FAQs
Q: What does PONY stand for?
A: PONY is an acronym for Protect Our Nation's Youth. The concept for the name originally came from boys at the local YMCA in Washington, Pennsylvania and stood for "Protect Our Neighborhood Youth," but when PONY became an international program in the early 1950's "Neighborhood" was switched to "Nation's."
 
Q: How is PONY different than Little League?
A: PONY Baseball consists of a two-year age bracket for each division, whereas Little League has overlapping ages based on skill level. PONY fields "grow" with the kids based on age by extending basepath lengths and pitching distances as the kids get older. Some rules are different as well, with a key difference being base stealing at age 7 (Pinto Division), and "Leading Off" starting at age 9 (Mustang Division) where pitchers learn pick off moves and holding runners on base to counter the potential steal.
 
Q: What are the names of the age divisions in PONY Baseball?
A: The division names represent the developmental names of a horse as it ages, and are the same corporate and marketing names which PONY National uses to distinguish between our programs and others.
 
Q: What are the age group ranges?
A: Roseville Pony Baseball offers 6 primary age groups:
- Foal Division (ages 3.5-4) - For very young players with no prior baseball experience. Instructional Division to teach the basic fundamentals of baseball with an emphasis on instruction, where no outs, game score, or standings are kept. A Tee may be used at this age, but "coach-pitch" is encouraged. A soft, "safety ball" is used.
- Shetland Division (ages 5-6) - For players with little to no prior baseball experience and returning players who prefer to continue with a highly introductory level of play. Players learn the fundamentals of baseball. Players use a softer-than-usual baseball. Pitches are "thrown" by a controlled mechanical machine that promotes consistent pitching so batters become accustomed to "thrown" pitches. The basepaths are only 50 feet and flexible rules expedite play. Play consists of up to four innings in which all team members play the field each inning and receive equal batting opportunities. No game score or standings are kept.
- Pinto Division (ages 7 and 8) - This division is a continuation of the development of baseball fundamentals and putting them to use. In this division, players begin to learn about stealing and taking extra bases on big hits and overthrows. This division plays with – 60-foot bases, 40-foot pitching distances, up to 6-inning game, where no new inning can begin after 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Mustang Division (ages 9 and 10) - This division is a continuation of the development of basic baseball fundamentals and beings to transition to more advanced baseball skills and strategies. Specifically, this division will introduce the use of the balk rule, leading off, stealing home, and the dropped 3rd strike rule. Teams continue to bat the whole roster in the batting order, and rotate defensive positions. Metal cleats are NOT allowed. This division plays on a 60-foot basepaths, 46-foot pitching distance, 6-inning games that are timed, where no new inning can begin after 2 hours.
- Bronco Division (ages 11 and 12) - This division is a continuation of advanced baseball fundamentals. We play the “real” game of baseball, closely mirroring MLB rules. Teams continue to bat the whole roster in the batting lineup, and there are defensive playing time requirements to ensure playing time for all recreational players. The distance between bases is 70 feet, with a pitching distance of 50 feet. Metal cleats are allowed. 7-inning games that are timed, where no new inning can begin after 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Pony Division (ages 13 and 14) - This division is a continuation more advanced baseball fundamentals with the goal of preparing players for possible high school competition. This division will continue to use all of the MLB rules with the exception of the designated hitter rule, and will begin to use high school rules. The distance between bases is 80 feet, with a pitching distance of 54 feet7-inning games that are timed, where no new inning can begin after 2 hours and 30 minutes.
 
Q. Where are Roseville PONY Baseball games played?
A. Roseville PONY Baseball (RPB), along with all other sports leagues that use City of Roseville fields, receive field allocations at the beginning of each season. Although there are no guarantees to receive the same fields in the future, RPB played the 2025 Season at Robert "Bob" P. Mahan Park, Buljan Park, Diamond Oaks Park, Nichols Park, Maidu Regional Park, and Riego Creek Park.
 
Q. Is Rosville PONY Baseball coed?
A. Yes, the league is coed.
 
Q. Can I request that my player "Play Up" in a division higher than his/her age?
A. Yes! We encourage advanced players to consider "playing up" in the higher division if their ability allows them to play safely with older players. Requests are not guaranteed however, as current division registration numbers and player safety must be considered. "Play Up" requests must be recieved by the league PRIOR to Player Evaluation dates. The request may be put in the registration notes online, but are best communicated directly to the League Player Agent (LPA) at lpa@rosevillepony.com.
 
Q. I'd like for my son/daughter to NOT move up a division and play another year in the division (s)he played in last year. Is this possible?
A. According to Roseville PONY Baseball by-laws, "Play-Down" requests are not permitted. Please email the League Player Agent (LPA), lpa@rosevilleponybaseball.com, with additional questions.
 
Q. Does Roseville PONY Baseball have a Jr. Umpire program?
A. Yes, for details please email the Director of Umpires at umpires@rosevilleponybaseball.com.
 
Q. Does my son/daughter need to attend pre-season evaluations, and what equipment is required?
A. The Foal and Shetland divisions (3.5-6yrs) do NOT attend an Evaluation prior to player selections. Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, and Pony players (7-14yrs) MUST attend a pre-season evaluation in advance of team drafts. Players who do not attend the evaluations will be considered a "hat pick" and randomly placed on a team at the end of the draft. Players are only required to attend one of the two evaluation dates offered. In order to participate in the evaluation(s) your players must have a completed registration. Registration can be completed online at rosevilleponybaseball.com. It is best if the player has his/her own glove. Personal gear like bat and helmet should also be brought but can be borrowed at the evaluation if needed.
 
Q. What equipment will my son/daughter need for the regular season?
A. At minimum all players should plan to have their own glove and cleats. All males will need to wear an athletic cup at all times. Additional equipment that most players purchase include bat, helmet (with cage/c-flap), gear bag, etc. Coaches will also instruct teams what color baseball pants, belt, and socks the team will wear for the season. Registration costs include the team hat and jersey. All teams will have bats and helmets that can be shared if needed.
 
Q. What is the difference between "RailCats Select" and "Sunday Select"?
A. "Railcats" players play only for the competitive team and cannot also play in the recreational league. "Sunday Select" players must be actively participating in the recreational league and also practice on Sundays during the recreational season. Sunday Select players may participate in up to 1 or 2 tournaments a year, and they must disband during the PONY Nationals post-season which runs from June through July.