What programs do you offer?
We offer multiple programs from the age of 12 to 18:
Pony House League - The House League consists of teams who play local games primarily at Lindberg Park. Our house league participates in the CSYBA (Chicago Suburban Youth Baseball Association), playing games in our own local division as well as intra-divisional games with Pony teams from neighboring communities. Mandatory player evaluations will take place in March, 2023 at the OPRF High School Fieldhouse.
Rules on cleats and bats:
1) Rubber-cleated shoes are highly encouraged. Metal Spikes are allowed, although they are prohibited on turf fields.
2) The ONLY bats allowed for use are USA Baseball Stamped bats, BBCOR Bats, and all Wood Bats, including Composite Wood. Bats that are marked USSSA Stamp and 1.15 BPF are NOT ALLOWED. If a player uses an illegal bat and a pitch is thrown, the batter will be called out and all runners will return to the base they were at when the pitch was thrown. The defensive team has until the next pitch is thrown to make a claim on an illegal bat.
PONY League local rules can be found at www.csyba.com
Pack Travel Teams - For 2023, we are fielding travel teams at 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, & 17U. Tryouts were completed in July 2022 but some limited roster spots may still be available for select teams. Please email [email protected] and/or [email protected] with inquiries. The Pack 2023 season commenced Sunday, November 6th with winter workouts at the Bo Jackson Dome in Bensenville, IL as well the new River Forest Athletic Endeavors indoor training facility in Maywood, IL. For the overall 2023 format, a typical travel schedule is planned, including off-season and preseason workouts, weekly spring in-season scrimmages and practices, and several spring/summer tournaments.
Colt League - The Colt league is for boys aged 15 and 16 and can be anywhere from one to three teams depending on the number of boys that come out and the number of managers that volunteer for the season.
Palomino League - The Palomino league is for boys aged 17 and 18. We offer a Palomino team depending on the number of boys who sign up and the availability of coaches.
What are the age requirements for the programs?
For 2023, the National Pony Organization has moved the age of registration from April 1, to September 1. However, if your child is in 7th or 8th grade, they are eligible to play in our House League.
Pony – 12 to 14 (7th & 8th grade, as well as select high school freshmen that played OPYBS and were born between 5/1 and 8/31)
Colt – 15 to 16 (9th & 10th grade)
Palomino – 17 to 18 (11th & 12th grade)
When does the season begin?
Pony House League – Practice begins in early April and games begin mid to late April (weather permitting)
Colt & Palomino Leagues – Practice and games begin in June (after high school baseball is completed)
How will my child be selected for a team?
Pony House League – One of our goals for this league is competitive balance. Mandatory player evaluations will take place in March, 2023 at the OPRF High School Fieldhouse. Teams are then evenly selected based on the evaluation scores and feedback from the league commissioner and the board. If this is your child’s second year in the program, there is a good chance that they will not be on the same team that they were last year.
Pack Travel Teams - Tryouts for the "Pack" travel teams were completed in July 2022, but some limited roster spots may still be available for select teams. Please email [email protected] and/or [email protected] with inquiries.
Colt / Palomino League – For the Colt League we have evaluations towards the end of May/early June. Teams will practice a couple of times each week, space and time permitting. Typically players can participate in high school "summer league" and still participate on a Colt team.
How much is the fee for the house league?
The Registration Fee for the Oak Park and River Forest Pony Baseball house league is a topic for discussion with the Board of Directors every off-season. The organization is a non-profit and makes every attempt to stay within its budgetary needs on a season-to-season basis. The Early Bird Registration Fee for the 2023 season is $225 through February 14th, and $275 thereafter.
Where are OPRF Pony games played?
Most House league games are played at the two Lindberg Park baseball diamonds (located in Oak Park, just SE of Harlem and North Avenue intersection). House league teams also will play a few games each season in nearby suburbs and Chicago neighborhoods versus other area Pony teams.
There are also "practice areas" off the right field corners and a concession stand known as The Shack. The diamonds are cut for either 54'/80' or 60'/90' and are shared with the OPRF and Fenwick High School freshman squads.
Tournament/Travel teams will play in competitive leagues and tournaments throughout the region.