Oak Hill Youth Sports Association (OHYSA) is one of the largest youth baseball and softball organization in Austin, and has been serving the youth of southwest Austin and surrounding areas since 1967.  We are a recreational league and all registered players "make" a team.  In any given year, this means that 1,200+ boys and girls will be playing on roughly 100 teams!

League Division by Age

Players are assigned to leagues based on their age. For Spring play, the cutoff is player age as of 12/31 of the preceding year for softball and 4/30 of the current year for baseball. For Fall play, the cutoff is player age as of 12/31 of the current year for softball and 4/30 of the upcoming year for baseball.

Team Placement, Practice & Game Scheduling

All registered players are drafted onto a team, with the following exceptions: 

• WeeBall & 6U players do not try-out and there is no draft. The Commissioners assign players to teams based on several factors that ensure a balance across teams. While buddy to buddy player requests are considered, we do not guarantee that they will be met.
• The children of Head Coach and Priority Assistant are placed on the team their parent coaches (usually two per team).
• Siblings in the same division are drafted onto the same team unless otherwise requested by the parent.
• 2^nd year returners are automatically placed on the same team (Spring only).
• Players registering after draft are assigned to teams based on random draw pending availability.  All registration is closed by season mid-point.
• 18U teams generally apply with a full roster for summer and fall play, however teams can be formed if enough players are interested. Email registration@ohysaboard.org for more information.

Practices begin immediately after each league’s draft. If you have not been contacted by your Head Coach within 1 week of try outs, contact your league Commissioner.

There are strict limits on practices as outlined in our Blue Book - the book of policies, procedures and rules for Oak Hill baseball and softball. Copies of the Blue Book are generally available online, and every coach is familiar with their specific league's rules.

In the spring, games begin the first weekend in March and play through the end of May.  Games play on weeknights after 5:30PM, Saturdays after 8AM, and occasionally on Sundays after 12PM. WeeBall games play on Saturday mornings. No games will play over Spring Break or Easter Weekend. Practices may be off-site and at locations determined by your coach.  Teams are limited to three team meetings per week (with certain exceptions related to make-up games or double-headers as outlined in the Blue Book). Some teams, including both 14U & 12U baseball and all softball, interlock with other leagues - playing other area teams at locations away from OHYSA fields. There is a Baseball Opening Day and a Softball Opening Day - both in March.  The season ends with end-of-season tournaments in all leagues, and a family themed End of Season Carnival with silent auction, home run derby, bbq cook-off, music and a parents' softball tournament.

In the fall, the majority of games play on Sundays for eight weeks, beginning after Labor Day. WeeBall games play on Saturday mornings. Some 6U or 8U games may be scheduled in the late afternoon on Saturdays, dependent on total number of teams in those divisions. An end of season tournament, which may consist of pool play, single or double elimination, or some combination of those formats, is scheduled for each division at the conclusion of the regular season games. Teams are limited to two practices a week, held at the complex on a pre-determined weeknight. Access to cage or field during these is at the discretion of the commissioners based on field availability and scheduling. Some teams, including both 14U baseball and all softball, interlock with other leagues - playing other area teams at locations away from OHYSA fields.

Coach Selection Process

Coaches in the league must go through an application process each season and pass an annual background check. Coaching candidates are approved on a seasonal basis. A coach is allowed to be the Head Coach for only one team per season, but can be an assistant coach on another team if approved. Coaching Clinics are provided to our coaches at no charge.

Game Rules and League Procedures

At OHYSA we follow Major League Baseball and ASA Softball rules, with exceptions as noted in our Oak Hill Blue Book– the book of policies, procedures and rules for Oak Hill baseball and softball.  Some rule exceptions are for safety of the players or to keep games to a reasonable schedule. 

OHYSA adheres to a strict Zero Tolerance policy for players, coaches, parents and spectators. For more information about this, and our conflict resolution policy, please visit the Ballpark Safety page of our website.

OHYSA is private property and prohibits weapons of any kind. For detailed information, including legal notices in accordance with state law, please visit the Ballpark Safety page of our website.

OHYSA observes severe weather procedures, stopping all play or practice and vacating fields when thunderstorms or lightning are present or when tornado warnings have been issued. For detailed information about this policy, please visit the Ballpark Safety page of our website.

Refund requests for recreational play are mandated by date of withdrawal, and subject to a 100%/50%/0% rule. Withdrawls after registration, but prior to draft are refunded @ 100%, minus any add-on purchases, 3rd party credit card processing fees or discounts. Withdrawals following draft are refunded at 50%, minus any add-on purchases, 3rd party credit card processing fees or discounts. Withdrawals after the first active day of play for any games are not eligible for refund, with the exception of season ending injury, or with the prior written approval of the Board President. Refund requests for Elite or Platinum play are only approved due to injury and will require supporting documentation from a licensed physician and are only approved for the direct player fee paid to the league by the parent. Any additional costs associated with team fees or charges are not the responsibility of OHYSA. Player withdrawal and refund requests should be made by contacting the team coach and division commissioner via email.

Players are assigned a numbered jersey and logo'd baseball cap for each season of play. Each player will need to provide their own pants, belt, socks, and cleats to complete their uniform. Your coach will tell you what colors to get these items in. Each player will need a glove, helmet and bat. Equipment can be expensive. If you need assistance, the program Beyond the Bases provides gently used equipment. Speak with your coach or the commissioner about your needs. Before making new purchases, make sure you are buying what your player needs for their level of play AND what they can use according to equipment restriction. This can and does change year to year, so if in doubt, contact your commissioner.

Rainouts and Makeup Policy

Game cancelations due to weather are made as soon as it is determined if a field is unplayable. Our fields are amazing at draining and being playable after it rains  We very rarely cancel games before 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (for weeknight games) simply because they recover so well, and because we can’t predict the weather perfectly. For Saturday games we evaluate each field very early in the morning.  Cancellation decisions are made on a field by field basis.  We attempt to post rainout info on the Oak Hill website and send out info via email.

League commissioners attempt to plan for makeup slots when creating the game schedule and makeup games are scheduled as soon as possible following a rainout.  This may mean that your team plays a double header on a Saturday or Sunday when only one game was originally scheduled. Makeup games are not typically scheduled in the Fall.

Post-season and Summer All-Star Play

During end of season tournaments your child’s team may play games 2 - 3 consecutive days towards the latter part of the tournament.  Trophies are awarded for the 1^st and 2^nd place teams in each tournament. WeeBall does not have a tournament. WeeBall, 6U and 8U divisions distribute trophies to all participants.

OHYSA typically fields very competitive All-Star teams when the Spring season ends. Please do not commit your child to All-Star play if your plans prevent them from playing in All-Star tournaments. The season can be very busy for All-Star families, but it can also be very rewarding and enjoyable to share your child’s successes. More information will be supplied by your head coach about the All-Star process during the spring season.

Volunteerism

OHYSA is a non-profit organization that relies solely on volunteers to keep the kids on the fields and playing ball.  Parents are encouraged to dedicate as much time and energy as they can, and are rewarded with smiles and thanks from our youth players, volunteer coaches, league commissioners and Board of Directors. During the season, teams are required to help with different tasks and coaches will assign parents or expect volunteers to step up.