'24 Overview
In SFYBL/PONY, a player's "baseball age" is determined by their birth age on April 30th of the current season year (2024).
A player's "baseball age" determines which division they are eligible to play in.
For example: for the 2024 season a player born on April 5th 2013 would be considered 11 years old, while a player born on May 5th 2013 would be considered 10 years old.
2024 SFYBL Divisions
Shetland T-Ball (6, 5, 4) (No Playing Up allowed)
DOB: May 1st, 2017 - April 30th, 2020
Incorporates T-ball play and coach pitch play by allowing some kids to hit off a tee and some "Designated Coach Pitch Hitters" to bat with live coach pitching at games. Outs are not enforced. All players run the bases after each at bat. Designed to allow for players from the same grade/class to play together regardless of varying skill levels.
Base paths are 50'. Games played on Saturdays.
Shetland Coach Pitch (7, 6, 5) (No Playing Up allowed)
DOB: May 1st, 2016 - April 30th, 2019
Strictly coach pitch format where each batter is allowed 10 pitches from a coach to put the ball in play. Outs are enforced (player called out returns to the dug-out), however, teams bat through their entire line-up each inning to maximize batting experience for all players.
Base paths are 50'. Games played on Saturdays.
Pinto Modified Kid Pitch (8,7U)
DOB: May 1st, 2015 - April 30th, 2017
A modified Kid-Pitch division where player pitching is introduced. Modifications are in place to allow for coach pitching when player pitching is unsuccessful (i.e. excessive walks allowed). Outs are enforced and 3 outs ends the half inning.
Base paths are 60' and pitching distance is 40'. Games played on Saturdays.
Mustang (10, 9U)
DOB: May 1st, 2013 - April 30th, 2015
Strictly a player pitch division. Lead-offs and stealing are allowed. Follows Major League Baseball rules with some PONY and SFYBL modifications.
Base paths are 60' and pitching distance is 46'. Games played on Saturdays and some Wednesday nights.
Bronco (12,11U)
DOB: May 1st, 2011 - April 30th, 2013
Follows Major League Baseball rules with some PONY and SFYBL modifications.
Base paths are 70' and pitching distance is 50'. Games played on Saturdays and some Tuesday nights.
Pony (14,13U)
DOB: May 1st, 2009 - April 30th, 2011
Follows Major League Baseball rules with some PONY and SFYBL modifications.
Base paths are 80' and pitching distance is 54'. Games played on Saturdays and some Monday and Thursday nights.
Notes:
- a player may "play up" one year during the Spring SFYBL session (e.g. a 10 year old is eligible to play in the Bronco division)
- a player who "plays up" must also "play up" if playing on an SFYBL Summer All-Star team.
- a player may not "play down" (e.g. an 11year old is not eligible to play in the Mustang division)
- a 5 year old is eligible to play in either the Shetland T-Ball or Shetland Coach Pitch division
- a 6 year old is eligible to play in Shetland T-Ball, Shetland Coach Pitch or Pinto division (by "playing up")
- a 6 year old "playing up" in Pinto may not pitch
- players on High School teams are not eligible to play for SFYBL Teams