The following pages are designed as a primer for parents and players involved in Lake Sammamish Baseball Association. The correct information and a more complete understanding of the League, its goals and its responsibilities are essential to smooth operation and continuation of the service to the players involved. It is a continuing process and requires adaptation and effort on a constant basis.
What is Pony and Babe Ruth and is Lake Sammamish Baseball Association a local organization?
We are a chapter of Pony Baseball, a national non-profit organization founded in the 1950's and headquartered in Washington, PA. Issaquah Pony's charter was established in 2003 with a board of 8 members. Each local chapter is governed by a national framework of rules and regulations, and elects a Board of volunteers to carry out its business. Issaquah Pony has local rules that are specific to our league but must not conflict with the national rules and regulations. 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."
What is the benefit of joining Lake Sammamish Baseball Association?
Pony's primary objective is to "implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well-adjusted, strong and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens." Participation is open to everyone and baseball/softball is the vehicle through which the objectives above are achieved.
What ages of children can play Pony or Babe Ruth and how are they divided?
PONY Baseball is organized with two-year age brackets. The age brackets for baseball are as follows:
Shetland League - ages 5 and 6
Pinto League - ages 7 and 8
Mustang League - ages 9 and 10
Bronco League - ages 11 and 12
PONY League - ages 13 and 14
Colt League - ages 15 and 16
Palomino League - ages 17 and 18
Questions concerning the specific situation of an individual player can be answered at the time of registration or addressed by any of the elected league officers at any time. When determining age appropriate play consideration should always be given to the safety and emotional factors of the individual player. The primary reason for the young age divisions is safety and the social aspects of playing with friends and other players of the same age. At the older levels, the competitive level increases and teams are based upon a draft system to foster parity at the start of every season. The Board of Directors of Issaquah Pony reserves the right to amend the Local operating rules which govern all local play as deemed necessary to best serve the ages and numbers of players registering.
Pony 13 - Baseball - Age 13 - No open enrollment for this division will be held, player must still registered but be associated to a preselected team.
Olympic - Baseball - Age 14 - If you bring your own team or have participated in the league before then you are eligible to play in the Olympic division.
Cascade - Baseball - Ages 13, 14 - Open enrollment, all players registered will be placed on a team and guaranteed play time.
Colt - Baseball - Ages 15, 16 - Colt is a higher level of play.
What is the League's usual operating schedule?
Registration - November; Skills evaluations and Draft (Cascade players) - first to middle of February: Practices being - first of March; Season games - first of April through the middle of June (Completed before school is out). Every possible opportunity to schedule around major calendar conflicts, such as school vacations, is observed.
Why does Registration start in November for the following year's baseball/softball season?
Because of the ever-increasing number of children, the LSBA Board needs to insure we have sufficient time to both select the proper number of well-qualified managers and to be able to schedule fields on an efficient basis. Having too few managers means too many children on a team and therefore reduced playing time. Growth and rainouts have made the scheduling of a limited number of fields a major challenge. The additional planning time provides the Board with the ability to better insure all children get a chance to play (some children on waiting lists for late registration unfortunately have had to be turned away)!
What is the cost?
Costs vary from team to team. A fee schedule is available upon registration, although subject to change, based upon the team the player joins.
What is the typical time commitment?
Generally there are two practices per week (one weekday and one on Saturday), with the same schedule usually holding true for games, once the season starts. However, due to a shortage of fields and also having to make-up some canceled games, some practices and games are scheduled on Sundays (religious restrictions will be observed). Practices are generally not scheduled during the playing season.
How can I get more information or make suggestions?
You may want to first talk directly to parents or Board members who already are involved in Pony or Babe Ruth Baseball. By leaving a message on the League's phone machine (425-xxx-xxxx), a Board member will call you back as soon as possible (please be patient). The League also provides general information on our web site, which may be accessed at http://www.lakesammbaseball.org. Additionally, you may want to attend an Lake Sammamish Baseball Organization Board of Director's meeting which are held every month. A schedule is available on the website for your reference. At this meeting, not only can you meet volunteers who are committed to the success of the Issaquah program, but you also may want to offer suggestions or even volunteer your own services.
How are All-Stars selected?
You can find more about the All-Stars Selection process by visiting the following page.
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