Divisions

Every age is different, and we recognize that.  Every child in LYAA programs is placed into a division based on his or her age, and each division has different rules and procedures.

Part-time Travel (Mustang and Bronco levels only)

Baseball:

Shetland (4, 5 & 6 years)

Our Shetland league is designed for Pre-K through K age (4, 5 & 6 years) boys and girls interested in playing baseball. It is a coach pitch league wherein each team’s respective coaches pitch overhand to their own team, while the opposition plays the field. Shetland uses a safety ball during all play and practices. Shetland is designed to initiate the players with the elements of baseball in a fundamentally sound way. Shetland covers such topics as throwing and catching, hitting, fielding positions, bases and base running, batting order. Most importantly, outside of beginning fundamentals we aim to teach the kids team play and sportsmanship.

Shetland is a non-competitive league. Scores are not kept and a continuous batting order is utilized. 

NEW for 2018:  Shetland is now open to 4 year olds (age as of Sept 1), and does not meet on Mondays in order to allow our players to also enjoy WAYSC Tiny Kickers/Kinder Kickers.

Teams are chosen by the league VP and the Director of Baseball. Due to the number of kids and sibling pairing policy the LYAA cannot guarantee friend requests will be honored. The baseball season begins with practices in early April then 16 games from late April through June. There are typically 2 games per week, one during the week and one on a Saturday. Shetland League only plays games against other LYAA Shetland teams. At the end of the season, the league VP will organize a “Special Event All Star Game” for all kids in the entire league.

Shetland Rules

Pinto (1st & 2nd grade)

Our Pinto League is designed for 1st and 2nd grade kids who have an interest in playing baseball.  It is a kid pitch/coach pitch league wherein players pitch overhand to the opposing team with the hitting team’s coach on the field positioned behind the pitcher calling strikes and balls. Batters can be called out on strikes, but walks are not permitted. Once ball 4 is called, the coach then pitches to the batter for the remainder of the at maximizing the batter’s opportunity to hit successfully. Pinto uses a safety ball for all games and practices. Pinto is designed to continue teaching the players the beginning elements of baseball building from Shetland and covers such topics as fielding, positions, batting order, base running, throwing and catching, base running, hitting. Most importantly, outside of continuing to build fundamentals we aim to teach the kids team play and sportsmanship. 

Pinto is a non-competitive league. Scores are not kept and a continuous batting order is utilized. 

Teams are chosen by the league VP and the Director of Baseball. Due to the number of kids and sibling pairing policy the LYAA cannot guarantee friend requests will be honored but the league will try and accommodate as much as possible. The baseball season begins with practices in early April then 16-20 games from late April through June. There are typically 2 games per week, one during the week and one on a Saturday. At the end of the season, the league VP will organize a “Special Event All Star Game”.

Pinto Rules 2022

Mustang (3rd & 4th grade)

The Mustang League is a competitive league comprised of 3rd and 4th graders. Building from Pinto, the players are now introduced to deeper skills at pitching, catching, infield, outfield, base stealing, tagging up, while still focusing on strengthening core fundamentals. Play also moves to a larger field. The goal of the league is to teach the players teamwork, the responsibilities of being a team member, respect and sportsmanship as well as to begin developing their competitive baseball skills, all in a positive environment. Players are introduced to umpires at Mustang level. Good sportsmanship and skills development are emphasized over winning.
 
Each player entering or in the league must be evaluated. Evaluations dates can be found on the calendar at www.LYAA.org. The teams are formed through a player draft based, in part on evaluation data. Outside of sibling pairings, requests to pair players is generally not accepted; this is done in an attempt at creating a competitive balance across the league. Teams will be selected around mid-March, and players will be notified by their manager shortly thereafter. Based on the player’s evaluations, they may also be invited to participate in the N60 “part time” travel program as a supplement to their house league experience. N60 teams practice and play exclusively on Fridays and Sundays, when the house teams are inactive. Please see Part-Time Travel for more information.
 
House league practices will start in early April. Teams typically play about 20 games during regular season, scheduled to start on Opening Day which is in April. Weather permitting, the regular season will conclude in late-June. A playoff tournament follows the regular season to determine league champion. The playoffs usually last about a week and a half. 
 
Teams from nearby communities may be included in the league (Grant, Lake Zurich etc.). While we do our best to stick to this tentative schedule, changes may occur because of weather, field conditions, and other events outside of league control.

Mustang Rules

Bronco (5th & 6th grade)

Players at the Bronco level are in 5th and 6th grade. The goal is to build upon what was learned in the Minor League in a competitive and learning environment. Play moves to a bigger field once again. Here players are introduced to some of the finer points of baseball; dropped third strikes, delayed stealing, leadoffs, pickoffs etc. Good sportsmanship and skills development are emphasized over winning. 

Each player entering or in the league must be evaluated. Evaluations dates can be found on the calendar at www.LYAA.org. The teams are formed through a player draft based, in part on evaluation data. Outside of sibling pairings, requests to pair players is generally not accepted; this is done to create a competitive balance across the league. Teams will be drafted around mid-March. Players will be notified by their managers of their team affiliations later that month. Based on the player’s evaluations, they may also be invited to participate in the N60 “part time” travel program as a supplement to their house league experience. N60 teams practice and play exclusively on Fridays and Sundays, when the house teams are inactive. Please see Part-Time Travel for more information.

House league practices will start in early April. Teams typically play about 20 games during regular season, scheduled to start on Opening Day which is in April. Weather permitting, the regular season will conclude in late-June. The regular season is followed by a playoff tournament to determine league champion. The playoffs usually last about a week and a half. 
 
Teams from nearby communities may be included in the league (Grant, Lake Zurich etc.). While we do our best to stick to this tentative schedule, changes may occur because of weather, field conditions, and other events outside of league control.

Bronco Rules

Pony (7th & 8th grade)

The Pony League is designed for 7th and 8th grade boys who wish to learn the complete game of baseball and to prepare for the next level of play in High School. Players will cover such subjects as balking, dropped third strikes, pick off plays, etc. as well as the intricate strategies of the game. 

Pony will play about 20 games during the regular season schedule.  After the regular season, the top teams compete for the league championship.  Games may be played against Pony teams from nearby communities.  

Pony division plays as a part of Chain of Lakes Baseball League, which bases their rules on IHSA rules.

Pony Rules

Softball:

WBS softball leagues are organized by grade. Practices begin late March, and game play normally begins in late April. Players may not play at a level lower than their current grade at the time of registration. Requests to "play up" at a higher level will be reviewed by the VP of Softball on a case by case basis. WBS softball is 100% recreational, although we do travel for games. In addition to playing our own Wauconda teams, we will also play against neighboring towns such as Cary, Barrington, and Lake Zurich at the 8U,10U and 12U levels.  14U will be playing in the Northern Illinois Softball Association (NISA) program which includes neighboring towns, largely in McHenry County. The 16U level is for 14-16year old girls and begins after the High School season has ended.

8U (1st & 2nd Grade)

8u softball is designed for girls in 1st and 2nd grade. This is a developmental introduction to the game of softball. The girls are taught how to throw, catch, pitch, base running and hitting skills. This level is all coach pitch during games, to begin the season, with player pitch being introduced later in the season as skills develop. Score is kept at this level although there are no playoffs. The goal at this level is to teach the girls the fundamentals of the game, to learn teamwork, and to have fun!

11-inch safety softball is used; a face mask is required for all infield positions.  The mound is 30 ft.  The bases are set at 60ft. 

8U Rules

10U (3rd & 4th Grade)

10u softball is designed for girls in 3rd and 4t5h grade.  At this level we continue the development of throwing, catching, pitching, base running and hitting skills. The girls are pitching in games, with coach assistance after 4 balls are pitched.  There are no walks, which creates a fun fast passed environment.  We do keep score at this level and it is a higher level of play. There are playoffs at seasons end, and an opportunity to make an all star team, allowing for extra games after the regular season has ended.

An 11-inch hard ball is used; a face mask is required for all infield positions.  The pitcher’s mound is set at 35 feet. The bases are set a 60 ft. 

10U Rules

12U (5th & 6th Grade)

12u softball is designed for girls in 5th and 6th grades.  We continue the development of throwing, catching, pitching, base running and hitting skills. We start to introduce stealing, dropped 3rd strikes,  and the strategies of softball. Score is kept and the level of competition is higher.

A 12-inch hard ball is used; a face mask is required for all in-fielders. The pitching mound is at 40 ft. The bases are set at 60 feet.  There are playoffs at seasons end, and an opportunity to make an all star team, allowing for extra games after the regular season has ended.

12U Rules

14U (7th & 8th Grade)

14u softball is designed for girls in 7th and 8th grade. We  stress getting them ready to play high school ball at this level. We continue to develop their skills set in throwing, catching, pitching, base running, and hitting skills. We start to add more strategies to the game. This is a very competitive level of play. Girls are starting to concrete the positions that they will be playing moving forward.

A 12-inch hard softball is used; a face mask is required for all in-field positions. The pitching mound is set at 43 feet. The bases are set at 60 feet.  There are playoffs at seasons end, and an opportunity to make an all star team, allowing for extra games after the regular season has ended.

14U Rules

16U (14-16 years)

16u softball is designed for girls ages 15 & 16. At this level we try to hone in on their skills at certain positions. This league was designed for girls that still want to play after the high school season is over. This league has a very high level of competition with dedicated players. Most townships with teams at this level are low class C travel teams or all-star teams for their townships. We strive to work with our high school to help enhance the players.

A 12-inch hard softball is used; a face mask is needed for all infield positions. The pitching mound is set at 43ft. The base distance is set at 60 feet. 

16U Rules

Part-time Travel Baseball (Mustang and Bronco levels only)

What is the Bulldogs Part-time Travel Baseball Program?

This Part-Time Travel Baseball Program is an extension of house league baseball that provides players with a more competitive experience. The program was formed to provide LYAA participants an alternative to full time travel with enhanced player development to elevate their game within the baseball community.

Northern Illinois All-star League (N60) is the competitive division teams will participate in. This league provides an opportunity to schedule games against other communities with similar part time travel programs in Lake, Cook, and McHenry Counties. Home games will be played on LYAA fields.

All players in the part time travel program must also participate in the "in house" program. The Bulldogs N60 program allows kids to play an additional 15-20 games which when added to the "in house" season would result in the player participating in 30-35 games during the spring/summer season (not including post season). Schedules are formed so that N60 games and house games will not conflict.

Players will be selected and offered an N60 opportunity based on their evaluations but also at the discretion of each level N60 coach, league VP and the Director of Baseball. The number of teams at each age level may vary depending on the number of players who register and evaluate with the LYAA. There will be a maximum of 12 players per N60 team.