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PONY Team Divisions Frequently Asked Questions (Spring 2023 Season)


Below is an overview by division for the spring including:


NATIONAL VS. AMERICAN LEAGUES

Each division/age group is divided into a National League and American League. The National League is developmental which stresses player improvement and the building of fundamental skills.  The American League is more competitive, has more competitive rules, and may engage in inter-league play with other area PONY league teams. Assessment results determine the appropriate placement for each player between the National and American leagues. 

On average 20% to 30% of the players in division play in the American League and 70% to 80% of the players play in the National League.

Player selection for the American or National League in previous years does not influence being placed in American or National leagues future years.  For example, a significant amount of players may not play in the American League at the younger divisions but may in older divisions and vice versa.

Please note the league and not the league parents make the decision on what players are selected for American and National teams (though parents can decline American selects if their child is selected for American.


FOAL (T-Ball)


Age Cutoff

  • Between 3 years old and 4 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2018 and February 29, 2020.

 

Games / Activity

  • Once a week
  • Location(s): most at a field Grape Arbor Park in Calabasas
  • Most are on Saturdays with a couple on Sundays
  • No scores kept during games and no standings
  • Instructional focused

Practices

  • Start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 practice a week
  • After season starts:  Depends on manager's preference but usually is just games with an occasional practice added in.
  • Practice locations:  Grape Arbor Park (backup of Sumac Park)

Regular Season Length

  • March 4 to May 20 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • No playoff

Trophies

  • All Players receive a personalized trophy with their name and team name on it.

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting:  Off of a hitting tee.  No one ever strikes out and there are no outs.
  • Pitching:  No coach or player pitching at all

Equipment Requirements


An equipment guide is available here for suggestions (see the bottom) - https://www.agouraponybaseball.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2118986


Age Cutoff

  • Between 5 years old and 6 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018.

 

Games

  • Once a week
  • Location(s):  Forest Cove Park in Agoura Hills.
  • Mostly Saturdays with about 3 Sunday games; potentially 1 or 2 mid-week games
  • No scores kept during games and no standings
  • Instructional focused

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice Info:  Located at Grape Arbor Park (with a backup or Lupin Elementary and Sumac Park).  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:30PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 1 hour long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 20 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • No playoff

Trophies

  • All Players receive a personalized trophy with their name and team name on it.

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • HittingManual Pitching Machine with tee follow up (if player does not hit successfully off the machine in a few pitches).  No one ever strikes out and there are no outs.
  • Pitching:  No coach or player pitching at all
  • More detailed rule are HERE.

Equipment Requirements


An equipment guide is available here for suggestions (see the bottom) - https://www.agouraponybaseball.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2118986

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)


SHETLAND AMERICAN


Age Cutoff

  • Between 5 years old and 6 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One a week on Saturdays or Sundays
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on Saturdays/Sundays and one between Monday and Thursday.
  • Location:  Most games at Forest Cove Park in Agoura Hills with few away games at Dos Vientos Park (Newbury Park) and Westlake Elementary (Westlake Village)
  • Scores kept in games and standings are kept all season.
  • Is more competitive and requires more time commitment.  

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice locations:  Grape Arbor Park or Lupin Elementary (backup of Sumac Elementary)  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:30PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 1 to 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • All Players receive a personalized trophy with their name and team name on it.
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive another trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting: Manual Pitching Machine only.  If they player does not hit the ball after a defined amount of pitches then the player can strike out.
  • Pitching:  No coach or player pitching at all
  • More detailed rule are HERE.

Equipment Requirements


*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)

An equipment guide is available here for suggestions (see the bottom) - https://www.agouraponybaseball.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2118986


PINTO NATIONAL


Age Cutoff

  • Between 7 years old and 8 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2014 and April 30, 2016.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One game a week on Saturdays or Sundays
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and one during the week.
  • Location:  Most all games at Lupin Elementary (may be 1 or so offsite field)
  • Scores are kept in all games.
  • Standings are kept the last half of the season.

 

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice locations:  Forest Cove Park (backup of Sumac Park and Willow Elementary School).  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:30PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 1 1/2 hour long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive a trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal

 

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting/Baserunning:   Balls and Strikes are kept and there are outs.  No stolen bases and a runner cannot score on a wild pitch.
  • Pitching: A mixture of coach pitch and player pitch.  There is more coach pitching at the first part of the season and more player pitching by the end of the season.
  • More detailed rule are HERE.

Equipment Requirements

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)


PINTO AMERICAN


Age Cutoff

  • Between 7 years old and 8 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2014 and April 30, 2016.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One game a week on Saturdays or Sundays.
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and one during the week.
  • Location:  Most games at Lupin Elementary with a few games at Dos Vientos Park (Newbury Park) and Westlake Elementary.
  • Standings are kept all season.

 

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 to 2 practices a week
  • Practice locations:  Forest Cove Park or Lupin Elementary (backup of Sumac Elementary and Willow Elementary School)  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:30PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 1 1/2 hour long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive a trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal

 

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting/Baserunning:   Balls and Strikes are kept and there are outs and stolen bases (no leadoffs).  Player can score on a wild pitch.
  • Pitching: All player pitch all season
  • More detailed rule are HERE.


Equipment Requirements

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)


MUSTANG NATIONAL


Age Cutoff

  • Between 9 years old and 10 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2012 and April 30, 2014.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One game a week on Saturdays or Sundays.
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and one during the week.
  • Location:  Most games at Lupin Elementary with 1 or 2 games at Indian Springs Park in Oak Park.
  • Standings are kept all season.

 

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice locations:  Lupin Elementary or Indian Springs Park.  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:30PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hour long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive a trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal


General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting/Baserunning:   Balls and Strikes are kept and there are outs and stolen bases (no leadoffs before spring break).  Player cannot score on a wild pitch.
  • Pitching: All player pitch all season
  • More detailed rule are HERE.

Equipment Requirements

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)


MUSTANG AMERICAN


Age Cutoff

  • Between 9 years old and 10 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2012 and April 30, 2014.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One game a week on Saturdays or Sundays.
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and one during the week.
  • Location:  Most games at Lupin Elementary with 5 to 6 games at Dos Vientos Park (Newbury Park) or Westlake Elementary.
  • Standings are kept all season.

 

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice locations:  Lupin Elementary or Indian Springs Park.  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:30PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hour long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive a trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal


General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting/Baserunning:   Balls and Strikes are kept and there are outs and stolen bases with leadoffs.  Player can score on a wild pitch. (regular baseball rules)
  • Pitching: All player pitch all season
  • More detailed rule are HERE.

Equipment Requirements

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)


BRONCO NATIONAL/AMERICAN


Age Cutoff

  • Between 11 years old and 12 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2012.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One game a week on Saturdays or Sundays.
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and one during the week.
  • Location:  Most games at Lupin Elementary with 5 to 6 games at Dos Vientos Park (Newbury Park) or Westlake Elementary (Bronco American may have 1 or 2 games in Camarillo).  There may be 1 or 2 games at Old Agoura Park.
  • Standings are kept all season.


Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice locations:  Lupin Elementary or Old Agoura Park.  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:45PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 2 hours long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive a trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal

 

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting/Baserunning:   Balls and Strikes are kept and there are outs and stolen bases with leadoffs.  Player can score on a wild pitch. (regular baseball rules)
  • Pitching: All player pitch all season
  • More detailed rule are HERE.


Equipment Requirements

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)


PONY NATIONAL/AMERICAN


Age Cutoff

  • Between 13 years old and 15 years old as of April 30, 2023.  Birth dates between May 1, 2007 and April 30, 2010.

 

Games

  • Prior to Daylight savings:  One game a week on Saturdays or Sundays.
  • After Daylight Savings:  Two games a week with one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and one during the week.
  • Location:  Most games at Lupin Elementary with 5 to 6 games at Dos Vientos Park (Newbury Park) or Westlake Elementary (Pony American may have 1 or 2 games in Camarillo or Malibu). 
  • Standings are kept all season.

 

Practices

  • May start in late January
  • Before season starts in last weekend of February:  1 or 2 practices a week
  • After season starts:  1 practice a week
  • Practice locations:  Lupin Elementary including the cages during games.  Practice times may start as early at 4PM and as late as 5:45PM (after daylight savings).  Practices are typically 2 to 2 1/2 hours long.

Regular Season Length

  • February 25 to May 6 (first weekend is a scrimmage)

Playoffs

  • May 8 to June 1 (double elimination tournament)

Trophies

  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season will receive a trophy
  • Teams that finish 1st or 2nd during the playoffs will receive a medal

 

General Rules (Hitting and Pitching)

  • Hitting/Baserunning:   Balls and Strikes are kept and there are outs and stolen bases with leadoffs.  Player can score on a wild pitch. (regular baseball rules)
  • Pitching: All player pitch all season
  • More detailed rule are HERE.


Equipment Requirements

*One set of catcher's gear provided by the league for each team (Mask, Vest, Shin Guards, Glove)

 


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)