PONY Foal Level (Ages 3 - 4)
Welcome to PONY Foal Level Baseball! (Fall Ball Edition)
If your child is ready to take their first steps onto the baseball diamond, Foal Level is the perfect place to start. Designed specifically for our youngest players (typically ages 3 to 4), Foal is all about introducing the game in a high-energy, completely pressure-free environment.
What is Foal Level?
Foal is an introductory, co-ed t-ball experience. At this stage, we aren't keeping score, tracking outs, or worrying about league standings. Our only two goals are having fun and building confidence. Every child hits off a tee, every child runs the bases, and every child gets celebrated.
What to Expect During Fall Ball
Fall Ball has a completely different vibe than the spring season. If Spring is the "main event," Fall is the ultimate low-stress workshop. It is explicitly designed for instruction, experimentation, and development.
The Vibe: Relaxed and instructional. It is the perfect, low-pressure window for brand-new players to try baseball for the first time, or for returning players to practice new skills.
The Time Commitment: We keep it light to match short attention spans. You can generally expect one weeknight practice (usually around 45–60 minutes) and one weekend game per week.
Game Style: Games are short (usually 2 to 3 innings, or about an hour long). Every player bats every inning, and parents are heavily encouraged to be out on the field helping guide their runners and fielders!
Key Skills We Focus On
We break the game down into bite-sized, digestible pieces through fun games rather than rigid drills:
Hitting: Proper stance at the tee and looking at the ball.
- Baserunning: Learning which direction to run when the ball is hit (and always touching first base!).
- Fielding: The basics of how to hold a glove and athletic posture.
- Sportsmanship: High-fives, listening to coaches, and learning how to be a great teammate.
Gear Your Child Will Need
The league typically provides a team jersey and hat. You will want to map out a quick trip to the sporting goods store for:
- A youth baseball glove (make sure it's broken in a bit so they can squeeze it!).
- Unpadded baseball pants or comfortable athletic pants.
- Athletic shoes or molded rubber cleats (no metal cleats allowed).
- A youth batting helmet.
A Quick Note for Parents: At this age, baseball is a team sport for families, too! The success of a Foal season relies heavily on parent volunteers to help wrangle players in the dugout, place balls on the tee, and cheer loudly. We can’t wait to see you on the field!