Players range in age from 4-19 and are eligible to play
in a division based on their age as of April 30, 2010
(see Division descriptions below)
DIVISION
LEAGUE AGE
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
SHETLAND
4
2005
2005
2005
2005
2005
2005
2005
2005
2006
2006
2006
2006
SHETLAND
5
2004
2004
2004
2004
2004
2004
2004
2004
2005
2005
2005
2005
SHETLAND
6
2003
2003
2003
2003
2003
2003
2003
2003
2004
2004
2004
2004
PINTO
7
2002
2002
2002
2002
2002
2002
2002
2002
2003
2003
2003
2003
PINTO
8
2001
2001
2001
2001
2001
2001
2001
2001
2002
2002
2002
2002
MUSTANG
9
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2001
2001
2001
2001
MUSTANG
10
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
2000
2000
2000
2000
BRONCO
11
1998
1998
1998
1998
1998
1998
1998
1998
1999
1999
1999
1999
BRONCO
12
1997
1997
1997
1997
1997
1997
1997
1997
1998
1998
1998
1998
PONY
13
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1997
1997
1997
1997
PONY
14
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1996
1996
1996
1996
COLT
15
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1995
1995
1995
1995
COLT
16
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1994
1994
1994
1994
PALAMINO
17
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1993
1993
1993
1993
PALAMINO
18
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1992
1992
1992
1992
PALAMINO
19
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1991
1991
1991
1991
Note: Registration questions should be sent to the NSBA Registrar at:
UNDERSTANDING THE SHETLAND DIVISION (Tee-Ball)
Shetland division (tee-ball) is for 4 to 6-year-old players. Focus is on introducing fundamental skills and on teamwork. All playing time is equal and the entire team bats each inning. All players play in the field on defense, with a regulation infield and the remainder of the players in the outfield. Games are 2 innings long, lasting approximately one hour; two games per week; one on a weeknight and one on a weekend. We do not keep score at this level.
UNDERSTANDING THE PINTO DIVISION (Coach Pitch)
Pinto division (coach-pitch) is for 7 and 8 year old players. Coaches pitch soft-core balls overhand, a batter is out only after 6 missed pitches. There are 3 outs per side per inning. The entire team bats throughout the game; a 5-run per inning mercy rule is in effect. Ten players are in the field. Games consist of 6 innings and all players have a minimum of 3 innings per game, as long as they meet league rules regarding attendance and behavior. There are two games per week. We keep score and have standings with playoffs at the end of the season.
UNDERSTANDING THE MUSTANG DIVISION
Mustang (9-10 year old). Players pitch at this level and the complete game of baseball is taught, including leading off and base stealing. Mustang plays 2-4 games per week. A minimum three-inning playing time is required for each player who meets league rules regarding attendance and behavior. Field size is 60’ base paths with 44’ pitching distance. Games are 6 innings; there is a 10-run (total) mercy rule in effect after 4 innings
UNDERSTANDING THE BRONCO DIVISION
Bronco (11-12 year old). This is a very competitive level of play, with powerful pitching and hard hitting. There are 3 to 4 games per week on 70’ base paths with a 48’ pitching distance. A minimum three-inning playing time is required for each player who meets league rules regarding attendance and behavior Bronco games are 7 innings long.
UNDERSTANDING THE PONY DIVISION
Pony (13-14 year old). At this age some leagues, including Little League, play on 90’ diamonds. The PONY organization was created in 1951 to provide an intermediate step--a field employing an 80’ base path and 54’ pitching distance. These field dimensions are proportioned to bodies that are not fully grown, helping to avoid injuries and keep play competitive. NSBA divides this level into Olympic (select) and Cascade (recreational) divisions. Both divisions play in a north King County, south Snohomish County Pony scheduling organization. There are 25+ league games, and summer tournament play. The Olympic division provides a low-cost select baseball experience, and is tailored to athletes that wish to play other sports in the fall and winter. The Cascade division teams are formed in February with practices beginning in late February or early March.
UNDERSTANDING THE COLT DIVISION
Colt (15-16 year old). This level of play begins in May to allow players to complete the high school team season. This is a highly skilled, competitive, level of play, which uses a full-sized field. Colt schedule consists of approximately 25 games per season, but may continue throughout the summer in tournaments as the team and coaches desire. Coaches will work with players to help them improve their game so they can continue to advance on their High School teams.
We have two additional programs in the Fall and late Winter to continue their growth in the skills required to play High School Baseball.
UNDERSTANDING THE PALOMINO DIVISION
Palomino (17-19 year old). This level of play begins in May to allow players to complete the high school team season. This is a highly skilled, competitive, level of play, which uses a full-sized field. Palomino schedule consists of approximately 25 games per season, but may continue throughout the summer in tournaments as the team and coaches desire. Coaches will work with players to help them improve their game so they can continue to advance on their High School teams.
We have two additional programs in the Fall and late Winter to continue their growth in the skills required to play High School Baseball.
