01/05/2026
Happy New Year! SHJYL Registration is live!
2026 Spring Season Registration will run through February 22nd!
We are very excited to announce that registration for players and regular season scheduling will now be handled by SHARA/SHPS and the new Recreation Director Chris Van Hekkin. The SHJYL BOARD will remain intact and will concentrate on improving equipment, sponsor relations and governing our youth teams.
Prices remain the same, $65 for P*e Wee/T-Ball and $90 for all other age groups.
As always, we will need plenty of Sponsors, Coaches and Umpires along with a Field Crew and Director of Umpires to facilitate a productive 2026 season.
The links for registration are below - please pick your link carefully as they are links for players, coaches, and umpires.
Player Registration Link:
www.southhavenrecreation.org
Coach/Volunteer Reg. Link:
https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/510492
Umpire Reg. Link:
https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/510491
We are working on dates for Winter clinics with the high school baseball and softball teams.
2025 Rule Changes will remain in effect for the 2026 Season:
Rule changes. These are the 4 you should know now, there are several minor Game rule changes as well, we will share an updated Rule Book PDF soon.
1. Most notably is how the age groups are structured. Our Southwest Michigan League has followed suite with other area leagues and have adopted USSSA rules regarding league age requirements for each group however divisions for SHJYL will be primarily separated by the players grade.
(This will be in effect for both Baseball and Softball)
This link will help determine your players “league age” if you are curious before attempting registration.
https://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/ageCalculator
2. 2026 Age/grade divisions will be based on which grade your player is currently in unless the players birthdate is passed the cut-off date, we understand there will be some special circumstances to consider.
Baseball “League age” is determined by a players age as of May 1, 2025.
Softball “League age” is determined by a players age as of August 31, 2025.
*The 2026 Season technically started August 11 of 2025.
For example:
P*e Wee- Junior K & Kindergarteners (4-6 years old)
8U- 1st & 2nd graders (8 & under)
10U- 3rd & 4th graders (10 & under)
12U- 5th & 6th graders (12 & under)
14U- 7th & 8th graders (14 & under)
8U-14U will travel, P*e Wee will not travel.
8U-12U will travel to Coloma, Hartford and Watervliet.
14U will play in a new “Middle School” league orchestrated by SHARA & SHPS (Baseball & Softball)
3. 10U will be using a pitching machine for the entire season. (Baseball & Softball)
4. Bats:
P*e Wee & 8U- Baseball bats must be USA BB approved, Softball bats must be USA Softball approved.
10U through 12U- Baseball may use both USA & USSSA approved bats, Softball bats must be USA Softball approved.
14U will follow MHSAA guidelines for regular season play.
Please Note:
14U is still played under JYL and will be considered rec league teams, they will be eligible to play All-Star tournaments.
During the regular season their teams will follow MHSAA rules but are not subject to all MHSAA guidelines such as not being able to play other sports or on travel teams, etc.…
We understand and know the changes present challenges but feel this is the best move for this division since they will now be having two days of practice each week and will play doubleheaders on Tuesdays and Saturdays for both baseball and softball.
More information to come as the dates and times get finalized.
We understand change is tough and some of you may have concerns regarding the new age/grade division rule.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out by email, we prefer to address concerns individually.
[email protected]
Thank you,
The SHJYL Board
