The PONY Organization MBA is affiliated with PONY Baseball Inc., a nationwide youth baseball/softball organization that emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork, self-reliance and self-discipline. PONY believes young people develop into better adults through participation in organized, supervised recreation. MBA's program is divided into four divisions based on the players' ages - Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, and Pony - see the DIVISIONS link for more detail.

MBA operates under a set of Amended and Restated Constitution and Bylaws, a copy of which is available by request to the Secretary of MBA. The following is an excerpt from that document:

It shall be the policy of MBA to commit to the instruction and development of baseball skills of the youth in its community, while growing their interpersonal and social relationships with players and adult coaches. It is also the policy of MBA to conduct its activities so that the physical and moral welfare of the young people for whose benefit it is organized shall remain paramount and all matters of policy shall be determined on that basis. MBA will support, promote, and maintain a high standard of integrity, competitiveness and good sportsmanship in all youth baseball programs, foster and promote goodwill among members, and promote and encourage attendance and participation in all activities by parents. The MBA encourages the pursuit of excellence and a competitive tradition, but these are secondary to the primary goal of developing good citizens and a sense of community.

The Players
MBA believes that a quality baseball experience depends on the commitment of each player to his or her team. Players are expected to attend all practices and games throughout the season. While conflicts do arise from time to time with other activities, we ask that each participant give MBA baseball a high priority. Participation in MBA requires that all players abide by the following MBA Player's Code:
o I will demonstrate good sportsmanship and encourage good sportsmanship from fellow players, coaches, officials and parents at every game and practice.
o I will attend every practice and game that I can and will notify my coach if I cannot.
o I will expect to receive a fair amount of playing time based upon my abilities and commitment to the program.
o I will do my very best to listen and learn from my coaches.
o I will treat my coaches, other players, officials and fans with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or abilities and I will expect to be treated accordingly.
o I promise to accept the calls of the umpire and agree that it is the manager's and/or coach's job to question a call.
o I deserve to have fun during my MBA experience and will alert parents or coaches if it stops being fun.
o I deserve to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco and alcohol and expect adults to refrain from their use at all MBA sports events.

The Parents
MBA cannot function without the commitment of parents. Parents will be asked to participate in preparing fields, staffing the MBA Snack Shack, keeping score, planning the dinner dance, etc. All are vital to the success of the program.

The Coaches
The managers and coaches of MBA are the heart of our organization. They dedicate an extraordinary amount of time to the youth of our community, sacrificing their personal time for the development of our players.

Coaches assume the following responsibilities:
o I will teach each player the game of baseball and the meaning of sportsmanship and playing together as a team.
o I will promote increased self-esteem among all team members.
o I will teach competitiveness and the meaning of fair play by precept and example.
o I will develop, to the best of his or her ability, the overall athletic skill of each player on the team.
o I will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
o I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of my personal desire to win.
o I will do my best to provide a safe play situation for my players.
o I will create an environment in which the children have fun with baseball.
o I will attend MBA sanctioned manager/coaches clinics.
o I will not attack a team member's character, or imply, directly or indirectly, by action or comments that any particular player was personally responsible for the win or loss of a game.
o I will treat the umpires, opposing coaches and parents with respect.
o I will hold a team meeting with the parents prior to the start of the regular season and organize the parents of the players to carry out work necessary for the team's function.
o I will maintain discipline at all practices and games for the players, parents and spectators of my team.
o I will publish a practice schedule and notify parents of canceled practices and games.
o I will ensure parent participation in keeping areas around bleachers, dugouts and fields clean.
o I will maintain order in the dugout.
o I will ensure the field is prepared when designated as home team.
o I will ensure the cleanup of the dugout and field at the conclusion of the game.
o I will assure that equipment in my possession is in serviceable condition and returned at the end of the season.
o I understand that unsportsmanlike conduct, including foul and/or abusive language, will not be tolerated at any time. If such behavior occurs, I acknowledge that I am subject to discipline or, if deemed necessary, dismissal by the MBA Board of Directors.

2010 MBA REGISTRATION POLICY

Returning families whose players register on or before November 30, 2009 will be given priority for placement on a team. New players, and returning players registering after November 30, 2009, will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based on the time and date of their completed registration form and will be placed on teams, as space is available. We will do everything we can to accommodate all eligible players, including expanding the number of teams as field space and coaching allows. First-time siblings in a returning family will be given priority for a spot on a team over players new to the league at every level except Pony. Pony players will be placed on a team only after being evaluated at tryouts. A birth certificate for first year players must be dropped off at the informational meeting at the JM Library on November 4 at 7:00, or mailed to Kym Leserman, 821 Crossbrook Ct., Moraga, CA 94556. Information on player divisions can be viewed on the MBA Divisions page. The registration fee for 2010 is $375 for Pinto and Mustang, $400 for Bronco, and $425 for Pony. This fee includes league costs for equipment, uniforms, field usage/maintenance, restrooms and instructional clinics, as well as Opening Day breakfast tickets for your family. A $25 discount is available for siblings. No child will be refused the opportunity to play due to an inability to pay. You may request a waiver of all or part of the fee if its payment would create a financial hardship for your family. Please contact MBA President Jim Buckley at jimbuckley@comcast.net for more information. Everyone's help is needed to ensure the continued success of our baseball program. As a reminder, every family is expected to fulfill a league volunteer requirement in addition to having a job to perform on each child's team. Choices for parent volunteer assignments are shown on the online registration. Each family MUST indicate two areas where they would be willing to help. We will do our best to accommodate your first choice for a volunteer assignment. However, the volunteer assignments will be based on both demand and the order in which the registrations are received - so send in your registration now! You will be contacted after the registration with your assignment. Thank you in advance for your volunteer efforts. This year MBA will again be offering a buyout in lieu your league volunteer requirement. Buyouts will be $100.00 and will be available to the first 75 families to sign up. Remember - you still have your team job to perform! MANDATORY placement practices for all players will be held January 9 (and January 10 if necessary). You will be notified after registration about the time and place for the placement practices. In the event of a rainout, placement practices will be rescheduled. You will be contacted as necessary.