| Walnut Creek Pony Baseball’s mission is to prepare boys for high school baseball while giving them an enjoyable learning experience. Our program serves boys 9–14 years of age and focuses on skill development in a team-oriented environment while maintaining a highly competitive and nationally ranked program. We are thankful that through the efforts of our current and past families we have built two high quality fields in Walnut Creek serving all of our divisions. Although we are a competitive program, these local fields help give our program a communal and family feel as we play a large percentage of our games in Walnut Creek, thereby reducing travel time for our families. The Walnut Creek Pony Bulldawgs have multiple teams in the following three divisions:
Mustang (9-10 yr olds) The Mustang program is primarily developmental as it introduces young baseball players to “real baseball” with stealing, pitching out of the stretch, lead-offs, hit-and-run play, etc. Emphasis is on teaching and reinforcing good baseball fundamentals. The boys will learn a variety of positions, play 35 to 45 games, including 2 to 3 tournaments (one of which will be an overnight, away tournament) and participate in league play with playoffs in a competitive Pony-type league. Playing time is not guaranteed but it is spread out more evenly amongst the players than a purely competitive-only program; however, there still may be significant differences in playing time between some players. The manager retains final authority and ultimate discretion over playing time. Field: Parkmead Elementary; 60 foot bases, 44 foot pitching mound, 6 innings.
Bronco (11-12 yr olds) The Bronco division usually has two teams: a Diablo Team and a Valley Team. The Bronco Valley team plays 40 to 50 games, participates in Pony-style league play, and enters 3 to 4 tournaments (including one away tournament). Playing time is not guaranteed but it is spread out more evenly amongst the players than a purely competitive-only program; however, there still may be significant differences in playing time between some players. The Bronco Diablo team is more competitive-oriented than Bronco Valley. They play more games (45–60), and enter more tournaments (4–6). While development is still emphasized, the Bronco Diablo players will compete for playing time, with the manager generally placing players on the field and in the lineup that are best suited to meet the demands of that particular game. The Bronco managers retain final authority and ultimate discretion over playing time. Field: Parkmead Elementary; 70 foot bases, 48 foot pitching mound, 7 innings.
Pony (13-14 yr olds) The Pony division usually has three teams with at least one Diablo, one Valley, and one additional Diablo or Valley team. The Pony Valley teams focus on development and learning skills to put the players in the best position to compete for a spot on the Pony Diablo team and/or a high school baseball team. They typically play 45 to 55 games and 3 to 4 tournaments. Playing time is not guaranteed but it is spread out more evenly amongst the players than a purely competitive-only program; however, there still may be significant differences in playing time between some players. The Pony Diablo team’s primary purpose is to play competitive baseball and make our last best efforts to prepare the players for high school ball. This team will play 60 to 75 games, compete in multiple tournaments, travel more than any of our other teams, and will likely compete for a regional, state, or national championship. There are no guidelines for playing time on this team with the manager placing players on the field and in the lineup that are best suited to make the team the most competitive at any given time. The Pony managers retain final authority and ultimate discretion over playing time. Field: Heather Farm; 80 foot bases, 54 foot pitching mound, 7 innings. | 