Summary: This division is typically a player’s first experience hitting a thrown ball and focuses on the early skills fundamentals and introducing baseball game play. Games and practices are fast moving and high energy. Coaches pitch, no score or standings are kept. Outs are recognized and runners called out return to the dugout. Inning ends after 3 outs, or 5 runs are scored.
Primary objective: Build upon the foundation of tee ball, with a natural shift from fun and games to fun and fundamentals. This is where players can start appreciating being part of a team, and it’s critical they have a "positive experience" with baseball, want to play again the following year, and show progress in the age-appropriate skills listed below.
Pony Little League Baseball is about fun, fundamentals, friends and fitness, while striving for the dramatic development of age-appropriate baseball and social skills.
Time Commitment
· Monday - 6pm - 7pm - Individual Team Practices
· Thursday - 6pm - 7pm - Division Wide Clinic
· Games: 1-2 per week, (approx. 90 minutes), Wednesday & Saturday
Required equipment for games and practices
· Bat (age appropriate) - must have a USA Baseball label on the bat Bat Rules
Baseball helmet (ear flap recommended)
· Heart guard
· Cleats or sneakers (age appropriate, must be rubber)
· Pants
· Protective cup
· Glove
Managers/Coaches duties to fulfill workbond requirements Work Hour Policy
· Attend the umpire clinic (Managers required; Coaches encouraged)
Attend 2 coaches clinics (Managers required; Coaches encouraged)
Attend weekly player's clinics (at least 2 members from coaching staff need to be in attendance)
Attend weekly team practice (at least 2 members from coaching staff need to be in attendance)
Attend games (at least 2 members from coaching staff need to be in attendance)
1 member of each team's coaching staff needs to attend each General Meeting from March - June
Successful Pony managers will:
· Help every player reach their potential in the skills listed below, with specific focus on:
o Introducing at least 3 players to playing catcher.
o Rotating players through all the positions on the field (as practical due to safety concerns).
o By mid-season, developing every player to safely play at least one non-OF position each game.
o Focus on thumb up-thumb down catching for every player.
o Extending the throwing strength of all players. As a guideline: By mid-season, more than 40% of team can throw 40 feet (pitcher to 1st base) and 20% can throw 60 feet (home to 1st). By end of season, 80% and 40%.
o Strive to dramatically reduce the use of batting tee, and have 80% of the lineup comfortable and confidently hitting coach pitch.
· Assign an adult pitcher who can deliver consistent, accurate pitches, thrown overhand, from the pitcher’s rubber.
· Recognize it’s not the words you say, it’s what the player hears (and learns) that matters.
· Be empathetic and patient, while demonstrating impeccable sportsmanship.
· Perform routine field work (rake/drag field after games and practice).
· Manage family communications, escalate concerns to their division rep and be a positive contributor to the culture of Old Bridge Little League.
· Ensure at least 2 members of coaching staff participate in each practice (group and individual) and encourage parents to get involved.
· Rely on the other coaches and division rep, share good ideas, help less experienced coaches, and ultimately treat the division as one whole, rather than a scattered collection of teams.
· Complete mandatory league background check and Rutgers SAFETY Clinic.
Pony player skills and social development progression …
For Pony players, this is a dramatic step up from Tee Ball. Players should be more independent and as school-age, are more socially developed. But their attention span remains short and benefit from high energy practices with simplified, single-skill stations, as well as in-game devices to keep their focus on the field of play. Players can expect to develop skills such as:
Batting
· Demonstrate proper batting position and athletic stance.
· Swing the bat with aggression and force through the strike zone
· As season progresses, more confidently and consistently hit coach pitching.
Base running
· Proper base running (ground ball vs. in the air).
· Recognizing and listening to the direction of coaches to advance one base or advance.
· Understand the objective of baseball is beating the ball to the base. Run hard. Outs count.
Fielding
· Be “baseball ready” every single pitch, requiring fewer prompts from coaches.
· Develop proper throwing mechanics and progress throwing strength through the season.
· Understand all positions and defensive spacing, while learning to be aggressive for the ball.
· Recognize the objective of baseball is beating the ball to the base. Outs count.
· Continue to focus on thumb up vs. thumb down receipt of the ball.
· Learn the basics of pitching during practices.
· Be introduced to the positional numbers (such as 6 for shortstop, 2 for catcher, etc).
Social skills and Sportsmanship
· Display independence and separation from parents and “playing nice” with their teammates.
· Show more responsibility, such as keeping track of hat, helmet and bat, be ready to bat when time.
· No bats in the dugout and be aware of bat safety (carry it by the fat end).
· Be a good listener: When coach or a teammate talks, we listen.
· Be a supportive teammate and respectful opponent.
