team.
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Board of Directors 2009/2010 Seasons
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TITLE |
NAME |
PHONE NUMBER |
EMAIL ADDRESS |
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President |
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813 810-4091
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frankgbarone@yahoo.com |
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Vice President |
Chris Wood
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813 355-6058
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chris.wood@med.ge.com |
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Treasurer |
Maritza Lastra
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Player Agent - Pinto and Mustang (Ages 7-10)
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Ozzie Lastra
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813-299-2694
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olastra@cemexusa.com |
Player Agent - Wrangler and Shetland (Ages 3-6)
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John McDarby
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813-363-3597 |
john55mac@yahoo.com |
Player Agent - Bronco and Pony (Ages 11 - 14)
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Open call Ossie
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| Secretary |
Open |
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Field Manager
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Open |
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Concession Manager
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John Jackson
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Equipment Manager
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Dave Williams
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813-454-2371 |
dave23_33617@yahoo.com |
Sign up information please contact the player agent for the age / division your child plays in. All other questions - please contact any member of BOD.
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Skill Assessment Dates
Temple Terrace Youth Sports Complex
on US Hwy 301
January 20 and 22 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
January 24 9:00am to 12:00pm
We will also allow players to sign up at the park on those days.
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SPORT PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character."
I therefore agree:
1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.
2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
3. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
4. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.
8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
10. I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
14. I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
15. I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
17. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:
o Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization
o Written warning
o Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved
o Game forfeit through the official or coach
o Parental season suspension
Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________________________________________
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Dick's Sporting Goods
Temple Terrace would like to thank Dick's Sporting Goods for a very large donation of baseball equipment that will help our players for several seasons.
They have a new location in Brandon just of I-75.
901 Brandon Town Center Mall
Brandon, FL 33511
813-684-3100
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Our WISH LIST
1.Batting Cages have been donated by Tom Jackson and his Family.
2.Scoreboards for 5 fields
3.Refrigerator for Concession Stand
4.Cabinets/Shelving & Counter Tops
If you or your company would like to make a donation towards this cause please email Randy Davenport at randy@ttponybaseball.com
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Wrangler division is for players 4 and under.
An early introduction to baseball aimed at promoting good physical health while developing an interest in baseball. Games take place on Saturdays and last 45 minutes. Everyone bats and plays in the field each inning. No outs are recorded, no score is kept, and parents may accompany children onto the field. The very basics of fielding, hitting, and throwing are taught.
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Shetland division is for players 6 and under.
Commonly known as T-ball, the Shetland division helps to develop the basic fundamentals important to baseball while maintaining an early interest in sports. Teams practice and play 2 times per week. Games are up to 5 innings long. Coach-pitch is introduced, but players still hit from the tee if hitting off the coach-pitch is unsuccessful. Outs are recorded, and the score is kept, introducing a mild form of competition.
Bases: 50 feet
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Pinto Division is for players 7 and 8 years old.
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Mustang Division is for players 9 and 10 years old.
The start of "real" baseball as participants begin to understand the full game. Teams practice and play 3-4 times per week. Games are 6 innings long. In contrast to Little League, this division takes on the form of "real baseball" with 6 innings of kid pitch, bunts, lead-offs, pitching from the stretch, balks, steals, dropped 3rd strikes, signs, etc. Players begin to excel in certain positions. They fine-tune their strengths while improving on their weaknesses. Strategy of advancing runners on offense and holding runners on defense becomes routine as players learn the concept of team play. Players participate in every game, but equal play time is no longer guaranteed.
Bases: 60 feet
Pitching distance: 44 feet
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Bronco Division is for players 11 and 12 years old.
Knowledge of the overall concept of baseball including more in depth strategy is learned while players continue to refine their baseball skills in a competitive atmosphere. Teams practice and play games 3-4 times per week. Games are 7 innings long. In contrast to Little League's limited game, players experience the full game of baseball with no restrictions on lead-offs, steals, signs, bunts, pitching from the stretch, dropped 3rd strikes, etc. Three-four competitive teams will be chosen at the beginning of the season and play against each other as well as teams from nearby parks.
Bases: 70 feet
Pitching distance: 48 feet
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Pony Division 13 & 14
Pony Division is for player ages 13 and 14 years old.
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Land O' Frost
Temple Terrace Pony Baseball would like to thank Land O' Frost for a sponsorship this season. So the next time you have a sandwich, make sure your lunch meat comes from Land O' Frost.
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