LA-MV To Realign Its Upper Divisions

This Fall, Los Altos - Mountain View PONY Baseball was notified by PONY Baseball, Inc. that the national eligibility rules for the coming season were being amended to allow Leagues the option of instituting “age under” classifications of play. This change in eligibility is being made in recognition of a national trend toward the use of “age under” classifications for play at most out-of-season invitational Tournaments. LA-MV has decided to amend its operational rules in order to embrace this change in its Upper Divisions (Pony Division thru Palomino Division) as part of an overall effort to improve the competitiveness of its high end programs.

Starting this season, the Pony Division will be open to all players 14 years and under. It is not expected that any players 12 years old and under will be chosen for this Division, after a rigorous Tryout, as the skill level required for play at this level is too demanding for the younger players. The real change in this Division will occur for 14 year old High School players, who will have the option of returning to the Pony Division at the end of their High School season or elect to play a complete season in the Colt Division.

The Colt Division will become a 16U level of play designed for the average High School Junior Varsity player. For the first time, LA-MV will be offering teams coached by the local High School coaches at this level of play. LA-MV has already secured the commitment of the coaching staff of St. Francis High School for coaching at this level and the League will be seeking to expand that commitment to include the coaching staffs at Los Altos High School, Mountain View High School, and Archbishop Mitty High School.

The Colt Division will play a rigorous inter-League schedule against other teams in Northern California, as well as post-season PONY All Star and selected travel Tournaments.

The League has worked very hard the last two seasons to develop a competitive Palomino Division. This season, that team will become a “cut team” playing 19U ball against High School All Star-level competition in Northern California. This level of play is designed for players who dominate at the High School level and have aspirations of continuing play at the college level. We expect this team to be coached by a local High School Head Coach.

The implementation of these changes will not affect the traditional alignment of our lower Divisions (Shetland Division thru Bronco Division), which will continue to be restricted by age and placement will be determined by the Division Director or Tryout.

If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar at registrar@lamvpb.org.