Special points of interest:

·         Pony League vs. Little League.

 ·         Comparison: Pony League Baseball and Little League Baseball

 ·         What are the Divisions of Pony Baseball?

 ·         A brief explanation of each division.

 Pony League vs. Little League:

If your child has never played on a Pony League or on any Baseball League you may be wondering what we are all about.

Comparison:

The primary features that distinguish Pony baseball from Little League baseball are those of a two year age bracket system and scaled diamonds. Additionally, Pony teaches lead offs and base stealing starting at age 9 (Mustang Division), or earlier while pitchers learn pick off moves and holding runners on base to counter the potential steal. In organizations such as Little League player age can differ by as much as 3 years within a division. As a result, the younger players, because of their lack of maturity, ability and size, find it hard to communicate with the older players. They often find themselves spending a disproportionate amount of time on the bench and may feel disconnected from their team. With players of only two ages involved, as is the case with Pony baseball, it is far easier to permit every player to play more positions since the difference in skills within the age groups is not that great.

In addition, Pony baseball scales the size of the diamonds to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. The base and pitching dimensions for Pony baseball are:

50 ft bases for Shetland 5 & 6 year olds

50 ft bases for Pinto 7 & 8 year olds

60 ft bases and 44 ft pitching for Mustang 9 & 10 year olds

70 ft bases and 48 ft pitching for Bronco 11 & 12 year olds

These base dimensions are the result of extensive experimentation to determine the size on which players of each age group can properly play the game of baseball. Pitching distance is also scaled to the ability of the player and in proportion to the size of the diamond.

The scaled diamonds allow the players to make the plays made by major leaguers. Home runs become a possibility. Outfielders can play in a position proportionate to that played by a ma-jor leaguer. The double play, squeeze play and various strategies and tactics, difficult for adults and nearly impossible for youngsters on a full size diamond, become a probability rather than

What are the Divisions of Pony baseball:

Pony United offers 4 divisions of play in baseball. Divisions of play are based upon the player’s league age and ability level. The age range for each division is posted next to the division of play. All players are evaluated and drafted to teams by the division managers. The number of teams in each division of play is based upon the number of registered players.

• Foal - (ages 3, 4)
• Shetland - (ages 5, 6)

• Pinto - Machine Pitch - (ages 7-8)

• Mustang - Player Pitch - (ages 9, 10)

• Bronco - (ages 11, 12)

A brief explanation of each Division:

FOAL

 §  This division is comprised of players who are 3 and 4 years of age.

 §  An early introduction to baseball aimed at promoting teamwork and developing an interest in baseball.

 §  A softer baseball is used to help protect players from injury.

 §  A Pitching Machine is used.

 §  No outs or scores are kept.

      §  No tryouts are held.

      §  They will play at least two games per week. Games will be played during the week and on the weekend at Kennedy Park and possibly at

        other fields against other local PONY leagues.

 SHETLAND

 §  This division is comprised of players who are ages 5 and 6.

 §  A softer baseball is used to help protect players from injury.

 §  A Pitching Machine is used.

 §  Games are played at a competitive level and standings are kept.

 §  All Shetland baseball players will be drafted onto teams after tryouts in an effort to balance the teams.

      §  They will play at least two games per week. Games will be played during the week and on the weekend at Kennedy Park and possibly at

        other fields against other local PONY leagues.

 PINTO

 §  This division is comprised of players who are ages 7 and 8.

 §  50′ Base paths and 38′ Pitching mound distances.

 §  Kids pitching is introduced.

 §  Games are played at a competitive level and standings are kept.

 §  All Pinto baseball players will be drafted onto teams after tryouts in an effort to balance the teams.

      §  They will play at least two games per week. Games will be played during the week and on the weekend at Kennedy Park and possibly at

        other fields against other local PONY leagues.

 MUSTANG

 §  This division is comprised of players who are ages 9 and 10.

 §  60′ Base paths and 44′ Pitching mound distances.

 §  We introduce major league rules in this division, like leading off.

 §  Games are played at a competitive level and standings are kept.

 §  All Mustang baseball players will be drafted onto teams after tryouts in an effort to balance the teams.

      §  They will play at least two games per week. Games will be played during the week and on the weekend at Kennedy Park and possibly at

        other fields against other local PONY leagues.

 BRONCO

 §  This division is comprised of players who are ages 11 and 12.

 §  70′ Base paths and 48′ Pitching mound distances.

 §  Games are played at a competitive level and standings are kept.

 §  All Bronco baseball players will be drafted onto teams after tryouts in an effort to balance the teams.

     §  They will play at least two games per week. Games will be played during the week and on the weekend at Kennedy Park and possibly at

        other fields against other local PONY leagues.

If you want your child to learn the game of baseball, Pony United Youth Baseball League/Ponywest is the league for you!