Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is PONY baseball different than Little League baseball?
2. What division should my son/daughter be playing in?
3. Registration fees are $70-85 dollars. Why is it necessary to work the snack bar, obtain team sponsors, and sell candy?
4. How can I get involved in helping the league?


1. How is PONY baseball different than Little League baseball? 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 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 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 the diamond to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. The dimensions for PONY baseball are:

50-foot bases for Shetland (5-6 year olds)
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)
Base dimensions for Fast Pitch will be appropriate for the players' ages, as above.

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. Runners can lead off and steal. Pitchers have to learn how to hold runners on base. 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.

2. What division should my son/daughter be playing in?
The playing age of a softball player is determined by their age on January 1st of the current year. The playing age of a baseball player is determined by their age as of April 30th. The table below will help determine the playing age of a baseball .

AVERAGE PLAYER COST

BASED ON 1600 PLAYERS

2007 SEASON

WITH REGISTRATION FEES OF $70/$75&$85, THE FOLLOWING DEMOSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTS & PLAYERS PARTICIPATION IN CANDY SALES; OBTAINING SPONSORS; AND SNACKBAR DUTY:

UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT                                                  $47

UMPIRES                                                                             $38

FIELD MAINTENANCE                                                     $17

SCOREKEEPERS                                                                 $7

INSURANCE                                                                        $6

TROPHIES                                                                            $5

PONY FEES                                                                          $6

UTILITIES                                                                            $6

SNACKBAR MAINTENANCE/EQUIPMENT                  $2

·        Admin                                                                                   $4

·        Printing                                                                                 $2

·        Promotion                                                                             $1

·        Misc                                                                                      $2

SUBTOTAL                                                                                    $143

·        FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS                                  $34

TOTAL                                                                            $177

                                                                                         ====

NOTE: For 1998 season though 2007 season the following was spent with no help from City of Redlands:

Field Maintenance                          $128,678

Facilities Improvements                 $468,266

Utilities                                            $55,867

Snack Bar Maint/Equip                   $22,936

           TOTAL                               $675,747

                                                       =======

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Frequently Asked Questions

	1. How is PONY baseball different than Little League baseball? 2. What division should my son/daughter be playing in? 3. Registration fees are $70-85 dollars. Why is it necessary to work the snack bar, obtain team sponsors, and sell candy? 4. How can I get involved in helping the league? 1. How is PONY baseball different than Little League baseball? 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 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 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 the diamond to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. The dimensions for PONY baseball are: 50-foot bases for Shetland (5-6 year olds) 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) Base dimensions for Fast Pitch will be appropriate for the players' ages, as above. 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. Runners can lead off and steal. Pitchers have to learn how to hold runners on base. 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. 2. What division should my son/daughter be playing in? The playing age of a softball player is determined by their age on January 1st of the current year. The playing age of a baseball player is determined by their age as of April 30th. The table below will help determine the playing age of a baseball . AVERAGE PLAYER COST BASED ON 1600 PLAYERS 2007 SEASON WITH REGISTRATION FEES OF $70/$75&$85, THE FOLLOWING DEMOSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTS & PLAYERS PARTICIPATION IN CANDY SALES; OBTAINING SPONSORS; AND SNACKBAR DUTY: UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT $47 UMPIRES $38 FIELD MAINTENANCE $17 SCOREKEEPERS $7 INSURANCE $6 TROPHIES $5 PONY FEES $6 UTILITIES $6 SNACKBAR MAINTENANCE/EQUIPMENT $2 · Admin $4 · Printing $2 · Promotion $1 · Misc $2 SUBTOTAL $143 · FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS $34 TOTAL $177 ==== NOTE: For 1998 season though 2007 season the following was spent with no help from City of Redlands: Field Maintenance $128,678 Facilities Improvements $468,266 Utilities $55,867 Snack Bar Maint/Equip $22,936 TOTAL $675,747 ======= Back