Website Manager

Agoura Pony Baseball

Spring and Fall Seasons Overview FAQ


Registration Frequently Asked Questions (Spring 2024 Season)

  1. Where do I register?
  2. When is and what is the cost for registration?
  3. How do I pay for registration?
  4. Is Agoura Pony Baseball Co-ed?
  5. Are scholarships available?
  6. What is the refund policy?
  7. Is there a Volunteer Requirement? What is the Volunteer Deposit?
  8. Are there team sponsorships?
  9. How long does the Spring season run?  When are games schedules distributed?
  10. What ages can play baseball in the league and what are the cut-off ages by division?
  11. How many practices and games a week by division?
  12. Are there assessments and/or tryouts before being selected for a team?
  13. Where and when are games played?
  14. Are uniforms provided?
  15. What equipment do I need to provide for my player?   What equipment does the league provide?
  16. What are the official rules including pitching and hitting per division?
  17. Are there playoffs?
  18. Do you take special requests including playing with friends?
  19. Can a player play or down from the division of their age?
  20.  Are trophies given out?
  21.  How can I stay informed about league events, key dates, etc.?
  22. Can a player play for both a club team and in Agoura Pony Baseball at the same time?
  23.  Is there a lost and found?
  24.  I am interested in managing and/or assistant coaching.  What is involved with being a manager or assistant coach?
  25.  What is the Champions League Program?
  26. I still have questions. Who can I contact?

 BONUS - Tell me about Fall Ball!


1. Where do I register?

Register at https://www.agouraponybaseball.org/ by clicking on the “Register” button in the top right. Or click here.

If NEW to the league:
1)  You will need to create an account;
2)  Create your player(s);
3)  Select the “Programs Available!” and the system will walk you through the registration process from there.

If RETURNING to the league:

1) Login to your existing account.
2) Select your existing player (or add a new player if a new player for the family).
3)  Select the “Programs Available!” and the system will walk you through the registration process from there.

If you forgot your username or password, click on the appropriate link on the login page. If you still have trouble logging in after trying to reset your username/ password, please contact the league webmaster listed HERE.


2. When is and what is the cost for registration?


For the 2024 Spring Season registration is from November 1, 2023 and closes on January 28, 2024.  You must register by January 13, 2024 to ensure that your player can participate in assessments and will be placed on a team as divisions do often fill up by mid-January.  Regular Registration is until December 31, 2023 and Late Registration (with a $50 late fee) from January 1, 2024 and later*.
 

Regular Spring Registration fees (age is determined as age on 4/30/2024 except Foal 3 year olds which is 2/29/2024)

  • Foal T-Ball (3 to 4) = $230
  • Shetland (5 to 6) = $260
  • Pinto (7 to 8): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit = $375
  • Mustang (9 to 10): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit = $375
  • Bronco (11 to 12): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit = $375
  • Pony (13 to 15): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit = $375


LATE Spring Registration fees (age is determined as age on 4/30/2023 except Foal 3 year olds which is 2/29/2023)

  • Foal T-Ball (3 to 4) - $230 + $50 late fee = $280
  • Shetland (5 to 6): $260 + $50 late fee = $310
  • Pinto (7 to 8): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit + $50 late fee = $425
  • Mustang (9 to 10): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit + $50 late fee = $425
  • Bronco (11 to 12): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit + $50 late fee = $425
  • Pony (13 to 15): $300 + $75 volunteer deposit + $50 late fee = $425


3. How do I pay for registration?

The registration system allows secure credit card payment through the website using Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

If you’d rather pay by check, register as normal and select “Pay by Check” option. Please mail a check to "Agoura Pony Baseball" at 5739 Kanan Road, Box 227, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. Any check payable to "Agoura Pony Baseball" that is returned will incur a $20 fee and payment will then have to be made in CASH.

Additionally, in order to receive the early registration price, payments must be received by Agoura Pony Baseball by the December 31, 2022 deadline. Any fees still owed after the January 1, 2023 deadline will increase to the late price ($50 more).


4. Is Agoura Pony Baseball Co-ed?

Absolutely! All teams are co-ed. We encourage sons and daughters to play.


5. Are scholarships available?

Yes, there are a limited amount of scholarships available. To apply, please visit contact the league Treasurer listed HERE.  You may need to provide information on why you are requesting scholarships/financial assistance (which is kept as confidential).


6. What is the refund policy?

The league refund policy is HERE.  In summary:

  • Refund requests made prior to the registration deadline will be honored less a $25 processing fee. 
  • Refunds requested after the registration deadline but before the player is placed on a team will be honored at a 50% rate. 
  • No refund is available once the player has been placed on a team. No exceptions.

7. Is there a Volunteer Requirement? What is the Volunteer Deposit?

Volunteering is strongly encouraged, as we need this to keep our league running as well as it does. Volunteer opportunities include managing/coaching a team, assistant coaching, team parents, snack shack, field prep, field volunteer days, team photographer/, team sponsor as well as many league adviser positions. Training is available for many of the key roles including managing, coaching team parenting, scorekeeping and field prep.

Your team parent will inform you of the open positions on your team. It is to the discretion of your team parent/team manager if they feel you have fulfilled your volunteer role by the end of the season.


There is a volunteer deposit collected at the beginning of the season during the registration payment process. The current amount is $75 per player (excluding Foal, Shetland and Champions). Deposits are returned at the end of the season pending the completion of fulfilling one of the two below volunteer roles :

 

  • 4 hours (two, 2 hour shifts) of volunteer work at the fields (4 hours per player).  This generally consists of working in the snack shack and/or picking up trash, etc.  Please sign up for snack shack shifts at least 2 weeks in advance HERE
  • Volunteering and serving as a uniformed manager or uniformed assistant coach for the whole season AND attending all required coach meetings.

8. Do teams need a sponsor or sponsorship?

Yes, in addition to the registration fees, All teams (except Foal which is $300) must obtain a $500 Team Sponsor. Teams that are unable to obtain a business sponsor may divide the cost among the parents ($35-$50 per player).  Team sponsorships can include advertising options such as field banners and advertising on our game cameras.

Payment options and other details are HERE.


9. How long does the Spring season run?  When are game schedules distributed?

The Spring season officially runs the last weekend in February (Opening Day and Scrimmages) through the last weekend in May (Playoffs).  As we work with many other leagues on the game schedules they will not be available until the Tuesday before the first official games (for Spring 2024, Saturday February 24)

The league calendar of all relevant dates for the 2024 Spring Season is HERE.   A summary is:
 - Assessments - Sat/Sun, January 13-14
 - First Practices - Week of Monday, January 30
 - Opening Day - Saturday, February 24 (with scrimmages that weekend on Saturday and Sunday)
 - First Official Games - Saturday, March 2
 - Playoffs begin - Monday, May 6 (all divisions except Foal and Shetland National)
 - Final games for Foal/Shetland National - Sunday, May 19
 - Playoffs End - Wednesday, May 25

 


10. What ages can play in the league and what are the age cut-offs by division?

Divisions are age-specific. A cut-off age defines the age of the player used when assigning a division.  Refer to the chart HERE (and below) for the current cut-off ages.  The age determination for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 is the age as of the player as of April 30, 2023 (except Foal 3 year olds which is 2/29/2023):

FOAL            May 1, 2020-Apr 30, 2021 - 3 years old (Spring Season only, no 3 year old's during the Fall Season)
                     May 1, 2019-Apr 30, 2020 - 4 years old

SHETLAND   May 1, 2018-Apr 30, 2019 - 5 years old
                      May 1, 2017-Apr 30, 2018 - 6 years old
   
PINTO           May 1, 2016-Apr 30, 2017 - 7 years old
                      May 1, 2015-Apr 30, 2016 - 8 years old

MUSTANG     May 1, 2014-Apr 30, 2015 - 9 years old
                       May 1, 2013-Apr 30, 2014 - 10 years old

BRONCO       May 1, 2012-Apr 30, 2013 - 11 years old
                       May 1, 2011-Apr 30, 2012 - 12 years old

PONY             May 1, 2010-Apr 30, 2011 - 13 years old
                       May 1, 2009-Apr 30, 2010 - 14 years old
                       May 1, 2008-Apr 30, 2009 - 15 years old


11. How many practices and games a week per Division?

The FAQ regarding the PONY Age Divisions are HERE.  This includes information on ages, basic rules, practices, and games for each division.

When registering you player please notate and weekdays your player can't practice so they are not assigned to teams that have a weekday practice day conflict. 


12. Are there assessments and/or tryouts before being selected for a team?

Yes, there are assessments for all divisions except Foal.  All players will be drafted/assigned to a team after assessments regardless of performance at the assessments.  If your player cannot attend the primary assessments and make-up assessments they need to contact their Division Director with a justification.

The assessments will be held January 13 and 14, 2024 (Sat/Sun). Locations, times, and schedules to be sent in advance. 


13. Where and when are games played?

Game locations vary by division. Please see FAQ regarding the PONY Age Divisions which is HERE for fields used by division. 

Also, our field location guide including addresses is HERE.  ABP's home field for the Pinto (ages 7 to 8) to Bronco (ages 11 to 12) divisions is at Lupin Elementary at 26210 Adamor Road, Calabasas, CA 91302.  Our home fields for Foal T-Ball (ages 3 to 4) is Grape Arbor Park in Calabasas and Shetland (ages 5 to 6) will be Forest Cove in Agoura Hills. Pony division (ages 13-15) plays at Indian Springs Park. 

We do try to avoid Sunday games but due to high registration and limited field availability teams we will have 2 to 3 Sunday games per season.  

If we experience a significant amount of rainouts there may be weeks of 2 or 3 games (Foal and Champions will never have more than 1 game per week).


14. Are uniforms provided?

During the Spring Season the registration fees include a jersey (personalized by size ordered with player last name and number they select during registration), hat, belt and league practice jersey.  Families must provide pants (color decided by team manager) and socks.


15. What equipment do I need to provide for my player?  What equipment does the league provide?  

A "USA" or "USSSA" stamped bat (a T-Ball bat is acceptable for Shetland and Foal; BBCOR is acceptable for Pony), batting helmet, cleats, and glove are required for play.  Protective cups are suggested for player playing in Shetland and required Pinto and older. Younger players (Shetland and Pinto) can use cleats from other sports such as soccer.  Metal cleats are not allowed except for Bronco American and Pony.  A batter's helmet C-flap face guard is optional but if used, the helmet must be factory designed to accept one and not added after the fact.  The bat rules and bat and glove buying guide are located HERE.  The league will be emailing out Dick's Sporting Goods Discount Coupons before assessments and before opening day and will also be posting them on our league Facebook page.

For Foal cleats are not required.    

The league will provide one set of catcher's gear per team (which includes a helmet, chest protector, shin guards and catcher's glove).


16. What are the official rules including pitching and hitting by division?

The rules for Pony Baseball and for Agoura Pony Baseball specifically can be found HERE.   The key rules including hitting and pitching by Division are listed in the Pony Divisions FAQ which is HERE.


17. Are there Playoffs?

Yes, there are playoffs for all divisions except Foals and Shetland National from Monday, May 6, 2024 to at as late as Sunday, May 29, 2024 (depending on how far a team goes in the playoffs).   Playoffs are double elimination.  More information is in the Pony Divisions FAQ which is HERE.


18. Do you take special requests including playing with friends?

We do accept special requests to play with friends, etc., are just that, requests.  These should be provided via the relevant field during registration. Where feasible, we will try to grant the request, but there are no guarantees whatsoever.  We almost always honor friend requests for Foal and Shetland and we can usually honor them for Pinto National but not always.  

We do not take or review requests in American divisions. Teams are drafted by coaches and they cannot be restricted by requests to play with friends. 


19. Can a player play up or down from the division of their age?

We do accept requests to play up or play down a division from the division as determined by a player's birthdate.  Please populate the appropriate petition form from HERE and submit to [email protected].  Then the Executive Board will review and make a determination.

  • REQUEST TO "PLAY UP" A DIVISION (e.g. Pinto age but wants to play in Mustang) - If request then the player must rate in the top 10% of the "upper" division during tryouts. This policy is consistent with our neighboring leagues. In order to be considered for this, the player must be 1) registered in the proper division based on their age; 2) notify the Division Director BEFORE tryouts; 3) tryout in the division they should be playing in based on their age and; 4) tryout in the division they want to play in.
  • REQUEST TO "PLAY DOWN" A DIVISION - Players are not permitted to play "down" in divisions unless there is a unique medical or physical reason. In these cases, parents must complete and submit a Petition (as stated and linked above), and send to Executive Board for review. Each case will be considered on its own merits.

20. Are Trophies given out?

All Foal and Shetland (both National and American) players will receive a participation trophy with their name on the trophy. 1st place and 2nd place trophies/medals will be awarded to the tournament finalists in Shetland American, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony. Additionally, 1st and 2nd place trophies will be awarded to the top two teams during the regular season where standings are kept (Shetland American, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony).

Further information is in the Pony Divisions which is HERE.


21. How can I stay informed about league events, key dates, etc.?

Agoura Pony Baseball is on Facebook! Like us here. Additionally, the league will send out routine emails throughout the season, keeping families informed of key dates, fundraising events such as restaurant-nights-out and other fun events including Opening Day Ceremonies, Dodger Day, Training Clinics, etc.

Our league calendar for all events is HERE.


22.  Can a player play for a club team and Agoura Pony Baseball at the same time?

Yes, a player can play for both a club team and a Agoura Pony Baseball league team during the same season. 

 - For Bronco and youngers the league requirement is that APB activities always take priority of ANY club team activity if they occur at the same time. 
 - For Pony the league requirement is the APB games always take priority over club team games.  Also, for Pony practice attendance for players that are on both a club and Agoura Pony Baseball league team need to be arranged between the managers of both the club and Agoura Pony Baseball teams.

As related, if your player plays on a club team please enter the club team practice day conflicts when registering so they player is not selected to a team with a practice conflict.


23. Is there a Lost and Found?

There is a Lost and Found Box at Lupin Elementary to the left (west) of the Snack Shack.  Further details are HERE.


24. I am interested in managing and/or assistant coaching. What is involved with being a Manager and/or Assistant Coach?

We are always looking for and needing more parents to volunteer to manage or assistant coach teams.  The league provides training assistance to all new managers especially for the younger divisions of Shetland and Pinto.  It is a very rewarding way to be involved in the league and in your player's experience.

Please register online as a volunteer Manager or Assistant Coach at https://www.agouraponybaseball.org/.  We will contact you for next steps including Coach's Meetings, Training Clinics, Player Drafts, Equipment Pickups, etc.

More information is in the Volunteer Manager and Assistant Coach FAQ.


25. What is the Champions League Program?

The VIP program provides a quality baseball experience for young boys and girls whose physical or mental abilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. VIP players include those who are autistic, visually impaired, mentally or emotionally challenged, have Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other conditions that impair mobility. All players are welcome, these individuals are Very Important Players (VIP).

Once a season each Pony and Bronco will shadow and assist the players in one Champions League game.  Many players find it to be one of the most rewarding events of the season.


26. I still have questions. Who can I contact?

Please email the league VP of Operations listed HERE or call the league at 805-768-4495 for additional information.


Bonus Question - Can you provide me an overview on Fall Ball (Fall 2023)?

Fall Ball's main purpose is to focus on building skills and teaching the game in a competitive atmosphere. Games are played to put those skills into action but there is not a big focus on winning or standings.  This is a great time of year to have you player play new positions (pitcher, catcher, etc.) and get ready for a new division for the Spring.

Basic information is:

  • AREA - Serves the following communities for the Fall:  Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Malibu and part of West Hills.
  • REGISTRATION - Registration is open from early July to the end of August.  The link to the registration is HERE. (note: this link will be updated on or around July 4, when registration officially opens)
  • GAMES - All games are on Sundays as this often a second sport for players this time of year.  Most games are played at Lupin Hill Elementary, but some may be played at a number of other local fields, depending on the division. This may include Dos Vientos Park (Newbury Park), Forest Cove Park, Grape Arbor Park, and the Westlake YMCA. Games for Fall 2023 are from September 10 to November 12 -- except Foal which is September 10 to October 30.
  • PRACTICES - Only one practice a week with most practices at Lupin Elementary.  Teams normally do not practice any more than that due to other fall sports, which may interfere. Any practice day conflicts can be noted during registration. Day and time of practices will be set by the team's Manager before they pick their team, which ensures that all players are available for practice.  Please ensure that you notate any practice conflicts when registering to avoid being placed on a team with a practice conflict.  Each team will maintain the same practice day throughout the season.  Practices can be Monday through Friday (4PM and after) and Saturdays (2PM and after).  The practices begin the week of August 28th. 
  • ASSESSMENTS - Basic Assessments (not as involved as the Spring) will take place Sunday, August 20, 2023 with teams selected the week after.  This is done to provide competitive balance between the teams.   Schedule and location will be updated when all details are finalized.  There are no assessments for the Foal Division.
  • COST - The registration fee for Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony divisions is $210 + $40 volunteer deposit = $250; The registration fee for the Shetland division is $210 with no volunteer deposit.  The registration fee for the Foal division is $195 with no volunteer fee.  Price will increase by $50 after August 19, 2023 (starting August 20).
  • SPECIAL REQUESTS -  We are able to honor a majority, but not all, coaching and teammate requests during fall ball (much more than in the spring).  Please request these during registration. All requests are honored for Shetland and Foal divisions. 
  • PLAYER DIVISIONS - Player age is determined based on their age as of the Spring 2024 season which is their age on April 30, 2024.
  • UNIFORMS / EQUIPMENT - Jersey (no player last name), hats and belts (belts are provided as needed by the snack shack for Mustang to Pony) are provided by the league.   Parents must provide baseball pants, socks, cleats, glove, helmet, bat and athletic supporter (required Pinto and older). 
  • STANDINGS/PLAYOFFS/TROPHIES - There are no standings kept and not playoffs for the Fall season.  There also no trophies for the Fall season.
  • DIVISIONS - The divisions are listed below by Age (also use the Division Age Calculator)
  • RULES - The rules for fall ball are HERE.  In most cases they are similar to the National rules for Spring.
  • PARENT NOTIFICATION - Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony parents should be contacted by their team manager by Sunday, August 27.  Foal and Shetland parents should be notified by Tuesday, August 29.

  • DIVISIONS (Age as of 4/30/24)
    Foal - 4 years old (No 3 year old's as of 4/30/24 during the fall season)
    Shetland - 5 to 6 years old
    Pinto - 7 to 8 years old
    Mustang - 9 to 10 years old
    Bronco - 11 to 12 years old
    Pony - 13 to 15 years old

    Please email [email protected] or call us at 805-768-4495 with any questions.

     


    Field Status

    Open Open

    Lupin Hill Elementary School (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Forest Cove Park (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Sumac Elementary School (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Willow Elementary School (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Grape Arbor Park (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Indian Springs Park (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Old Agoura Park (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)

    Open Open

    Chumash Park (09:08 PM | 03/08/24)