News and Announcements
Spring Season Early Registration Now Ends February 20
The 2026 Spring Season is quickly approaching. However, with all the untimely trifecta of the groundhog seeing his shadow, holiday weekend and snow-covered grounds since late January, we learned some fans lost track of OYO’s Spring Season registration deadlines.
The OYO Board has received a flurry of emails and texts with requests to extend early registration. For full transparency, we must continue to honor key dates related to refund policies, team construction, roster releases and coaches’ meetings in order to start our season on time and ensure enough time to complete uniforms for nearly 80 teams in advance of Opening Day in April.
That said, we do have a little wiggle room on the early registration deadline. As a result, the OYO Board is extending the early registration thru Friday, February 20. Then on Saturday, February 21, all player fees will increase by $30 per player.
Need Financial Assistance?
The OYO Board of Directors believes every child with a desire to learn and play baseball and softball should be provided with an opportunity to play. We offer three compelling programs to assist families with their registration fees, including:
- Payment plans
- Financial Assistance (via Every Kid Sports program by Dick’s Sporting Goods)
- Scholarship (funded by OYO)
If you need assistance for the upcoming Spring Season, then contact the OYO registration committee for details!
Spring Season Registration | What’s New in 2026?
OYO is excited for the 2026 and all the programs we’ll offer all year long for every ballplayer and family for whatever level they choose to play this year.
Shortly following the conclusion of our Fall Ball season last October, the 2026 Board term commenced and our 67 volunteer board members have been hard at work identifying improvements and new opportunities for the 2026 seasons. So what changes can you anticipate in this spring? Here’s our lowdown.
Can my player still register for the Winter Workout program?
Yes. We have very limited openings for ballplayers eligible for any level of softball as well as in our Junior Rookie/Rookie baseball divisions. That said, we have less than five openings in each of these age groups this winter, so families should register soon to secure a spot. Register for the Winter Workouts today!
When will 2026 Spring Season registration open?
The 2026 Spring Season Registration for all divisions will open on Monday, January 19. Early registration for players ages 12 and under ends February 16, at which time fees will increase $30 per player. As for players ages 13 and older, early registration ends on March 16, at which time fees will increase $30 per player as well.
Does OYO offer financial assistance?
Yes. You can learn about our payment plans, Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation grants and OYO scholarship program via OYO’s website. If you have any questions, please email the OYO Registration Committee.
REMINDER! Softball Age Eligibility Changed
Our softball age eligibility has changed. To better align with national softball associations, the age cut off for each division for the 2026 Spring Season is now September 1, 2025. (Previously it would have been January 1, 2026.) This may result in the opportunity for players born between September 1 and January 1 a third season in their respective division. If your ballplayer wishes to move forward and play in the next division up, please make a “level up” request via email to Mario Covarrubias, OYO Vice President of Softball.
Are there any changes to the season’s format to allow for more player development?
Yes. This one of two significant changes we have made for the 2026 season. After reviewing and comparing families’ feedback in both our spring and fall season surveys, we recognize the need to adjust our format for the 2026 Spring Season. The changes are two-fold based on the ages of our ballplayers.
- For players 12 and under, we will extend the weeknight practice season to include two additional weeks of practices. Key dates are as follows:
- January 19 | Registration Opens
- February 16 | Early Registration Ends
- February 25 | Last Day for Refunds
- March 3 | Rosters Released
- March 5 | Coaches’ Meeting (date subject to change)
- March 16 | Weeknight/Saturday Practices Begin
- April 18 | Opening Day/Saturday games begin
- April 20 | Weeknight Practices Continue
- April 27 | Weeknight Practices Continue
- May 4 | Weeknight Practices Continue
- May 11 | Weeknight Practices Continue
- May 18 | Weeknight Games Begin
- June 6 | Regular Season Ends
- June 8 | Rec League Tournament Begins*
- June 20 (or sooner) | Rec League Tournament Ends
- *Between June 8-20 | Challenger and Tee Ball teams will each play one weeknight and one Saturday game during the week of June 8-13 and June 15-20
- For players 13 and older, we will start the season slightly later (both practices and games), extend the season slightly longer and spread out the games slightly more.
- January 19 | Registration Opens
- March 16 | Early Registration Ends
- April 15 | Last Day for Refunds
- April 19 | Rosters Released
- May 9 | Weeknight/Saturday Practices Begin
- May 30 | Weeknight/Saturday games begin
- June 24 | Regular Season Ends
- June 29-July 10 |Rec League Tournament Begins*
- * No Tournament Games scheduled between July 3-5
What changes are being implemented to achieve greater team balance?
This is the second significant change being implemented in preparation for the 2026 Spring Season.
This past offseason, the OYO Board has reviewed trends, processes and results over the past five years for each Spring and Fall Ball season. The good news is, when reviewing the past five years, we recorded our second highest positive score in team balance last spring and our highest score last fall. Our incremental improvements are working, but we understand our families are asking us to take the next step in making improvements. We’re also being methodical in our approach. To not lose the momentum we’re gaining, we’re taking a scalpel approach to fine-tune our efforts rather than a hatchet approach that risks unintended consequences. As a result, below are a series of notable improvements that we will implement in 2026, including:
- Individual Player Requests To Be Limited in 2026 | We recognize many of our ballplayers choose OYO to create memories while learning key fundamentals about the game of baseball and softball. In short, this is their happy place each and every spring and fall. We will not crush those hopes and dreams of connecting with a friend and having the chance to make a dynamic play on field and celebrating with long-time and new friends, too. Yet, we recognize the need to find a balance between those who thoughtfully request a single teammate with those who request a “team” of teammates. As a result, the following changes are being implemented this spring during the registration process:
- Where the question requests “Relatives in Same League/Division”, only those listed with explanation of the relationship between the two players will be granted
- Any registration where a player requests more than one player will leave it to the commissioner’s judgment which of the players will be eligible to be paired up as teammates
- We can no longer guarantee placement for any player who requests a specific coach for their ballplayer; however, we will honor the rare, infrequent requests for a player not to be assigned to a team involving a specific coach identified
- We will continue to honor families’ feedback about which weeknights are not convenient for practice
- In adherence with OYO’s 52-year tradition of being a place for every ballplayer financial and timing means notwithstanding, OYO will continue to welcome late registrants until each division is full; however, we will no longer promote a “recruit-a-friend” concept in any division except Tee Ball and Challenger (so, all ballplayers who register after rosters are released will be assigned to the team most in need regardless of comments)
- Distributing All-Star Players Evenly | With the new process of selecting a majority of the All-Star team members for each team in the fall, we have a clear understanding of the All-Star Bombers and All-Star Red Storm players in every division. As a result, unless siblings/relatives, these already-selected All-Star players will be evenly distributed among all teams in each division.
- Follow the Team Selection Process Thoroughly | For nearly a decade, we followed a rigorous nine-step process in how teams were constructed. In recent years, we softened our thoroughness to try to accommodate the broad range of requests. It goes without saying, that approach resulted in lower overall team balance feedback from our families. In 2026, we will resume our efforts to follow this structured process in tandem with the aforementioned improvements.
- Run Beta Test on Draft Concept | We will identify two divisions — one baseball, one softball — to test pilot a draft concept for their divisions. We will evaluate and compare the results following the season to determine if additional long-term changes should be incorporated.
How many teams will OYO offer in 2026?
At this time, OYO has constructed a robust plan for our rec league consisting of 96 teams and 1,110 players. The chart below breaks down our registration targets for 2026. Of course, we’ll be flexible, too. If some divisions are showing signs of attracting more players, we will adjust accordingly. That said, to make OYO be the place for everyone who wants to call OYO home for their baseball and/or softball experience, we need coaches. And this specifically indicates we need 96 volunteer head coaches this spring. There are so many rewards that come with this remarkable opportunity to coach, including being a role model players respect, witnessing players growth and development, receiving valuable tools and training from OYO staff and peer coaches in your division, and a rewarding coach incentive at the end of the season to be applied to a future player registration.
| DIVISION | # TEAMS | # PLAYERS |
| CHALLENGER | 2 | 30 |
| TEE BALL | 16 | 160 |
| JUNIOR ROOKIE | 16 | 176 |
| ROOKIE | 14 | 168 |
| MINOR | 10 | 120 |
| SUPER MAJOR | 8 | 96 |
| JUNIOR BASEBALL | 6 | 72 |
| 08U SOFTBALL | 6 | 72 |
| 10U SOFTBALL | 6 | 72 |
| 12U SOFTBALL | 6 | 72 |
| 14U/16U SOFTBALL | 6 | 72 |
| 11 Divisions | 96 | 1,110 |
Got Questions?
Feel free to contact any OYO Board Member to better understand how these changes will help improve your overall experience in 2026. If you’re not sure who to contact or where to begin, simply email Michael DeSanto, OYO President.
Call for 2026 All-Star Coaches
We are currently fielding head coach applications for 10 All-Star teams in 2026. Before we dive into the head coach application process, let’s answer a few common questions about our significantly revamped All-Star program for all interested baseball and softball players!
Why is OYO recruiting so early for next year’s All-Star Coaches?
The answer is simple. Our All-Star seasons begin now. After researching and analyzing how the all-star programs have evolved throughout Central Indiana, the OYO Board has determined our teams need to form in the fall and practice together in the offseason to remain competitive throughout the traditional All-Star season, which runs from April thru July.
OYO offers all-star programs for the Bombers (baseball) and Red Storm (softball). We offer the following age groups:
- Bombers | 07U, 08U, 09U, 10U, 11U, 12U
- Red Storm | 08U, 10U, 12U, 14U
How will the All-Star program change based on this accelerated timeline?
- Coach Selection | Takes place in October (vs. February/March)
- Player Selection | Tryouts scheduled for October following the conclusion of the Fall Ball season (vs. March/April at the beginning of the Spring Season)
- Player Eligibility | Any player selected for a 2026 team must register, pay rec league registration in full and participate in the 2026 OYO Spring Season
- Team Roster Size | This is left to the discretion of each coach on how they wish to construct their rosters (as some may choose to leave 1-2 spots open and conduct a supplemental tryout next spring involving all returning and new incoming players)
- Team Schedule | In preparation for and during the 2026 OYO Spring Season, teams will:
- practice this fall outdoors at OYO when weather permits
- begin indoor workouts in January
- join their rec league teams in mid-March
- continue to convene as a team on Sundays during the rec league season
- participate in 4-6 tournaments following the conclusion of the rec league season
- Team Fees | While the player fees will remain affordable, they will increase to account for costs incurred for indoor workout sessions during the season
- Spring Season Rec League Roster Assignments | All All-Star players will be evenly distributed across all teams in the player’s respective division
Who is eligible to participate in tryouts?
We offer Bombers teams in six age groups for baseball players (based on age as of April 30, 2026) and Red Storm teams in four age groups for softball players (based on age as of September 30, 2025). Both returning and new players are welcome to participate in the OYO All-Star tryouts. So, if a player did not participate in a rec league season at OYO in 2025 (or before) — but will commit to registering and participating in the 2026 OYO Spring Season — they may attend the tryouts for a 2026 All-Star team.
How to apply to be an All-Star Bombers or Red Storm coach?
Interested coaches can complete the application online by Wednesday, October 1.
Got Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact one of the following OYO Travel Committee leaders:
- Colin Thornburg, Vice President-Elect of Travel Baseball
- Matt Martin, Vice President of Travel Softball
Thank you for your consideration and continued interest in OYO!
Bomber Up! Go Red Storm!
OYO Board of Directors
www.oyoball.org
Coaches Must Complete Player Evals by September 28
Download the instructions here!
Mandatory Coaches Meeting Is September 28
We ask all head coaches (or a team representative in the event you cannot attend) to join us for this important and required meeting, which will help ensure every team approaches the tournament upholding The OYO Way, following the Code of Conduct and honoring and protecting what’s most important to all of us at OYO.
Fall Ball 2025 Tournament Central
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ALONG ON THE GAME RESULTS ALL DAY IN EACH DIVISION!
In preparation for the 2025 Fall Ball Rec League Tournament, here are some important and timely reminders, updates and info to improve your experience on Tournament Sunday.
The Tournament | OYO operates a single-elimination tournament for all our divisions, except Tee Ball. Tee Ball should refer to its existing game schedule and participation trophies will be presented to each team following its game.
Tournament Date | The single-elimination tournament runs all day on Sunday, October 5. If needed, the rain dates for the tournament are October 11-12. The OYO Weatherline can be checked by calling 317.767.5170.
The Brackets | The individual 2025 Fall Ball Tournament brackets are now available below. Ahead of Tournament Sunday, we will consolidate these into a single file and provide all league families with a link to a shared Google document, which we will do our best to keep up to date on the day of tournament games.
Tournament-Specific Rules | Here’s a summary of all tournament-specific rules that are particularly relevant for the rec league tournament. For the full slate of OYO house rules, you also can access those here.
- 08U Softball
- 10U Softball
- 12U Softball
- 14U/16U Softball
- Junior Rookie
- Rookie
- Minor
- Super Major
- Junior Baseball
Home and Away | One of the most frequently asked questions is the Home and Away assignments. For all games, this is facilitated by the umpire during the pre-game coaches’ meeting with either a coin flip or ball roll.
Defense Playing Time Models | For Minor, Super Major, 10U Softball and 12U Softball, there are very specific rules in place that remain in effect for the tournament. When a team has more players present than actual fielding positions available, no player may sit out a second inning until every player has sat out one inning. To help coaches, please review these models for multiple scenarios.
Positive Experiences | We want to encourage all our families, coaches and players to end the season on a high note. Please remember, coaches coach, players play, umpires umpire and fans cheer. The more positive each facet of our league can be during the game, the more we can create a memorable experience for all our ballplayers. Please check out The OYO Way and the OYO Code of Conduct.
Ejections | While we hope we do not experience this on any field, for full transparency, any player, coach or fan who is ejected will be asked to leave the park for the remainder of the day regardless how many more games the team may play.
As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball. And, we wish all our teams “good luck” on Tournament Sunday!
Play Ball!
Save the Date | Fall Ball Tournament Is Sunday, October 5
All Fall Ball divisions (except Tee Ball) will participate in a fun, memorable rec league tournament on Sunday, October 5. Tee Ball teams will play one final game on Sunday, October 5, as well and receive their participation trophies following their game.
The tournament is a single-elimination tournament and pairings are based on a random draw. Save the date on your calendar now. Then check the OYO website on Friday, September 19, for the tournament pairings and game times! Stay tuned!
Fall Ball Umpire Appreciation Day Set for September 21
Help value our umpires on a very special recognition day! The OYO Board encourages teams to thank Umpires by bringing in posters and/or cards for their game day umpires or any umpire! What’s more, the OYO Special Program Committee will be making goodie bags for the umpires to coincide with this event.
And, here’s how you can go above and beyond for the OYO Umpire program. Follow the QR Code below to view the wish list of items needed. Some items also will be used to stock umpire room for more efficient game day operations, too.
Thank you for supporting the OYO Umpire Program!
Nominations Being Accepted thru September 30 for The Jim DeSalle Leadership Award
The OYO Board of Directors is excited to announce a special recognition program to honor the spirit of leadership and service that helps make OYO such a special place—The Jim DeSalle Leadership Award.
This award is presented twice each year—once in the Spring and once in the Fall—to celebrate coaches and umpires who lead by example and reflect the values of the OYO Way: Development. Respect. Life Lessons. Fairness. Character.
The award is named in memory of Jim DeSalle, a longtime supporter of youth sports and a passionate advocate for community involvement. Jim’s dedication as a coach for his son and an umpire to many along with his steady presence and his commitment to building up those around him left a lasting impression on the OYO community.
To Lead Like Jim means to show up, to give back, and to lead with humility, kindness, and purpose—on and off the field.
- Nomination Deadline | Tuesday, September 30
- Recipients Announced | October 13 Board Meeting
- Who can be nominated? | Coaches and Umpires (nominated by umpires, coaches and board members) currently involved in the 2025 Fall Ball season
- Nominate Form | LEAD LIKE JIM DESALLE NOMINATION FORM
We hope you’ll help us celebrate those who give generously of their time, guide with integrity, and lead the way Jim did—with heart and community spirit.
Trunk or Treat Set for Saturday, October 4
Back by popular demand, we are excited to announce our second-ever Trunk or Treat! This event is open to all Spring Season and Fall Ball players — so what a great way to get the old crew from Spring together again or have a little fun with your Fall Ball squad the day before the rec league tournament.
Now, we need your help to make this event a success on Saturday, October 4 from 4-6 p.m.
It all begins with you and your family hosting a trunk and passing out treats to OYO spring and fall ballplayers who come participate in this inaugural event! What’s more, we will award a trophy to the best trunk!
Please sign up to host a trunk by using the link below — and then make plans to arrive at OYO by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. It’s sure to be a Spooktacular time!