Tri-County PONY League     In-house Teams     All-stars Teams     Diamond Sports Handbook

IN-HOUSE TEAMS

The term "in-house" refers to teams that play within the Tri-County PONY League, or other PONY Baseball sanctioned leagues. Teams referred to as "select" have players hand-picked by coaches or through a tryout process, and they play highly competitive baseball against a wide range of opponents and in numerous tournaments. In-house teams in PONY Baseball terms are typically less competitive, even recreational in some leagues.

When selecting all baseball teams for S.Y.A.A., we do our best to keep teams together as they advance through each level of play, beginning with the Mustang level. Players are assigned to teams based on age and not grade in school. We must use the player's age on or before July 31 in the current year to determine the appropriate level of play. For example, a player who is eight years old at the time of registration in January, but who will turn nine years old sometime before or on July 31, will be a Mustang player and no longer eligible for the Coach Pitch level.

Players are not allowed to play down at a lower level, but they may play up one level if they have demonstrated superior skills and ability. However, playing up is an exception and is rarely done and must be approved by the Baseball Commissioner. Players who play up a level are not eligible for PONY all-star selection at the higher level. However, they may be selected as an all-star for their actual level, but only if they played at least half their games at that level. It's almost always better to stay within the appropriate age level.

Coach Pitch baseball teams follow modified rules of play to insure the best possible learning and playing experience for the players. Coaches pitch to their own players, there is no stealing or leading off, and innings end with three outs or once a team has batted through their lineup. Players rotate positions regularly to get adequate exposure to each. Our teams play each other and teams from Gretna. The season begins in mid to late May and runs through June or early July.

Mustang teams use modified PONY Baseball rules to govern play. Players pitch but there is no leading off or base stealing until late in the season. Every player is used in the batting lineup, and no player may sit out defensively more than three outs, unless disciplinary action is in effect. Bronco teams play full baseball all season and use the same playing time rules as Mustang teams. Both divisions usually start practice sometime in March, and the season starts the last week of April and runs through late June. Players selected to all-star teams can expect to continue playing through mid to late July.

In the Pony division full baseball is played all season, and playing time is left to the coach's discretion. In other words, there is no guaranteed playing time for Pony players. It's important for both players and parents to understand this significant change from Bronco ball. Pony teams begin practice in mid to late March, with the season beginning the first week of May and continues through June. Players selected to all-star teams can expect to continue playing through mid to late July.