Little League International has instituted a change regarding how the age of a player is determined.

In the past, Little League International has used April 30th of each year as the cutoff date for determining the age of a player.  For example, a player born on April 29, 2004 would have been classified as a Little League “11” year old this upcoming season.  However, a player was born on May 5, 2004 would have been classified as a Little League “10” year old.

Starting in the 2015 baseball season, Little League has changed the cutoff date from April 30th to December 31st.  This new age determination date is in effect for children born on or after January 1st, 2006. Children born prior to this date will be unaffected by the new Little League rule (Little League created a “grandfather” clause). For example, any player born in 2006 (whether their birthday is January 6th or December 17th) will be classified as a 9 year old; any player born in 2007 will be classified as an 8 year, and so on.

The following will help determine which league you should register your child in. The SAYB registration section of our website (www.sayb.org) will automatically confirm you are registering your child in the appropriate league.

• Instructional League (Ages 6-8): ​Players born 1/1/2007 – 12/31/2009.

• Junior Minor League (Ages 9-10): Players born 5/1/2004 – 12/31/2006 (above mentioned grandfather clause).

• Amer. & Nat. League (Ages 11-12): Players born 5/1/2002 – 4/30/2005 (above mentioned grandfather clause).

• Big League (ages 13-15) & Sr. Big League (Ages 16-19): Not affected by the above (Little League only).

This age determination change also impacts SAYB’s “play-up” policy. We will no longer be able to honor “play-ups” for players born on or after January 1st, 2006. Players born prior to this date will still be allowed to participate in the one year “play-up” based on the above mentioned grandfather clause.

Shoreview Area Youth Baseball understands the reasoning for Little League’s new policy may be confusing. We have devoted a significant amount of time determining potential issues and opportunities related to this change. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact SAYB at SAYB.reg@gmail.com or info@sayb.com.

Thank You,
Merlin Misialek – SAYB registration