LA-MV PONY: Mustang-1 Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Mustang-1 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Hopefully you'll be able to find the answer you are looking for, but if not, contact the Mustang-1 Division Director, Bill Jarvis at bill.jarvis@comcast.net with your questions. We'll try to update the list periodically with the good questions that parents continue to ask. The short description of the Mustang-1 Division is:

Mustang

Age 9

This division is for returning 9-year-old players and 8-year-olds with advanced baseball skills who desire a more competitive level of play. We begin the players' training in the complete game of baseball. Players pitch with a regulation baseball from a distance of 44 feet. The diamond is 60 feet between the bases. Base stealing is introduced. Players participate in the same "tryout" process as Mustang 2. Team coaches subsequently "draft" players based on tryout results. The regular season includes games with teams from within the same division. There is a playoff tournament at the end of the season. Each player receives use of a full baseball uniform and receives individual and team photos.

How, What, When, Where?

Team Formation and Assignment

Answers

How do I decide if Mustang 1 is the right division for my child?
Most children who are 9-years-old by April 30th during the season or who played last year in the Pinto 2 division should choose the Mustang 1 division. Very advanced 8-year-olds can tryout, and may be allowed to play up into Mustang 1 if they demonstrate sufficient skill. Some 10-year-old players who are new to baseball, or require more development can request to play down into Mustang 1. Parents may request the Pinto 2 division for their 9-year-old who may need more development, or who is new to baseball. [back]

What are the major differences between Pinto 2 and Mustang 1?
In Mustang 1: players pitch a regulation baseball (hardball), only 9 players play in the field at a time, there is an umpire provided by the league, game scores and standings are kept, at the end of the season there is a playoff tournament including all the teams, the diamond is 60 feet, there are stolen bases, and sliding is mandatory on close plays. In Pinto 2: a softer ball is used and there is a progression from "coach-pitch" to the kids pitching, 10 kids play in the field, there is no umpire nor standings, there is no playoff tournament, the diamond is 50 feet, no base stealing is allowed, and sliding on close plays is encouraged, but not mandatory. [back]

How do I register my child?
To Register, to go our Registration Page. This page includes complete instructions and downloadable copies of our information packet. All players are encouraged to register and pay online. When you are registering, please consider the many volunteer opportunities or sponsorship possibilities.

New players must provide a photocopy of the child's birth certificate, passport, or other age-verifying document, as described on the Registration Page. [back]

Does my child need to tryout?
Yes, tryouts are required for all players ages 9 and above who request the Mustang 1 division and above, and 8-year-olds who register for Mustang 1. Tryouts are used to evaluate player skills (batting, fielding, throwing and running) in order to a) ensure that the player is signed up for the appropriate division, b) select Club Team players, and c) form balanced teams. [back]

When are tryouts?
Tryout schedules and locations are on the Camps and Tryouts Page. You will be able to reserve a tryout time online or via a phone number that will be posted on the Camps and Tryouts Page. You can also schedule a time in person on the day of the tryout. [back]

What happens at tryouts?
The kids are grouped by their assigned time. Together they go through a warm up, and then are timed on a 60ft run. They then proceed to 3 other stations for evaluation in batting, fielding and throwing. The batting is against a pitching machine and sometimes supplemented with a batting tee. They get approximately 5 swings. Players may use their own bat. One fielding evaluation is 3 ground balls from a machine to the shortstop position - the player fields the ball and throws to first base. The second fielding evaluation is 3 fly balls from a machine to the outfield - the player tries to catch the ball and throw to second base. The tryout process lasts about an hour.

Evaluation of the players is by experienced coaches and LA-MVPB board members. Results of tryouts are released only to coaches drafting a team and Pony staff. Mustang coaches are encouraged to attend tryouts to form their own independent evaluation of the players. [back]

Should my child practice/prepare for tryouts?
Though not necessary, it is suggested. The League offers free Back-to-Baseball clinics in January to help brush up on skills. See the information packet or the Camps & Tryouts Page for details. [back]

When does the season start?
The division draft is in early-to-mid February. After the draft, the coaches can begin practices - typically twice per week until the season begins. Opening Day for the first game is mid-to-late March. The regular season ends before Memorial Day, and the playoffs end in early June. Schedules are distributed before Opening Day. [back]

Where, when and how often are practices held?
Practices are held at Huff and Loyola schools. Coaches usually schedule two practices a week, one mid-week and once on weekends, prior to Opening Day. After the season begins there is usually one practice on Monday, Friday or Sunday. Coaches pick their practice days and times from the available slots (which are limited by field availability).

Where, when and how often are games played?
Games are held at Huff and Loyola schools. Each team typically plays once on Saturdays and once in midweek - usually Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Saturday games are normally scheduled at 9:30, 12:30 and 3:30. Midweek games are at 4PM before Daylight Savings Time and at 5PM afterwards. [back]

How many games are scheduled?
Typically there are 12-14 games, depending on the number of teams. The goal is to finish the regular season before Memorial Day. [back]

How long are games?
Games are 6 innings (5-1/2 innings if the home team is leading after the visitors bat in the 6th inning). On weekdays, however, no inning shall start after 2 hours, and on weekends after 2-1/2 hours. [back]

What is the minimum playing time for each player?
No player may sit out on defense more than 2 innings. The League encourages coaches to provide opportunities for infield play for each player in each game. [back]

What equipment is required to play?
The minimum baseball equipment required is a baseball glove. You can expect to pay $30-40 for a relatively good quality beginner glove made of leather (not plastic). Gloves are available from SportMart, Toy's R Us, and other local sports stores. Please ask for assistance in getting the correct size if this is the first time a glove is being purchased.

A protective cup is required for all male catchers. The League strongly advises that all male players wear a protective cup.

Most kids also purchase baseball shoes with rubber cleats (about $30 for kids sizes up to size 6). Metal cleats are not permitted. Many players also purchase their own bats which can range from $25-$200. Each team has one or more team bats available for use during practice and games. [back]

Is there any additional fundraising required?
No. LA-MV Pony Baseball derives all its funds from registration fees, donors and sponsorship. There are no candy sales, magazine sales or mid-season fund raisers. [back]

How are teams assigned?
Mustang teams are formed through a draft. All players attend a tryout during which they are evaluated by experienced coaches and LA-MVPB board members. After the tryouts are completed, a draft is held in which coaches select from the pool of available players. The draft is designed to optimize the likelihood that teams will be roughly equivalent in terms of talent. Each team is allowed up to two "protected" players (the children of the two coaches) who are automatically placed on that team. The division director approves coach pairings and protected players to keep parity among the teams. [back]

Can my child request a friend to play on the same team?
The teams are assembled using the draft process to ensure balanced teams. There is no way to guarantee a request for a friend to play on the same team. [back]

Do siblings play on the same team?
Yes, siblings play on the same team if the parents request it. Occasionally parents will request that siblings be placed on different teams, and those requests are also honored. [back]

When will I be notified which team my child is on?
The division draft occurs in early February. Coaches then contact their players over the next week and pass on the details such as the team roster and practice schedule. The League recommends that the coaches hold a parents' meeting before or after the first team practice in order to introduce themselves and ask for assistance during the season. [back]

Are there post-season All Star opportunities?
The Mustang 1 division will field an All Star team for 2-3 tournaments after the playoffs are completed. There will also be an In-House All Star tournament with players from our league. [back]

How are All Stars selected?
The Mustang 1 & 2 division directors and the Player Representative select the All Stars. The Vice President of Operations occasionally provides input. The All Stars are nominated by their own regular season coach who also provides information such as the player's position, performance and attitude. During the regular season, coaches also report to the division director after each game the top players from the opposing team. This information, along with original tryout scores, and player availability is used to assemble All Star teams. [back]

I'm interested in coaching, what should I do?
When completing registration, the first step is to check the “Head Coach” or “Assistant Coach” box in the volunteer section. If you wish to pair with another coach, that should also be indicated on form. The division director will choose among the available candidates to get two coaches per team for the draft process. [back]

After the draft process, the head coaches are free to recruit parents of their players as additional assistants. If you would like more information or have questions, please contact the division director.

What opportunities are there for parents to assist the coaches during the season?
Each team will need a team parent(s) to organize a snack schedule, distribute picture-day materials and organize the end-of-year party. The head coach usually asks for additional assistant coaches to help with practices and games, and for help in field preparation.