Kaua'i PONY Baseball officials and the parents of a deaf 10-year-old boy are demanding a clear nationwide anti-discrimination policy for the league after the child was denied direct access to a sign-language interpreter at a state tournament.

Justin Kapono Tokioka, a member of the Lihu'e All-Star Mustang Team, has received coaches' instructions via sign language during his five years of PONY baseball. But his sign-language interpreter — his dad, Jimmy Tokioka — was required to remain outside the dugout during the 2005 Mustang Regional Tournament in Hilo in July. His dad had to lean over a concrete wall to try to hear the coaches, make eye contact with the boy and convey sign-language messages.

National PONY rules on discrimination seem clear, but don't specifically require that kids get the help they need to deal with their disabilities.

The issue raised in Hilo was that only three coaches are allowed in the dugout, and a fourth adult — even in the role of interpreter — is considered an additional coach.

The issue likely will be raised at the state tournament meeting next month.