By Declan O’Malley

Journal contributor

The Friday Harbor Baseball and Softball Association is evolving. According to the organization, it is restructuring the minors and majors divisions to create more competitive balance for players. Each division will now include only two grades instead of three under the previous format. The change is designed to provide greater opportunities for players to develop skills, gain experience and build confidence by reducing the age gap between the youngest and oldest athletes in each division.

“Youth baseball and softball have always been an important part of our island community. With the exciting changes to the league this season, we hope that kids here on San Juan Island will love playing ball and developing their skills as players and teammates more than ever before,” said Friday Harbor Baseball and Softball Association President Sean Aylward.

The association is also adding a new seniors division, which will allow ninth graders to continue playing baseball and softball if they are not yet ready to join a high school varsity team. Under the new divisional structure, T-ball will include kindergarteners and first graders, with players required to be at least 5 years old on or before March 1, 2026, to be eligible. The Rookies division will consist of first and second graders, while minors will feature third and fourth graders. Majors will include fifth- and sixth-graders. The newly added seniors division will serve seventh, eighth and ninth graders, with players required to still be 15 years old on May 31, to qualify for participation.

The new seniors division will compete on high school-sized fields at Linde Park and Hartman Field, located at the corner of Spring and Margueritte streets, to better prepare players for the transition to high school baseball and softball. On March 9, the association will host a community Field Prep Day at the elementary school fields to prepare the diamonds for play after the winter months. Led by the FHBSA board, the event is open to players, parents and community members willing to lend a hand and help get the fields in top condition. On March 18, the league will hold no-cut tryouts at the elementary school fields to assess player skill levels and assign teams within each division, with the goal of creating competitive balance. Opening Day is scheduled for April 19.

The association is actively recruiting coaches and umpires for all divisions and encourages interested community members to reach out for more information. It will also host a coaches clinic this year to ensure that all coaches feel supported and prepared. The clinic will provide guidance on practice planning, review league rules and expectations, and clarify whom to contact with questions or concerns throughout the season.

The association is also recruiting sponsors for the 2026 season and invites community members and businesses to express interest in supporting the players and the league.

For questions, contact FHBSA President Sean Aylward at 360-298-1008.