Thomas Youth League and its partners are sponsoring baseball programs at the Tee Ball, Shetland, Pinto, and Mustang levels! Thomas Youth League's 2024 Fall Baseball Season will be held in late August through October, though Tee Ball will start around Labor Day. Fall baseball is designed to be instructional and most players should play at the age level they plan to play at next spring, based on what age they will be on April 30, 2025. However, for Tee Ball we use ages as of September 1 of this year: Players must turn 4 by September 1, and if they will not yet have turned 5 by September 1, they should play tee ball again this fall.

August 4: Registration closes

August 19: Practices start for Mustang and Pinto

August 26: Practices start for Shetland

September 3: Games start for Mustang, Pinto, and Shetland; practices start for Tee Ball

September 14: Games start for Tee Ball

October 26: End of season

At all levels, the emphasis is on learning and coaching. Thomas Youth League and our partner leagues (Bethel Park Baseball, Union-Finley Area Athletic Association, and St. Louise Baseball) work to foster players' growth and help them learn to appreciate the game of baseball.

Tee Ball (players use tee, no outs, no score): Age 4 or 5 (turns 6 on or after May 1, 2024). Player must turn 4 on or before September 1, 2024

Shetland (coaches pitch, no strikeouts, players may use tee, no score): Age 5 or 6 (turns 7 on or after May 1, 2025).

Pinto (coaches pitch, strikeouts, score is kept): Age 7 or 8 (turns 9 on or after May 1, 2025).

Mustang (players pitch, score is kept): Age 9 or 10 (turns 11 on or after May 1, 2025).

Tee Ball (ages 4 and 5) and Shetland (ages 5 and 6) are entirely noncompetitive, and no score is kept at either level. Tee Ball players use a tee every at-bat. Shetland players attempt to hit a pitched ball, and can use a tee if they are unable to do so (they cannot strike out). The idea of enforcing outs (removing runners who are out from the bases) is introduced in Shetland. Parents of players who are five years old can determine whether their child is better suited for Tee Ball or Shetland. As a guideline, we suggest that if a five-year-old child has never played baseball, he or she should be in Tee Ball. We are happy to discuss this with parents.

Tee Ball players should expect two events a week (one weeknight and one Saturday morning). Participants at all other levels should expect two or three events (games and practices) per week. No games will be scheduled for Sundays, but all other days are possibilities. We appreciate your flexibility in matters of scheduling.

Tee Ball and Shetland players may request one weeknight (Monday through Thursday) to be blocked out from their schedules. To the best of our ability, teams will be grouped to accommodate these requests.

Thomas Youth League is a volunteer organization! We do our best to keep costs low and expect, in turn, that families support their children through volunteering. At the end of the registration form, you will have the ability to select where you think you can best help the league. All families are expected to work two games in the concession stand. We do not have any other mandatory fundraisers for this season.

Please contact the league ([email protected]) if you have questions. If you have older players (ages 11+), Thomas Youth League is happy to discuss other local options with you.

We're excited for another great season of baseball at Thomas Youth League!