Delwood Sports Complex is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization dedicated to youth athletics and team sports including baseball, softball, and soccer. We have proudly served the East Austin community since 1956, positively impacting thousands of local youth and families.
Situated in Bartholomew District Park, we provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where hundreds of children gather each season to play, develop their skills, and form long-lasting friendships. We believe that everyone can benefit from the lifelong lessons of teamwork and personal growth while fostering a fun environment.
We welcome players from all over Austin, including nearby neighborhoods such as Mueller, Cherrywood, Delwood, Windsor Park, and University Hills.
Mission
Our mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their skill level, experience, or financial situation. We aim to build a supportive and enjoyable community where players can grow both on and off the field, embodying values like teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, and perseverance to guide them throughout their lives.
About PONY Baseball
Delwood is affiliated with PONY Baseball (Protect Our Nation’s Youth), a youth baseball league focused on providing a safe and challenging environment using a fundamentally advanced baseball philosophy within a team environment. With PONY’s age-appropriate fields and major league rules, kids get to experience the excitement of the game earlier, learning to lead off, steal bases, and pitch from the stretch at a younger age.
Whether they dream of throwing heat like Verlander, sprinting the bases like Ohtani, or crushing homers like Aaron Judge, PONY teaches the necessary skills to help them achieve those goals.
At Delwood, kids ages 4 to 14, of all skill levels, can learn, play, and grow through the game of baseball.
Below are some of the key differences between PONY and Little League.
Age Differences
- PONY: has a two-year age bracket, allowing kids to play with others of a similar age and ability.
- Little League: can include age gaps of up to 4 years, which can make it difficult for younger players to connect and keep up with the maturity & skill level of older players on their team.
Rules Similar to Major leagues
- PONY: Mirrors “real” baseball while maintaining age-appropriate safety standards. Players as young as 9 (Mustang Division) can lead off, steal bases, and practice pick-offs. Other MLB rules, such as head-first slides and the dropped third strike, are also part of the game.
- Little League: Does not allow lead-offs or base stealing until a later age (usually 11 or 12). Does not allow head-first slides or the dropped third strike rule.
Field & Pitching Mound Dimensions
- PONY: adjusts field sizes (bases & pitcher’s mound) as players grow in size and skill. This keeps the fields proportional to major league dimensions, ensuring a more realistic experience as players become bigger, faster, and stronger.
- Little League: fields remain the same size throughout a child’s entire baseball journey, up until age 12.