Hello Parents, Players & Guardians! 

 

We are very happy to announce the 2024 PONY season. Here is some information you might find helpful about our upcoming season: 

 

Our League uses the PONY Baseball League Age Key. PONY uses a rule known as “14 under or up one program”. This means your player may play up to the next division if they qualify to do so. Pony is for 14U therefore, any player with birthdates from May 1, 2009, through April 30th, 2013, can play in our PONY division. Our PONY League boundaries encompass Northern California from the coastline to Nevada state line and Fresno to Oregon state line. 

 

We plan on holding an “Icebreaker Clinic” on January 20th, 2024 (place and time are TBD). This is for players who would benefit from an introduction to the Pony level of play. PONY has longer base paths and an increase of distance from the pitching mound to home plate from the Little League Majors & 50/50 divisions. We coach on lead offs, base stealing, steal timing, and how to avoid getting picked off base, along with other skills. This will also be an opportunity to register your player for the season, meet coaches and league organizers. 

 

ALL PLAYERS must try out to be considered for the player draft. The tryouts are currently planned to be held on 2 Saturdays, January 27th and February 3rd from 10am to 2pm (dates can change) (location is TBD). Players must be fully registered to try out!   

 

Pony Registration is $350. Additional players from the same family are $175 per player. Please make checks out to “Santa Cruz PONY Baseball.” However, if you FULLY complete the 2024 Registration Form (can be filled out on the computer), provide a copy of the players birth certificate, and a proof of residency (phone, utility bill) before February 1st, 2024 then the fee is only $325. You can email all forms (preferred), mail them to our PO Box, bring them to the icebreaker clinic or one of our board meetings. Mail forms to Santa Cruz PONY Baseball, but the forms need to be postmarked by January 29th to be received by February 1st, 2024 to qualify for the $25 discount. 

 

Please register your player now. Last year, players were cut due to Manager shortages. Each player is assigned a Draft ID number as they become fully registered. The higher the player’s ID the more likelihood your player may get put on a waitlist. Our goal is to recruit as many managers as needed so that ALL players can play. Each team has a MAX of 13 players.

 

We expect the players to be drafted on February 12th, 2024 depending on meeting space availability. Player notifications will happen shortly after the draft and practices will start as soon as field space becomes available. 

 

Also, due to COVID we still must follow ALL COVID guidelines and regulations handed down to us by the City, County, State, and PONY International officials. These guidelines change constantly. Notifications will go out when guidelines change.

 

Thank You 

Ken Castro 

President-Santa Cruz Pony Baseball, Inc. 

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