Rules

PONY Baseball Age Chart (2026)

PONY Baseball determines league age by a player's age on April 30 of the season year. That's a change worth knowing about: PONY used August 31 for decades, then moved to April 30 by a 2022 International Board decision, aligning PONY with USSSA, Perfect Game, and Babe Ruth. Old August-31 charts still circulate on local league sites; if a chart disagrees with the one below, check its date.

Two youth baseball diamonds of different sizes with players transitioning between them

PONY Divisions and Ages (2026 Season)

Age on April 30, 2026 sets league age. PONY's named divisions each span two league ages:

Division	League ages	Born between
Shetland	5-6	May 1, 2019 – Apr 30, 2021
Pinto	7-8	May 1, 2017 – Apr 30, 2019
Mustang	9-10	May 1, 2015 – Apr 30, 2017
Bronco	11-12	May 1, 2013 – Apr 30, 2015
Pony	13-14	May 1, 2011 – Apr 30, 2013
Colt	15-16	May 1, 2009 – Apr 30, 2011
Palomino	17-18	May 1, 2007 – Apr 30, 2009

Two-year divisions are PONY's signature: kids spend a first year as the younger age and a second as the older, and PONY's field dimensions scale up division by division (Mustang plays 60-foot bases, Bronco 70, Pony 80, Colt/Palomino 90), which PONY argues eases the jump to the full-size diamond better than one big move.

Ready to take your game to the next level?

PONY vs the Other Charts

Because PONY now shares the April 30 cutoff with travel baseball, a Bronco-age player is the same 11U/12U in USSSA and PG events, which simplifies life for the many PONY players who also travel. The remaining clash is Little League's August 31 date: a boy born in July is Bronco-eligible as a 12 in PONY through the summer while already league age 13 in Little League. The all-leagues comparison shows every cutoff side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PONY baseball age cutoff for 2026?

April 30, 2026. A player's league age is their age on that date, and their division follows the two-year bands above.

When did PONY change from August 31 to April 30?

The PONY International Board approved the change in 2022. Charts and calculators published before then show the old August 31 rule, which is why conflicting PONY charts still float around league websites.

Can a player play up a division in PONY?

Generally yes, with local league approval, subject to PONY's safety rules for the bigger diamonds. Playing down is not permitted.

Are PONY and USSSA age groups the same?

Same cutoff date, different grouping: USSSA runs one-year divisions (11U, 12U), PONY runs two-year named divisions (Bronco covers both). A Bronco first-year is 11U in USSSA terms.

One roster, every league's math: birthdates, divisions, and pitch limits together.