Fall Sports Bring Ramona Kids Together

As summer comes to an end and school gets back into full swing, fields throughout Ramona are once again filled with young athletes. This fall, local children are taking to the field for soccer and baseball, continuing traditions that bring families and neighbors together year after year.

From preschoolers learning the basics of a sport for the first time to teenagers continuing to develop their skills, the Ramona Pony Baseball and Ramona Soccer League programs offer opportunities for players of a wide range of ages and abilities.

Ramona Pony Baseball’s fall season begins September 13 and runs through November 1. The recreational program welcomes players from as young as 3 years old through age 14.

The league has six divisions: Foal, Shetland, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony. Boys and girls play together on the same teams throughout the league.

According to Karlee Mittman, public relations representative for Ramona Pony Baseball, the fall season is designed to give players an opportunity to continue playing while focusing on development and the fundamentals of the game.

“Fall Ball gives us an opportunity to really hone in on player development and the fundamentals of the game,” Mittman said. “With a lighter schedule, players have more time to work on their skills, gain experience in different positions, and build confidence on the field while continuing to enjoy playing the game.”

Teams generally practice once a week, with games played on Sundays, creating a schedule that allows families to enjoy baseball without the heavier commitment of the primary spring season.

“While there is certainly a competitive spirit on the field, our focus is on player development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and creating a positive experience for all of our players,” Mittman said.

Players do not have to live in Ramona to participate. Pony Baseball does not have the same geographical boundary restrictions as some other youth baseball organizations, allowing children from surrounding communities to join as well.

For Ramona families, however, the program is about more than learning how to hit, throw and field.

“Baseball has a special way of bringing our community together,” Mittman said. “You see families cheering from the stands, kids growing up on these fields, volunteers giving their time, and friendships being built both on and off the field.”

Soccer is also bringing hundreds of local players together this fall. The Ramona Soccer League’s fall season began August 29, with the final games scheduled for November 7.

The league serves players ages 4 through 18 and is divided into eight divisions, with Division 1 representing the oldest players.

Most divisions practice twice a week, while the youngest players practice once a week. Boys and girls may play together or separately, depending on the number of players in each division.

Ramona Soccer League is primarily recreational, but it also offers competitive opportunities through its Intra Futbol Club. This season, Intra has 10 competitive teams for players ages 8 to 16 in the U10 through U16 age groups. Those teams participate in tournaments during the spring and summer before playing league competition in the fall.

Like baseball, soccer welcomes players from outside Ramona.

For Holly Hart, director of public relations and fundraising for Ramona Soccer League, the program’s impact extends far beyond the soccer field.

“Since 1979, RSL has given generations of Ramona kids the opportunity to get outside, learn the game, make friends, build confidence, and be part of a team,” Hart said.

She said the league’s coaches, referees, board members, team parents, volunteers, sponsors and families are what truly make the program special.

“Soccer teaches lessons that extend far beyond the field: teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, responsibility, leadership, and how to win—and lose—with grace,” Hart said.

While the fall season generally follows the same format as spring, Hart noted that spring typically has fewer players because many children are participating in other sports.



Whether a child is stepping onto a baseball diamond or soccer field for the first time, local youth sports provide more than an opportunity to learn the rules of a game. They give children a chance to make friends, develop confidence, learn teamwork and experience the satisfaction of being part of something bigger than themselves.

Both leagues also depend heavily on community members who volunteer their time to make the seasons possible.

“What makes RSL special isn’t just soccer. It’s Ramona,” Hart said. “It’s neighbors supporting neighbors, families volunteering for our kids, local businesses supporting our programs, and a community working together to make sure our young people have a place where they can play, grow, belong, and have fun.”

That same community spirit can be found on the baseball fields, where families gather to cheer, volunteers lend a hand and children build friendships that can last long after the season ends.

As fall gets underway, the sounds of cheering families, coaches calling from the sidelines and kids playing with their teammates are once again becoming part of the Ramona landscape. For local families, it is a reminder that youth sports are about much more than the final score they’re about community, connection and giving kids a place to belong.

Photos courtesy of Karlee Pittman