The most frequently asked questions in our league are answered in the Parent Handbook. You can download a copy of the Parent Handbook from the "Documents and Forms" page.
Below is an exerpt from the Parent Handbook...
What does PONY stand for?
PONY is an acronym for Protect Our Nation's Youth. PONY Baseball and Softball is designed to "Protect Our Nation's Youth" by providing experiences in youth baseball and softball that will help young people grow into healthier and happier adults.
Who is DCBA?
Deep Creek Baseball Association is a non-profit organization that offers baseball & softball opportunities to children who live in the Deep Creek Baseball Assoc. designated zone.
Where will my child play baseball?
DCBA currently maintains 7 fields within the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, VA. Shetland/T-Ball & Pinto usually play behind either G. A. Treakle Elementary School or on the High School Training Field; Mustang usually plays on the field behind the football stadium at Deep Creek Middle School; Bronco & Pony usually play at the larger field behind Deep Creek Middle School; Softball usually plays at Deep Creek Elementary School or the field behind 7-11 at the corner of George Washington Hwy & Old Mill Rd.
We do try & play some interlock games with local leagues & some games are played on their local fields.
When will my child have games & practice?
A game schedule will be released once teams are formed in the Spring (usually around the end of March) however practices usually begin in early March. Your coach will be in touch with you to provide you with a practice schedule. Game schedules are posted on our website once they are finalized. There are usually two games per week – one during the week & one on Saturday.
What equipment will my child need to play baseball or softball?
Uniforms: DCBA provides each child with a new Shirt, new Baseball Pants or Softball Shorts, new Hat, new Belt & new Socks each season.**
Equipment: DCBA provides all teams with batting helmets, new baseballs or softballs & catchers gear. Players are welcome to use any of their own approved equipment including helmets, bats, batting gloves & catchers gear. Ask your coach if you need clarification.
Gloves: Players will need their own baseball/softball glove. Please permanently mark your gloves so that they can be returned to you if lost & found.
Shoes/Cleats: Training League and Shetland/T-Ball players can wear tennis shoes or rubber molded cleats. For Pinto players & above rubber molded cleats are recommended. Steel cleats are allowed for Bronco & above – baseball only (not softball).
Safety Equipment: A heart guard is provided for Training League, Shetland & Pinto leagues. Youth-Adult Supporter with Hard Cup – recommended for all in-fielders (and required for all catchers). While uncomfortable for children, they offer important protection.
** Fall season is only a shirt & hat
** Training league is only a Deep Creek t-shirt & hat
What does my registration pay for?
All registration fees go into the General Operating Fund. From this fund, we do many things – we buy uniforms, equipment, maintain fields, support our All Star teams, pay umpires, pay utilities & host many events during the year. Registration fees alone can not pay for all of the activities & many of these activities are supported by our Bingo funds.
Does DCBA provide trophies?
If there are 5 or less teams within the division, DCBA provides awards to the 1st place team. If there are 6 or more teams in a division, DCBA will provide 1st & 2nd place awards. All teams are welcome to purchase awards from a vendor of their choice, (if they do not place 1st or 2nd) however the cost for the awards will not be paid for by the league.
Why do I buy Raffle Tickets?
In years past, the league has supplemented registration fees with candy sales. However, parents have asked us to try something new. Last year we tried raffle tickets in hopes that parents will sell them to reclaim their money and parents let us know they liked this better, so we have decided to continue it again this year in lieu of candy sales. If you decide not to sell your tickets, you can just enter yourself into the many drawings that will be taking place on Opening Day & you just might win some great prizes!
Who is eligible for the DCBA college scholarship?
Any student (entering college or already in college) who has played at least 1 year in the Deep Creek baseball Association is eligible to apply for a scholarship. Applications are accepted once a year & at that time you can obtain an application from any board member or it will be posted on line. It does not matter when the student played for DCBA, only that they played for 1 year (they could have played a year of Pinto & never played again and still be eligible). Applications are also located in the Guidance office of our local high schools.
When & Where are the General Meetings?
The league has two General Meetings each year (usually April & September) and they are held at the Major Hillard Library. If you would like to know more about the league we encourage you to attend the meetings. Attendance is required for Coaches & Managers. Check the website for exact dates.
Do I have to stay at practices with my child?
It is recommended that you stay with your child for practice. All parents are encouraged to have their child to practice on time & pick them up on time. If you have to leave the field, you must talk to your coach to let them know you are leaving & find out what time practice will be ending – Coaches are not responsible for babysitting players after practice has ended. Please be considerate of your coach’s time as they are volunteers with families too.
Why do I have to volunteer for concessions?
The concession stand is a convenience for everyone who visits our fields. We need volunteers to help keep this valuable convenience open! Each parent is only asked to volunteer once during the season.
Why am I scheduled to work concessions when my child is not playing a game?
Quite simply, we want you to be able to enjoy watching your child while they are playing. In the past, parents were scheduled during games and we found that parents would rather work when there children were not playing in a game.
Why do I have to work Bingo?
There are so many reasons to support our BINGO game. Please see “Bingo Explained” for more details – but basically each parent is only asked to volunteer once each season. Each team must supply 2 workers on their designated night and if every family volunteers, each family would only have to work 1 time all season.
What happens if our team does not supply its required 2 workers to Bingo?
Unfortunately the consequences fall upon the manger of your team, a person who has already dedicated many volunteer hours to your children. If a team does not supply it’s required 2 workers, the manager of that team is automatically suspended from the next scheduled game. The manager is not allowed on the field or in the stands for any part of the game. Please do not let this happen, please offer to work just once & help to support your mangers & coaches.
How can I support the team? = Team Snacks
Coaches or Team Mom’s will generally distribute a sign-up list (or they will just assign each family a date) and it is customary for each family to provide a snack & drink to the team at least once during the season (usually after games).