FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Toro Pony Baseball?

We are a non-profit organization affiliated with PONY baseball, Washington, PA, whose aim is to provide a positive experience through recreational baseball, and to teach not only baseball skills, but more importantly team work, commitment, and camaraderie among our children. The league is staffed and operated by volunteers.

Does the league still need volunteers?

Absolutely! All the time put forward to make the league run comes from parents that are taking time away from their families. Without volunteers the league could not exist which would be a tremendous loss for the 550+ children in our program. The more help that is available the easier it is on everyone involved. We do have work available during the season that counts toward community service hours for students. Please contact a Board member if you are interested or sign up at the snack bar.

How is the league supported financially?

Annual player registration barely covers the cost of league operation (see FIELD UPDATE page for a complete P&L). Registration does not cover capital improvements such as fields, field equipment, bleachers, etc. Capital improvements are made possible only through fund raising activities, sponsorships, and local donations. Some examples of the annual expenses we incur include: field maintenance-$21,000; coach training/umpires-$7,000, uniforms/equipment-$20,000, and insurance/registration- $6,500. In total is costs approximately $64,000 to operate the league for one season, and that is assuming we don not need any significant improvements. We are the only PONY league on the Monterey peninsula that pays for it's own annual field maintenance. All other leagues use city fields.

Does the league have insurance if my child gets hurt during play?

Toro league carries both liability and secondary medical insurance for players, Coaches, and volunteers who may be injured at Toro designated facilities or Toro sanctioned events. Public practice areas not pre-approved by the Toro league are not eligible for coverage. Backyard practices are never covered. To play in Toro you must have your own primary medical coverage, which is your child's primary insurance in the unlikely event of an injury. Toro league insurance is secondary coverage only, but will not cover your own personal primary deductible. Toro does not allow freinds or siblings to participate in practices or games if they are not in the Toro league.

Why can't I get the Coach to keep my child in the position I want?

With the exception of the PONY level, this is still a recreational league. But, even at the PONY level, we cannot guarantee kids will stay in one position because of the number of players. At 13-14 year old level, they can all play. Travel ball leagues are the only avenues where you can get commitments on playing time and field positions. Coaches are human and will do their best to accommodate everyone on the team. Since they are the ones putting in the time where most parents will not, managing the team is their decision.

Does Toro screen Coaches?

The Board conducts background checks and does discuss the skills of those that request a team. Attributes are general baseball skills and good demeanor with the kids. We are always short of good Coaches who won't turn kids off to the sport. The number one reason we are always short of Coaches is still parents that don't have the time to help, but seem to find plenty of time criticize how the team is managed. When you find yourself openly criticizing a Coach please be sensitive to how hard it is for us to find them in the first place. If they are putting in the time where you are not, please cut them a break or better yet, help out before you jump. Coaching has a parallel to voting. Until you do it, you haven't earned the right to complain.

Can my child move up or down in an age playing bracket based on his/her skills?

Not according to PONY rules and insurance requirements. Age brackets are enforced through the birth certificate verification process. Toro does not support a petition process to move kids up or down versus what their playing age dictates.

What are the playing age levels for baseball and how is this determined?

For baseball : Shetland (5-6 years old), Pinto (7-8), Mustang (9-10), Bronco (11-12), Pony (13-14). For softball: Mini-Rookies (7-8), Rookies (9-10), Minors (11-12), and Majors (13-14). Your child must play in the age bracket as determined by their age on April 30 .  Some examples: if your child is (4) and turns (5) on April 30 , they can play in the Shetland level (5-6 year old); if your child turns (11) on April 30 , he would play in Bronco level; if they turn (11) on May 1 , they would play in Mustang level. Although softball starts at (7-8) years old it is not a bad idea to start your daughter in baseball's Shetland level (5-6) years old first to see how they take to the sport. The softball age level cut off is different from baseball. The age level cut off date for the girls softball program is January 1.

Is Baseball and Softball the same organization?  

Although both programs use the same facilities and share some of the same volunteers, softball is affiliated with ASA (Amateur Softball Association) while baseball is affiliated with PONY (Protect Our Nations Youth).

At the Shetland and Pinto levels why can't I get my child on the team I want ?

We attempt to accommodate as many parents as possible, but some Coaches are more popular than others and with over 200 kids at these levels it is impossible to accommodate everyone. Since Coaches are volunteering their time we allow them  confidential first picks of the kids they want at the Shetland level, and up to 5 kids at the Pinto level. At the Shetland level a Coach can pick the entire roster. At the Pinto level the Coach has up to five picks including their child, and then the roster is randomly filled in with the objective to even out the 7 and 8 year olds.  Coaches avoid parents more so than kids so keep this in mind if you find yourself always getting a different team than you wanted. The best way to get on the team you want is to volunteer to be a Head Coach. At these two levels it does not require allot of time or skills.

Why does Toro use a player draft system for Mustang level and higher?

A draft system helps to ensure that teams are balanced and one team does not dominate because it has more returning players than other teams. We will keep immediate family members (i.e. two brother ages 9 and 10 at the Mustang level) on the same team if they are in the same age level bracket. The system also allows children the opportunity to make new friends, and that goes for parents too!

Is there a draft system at the 13-14 year old level?

The objective at this level is not to equalize a players time with the rest of the team, but to win games. There is a minimum once at bat, and two innings in the field for each game unless the ten run rule is in effect. Players are rotated and played solely at the Coach's discretion. Playing all innings or the same position every game is usually not realistic.  

Why does PONY stop after 14 years old?

PONY actually has playing brackets through age (18) but Toro does not continue past age (14) due to field availability and we do not want to compete with local high school programs for players. We do take returning freshman high school players back when their season is over in mid May if they are 14 years old.

Why is Toro affiliated with PONY and not Little League?

Toro elected to move to PONY because the playing age brackets, field dimensions, and playing rules, are a closer match to young baseball players skills. Also, most programs on the Monterey peninsula are PONY, which allows us more avenues to compete in regular and post season play. Little League still does not allow lead offs and stealing at the Bronco level, and the base paths and mound are shorter distances.

Can I play at Toro if I live outside of the Washington Union/Spreckles area?

PONY is very strict about boundary locations so that local programs remain intact. Boundaries are determined by where you live with your legal guardian, not where you go to school. Under certain conditions someone outside of the Toro boundary may be eligible to play during the regular season at Toro if they at least go to school in the Washington-Union, Spreckles district, but will not be eligible for post season play (All-Stars). Toro area zip codes are 93908, 93962, and certain sections of 93924. If you do not live in the Spreckles or Washington Union school districts and do not go to school here, we cannot take you. You must register in your local PONY program. Boots Road is in the Monterey district and not Toro.

If I move during the season where do I play?

You need to enter into the PONY league where you reside at the time of sign-ups, not when you think your move will actually take place. To be eligible for All-Star post season you must have played at least one half of the regular season games in the area in which you move to.

At what level is this not considered beginners anymore?

For safety reasons the only level that Toro requires previous experience is PONY (13-14 years old). To be considered for that level a player must have at least one full season   of Bronco level (11-12 years old). Due to field and Coaching availability the number of players in the PONY age level is limited and are subject to try out evaluations. If you are cut after try-outs at the PONY level you will get a full refund of registration fees, but there is no reimbursement of any other out of pocket costs. Baseball at this level is very serious and dangerous if your child does not have the necessary skills to at least protect himself from balls that can be hit and pitched over 80 mph. Because of the age cut off date you can be up against players that are about to turn 15 years old. If you are considering playing baseball for the first time at the Bronco (11-12 yrs old) level, you will be doing your child a tremendous disservice if you do not practice ahead of time with them, or get them some experienced lessons (Aldrete's, Cage's). Bronco level does not require prior experience in the league, but unlike the lower levels where there are continuous batting orders, playing time is based on your child's skills in relation to the rest of the team.  

Does Toro have a fall ball program?

We do not have a fall ball program. Like most leagues, it is too hard to get enough players, Coaches, and volunteers in the fall to operate the league effectively due to competing with other sports.

Does Toro ban travel baseball during the regular season?

Toro does not ban travel baseball but will enforce a travel ball policy that is spelled out on the player registration form. You are committing to not miss more than one regular season game or two scheduled practice sessions due to travel baseball, or any other sports activity or you will be asked to forfeit the season with no financial recourse against the Toro league. PONY rules do not allow tournament play (travel ball) outside of the Toro league once post-season All-Star games begin. You cannot be on two different tournament teams at the same time.

Why do some kids know what team they are on before others?

We don't have enough volunteers to notify over 550 kids once the teams are selected so we rely on Coaches to make the calls and notify their players so please be patient. Some Coaches are quicker than others for various reasons. For privacy reasons we do not post team rosters on this website.

What equipment do I need ?

The league provides a jersey and hat to each player, 2-dozen baseballs for each team, extra batting helmets, and basic catchers gear (no catchers glove or protective cup). Parents provide under garments, gloves, bats, cleats (rubber only), and any accessories. Blue jeans are not allowed at games. No level is allowed to use metal cleats except Pony (13-14). Catchers are required to wear cups and throat guards (player provides). Umpires will check bats, shoes, catchers' cups, and helmets before each game. It's time to replace your bat if it has any flat spots, or your helmet if it has any actual cracks, or white "stress marks" at any of the corners. 

How can I volunteer to Coach or help out?

We are always looking for dedicated volunteers and without them the league would fold. The Toro Board must approve coaches. Then we will certify them in basic first aid. Finally, you must submit to a criminal background check. If you are interested please contact a board member.

How critical is it that I take my turn at the snack bar?

Snack bar operations and the revenues it generates are critical to maintaining the league. If we had to pay outsiders to operate the snack bar there would not be any income left to apply toward league expenses. Yes, it is allot of work but it is for a short period of time and it helps us keep the registration fees where they are for your child.

How late can I sign up for the current season?

For all levels except Pony 13-14 we will add a late walk on to teams in the order that the draft would have continued to occur and up until February 13, provided team rosters are not full and we can still obtain jerseys. Late walk-ons may incur additional equipment charges in addition to normal registration fees. At the Pony 13-14 level we  will not take a walk on player that missed try-outs. 

Why is the Toro Elementary side gate on Davenrich locked during the season ?

The league made a commitment to the homeowners that we would keep the gate locked during the regular season to minimize traffic. It is a public access but unfortunately, we have had too many instances of inconsiderate people blocking mailboxes and driveways.