Attention all Shetland Parents
The Shetland Division is divided into two
divisions - a Gold Division and a Black Division. The Gold Division
comprises primarily of 6U players (or players in their final year of Shetland)
and some 5U players. We encourage all 6U players to play in
the Gold Division, as it will help with their transition to Pinto the following
year. However, if your child is new to
baseball and a 6U player, you can opt to have them play in the Black Division.
The Gold Division will play with outs (3-outs and
the inning is over) or if you score five runs in an inning, then the other team
will bat. If a child strikes out, they will still have a chance to hit
the ball off the tee in the first half of the season. Starting in the second half of the season, the
tee will slowly begin to be removed as an option and the players will get 5
pitches from the pitching machine. While scores or standings will be kept for the second half of the
season, we still encourage positive coaching and sportsmanship. At the
end of the season, the Gold Division will have a double-elimination playoff
(similar to every other division in NPPB) where score will be kept with real
umpires at the games. This will be their opportunity to finally put to
use everything they have learned during the season.
The Black Division for the first half of the
season will be played like the Shetland Division has been played in years past
- everyone will bat and field three times. Starting in the second half of
the season, we will progressively introduce outs and limited tee availability.
Both divisions will play on the same fields and use the same equipment.
All players must attend a short evaluation on
Saturday, January 21st at the TBD Playfields. An evaluation schedule will
be sent at least a week prior to the date.
The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that all teams are
balanced. All 5U players that elect to participate in the Gold Division
must attend the evaluation and evaluate in the top TBD % (25% or 50% depending
on number of 6U players) of everyone participating in the evaluation, otherwise
they must remain in the Black Division. All 6U players automatically
qualify for the Gold Division, unless their parents opt them out for the Black
Division.
Please contact Darren Garlock, Shetland Division
Director, at [email protected] with any questions.
Age Definitions
5U = DOB b/t May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012
6U = DOB b/t May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011