What does PONY stand for?
PONY is an acronym, which stands for Protect Our Nation's Youth. PONY Baseball is dedicated to creating a safety first/ fundamentally sound and challenging game for children of all ages and skill levels. PONY Baseball and Softball™ began with organization of the Pony League in Washington, PA in the summer of 1951. With field sizes and dimensions best suited to appropriate age play and rules designed to allow each charter their own ability to create the best style of baseball tailored to their own community's needs. PONY also takes it a step further requiring children to participate in divisions with kids of the same age. For example, 9 year olds won't have to fear playing against 12 year olds. Nine year olds only face players ages 10 and under in the Mustang Division. Players age 11-12 play in the Bronco Division and player 13-14 in the Pony Division.
Lancaster PONY Baseball League (LPBL) is the largest volunteer-based baseball league in the Antelope Valley. Our mission at LPBL is to operate with one purpose in mind – to make this a safe and rewarding place for our children to play baseball, make friends, and to develop positive, long-lasting memories. In fact, many of our players have parents who played here when they were children!
We rely on a devoted group of volunteers to help ensure that the organization remains structured and runs smoothly. We are continuously looking for responsible and enthusiastic individuals to support and coordinate events and activities.
Can I pick what coach I want my child to play for?
No. For our Spring season we utilize a "snake draft" to form teams. Managers, Coaches or Board Members cannot promise or guarantee placement of any player on a specific team. (Excludes Foal Division)
My child has never played before, can my child play in the division below what their birthdate requires?
No. We do not allow players to play below their age level. Nobody plays down as it creates a safety issue for the children playing in their age appropriate division. There are no exceptions.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Registration fees can be broken up into 4 monthly installments for your convenience. Please look for the payment plan option during the checkout process. Payment plans usually begin several months prior to our registration end date (when we open up that season's registration).
**Please be aware that payment of registration fees must be completed before a child can be placed on a team.
Does this League have Softball?
No. This is a baseball only league. We do however encourage girls to play.
When and where are games played?
Due to scheduled renovations at Skytower Park for the duration of our Spring season, we will be using fields 1 & 2 at Tierra Bonita Park (44910 27th Street East), and fields 7 & 8 at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park (43063 10th Street West).
DIVISIONS TO PLAY AT THESE LOCATIONS
FOAL,SHETLAND, BRONCO and PONY divisions will play their games at Tierra Bonita Park fields 1 & 2
PINTO and MUSTANG divisions will play their games at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park fields 7 & 8
* locations subject to change
2 games a week are played, with one game being played in week, generally Tuesday,Wednesday or Thursday AND one game on Saturday. Game start times in week are at 5pm. Saturday game times are random and can be anywhere from an 8 am start time up to a 3 pm start time. On occasion, we also inter-league with other local PONY programs. FOAL division ONLY plays on Saturday.
* Game times and days subject to change.
When and where are practices held?
Practice days, times and locations are completely up to the Manager/Coach, since their availability is what makes practices possible. Lancaster Pony Baseball is not responsible for when/where the Manager/Coach chooses to hold practices. Participation at practices is not mandatory, but highly encouraged.
What are the fees to play?
Your registration fees cover jersey with number, hat, insurance, field rental fees, pictures, background checks on all of our volunteers, baseballs, chalk, umpire fees, trophy and medals for season and playoff tournament and required equipment- which includes but is not limited to helmets and catchers gear. Also included in the fees are (4) raffle tickets, each worth $10, for our Raffle! Raffle will be broadcast live on facebook, date TBD. Prizes are a Playstation 5 (or cash value), a 60 inch Television, and a Custom "44" Baseball Glove! Tickets will be distributed by team parents once teams have been formed. You can choose to keep tickets for yourself for a chance to win, or sell them to friends and/or family!
** THERE IS A NON-REFUNDABLE $3 TRANSACTION FEE ADDED TO ALL TRANSACTIONS MADE AT LANCASTERPONY.COM** Fee also applies to registrations paid with CASH.
FOAL - $130
SHETLAND - $150
PINTO - $150
MUSTANG - $180
BRONCO - $180
PONY - $200
What are the age ranges for each division?
IMPORTANT-
Please note we do not allow players to play below their age level. Nobody plays down as it creates a safety issue for the children playing in their age appropriate division. Age range for each division is listed below. Divisions are based on how old the player will be on August 31, 2022, which is their "league age" for Spring 2022 season.
FOAL (T-Ball, which is played exclusively in the grass) $130
Birthday between September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2019
FOAL 4U is a T- BALL division provided to get the players used to the idea of baseball. FOAL 4U, at Lancaster Pony Baseball, is played EXCLUSIVELY in the grass. Players in this age range have a very short attention span in any single activity, which is why games consist of only 2 innings where each team bats off the tee and takes the field twice. We encourage focusing on the most basic of baseball skills, like knowing which way to run after hitting the ball, and where to throw the ball once fielded. Parents are encouraged to be on the field with their players, and help instruct.
SHETLAND (Machine Pitch) $150
Birthday between September 1, 2015 – August 31, 2017
SHETLAND 6U is an instructional league to teach players the fundamentals of baseball by the simplest method possible - letting them play the game. Emphasis must be on instruction, not on the league championship.
SHETLAND 6U coaches are allowed on the field to offer instruction during the game. The rules require that players be given the opportunity to try different positions, and that all of them get to play in every game.
Players in this age range have a short attention span in any single activity and games must move rapidly. Only the basic fundamentals of the game should be brought out. It is not uncommon for players of this age, initially, to be unfamiliar with which is first base, which is third base, and which field is left and which is right. Lack of knowledge indicates merely that the player has not yet been introduced to the game and has no relationship to the player's potential athletic ability.
SHETLAND 6U provides an excellent opportunity to teach basic catching, throwing, batting and fielding, and a love of the game of baseball without making the experience a course of intensified instruction. The best approach is to let the teams play with little thought to victory or defeat, but merely for the joy of participation while, at the same time, learning the fundamentals of teamwork, group discipline and sportsmanship.
PINTO (Kid Pitch) $150
Birthday between September 1, 2013 - August 31, 2015
PINTO 8U is an instructional league to teach eight and under players the fundamentals of baseball. PINTO 8U introduces some elements of the rules of major league play (player pitching, base stealing, bunts), while still making an allowance for the size and skill level of the age appropriate players.
MUSTANG (Kid Pitch) $180
Birthday between September 1, 2011 – August 31, 2013
Beginning with MUSTANG 10U, the players are playing real baseball in accordance with The Rules of Major League Baseball as well as specific PONY rules that are in place to supersede the MLB rules where appropriate such as pitching, substitution, re-entry, etc. With scaled down bases and pitching distances, players react quite favorably to the greater challenge of the game and have little difficulty mastering the transition. Balks, Infield fly rule, Drop third strike and leading off are all introduced in Mustang 10U.
BRONCO (Kid Pitch) $180
Birthday between September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2011
BRONCO 12U continues to build off the skills and new playing rules learned in Mustang 10U, and brings more strategy to the game. Players will learn to incorporate defensive plays, execute offensive strategy such as a sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, hit and run, etc.
PONY (Kid Pitch) $200
Birthday between September 1, 2007 – August 31, 2009
PONY 14U is the transition league that takes players from the "kid" leagues to "young adult" status. It permits a player to play on a diamond tailored to his size and capability rather than being moved to one with twice the playing area in a single year. PONY 14U is specifically designed for the player in those very formative early-teen years. With bases set 80 feet apart and pitchers throwing from 54 feet, PONY 14U players play one of the most fascinating games in all of youth baseball. Well beyond the beginners stage, they have mastered all but the finest points of technique and strategy and can play the game with a skill comparable to that of older players, if you let them play it on a field specifically designed to match their physical limitations. Full major league rules played, with allowance for free substitutions (during league play only), to ensure all players play the mandatory 2 defensive innings and 1 at bat minimum required by Lancaster Pony Baseball.
Besides paying registration fees, what else will I need to register my child?
For age and sibling verification purposes, you must provide a CERTIFIED COPY of your child's birth certificate, your marriage certificate and/or adoption or legal guardianship documentation to Lancaster Pony Baseball. This is needed to prove age of player, and guardianship status of person registering child. Sibling discounts of $10 per additional child will be given after verification of birth certificates, will be notified when/where to collect. Returning players DO NOT need to re-verify birth certificate as long as parent's account information has not changed. If further documentation is needed, Lancaster Pony Baseball will reach out to you individually. THIS YEAR (2022) we will accept birth certificates via email...email copy of player's birth certificate and copy of registering parent's driver license to [email protected] Please include player name and division in subject line.
What else does my child need in order to play?
PONY recommends that your child has cleats, glove, bat, baseball pants, socks, and belt (color to be determined by coach once teams are formed). These items are not included in the registration fee, and are not provided by Lancaster PONY. Please visit pony.org for USA Bat Standard information.
Pant, socks and belt color will be determined by coach once teams are formed.
Can my child wear metal cleats?
Some children start wearing metal cleats in Bronco division, but it is not mandatory at any age.
What are the dates for the season?
Registration – October 30, 2021 through January 28, 2022
Games Begin* - late February 2022
Season End -early June 2022
* dates subject to change
Here is a rough timeline of upcoming events:
Registration is ongoing until January 28. 2022. An email will be sent with dates/ times for evaluations. Evaluations are not mandatory but highly encouraged.
Evaluations will take place in the days following the close of registration.
Team drafts take place the week after evaluations.
Managers will reach out to parents of players in the days after teams are drafted.
Practices will begin once teams are formed.
Does my child have to tryout?
There will be evaluations for the Spring season. Date and time for evaluations is TBD. If your child does not evaluate, they will still be placed on a team. FOAL division players never evaluate.
Do you have boundary limitations?
Lancaster Pony Baseball League does not enforce boundary limitations. We welcome players from all over the Antelope Valley and those residing in all surrounding cities. No proof of residency is required.
What is your refund policy?
To view our refund policy, please find the "RESOURCES" tab and click on Refunds.
How can I become a volunteer?
There are many opportunities to become a volunteer with Lancaster Pony Baseball League. Please click on the "RESOURCES" tab and then the "BECOME A VOLUNTEER" link to see all open volunteer positions. Volunteer roles vary from board member positions to coaching a team, to helping at your child's practice!
How do I sign up to coach?
Our league is completely dependent on volunteers, and some of the most important volunteers are our Coaches. We are always in need of Managers (Head Coaches). If you would like to be considered for a position as Manager this season, please register when prompted during registration of your child by clicking on the "volunteer opportunities" tab.
What duties do I have, once I am registered as a Coach?
Certificates of completion for Concussion In Sports AND Sudden Cardiac Arrest courses will need to be emailed to [email protected] Links for these courses can be found in your volunteer confirmation email, as well as under the "HELPFUL LINKS" section at lancasterpony.com. Please familiarize yourself with the rules of play in the PONY rule book, which can be found at pony.org.
Are there any resources available to help me improve my coaching skills?
Yes! Dugout Captain is an excellent resource for all coaches, whether beginners or seasoned veterans. Please check out this free resource by clicking on the "Dugout Captain" link in the "Helpful Links" box at the bottom right of this page.