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Get in the Game!!
Mail in your applications for the 2009 Baseball Season today!!!
Practices tentatively scheduled to begin March 7th
Robious Baseball will accept applications until all rosters are filled!!
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Baseball Director:
Web Design by
Ntkmaiolo@aol.com

  • Robious Baseball is currently registering baseball players from ages 5 to 18, and are
    based on the age of the child as of April 30, of the playing season.


RAA conducts registration, selects coaches, forms teams and provides uniforms and all          
equipment. Game schedules and rules are provided by the Pony Baseball League. RAA is
represented at the league level by RAA'S Baseball Director.
Background Checks are required for all coaches.  The following is the
Chesterfield County Coaches Background Check Policy & Form Link.
Coaches Application is on 2009 RAA Baseball Registration Forms
Robious Bucs Baseball
Robious Athletic Association
P.O. Box 143 /  Midlothian, Virginia 23113

Q: What is the difference between Little League and Pony (CBC)
Baseball?

A: There several very important differences....

  • Developmentally, Pony's players are placed on teams according to their skill level.  With (2)
    levels of play: instructional and competitive, a player is placed on a team whose level will aid in
    the development of the player.

    Little League uses a player draft, picking (1) player per round until their roster is filled.  The
    selected player will be placed on that team selected, regardless of skill level.  Little League does
    not offer a developmental league, and those who are at an instructional level may have to play
    with or against skilled AAU/USSSA players.  This puts the instructional player at a distinct
    disadvantage, results in minimal playing times, and does not foster the development or
    confidence of the player.

  • Levels of Play.   PONY rules are more beneficial to young athletes as they develop their
    baseball skills.  PONY baseball provides more developmental levels of play as players move up a
    level every 2 years.

    Field sizes grow with the players.  

    In Little League, the same size field is used until Junior level.  Coach Pitch, Minors, and
    Majors ages 7 to 12 play on the same field  with bases 60 ft apart, and the distance from
    the pitching rubber to home plate are the same.

    PONY's 9 and 10 year olds (Mustang, Yearling) play on a field with bases 60 ft apart;  11
    & 12's (Bronco, Palomino)  are 70 feet apart, and 13 and 14s’ are 80 feet apart.  At age
    15, players move to a regulation size baseball field.  These field sizes, as well as the
    pitching distances, are important in the development of young arms and result in exciting
    and competitive games for the players.   Accordingly the distance from the pitching
    rubber to home plate are increased at each level.














    Base Stealing

    PONY also introduces many skills (such as base stealing) at an earlier age than Little
    League rules allow.

    In Little League you can steal at 9-12 years old (Minors and Majors), but may not leave
    the base until the ball passes home plate.  At age 13 Little League plays on the regulation
    sized field and normal baseball rules apply.

    PONY also begins stealing at age 9, similar to Little League.  However, at age (11) PONY
    players can lead off and get picked-off according to normal baseball rules.

    Pitching

    Little League "Kid Pitch" begins in the Minors at age 9.

    PONY League "kid pitch" begins at age 7, allowing earlier development of their pitching
    arms.

  • ALL-Stars.   Both Leagues offer competition that leads to state, regional, and national
    playoffs ending in a “World Series” for each age grouping.

    Local Little League all star selection is based on anonymous "player and coach voting", and you
    are not allowed to vote for your own teammates.  As a result the vote is based on how well
    known your child is by other players and coaches.  Many are at a disadvantage because if you
    are new to the league or not well known, a vote would be based on the limited exposure from
    the few games played against each other during the season.

    PONY all star selection is based on tryouts,  giving invited players the opportunity to make the
    team according to skill, rather than popularity.

Q:  I heard that all Local athletic associations require their teams to travel
all over Chesterfield County to play other teams.  Is this true?

A:   No.

    The local Little Leagues would like to make it seem that if you play CBC you travel hundreds of
    miles throughout the county.  This is untrue.  The majority of games are played at the
    Rockwood Park Complex located 7.6 Miles from Robious Elementary School.   There may be
    occasional times games are played elsewhere, but the league tries to schedule all events within
    reasonable commuting distance.

    The Local Little Leagues also use other County fields, sharing the same fields used by CBC.  All
    leagues whether it be little league, babe ruth, pony league, etc., will require some travel.   And
    that is what makes it fun!  Occasional travel to other complexes adds to the fun and realism of
    playing our national pastime.

All fields, whether little league or PONY are contingent upon the age of the players.  The older players
play at the complexes, while the younger players play at local elementary schools (T-Ball, Coach Pitch,
Minors, Bronco).

Q:  Can my child be on the same team as his friends if they are at the same
skill level?

A:  Yes with PONY (CBC), No with Little League

  • Playing with a local athletic association based on elementary school boundaries allows your child
    to be on the same team that many of his/her school friends are on.  It keeps those who play
    other association sports such as a football and basketball, a year-round program together with
    his or her friends.   All of these benefits add up to a positive and fun experience for our children
    as they learn to play the national past time, as well as build friendships and relationships
    throughout the year.

  • Little League uses the draft systems up until age (12), meaning it is unlikely you will be on the
    same team as members the year before.  At age (12) you may remain on the same team you
    played on as an (11) year old, or re-enter the draft.  At (13) Everyone re-enters the draft.

Q:  How can I sign up?

A:  Download the registration forms from the top of this page and mail them to:

Robious Athletic Association
Baseball Director - Nick Maiolo
P.O. Box 143
Midlothian VA 23113
League Summary
Experienced League
 Developmental League
 Ages*
 Pitching
 Bases
Pee Wee
 T-Ball
 5 & 6
   50 ft
Pinto
 Shetland
 7 & 8
 42 ft
 60 ft
Mustang
 Yearling
 9 & 10
 44 ft
 60 ft
Bronco
 Palomino
 11 & 12
 48 ft
 70 ft
Pony
 Stallion
 13 & 14
 54 ft
 80 ft
Colt
   15 & 16
 60 ft 6 in
 90 ft
Sr. Colt
   17 & 18
 60 ft 6 in
 90 ft
* Ages as of April 30th
All Persons who are Interested in Coaching,
Contact Nick Maiolo
ntkmaiolo@aol.com
Welcome to Robious Baseball 2009 !!
2008 Pony Champions
Perfect Season 18-0
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