BASEBALL CLINIC @ WALMARADO PARK

Coaching staff and players from the Citrus College Baseball team will provide instruction, demonstrations and will run the players of all levels, through drills designed to reinforce the skills and techniques.

Saturday January 17^th

9:00am to 1:00pm Lunch included: 

Hot Dog, Chips and drink

$20.00 per participant

Sign-ups for the 2009 season

@ Walmerado Park, located on the corner of Merced Ave. & Walnut Ave.

December 6th & 13th 9:00am - 2:00pm

January 3rd, 10th, & 17th 9:00am - 2:00pm

*Additional sign-up date for Pony division only on January 24th 9:00am - 12:00pm*

Applications received after January 23rd will be hat picks or placed on wait list

TRYOUTS

January 24th 8:00am - Pinto

January 24th 10:00am - Mustang

January 24th 12:00pm - Bronco

January 31st 10:00am - Pony

Managers returning to their teams, need to submit New Applications to Division Procedures Board Member by January 5th, 2009.

If Manager moved up in division or is not coming back, The Coach's Option from last year has first right of refusal for the team. January 5th dead line for Application.

Teams will open up to anyone requesting it on January 6th,2009.

REMINDER:

Managers must submit Recruit and Coach's Options to Division Agents by January 21st.

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      The primary features that distinguish PONY Baseball from Little League Baseball are the use of a two-year age bracket system and scaled diamonds. Additionally, PONY teaches lead-offs and base-stealing starting at age seven (Pinto 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 players can differ by as much as three 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. Generally they 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 group is not that great.

      The game of baseball cannot be played as it was intended to be played if the physical capability of the players does not match the physical achievements required for the game. Little League uses two diamond sizes. Up until age of 12, players play on a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 46 feet. After age 13 the diamond size is 90 feet and a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches - a 14 foot, 6 inch increase in pitching distance and 30 foot base path increase in ONE year!

      PONY Baseball, on the other hand, scales the size of their diamonds to match the physical capabilities of the players within each division. The base and pitching dimensions for PONY Baseball are:

         50-foot bases for Shetland (4-6 year-olds)
         50-foot bases and 38-foot pitching for Pinto (7-8 year-olds)
         60-foot bases and 44-foot pitching for Mustang (9-10 year-olds)
         70-foot bases and 48-foot pitching for Bronco (11-12 year-olds)
         80-foot bases and 54-foot pitching for Pony (13-14 year-olds)
         90-foot bases and 60-1/2-foot pitching for Colt/Palomino (15-16, and 17-18 year-olds - not offered by WCYPB)

      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 in proportion to the size of the diamond.

      The scaled down diamonds allow the players to make the plays made by the major leaguers. Home runs become a possibility. Outfielders can play in a position proportionately equal to that played by a major leaguer. The double play, squeeze play, and various strategy tactics, difficult for adults and nearly impossible for youngsters on a full size diamond, become a probability rather than an impossibility.