New to Pinto? Looking for Information to help your developing player? You're in the right place!
Pinto (coach-pitch) is the 2nd level of baseball in PTBA, comprised of 7-8 year old players. In the Pinto league, the game becomes more like "real baseball". We use a hard ball, there's no Tee, we count outs, we keep score, stats and standings and we have playoffs at the end of the season. At the Pinto level, kids also have an opportunity to try out for travel (tournament) baseball for the first time. Travel ball is a more competitive brand of baseball that requires another level of commitment (both time and money). If you have questions about, or interest in travel ball, please checkout the Travel Team section of our website and/or contact us directly. Regardless of these changes, many things still remain the same in Pinto - it is an instructional league where our main focus is on development NOT wins and losses. Coaches at this level must still spend the majority of time working on the fundamentals of throwing, catching, fielding, hitting and game situations. Base running becomes much more important at this level as well. The purpose of the Pinto league is to teach players the minimum skills necessary to advance to Mustang, where they will begin pitching. You can read the Pinto Rule book by clicking the Rules button below:
Now that you understand our mission; how can you help us execute?
- You can be your child's biggest fan. Just show up, sit back and enjoy watching your son or daughter continue to learn the great game of baseball. Cheer for them, their teammates and their opponents. Continue to help us teach them the value of hard work and good sportsmanship. If this is all you do - then it is still more than enough.
- Volunteer to be a Team Manager, Coach, Team Mom, helper, etc. There are still plenty of needs and opportunities to assist at this age group. You don't need to be an expert - just be willing to help out and get your Act 33/34 clearances (without them, you can't be anywhere near the field or dugouts).
- Do your homework! We will do our best to teach your child the fundamentals of the game, but we will never be able to spend the kind of time with them that it takes to refine the skills of throwing, catching, fielding and hitting. You don't have to be a professional athlete to play catch with your son or daughter; you may want a glove though, as the baseball is hard now. However, playing catch and doing drills with a soft or tennis ball is perfectly acceptable at ANY level of play. Continue to Roll them grounders (forehand and backhand), throw them pop-ups, run fly ball "pass-patterns" make it easy at first so they have success, then gradually make it more challenging as they progress. Check out the video library for ideas!
- Pinto has some unique rules that are in place for good reason. Whether you're a parent, player or coach; take the time to learn the rules of the league so you know why someone gets sent back to 2nd base when you thought they should have scored, etc.
- Be positive at all times. If your child makes mistakes (and they will), don't drag them down.. pick them up! Hopefully they won't be playing in the dirt & picking grass in the outfield anymore (that can be dangerous), but mistakes will happen at every level - help them learn to flush it & move on.
- Get involved! We are striving to make the Peters Township Baseball Association the best sports organization in the area, and the best sports experience for our players. We can't do this without an active and involved membership base. Contact us if you want to learn about ways to get more involved.
If you have additional questions about the league, the expectations, the requirements, etc. Please contact us. If you need help with how to work on fundamental skills; please check out the videos and resources on this site. These are instructional videos from the very basic fundamental - to more advanced skill development. In Pinto, we are still very much focused on the basics, but introducing some more advanced skills that will require lot's of repetition to master.
Does your player need equipment for the season?? Please be sure to visit DICK'S Sporting Goods at South Hills Village. We have 2 shopping weekends each year (Spring and Fall) where you can save 20% off of your entire order so be sure to look for those coupons on our website. PTBA provides Hats and Shirts for Pinto players. You are responsible for Pants (color determined by your coach), Baseball Cleats (no metal, only plastic at this age), Glove, Bat (USA Stamped), Batting Helmet, etc.