Fall Ball Signups Are Coming!!! 

See the handouts section for the form.

The annual Coaches Clinic will be held on Monday (3/24) from 6-8PM at the Freeport Jr. High.  All coaches are encouraged to attend along with any interested parents who would like to learn more about the game.  You should have already received the email.  Please email nsb.baseball@gmail.com for further details.

Folks, it’s that time of year again. 

It’s time for our indoor clinics for the boys and girls of the league!!!

This year, we are very proud to present some special guest instructors to help us with both the baseball and softball clinics!!!

 Who:

• (Baseball) Bruce Yard and Jim Popp
• (Softball) Jennifer Kulick 

When:

• (Baseball) – Every Wednesday Night in March
• (Ages 7-10 = Registration 5:30-6:00, Session 6:00-7:00)
• (Ages 11-14 = Registration 7:00-7:30, Session 7:30-8:30)
•  (Softball) – Every Thursday Night in March
• (Ages 6-10 = Registration 5:30-6:30, Session 6:00-7:00)
• (Ages 11+ = Registration 7:00-7:30, Session 7:30-8:30) 

Where: Freeport Junior High Gym

            $10 at the door (if not on the reservation list and session not full)

Deadline: Select the sessions below and email in your reservation to nsb.baseball@gmail.com by the Monday at 5PM before your session to reserve your spot (numbers are limited and those at the door may be turned away so don’t delay).

Schedule:        Baseball                                                                      Softball

                        3/5  – Pitching (Jim Popp) – Ages 9+         3/6 – Pitching (Jenn Kulick) – Ages 7+

                        3/12 – Hitting (Bruce Yard)- Ages 7+          3/13 – Pitching (Jenn Kulick) – Ages 7+

                        3/19 – Infield (Bruce Yard) – Ages 7+         3/20 – Infield (Jenn Kulick) – Ages 7+

                        3/26 – TBA (Coaches) – Ages 7+ (FREE) 3/27 – Hitting (Jenn Kulick) – Ages 7+

Check your email for further details!!!!

See you there kids!!!!

Come Join Us at the Freeport Methodist Church

Sunday March 9^th!!!! 

Dinner includes Salad, Roll and Drink!!! 

How better to start the 2008 Baseball/Softball Season after a long winter than by having dinner with your family and friends and discussing the up and coming season!!

Time: 3:00 - 6:00
Cost: Adults $7.00

Children 5 - 12 years old $4.00

Hey folks, it's time to strike out!!

No, not that strike out!!!  Bowling Strikes Silly!!!

That's right, come join us in a nice warm bowling alley for some fun and laughter as we get together during our long off-season.

Join us on Sunday, February 24th, for a fun-filled afternoon of bowling at Wildlife Lanes 

in Lower Burrell.   

Bring your family and friends out to bowl and help raise money for our 2008 season.

Each session includes:

·        One and a half hours of bowling

·        Shoe rental

·        Rock 300 Music

·        Bumpers if needed

·        Free Game Pass for your next visit 

Click on the link above or go to the "Events" area of the Handouts section to your left to get your form.

We hope to see you there!!! 

Ok, so why has NSB been apart of PONY Baseball instead of Little League, Babe Ruth League or Independent since 1961?  Well, let’s go through the PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) program, which is headquartered in Washington, Pennsylvania and show you. 

T-Ball- It’s the start of your PONY baseball experience!  Coach pitch to the kids and if they can’t connect, we pull out the tee during the games.  All games are within the league and there is no travel.

Pinto- Kids start to learn how to pitch and how to play catcher.  Two of the most important parts of Baseball. All games are within the league with a couple of weekend games against the other Allegheny River League (ARL) area teams.  We also do our best to have a tournament team if there is enough interest.

Mustang- Stealing, pitching, hitting are the major parts of playing REAL baseball. These games are played on 60ft bases / 44 ft pitching mound. We play a 16 game regular season schedule with the teams in the other teams in the ARL.  There are playoffs and the World Series!! We also have Tournament teams at this level!!

Bronco- Here is where the differences become more prominent.  PONY Baseball offers 70ft base paths / 48 ft pitching mound at this level of baseball.  Little League as well as other leagues still play on 60ft base paths there is NO leading off the bases for a runner.  The runner can’t leave the base until the ball crosses the plate, the catcher does not have to refine their skills and the pitcher does not “hold” the runner on the bases.  That’s right at NSB we play the 70ft PONY baseball base line in which the runner does leadoff, the catcher MUST be able to be quick or block the ball or else the runner will steal and the pitcher MUST learn to hold the runner on base!!  In other words, REAL baseball!!!   Bigger bases, promote better skill for all!!  Parents think about this, does our school system teach the same things at Kindergarten as they do at 6th or 7th grade??  Does your son ride a tricycle still at age 11 or 12?  Do they wear the same clothes at age 11&12 as they did at age 5?  The answer is NO!!!  So why then does Little League, and others stay at the same 60ft bases from age 5 through age 12 instead of going to 70 ft bases?  Parents you may remember that when we went to school they taught us how to use computers starting in 9th grade.  Now they are taught that skill in 1st grade! In other words Our school system sees the value in teaching our kids more at an early age and so does NSB and PONY baseball. Bronco kids will play a 16 games schedule as well as playoffs and have a chance to go to the ARL World Series and a tournament team!!! 

Pony -How about 13 & 14 year olds?  In PONY baseball’s Pony division we play on an 80ft bases / 54 ft pitching mound field.  We play the same rules of real baseball.  These 80ft bases allow the kids to gradually get their arm strength better and as we noticed in the past allows the kids to enjoy the game not drive them away from it. 

     We play in the Mid Butler League!!! Now does your son at age 13  & 14 take classes that a Jr. or Sr. of high school would?  Do they play Varsity Football or Baseball?  NO!  So why not let the kid’s arms / abilities grow as they play at 80ft bases?  We play at the least 20 games in a regular season!!  That’s right 20 a game regular season, not to mention playoffs and tournament games!  Better competition, more games, and more value for your dollar!!! 

Colt - Play in the Mid Butler League at 90ft bases, has a 21 game regular season schedule, plus playoffs and built in tournaments!!!  All this, plus tournament play in the Freeport International Baseball Tournament!!!

Palomino - Ages 17-19.  Play a 20-games schedule plus playoffs and built in tournaments.  They also play in Freeport International Baseball Tournament!!!

     Just as important is the fact that PONY Baseball allows each individual board to govern as it sees fit, play as many games as it wants and go to as many tournaments as it deems necessary, and follow PONY rules it feels are necessary to make the league work to the best of it’s ability keeping ALL the kids in it’s community in mind!!!!

     So there you have it.  Pony baseball is all about the kid’s ability, about the field size as well as keeping the kids playing the game longer then just age 12.  PONY baseball the smart way for kids to play ball!!!! 

Go to www.pony.org for more details.