Ponies Baseball (Age 13-14)

Pony Baseball (Ages 13 and 14)

PLAYING IT SAFE - WAA BASEBALL

All 2021 WAA programs are "Playing IT Safe" - State of Illinois All Sports Policy.

Program Information

About Pony Baseball

For the 2021 season, the WAA Pony league will play in the Crosstown League with Naperville Pony Baseball. The league plans to expand slightly to include additional teams from Wheaton (3), Lombard(2) and Winfield(1). Each team will play approximately 18 league games and participate in an end of season, double elimination tournament in late June (scheduling weather dependent). A Pony All-Star game is also scheduled. All teams will host home games. The majority of games for WAA Pony teams will be in Aurora and Naperville. WAA teams will practice on local fields. Games begin in mid-April (weather permitting) and are scheduled to end in late June.

Pony Baseball is a competitive baseball program for 13 and 14 year old players (age as of May 1, 2021) who are looking for increased competition over what recreational baseball provides, but without the increased commitment that travel baseball requires. Highly competitive players are encouraged to play up one year but must both meet the age requirement within 12 months of May 1st (ie. 12 years old by May 1, 2021) of the upcoming year and score within the top 50% of tryout participants to be considered for the draft pool.

WAA Competitive Baseball strives to provide programming that meets the appropriate needs of it participants while taking into account a player’s overall skill level. All players – including returning players – will be required to tryout and must meet a minimum draft score to be eligible to be drafted or return to the same team. This change has been made to insure the integrity of the draft process and ensure the right skilled players are in the league. Any participants requesting to play up one year must both meet the age requirement within 12 months of May 1st of the upcoming year and score within the top 50% of tryout participants to be considered for the draft pool.

Teams are organized using a tryout and draft process. All players MUST be registered prior to tryouts. Drafted players and returning players will have 48 hours to complete payment and program registration once they are notified. Players not drafted will be notified and have the opportunity to register, without a late fee for a limited time, for the recreational baseball league if they meet the age requirement.

Although the league is competitive, a continued emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of the game as players are instructed on the basics of hitting, throwing, catching and base running within a framework of teamwork and sportsmanship. Players pitch the entire game and regulation baseballs are used.

Players must provide their own glove, cleats (no metal) and white pants. WAA will provide balls, batting helmets, catcher gear, and bases for each team. MLB Shirt, MLB hat and socks are included with the registration fee.

For further details, please reference the Ponies rules and future updates per Cross-Town league agreement.

All participants must register and participate in tryouts.
Notification of scheduled tryout time will be sent by email.

Tryout Information

Pony Tryout Information

Tryouts are planned for March 14, 2021. Players will be assigned a tryout time and evaluated at pitching, fielding, running and hitting using a blind tryout (no names are given to evaluators). All players, including returning players, MUST be registered prior to March tryout.

Players should wear gym shoes (NO CLEATS ARE ALLOWED) and a shirt without their name on it. Bring your baseball glove, a bat (please review bat specifications below and in the WAA Pony rules), helmet and face covering. Please be sure that player name is on all equipment.

Drafted and Returning Players
Following the draft, emails will be sent to all drafted and returning players. Parents MUST ACCEPT the position AND complete the program registration and payment within 48 hours of notice. If the registration is not completed by the stated date, a late fee will apply and/or the roster spot will be offered to another player.

All players – including returning players – will be required to tryout and must meet a minimum draft score to be eligible to be drafted or return to the same team. This change has been made to insure the integrity of the draft process and ensure the right skilled players are in the league.

Non-drafted players:
Players may register for recreational baseball without a late fee for a limited time.

Thank you and good luck!

Registration Information

2021 Tryout Registration Is Closed!

2021 Program Fees

Player fee: $295

Player fee is due for drafted players within 48 hours of notification. $20 late fee after 48 hour window.

Volunteer Opportunities

WAA is a non-profit volunteer organization. Parent volunteer coaches are needed for all teams at all levels. Please volunteer to coach your child's team.

Coaching Descriptions;

Head coach:
Primary responsibility for management and motivation of the team. A solid understanding of the rules of baseball is helpful and a desire to teach baseball fundamentals to children is necessary. Attendance at a WAA baseball coaching clinic is required. The head coach notifies all team members within 48 hours of equipment hand-out. Provides team with roster, schedule, rulebook, and picture information. Head Coach subject to background check.

Assistant Coach: Assists the head coach.

2021 Coach Application

Rules, Equipment & Directions

Rules

Equipment

Players must provide their own glove, spikes (plastic only) and white pants.
WAA will provide bats, balls, catcher gear, and bases for each team.
A major league replica jersey, hat and socks are included in the registration fee.