A New Era for Elgin Youth Sports: Understanding EBSA’s Divisions & Competitive Opportunities

Elgin Baseball & Softball Association (EBSA) is proud to bring a fresh, development-focused, and competition-ready program to our community. As we move forward under PONY Baseball & Softball, our mission is simple: create more opportunities for athletes to grow, compete, and fall in love with the game.

Below is a breakdown of our divisions and what families can expect this season.

Our Divisions

4U – Early Skills & Fun

A gentle introduction to baseball and softball. Players learn basic movement, teamwork, and simple fundamentals through engaging, age-appropriate drills.

6U – Building Confidence

Players begin coach-guided games, learn positions, and build confidence in hitting, throwing, catching, and running the bases.

8U – Coach Pitch Fundamentals

This division focuses on developing strong foundational skills. Players get consistent hitting opportunities through coach pitch while improving field awareness and learning game flow.

10U – Kid Pitch & Strategy

10U introduces live kid-pitch—an exciting step toward more advanced baseball and softball. Players experience real pitching, base stealing (where applicable), expanded defensive strategy, and faster-paced gameplay.

12U – Competitive Play & Skill Growth

At this level, players take on more advanced rules and team strategy. It’s designed for athletes ready for stronger competition and more structured gameplay.

14U – Preparing for High School

14U is where players sharpen their skills, elevate their competitiveness, and prepare for the pace and expectations of high school baseball and softball.

Why PONY? More Competitive Opportunities for Elgin Athletes

One of the biggest benefits of moving to PONY is the increased level of competition and opportunity for growth. PONY allows us to:

• Compete against nearby towns, giving players more diverse opponents and a wider range of game experiences
• Offer true age divisions to better match athletes with peers of similar maturity and skill
• Provide clearer pathways for advanced players ready for higher-level play
• Support a smoother transition into middle school and high school programs

Whether your athlete is brand new to the sport or already dreaming big, PONY’s structure gives every player a fair chance to grow and challenge themselves.

Our Commitment to the Community

EBSA is dedicated to building a program rooted in development, community pride, and meaningful competition. As we open this new chapter, we’re excited to bring Elgin families a stronger, clearer, and more competitive youth baseball and softball experience.

Together, we’re creating more opportunities, more excitement, and a future full of Elgin pride—on and off the field.