| Can my child be placed on a team with one of his friends? |
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In the Shetland and Pinto division we allow parents to request that their child be placed on a team with a particular child or manager. While we can't always honor these requests we do our best to honor such requests. Players in the Mustang through Pony divisions are placed on teams by way of a player draft. Therefore we cannot honor any requests of this kind for players participating above the Mustang level. |
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| How is PONY Baseball different from Little League Baseball? |
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The primary features that distinguish PONY Baseball from Little League Baseball are the use of a two-year age bracket system and scaled diamonds.
In organizations such as Little League players can differ by as much as three 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. Generally they 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 group is not that great.
The game of baseball cannot be played as it was intended to be played if the physical capability of the players does not match the physical achievements required for the game. Little League uses two diamond sizes. Up until age 12 players play on a 60-foot diamond. PONY Baseball, on the other hand, scales the size of their diamonds to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. The base dimensions for PONY Baseball are:
50-foot bases for Pinto (7-8 year-olds)
60-foot bases for Mustang (9-10 year-olds)
70-foot bases for Bronco (11-12 year-olds)
80-foot bases for Pony (13-14 year-olds)
90-foot bases for Colt (15-16 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 in proportion to the size of the diamond.
The scaled down diamonds allow the players to make the plays made by the major leaguers. Home runs become a possibility. Outfielders can play in a position proportionately equal to that played by a major leaguer, and the double play, squeeze play, and various strategy tactics, difficult for adults and nearly impossible for youngsters on a full size diamond, become a probability rather than an impossibility.
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| How long will the season last? |
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The season usually lasts about 10 to 12 weeks long, and is extended for those that are on the tournament teams. If there is excessive rained out games, the season may be extended for make up games. |
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| How much do team pictures cost? |
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Each child will receive a free memory mate consisting of an individual picture, a 5x7 team picture, and a button. Extra pictures can be ordered on Picture Day. Extra pictures must be paid for in advance. All pictures will be taken on picture day at Harvey Green elementary school. Individual make up pictures can be taken a few weeks later. Please check the league schedule. |
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| Is the Pinto division an instructional or competitive division? |
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This is the player's first introduction to competitive baseball but the primary focus of the Pinto division is instructional. We do keep track of the standings. This is where the competitive element tends to creep in. If you believe your child's manager or coach is becoming too intense and demanding of the children on the team please give us a call at 510-490-8189, or contact your division representative. We'll have talk with that team's coaching staff and instruct them to calm down and show more patience with the young players. |
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| When will the practices begin? |
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Depending on weather and forming of teams, we aim to start practicing at least a month before opening day. Typically practice starts the week after draft night, once the manager has his roster completed. |
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| When will the season begin? |
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Please check the league calendar, either in our newsletter or our webpage for league dates and events. Typically the season starts near the middle to end of March, or the first weekend in April. |
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| Who do I call if I have a problem that needs to be resolved by the league? |
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If at any time you have a problem or just want information call the league phone number at (510)-490-8189 or call your divisional representative. Leave a message on the answering machine. If possible, please provide us with both a day and evening phone number. In most cases we'll get back to you within 48 hours, unless the message states otherwise.
You are also welcome to attend a board meeting and express your concerns directly to the board. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in the faculty lounge at Harvey Green Elementary school, during the school year. Please confirm locations otherwise. All board meetings have a slot of time at the begining set aside for these requests.
You may also contact any board member on the field if you cannot get resolution through your manager or division representative. Check your newsletter for board member phone numbers.
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| Who is responsible for staffing the Snack bar? |
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Each home team is responsible for providing personnel to work a shift. The team parent is responsible for assigning volunteers to the team's scheduled time slots. The league is responsible for providing snack bar supervision. If team minumums have not been met, or a team does not show up, the team will receive a fine, and/or the snack bar will be closed for that set of games. |
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