The primary features that distinguish PONY baseball from Little
League baseball are those of a two-year age bracket system and scaled diamonds.
Additionally, PONY teaches lead offs and base stealing starting at age 9 (Mustang
Division), or earlier while pitchers learn pick off moves and holding runners
on base to counter the potential steal.
In organizations such as Little League player age can differ by as much as 3
years within a division. As a result, the younger players, because of their
lack of maturity, ability and size, find it hard to communicate with the older
players. They often find themselves spending a disproportionate amount of time
on the bench and may feel disconnected from their team. With players of only
two ages involved, as is the case with PONY baseball, it is far easier to
permit every player to play more positions since the difference in skills
within the age groups is not that great.
In addition, PONY baseball scales the size of the diamonds to match the
physical capabilities of the players within each division. The base and
pitching dimensions for PONY baseball are:
·
50ft bases for Shetland 5 & 6 year olds
·
60ft bases and 38ft pitching for Pinto 7
& 8 year olds
·
65ft bases and 44ft pitching for Mustang 9
& 10 year olds
·
70ft bases and 48ft pitching for Bronco 11
& 12 year olds
·
80ft bases and 54ft pitching for Pony 13
& 14 year olds
These base dimensions are the result of extensive
experimentation to determine the size on which players of each age group can
properly play the game of baseball. Pitching distance is also scaled to the
ability of the player and in proportion to the size of the diamond.
The scaled diamonds allow the players to make the plays made by major leaguers.
Home runs become a possibility! Outfielders can play in a position
proportionate to that played by a major leaguer. The double play, squeeze play
and various strategies and tactics, difficult for adults and nearly impossible
for youngsters on a full size diamond, become a probability rather than an
impossibility.
Comparison: PONY League Baseball vs.
Little League Baseball
|
PONY League
|
Little League
|
Two Year Age Groups
|
YES
|
NO
|
Scaled Age Appropriate Diamonds
|
YES
|
NO
|
Scaled Age Appropriate Pitching Distances
|
YES
|
NO
|
Play by Major League Rules
|
YES
|
NO
|
Mix of Softball and MLB Rules
|
NO
|
YES
|
Limit 5-6 Year Olds to T-ball
|
NO
|
YES
|
Limit 7-8 Year Olds to Coach/Machine Pitch
|
NO
|
YES
|
Competitive Baseball Starting at Age 7
|
YES
|
NO
|
7-8 Year Olds Sit Out a Maximum of 1 Inning Per Game
|
YES
|
NO
|
Challenges Kids at Every Age Group
|
YES
|
NO
|
Drafting Up or Down During Season
|
NO
|
YES
|
Teaches Base Stealing Earlier
|
YES
|
NO
|
Teaches Pitching Sooner
|
YES
|
NO
|
Teaches Leading Off Sooner
|
YES
|
NO
|
Prepares Kids for High School Baseball
|
YES
|
NO
|