As a parent whose child is participating in a PONY
Baseball and Softball organization in your community,
you may be interested in the type of program to which
your children are devoting their time.

PONY is an acronym for "Protect Our Nation's
Youth." Founded on the premise that leagues should 
be comprised of players within a two year span;
the maturity, ability, size and skill are comparable.
Likewise age-specific diamonds permit the game to be
played within physical capabilities of the participants.
It is more logical to change the size of the playing
fields than to change the rules of the game in order to
adjust to the physical potential of the players.

 PONY Baseball and Softball seeks to let each league
operate in an autonomous manner as possible.
Through various publications, PONY provides a
pattern of operation that is the result of the experience
of many leagues for more than 50 years. However,
actual operation of the league is the responsibility of
the involved people of your community. Players are 
assigned to leagues in two-year age groups according
to "league age," which is the age attained by the
player before August 1 of the playing season. The
leagues are listed on this page.

PONY Baseball and Softball has leagues throughout
the United States and more than 20 foreign countries.
Nearly 500,000 players compete on one of over
29,000 teams worldwide. International tournament 
play is conducted at the Mustang, Bronco, Pony,
Pony-13, Colt and palomino levels. Tournament
competition younger age groups is generally
restricted to a Zone or Regional level.

Participation in PONY Baseball or Softball is not
 limited to exceptional athletes, yet it is intended that
a child earn the privilege of participation.

The effectiveness of the program as a tool to teach
youngsters is dependent upon the aspect of
competition for a position on a team in the league,
and upon the child's own desire to play baseball or
Softball. The program is of dubious value to those
who do not have a sincere desire to play.