Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Play in Stateline Youth Athletics Baseball and Softball?

Stateline Youth Athletics Baseball and Softball is for boys and girls ages 4-16. The Divisions page describes our age-based divisions.

 

When is the playing season?

For ages 9-14, Regular Season teams are selected in early March.  Practices begin in mid to late March.  Games begin in early May and end in late June or early July.

Our youngest divisions, T-Ball (ages 4-5), Coach Pitch I (ages 5-6), and Coach Pitch II (ages 7-8), begin in early June and play through the end of July.

Colt and Delta divisions (15-16 year olds) begin play after the high school season is completed, and ends in late July.

Post-Season tournament play can extend through mid July or even into August if the team is very successful.

 

Where are games and practices?

Most Games and practices are held at fields in the Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit area. Our Fields Page has maps to most of these fields.

 

When are the games played?

During the regular season, there are generally two games per week.  Most games will be played during the week with occasional weekend games.  The days of the weekday games may vary from week to week.   Weekday games will typically start at 5:45 PM.

Prior to the start of the regular season, teams will practice twice per week on days and times selected by the coach.  After games begin, practices may be held at the discretion of the coach.

 

How are teams chosen?

T-Ball, Coach Pitch I, and Coach Pitch II teams are assembled by their respective Division directors, with an eye toward rough balance and placing players on teams with other players from the same school or who have requested to be teamed together.

Pigtail, Feather, Galaxy, Delta, Mustang, Bronco, Pony, and Colt teams are formed through a skills assessment and draft.  During the skills assessment, each player is evaluated by experienced coaches and SYA board members.  After the skills assessment is completed, a draft is held where coaches select players from the pool of available players.  The draft is designed to optimize the likelihood that teams will be roughly equivalent in terms of talent and experience.  Players returning to the same division are allowed to remain with the same team without participating in the skills assessment or draft.

 

Why do all players in the Mustang, Bronco, Pony, and Colt divisions need to participate in the Skills Assessment?

Mustang, Bronco, Pony, and Colt players returning to the same division as 2007 will be allowed to play on the same team as 2007; however, all players are asked to participate in the Skills Assessment so coaches can gauge the talent level of returning players.  Since 2008 will be the first season with RYBA, RYA, and SBYA merged into Stateline Youth Athletics baseball, every attempt will be made to make the teams in the baseball divisions as even as possible.  By having all baseball players participate in the skills assessment, the balancing of teams will be much more effective.

 

Why do only new players to a division in the Pigtail, Feather, Galaxy, and Delta divisions need to participate in the Skills Assessment?

In 2007, softball players from RYBA, RYA, and SBYA played under the guidance of a single softball committee.  The softball committee administered the 2007 Skills Assessment and player draft.  Since the same softball committee is leading the 2008 softball season, only players new to a division need to participate in the 2008 Skills Assessment.  Players returning to the same division will be allowed to play on the same team as 2007.

 

Are there boundaries for Stateline Youth Athletics Baseball and Softball?

Stateline Youth Athletics Baseball and Softball accepts registration for players from all Stateline communities for our regular season.  This often applies to children who attend school in Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit and wish to play with their classmates.  However, to be eligible to play in Pony-sanctioned, post-season tournaments, a player must reside in the Hononegah High School or South Beloit High School district.

 

I feel strongly that my child should play for a particular coach or with certain other players--for friendship reasons or because of carpool needs or other reasons. Will my desire be accommodated?

Our principal goal in the skills assessment and draft is to put together balanced teams. You should note your desires when you register. If they can be accommodated without detracting from the goal of balanced teams, coaches will generally attempt to honor those wishes. We can make no guarantees, however.

 

My child has very little experience and/or is smaller than other kids his or her age. Can he/she be placed in a lower division?

As a general rule, we encourage players to play in the division that is appropriate for their age bracket.  We do, however, evaluate players at the tryouts.  If, in the judgment of the division director, a player's inexperience would put them at risk of injury in the age appropriate division, the director will recommend to the parent that the child play down a division.  If you are concerned about this, please call the division director and discuss your concerns.  We will certainly consider play down requests carefully.

Keep in mind that players who play down (e.g., Bronco to Mustang) will not be eligible for post season tournament play.

 

My child is more athletic and/or has more advanced baseball/softball skills than other kids his or her age. Can he/she be placed in a higher division?

Again, we encourage players to play in the appropriate division for their age.  Each division tends to emphasize certain skills, and “skipping” divisions can result in the loss of opportunity to fully develop key skills.  Advanced players often become leaders on their teams, and help improve everyone's skills.  Advanced players may also have opportunities for All Star play that would not be attainable for them in a higher division.  If you think your child should be playing in a higher division, indicate the requested division when you register.  The Division Director will consider tryout results and observations from previous coaches to determine whether it is appropriate for your child to play up a division.

Players who play up (e.g., Mustang to Bronco) will not eligible for post season tournament play.

 

My son or daughter is particularly well suited to play a particular position. How do I ensure that the coach plays him or her at that position?

You don't. The decision on who to play at what position is the coach's prerogative. Most coaches, particularly at the T-Ball, Coach Pitch I, Coach Pitch II, Mustang, and Pigtail levels, move kids around to different positions during the season to round out their experience and generally seek to ensure that all kids have some opportunity during the season to play in the infield.  At the Bronco, Pony, Colt, Feather, Galaxy, and Delta  level, which is more competitive, coaches tend to slot players into a small number of positions that they will play for the entire season.

If you want your son or daughter to play a particular position, please consult with the coach and make your desires known.  Keep in mind, however, that the decision is ultimately the coach's to make.

 

What equipment does my son or daughter need to play?

The minimum equipment needed is a glove. You can expect to pay $30-40 for a relatively good quality beginner glove made of leather (not plastic).  Better quality gloves range from $40-200.  Most kids (virtually all at the Mustang/Pigtail level and above) also purchase baseball shoes (about $30 for kids sizes up to size 6).  Many players also purchase their own bats, which can range from $25-$250.

 

What advice can you give me on how to buy the appropriate equipment?

The first rule is not to buy equipment that is too big for your child, especially gloves and bats.  Most Coach Pitch I and II players hit with bats that are 25 or 26 inches long and weigh 15 or 16 oz.  Most Mustang players should use bats that are not longer than 30 inches and weigh 20 oz or less.  Generally, the lighter the bat, the better able a child is to handle it.  That also drives price -- a less expensive bat will typically have a differential between length and weight of -8 or -9 (e.g., 28 inches and 19 oz).  A more expensive bat may have a differential of -11 or -12 (e.g., 29 inches and 18 oz).

If your child is young or small, buy a small glove.  If the glove is too large, the player will not get a good "feel" for the glove and will tend to be somewhat clumsy fielding the ball.

Baseball cleats should have enough room to last 4-5 months through the season. Metal cleats are not permitted at the T-Ball, Coach Pitch I, Coach Pitch II, Mustang, and Bronco levels.

 

What major league baseball players played PONY Baseball as a kid?

Some of the best! Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Cal Ripken Jr., Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, and J.T. Snow, just to name a few. Over 375 major leaguers chose PONY Baseball as kids.

 

I have a question that is not covered here. How do I get more information?

There is a lot of information on this website.  If you can't find your answers here on the web, see our Contacts page.