FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions that we have collected over the years and the answers to them to make sure that your have all the information you need to decide where to register your player!
Q. When are practices and games?
A: For teams in all divisions, the general rule is that players will have two practices each week prior to opening day. After opening day, players will have one practice per week along with one game day per week. For the older divisions, there may be double headers scheduled throughout the season based on field availability or reschedules due to weather.
Final schedules are contingent on our final field assignments from the City of Phoenix and Kyrene School District so we unfortunately can not publicize exact dates and times at this time.
Q. What PONY age division does my child qualify for?
A. The website selects the programs your player is eligible for based on their age.
We do allow players to play up one age group if their skill level allows. The final determination as to whether a player is ready to move up is at the discretion of the league based on the results of the skills evaluation.
Likewise we have had players play down a division due to extenuating circumstances, but these are rare and are typically due to a serious medical condition. Final determination as to whether a player should play down is at the discretion of the league
View the current League Age Key here:
PONY Baseball League Age Key
Q: Will my player be cut if they don’t do well in the skills evaluation?
A: Absolutely not! If we have accepted your player’s registration they will play baseball. The skills evaluation is not a try-out. It is simply a way for us to rate the skill levels of players and communicate that to our coaches to ensure parity among the teams in the league.
Q: Can I request my player play with a friend or sibling?
A: If siblings fall within the same division we will do our best to get them on the same team.
Shetland players can request that they be placed on a team with a friend and we will do our best to accommodate the request. However, we cannot guarantee that friends will be place together because the process of filling rosters evenly is more complicated than it might seem.
Players in all other divisions will be drafted by coaches and placed on teams.
Q: I’ve never heard of PONY baseball? Is it different than other baseball?
A: PONY Baseball is an international youth baseball organization that strives to challenge and develop children into great athletes, but more importantly, great people. PONY stresses getting players to play by Major League Baseball rules at the earliest parts of a player’s development. By the time they reach the Mustang 10U level, they are largely playing by MLB rules with free leading, stealing, balks, dropped third strikes, you name it! We also start players off immediately on pitching machines in our 6u program to develop pitch recognition right from the start – Shetland players do hit off a tee each at bat if they don’t hit one of the machine pitches though!
Nationally and Internationally, PONY baseball consistently turns out high quality players. in 2019, 15 players named to the Major League Baseball All Star teams were PONY baseball alumni from all over the World. (including Cody Bellinger!)
Q: I am on a wait list. What happens?
A: If you are on a wait list, that means that we are either waiting for enough players to round out another team or we are waiting for a coach to volunteer to coach a team at that level. Once both of those things happen, you will be contacted that you can complete your registration.
Q: What COVID precautions or restrictions will be in place at practices and games?
A: The short answer to this is any that are needed. PONY National issues mandatory guidance to the league related to COVID and we are required to comply with any requirements set forth by the City of Phoenix and Kyrene Schools. COVID guidelines are rapidly changing and we cannot say for sure what things will look like in the Fall. Whatever requirements that are laid out for the league related to masks, distancing and sanitation for events will be requirements for all players and families. Failure to follow those guidelines may result in removal from the league.
Q: Can I volunteer?
A:YES!, we need volunteers! Especially Opening Day volunteers to help with a couple booths and set-up. If you are willing to help the league in a small or large way, sign up or email us and let us know.