2009 Santa Barbara Pony Baseball
Frequently Asked Questions
PONY Baseball is an international organization designed to "Protect Our Nation's Youth" by providing experiences in youth baseball that will help young people grow into healthier and happier adults. The organization was started more than 50 years ago in Washington, PA. More than 375 PONY graduates have played in Major League Baseball, including Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez and J.T. Snow.
Who Runs Santa Barbara PONY Baseball?
Parents do! Santa Barbara PONY Baseball is a parent-run, all volunteer organization. There are no paid coaches or staff, and we rely exclusively on your help - - and there's no baseball experience required. Whether you help your coach at practices, help in the snack shack, or do field maintenance before or after games, all it takes is a desire to help kids. Our Board of Directors consists of parents, coaches, and community volunteers. Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month, and all parents are invited to attend and observe.
Registration, Evaluations, and Team Formation (draft)
Once your registration is completed and accepted, your child will be placed in a "pool" of players based on age (Pinto: 7-8; Mustang: 9-10; Bronco: 11-12; Pony: 13-14).Players evaluations are conducted (see your registration form for your childs time and location), and then coaches "draft" kids based on observed skills. Coaches will contact their player's parent(s) after the draft.
Again, we're a 100% parent and volunteer-run organization. In many cases, your child's coach is also coaching their own child. All coaches are required to attend a workshop to go over the "basics" of coaching baseball, and to learn that our primary goals are to 1) make it a fun experience, 2) make new players good, and good players better. Background checks are required and conducted for official coaches and assistant coaches by the City of Santa Barbara.
SB PONY Local Baseball Relationships
PONY has ties throughout the local baseball community, and we leverage those ties to help coaches and kids (coach's clinics hosted by Westmont men's baseball program, player's clinics hosted by the Santa Barbara Forester's, or the fall instructional program at Westmont College). SB Pony also conducts games and scrimmages on an "Inter-League" basis with P.A.L. teams (Police Activities League), Santa Ynez Pony Baseball and others.
Practices, Games, Playing Time, and Cheering
Practicing baseball is no different that anything else - - if you don't practice, you don't improve. Coaches typically hold two practices, and that schedule changes as regular season games commence. Your coach will contact you about practices and game schedules. Your child's team game schedule will be posted on the website. Most coaches like players to be at the games 1 hour early. And, Practices are VERY important to both the individual player and the team. Players need to attend Practices. Playing Time Rule: PONY rules requires that each kid play at least 4 innings per full game, SB Pony local rules requires that each kid plays at least 2 innings in games shortened by the "mercy rule" or other circumstances. Cheering Guidelines: While we encourage you to go "nuts" in support of your child, please realize that kids need to hear one instructional voice - - the coach's voice. Hearing instructions from more than one person is confusing and won't help you child. Please "Honor the Game" by modeling appropriate conduct to all players, coaches, and umpires. Refer to your Parent Pledge for more information. Inappropriate conduct may result in your dismissal from the game.
Like any organization, we need to know how we're doing. Our Board of Directors will conduct a mid-season and end-of-season customer survey. You and other PONY parents can tell us what we're doing right, and where we can improve. We can't be all things to all people, but we do want to help kids learn the game and have fun. You can always visit www.sbpony.org to contact us or e-mail the SB Pony President at santabarbarapony@live.com
If you have an issue or problem with your coach, you must first try to resolve with them. If you cannot resolve the issue directly with the coach, please contact the Commissioner for your division (contact information will be posted on the website).