Frequently Asked Questions

What is the philosophy of MTYAA Baseball?

The objective of MTYAA PONY Baseball as stated in our bylaws is:

to instill in its participants the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, discipline, and respect for authority. Also, that the youth of the area will grow to be citizens whose adult lives will reflect those values. These objectives will be reached by providing the highest quality of supervision and competitive games. The supervisors shall bear in mind at all times that the attainment of exceptional athletic skill, or the winning of games is secondary to the players’ well being. It is the philosophy of MTYAA Baseball to have its coaches teach all players all aspects of the game of baseball.

Aside from the immediate emotion involved in winning games, league championships and tournaments, we are supervising a group of kids playing a series of games.  It is a game and not a life or death matter.  If our kids are not learning and having fun, then something is wrong.  There is no empirical evidence that what a ballplayer does prior to puberty has any correlation to his/her potential as a ballplayer.  Whether he/she plays 20 or 25 games on a “rec” team or 100 games on a “select” or “travel” team, in general, has no bearing on upon how much the player knows how to play the game.  Spending enormous amounts of money for the priciest instructor at age 8, 9 or 10, does not insure increased performance at age 15 or 16.  Baseball at the younger ages is about having fun, learning the fundamentals, developing a love for the game, and learning important life lessons. 

Do I have to live in a particular area to play MTYAA Baseball?

You do not need to live within league boundary areas to play baseball in our league.  As a practical matter, you should determine whether or not getting your child to games and practices will cause an undue hardship on your family if you live outside the boundaries.  Most of the games and practices are held in the Lynnwood, Edmonds, Brier, and Mountlake Terrace areas.  (Pony, Colt and Palomino teams play interleague schedules with other Pony teams in the area.)

What makes Pony Baseball different from Little League, et al?

How do I determine my child’s “league age?”

What are the different age groups or divisions?

• Shetland (Ages 4, 5 & 6  Tee Ball) – This is our beginning level of play.  Players hit a soft core baseball off a rubber tee.  All players are assigned to a  team.  There are no standings and nobody keeps score.  Entire roster bats each half-inning It is all about having fun and teaching some fundamental skill
• Pinto (Ages 7 & 8 Coach Pitch) – Coaches pitch a soft core baseball to their own team.  No leading off of bases by baserunners.  No base stealing.  Games are 6 innings long.  All players are assigned to a team.  Standings are not kept.  Fundamental baserunning, hitting and fielding are introduced. No base stealing. Parent volunteers officiate games.
• Mustang (Ages 9 & 10) – Kids pitch, baserunners may lead off of first and second base and steal bases.  Base paths are 60 feet.  Pitching distance is 44 feet.  Games are scheduled for 6 innings.  Paid umpires are utilized.  Players participate in a tryout and are drafted onto teams.  All players who tryout are selected for teams.
•  Bronco (Ages 11 & 12) – Bronco is a continued advancement from Mustang.  Pitching distance is 48 feet.  Base paths are 70 feet.  Batter may advance on a dropped third strike and runners can also lead off at third base.  Games are scheduled for 7 innings.  Paid umpires are used. Players participate in a tryout and are drafted onto teams.  All players who tryout are selected for team.
Pony (Ages 13 & 14) – Pony is the continued advancement of players from the Bronco Division.  Base paths are 80 feet and pitching distance is 54 feet.  Games are scheduled for 7 innings. Professional umpires are utilized.  There are two levels of play at Pony.  The Olympic Division is a select level of baseball.  The Cascade Division is the recreational level of play.   Both Cascade and Olympic teams play interleague schedules which will require some travel to neighboring leagues for games.

Olympic Division is for highly skilled 13 & 14 year old players interested in playing select level baseball.  Teams are formed in September and practice throughout the winter in preparation for the season.  Tryouts for Olympic Division are usually held in mid-September.  Some players who tryout will not be selected for Olympic teams.  Those players not selected for or not interested this level of play may register for Pony Cascade.

• Colt (Ages 15 & 16) – Colt Division plays baseball on a regulation baseball field (90 foot base paths and 60.5 feet pitching distance).  Professional umpires are used.
• Palomino (Ages 17 & 18) – Palomino Division also plays on a regulation baseball field.  Pony also allows some leagues to combine ages 15-18 into a Palomino team when they would not have enough players at any one level.  Palomino games start somewhat later than the other divisions to allow for High School baseball schedules to be completed. Professional umpires are used.

Can my son or daughter and their friends play on the same team together?

Can my child “play up” at MTYAA Baseball?

When is Registration?

When do practices and games begin?

Do teams practice and play on Sundays?

How many practices and games are there per week?

• Shetland: 1 or 2 practices a week prior to the season.  1 practice and 1 game per week when season commences.  All games are played on Saturdays.
• Pinto:  1 or 2 practices a week prior to the season.  1 practice and 1 or 2 games per week when season commences.
• Mustang and Bronco: 2 or 3 practices a week prior to the season.  1 or 2 practices and 2 games per week.
• Pony, Colt, Palomino:  2 or 3 practices a week prior to the season.  1 or 2 practices and up to 3 or more games per week

What is the cost to play?

Family discounts for families with two or more players are determined each year by the Executive Board.  Inquire at registration for information about family discounts.

Why isn't there a rain-out hotline number to call for fields besides E3, E4 & E5?

Why is there a mandatory fundraiser?

Simply  put, the registration fee alone does not cover the  costs associated with playing baseball.  We strive to keep our registration fees at a level  where there is access to all families who want their children to participate in the program.  We set our registration fees at an artificially low amount and then require that all players participate in the fundraiser.  Those that could not otherwise afford for their child to participate in MTYAA Baseball can benefit from the lower registration fee and sell the required raffle tickets.  Those families that do not want to sell the raffle tickets and can afford to purchase them, can make that choice.  If we did not conduct the fundraiser, we would be forced to increase the registration fees to cover the amount raised by the fundraising event.  Doing so would decrease access  for many families and we would not be able to provide opportunities for those children to play in our league.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact a league officer for more specific information.

Why do we need to obtain sponsorships for our teams?

The additional support of our sponsors helps to cover the costs associated with playing baseball.  Without the additional sponsorship support, we would be forced to increase registration fees which again might deter some children from playing in our league. In addition, any sponsorships received above the league minimum guidelines can be used by the team for qualified team expenses.

What about playing time?

Shetland: The entire roster bats every inning.  Each player must play in the field at least 3 innings, 2 of which must be consecutive.

Pinto:   The entire roster bats, regardless of whether the player is playing defensively. Each player must play in the field at least 3 innings, 2 of which must be consecutive.

Mustang:  The entire roster bats, regardless of whether the player is playing defensively.  Each player must play in the field at least 3 innings.  If a game is concluded early for any reason, any player who has not played in at least 3 innings must start and play the first 3 innings of the next game.

Bronco: No longer free substitution.  Only the lineup bats, not the entire roster.  Each player must play at least 3 defensive innings in the field.  If a game is concluded early for any reason, any player who has not played in at least 3 innings must start and play the first 3 innings of the next game.

Pony, Colt & Palomino:  No playing time rules specified.  All playing time is at the discretion of the coach.

We ask that you first speak with the specific coach or league official responsible for that area.  Problems are best solved at the lowest level, when all parties collaborate together.  If the issue is not resolved, you should speak with the Player Agent or Division Director.  If this is not possible, please contact a league officer.  Please be sensitive as to when and where you approach a coach with an issue.  It is usually best to contact the coach privately, before or after a practice/game. 

What are the operating guidelines for the organization?

How are “All Star Teams” and “Tournament Teams” selected?

How can I get involved?

How can I contact someone at MTYAA Baseball?

MTYAA Baseball is a volunteer organization.  We do not have an "office" or paid staff.  Someone will respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible.  You may contact us by email to question@mtyaabaseball.org or by calling 206-354-2237 and leaving a voice message.  Our mailing address is:  MTYAA Baseball, PO Box 159, Mountlake Terrace, Washington 98043-0159.  You can also find individual e-mail addresses for league officers on the website by clicking on Administration on the left-hand menu of our homepage.