Registration for the 2023 spring season is OPEN for all recreation divisions!
- Early Bird discount of 10% is available through December 31, 2022
- For families with multiple players in the league, there will be a $15 discount for the second and third kid in a family (the 4th and 5th kid, too, if you should be so lucky). Hooray
Player fees by division (through 12/31/22 - EARLY BIRD 10% Discount):
- Shetland (Ages 5-6) : $135
- Pinto (Ages 7-8) : $189
- Mustang (Ages 9-10) : $225
- Bronco (Ages 11-12) : $248
- Pony (Ages 13-14) : $315
Player fees by division - from 1/1/23 until registration closes (unchanged for several years):
- Shetland (Ages 5-6): $150
- Pinto (Ages 7-8) : $210
- Mustang (Ages 9-10) : $250
- Bronco (Ages 11-12) : $275
- Pony (Ages 13-14) : $350
Big change to PONY Baseball age determination date.
(Washington, Pennsylvania – October 9, 2022) – The PONY Baseball and Softball International Board of Directors has voted today to change the age determination date for baseball to April 30 effective for the 2023 baseball season. After considerable discussion and careful deliberation, it was determined that this was the best course of action for our membership.
Over the past couple of years, there has been a lot of discussion about the PONY age determination date. This is an important topic to everyone involved in PONY, and PONY has sought input from volunteers, parents, and coaches that has helped guide the PONY International Board of Directors to ultimately change the current age determination date for all divisions of PONY baseball to April 30.
“This has been an ongoing topic of discussion and debated since we changed the date back to August several years ago,” stated PONY President Abraham Key. “By changing the date, we will now align with a large majority of youth baseball organizations. Many PONY member organizations did not make the change years ago and this will help us realign our membership and ensure them additional opportunities in the PONY organization.”
There will be no loss of eligibility for any participants in the 2023 season, essentially the PONY program will be four (4) months older starting in 2023. Players born in the months of May, June, July, and August will have a choice of whether to stay in their respective age groups or move up into an older age group with their former teammates.
To determine which division your player belongs to, check out the official PONY Baseball League Age Key here. (note: the league’s registration system will direct you to the correct division based on the entered birthdate)
ASSESSMENTS: Mandatory player skills assessments will take place on Saturday, February 4th, see Assessment Policies for details.
PLAYING UP: Several parents have asked about Playing Up (that is, trying out for a division higher than would be age correct for your player). While we discourage playing up - safety, maturity, leadership, etc - it is not prohibited. Please register for your age-appropriate division, select “play up” field within registration process, and then plan to attend the play-up division assessment. Coaches and staff running that session will determine whether playing up would make sense for your player.
FIELDS: We're excited to again host most of our Shetland, Pinto and Mustang practices and games at Risdon Middle School this year. Other practices and games at these ages are held at Sierra Heights Elementary and Coalfield Park. Older teams will have practices and home games at Kennydale Lions Park, Highlands Park, Coalfield Park or Petrovitsky Park, depending on the division.
There will be a Field Day scheduled for late February before practices start in March 2022. There is some work to be done to make these fields playable after the long offseason. If you are available and willing to help, please let us know.
VOLUNTEERS / COACHING: As you know, Newcastle Baseball is dependent on its parents who volunteer to help in many areas. One of our biggest needs is for Coaches. If you have any interest in helping as a Head or Assistant Coach, at any level, please email [email protected].
Further, if you're interested in helping with the growth and success of the League, we welcome your attendance at Board Meetings. We are all excited about the coming season and look forward to seeing everyone at the ballpark again this Spring.