DGSA is open to the public for registration. Registered players and their families agree to adhere to the following league guidelines throughout the duration of the season.
Diamond Girls Softball Association (DGSA) is a non-profit (501c3) organization. Our coaches, staff, and board members are all unpaid volunteers who come together each season to provide the opportunity for girls in Peoria, AZ, and surrounding areas to learn and develop their softball and leadership skills.
As a recreational softball league, we expect game play to be cordial between coaches, players, officials, and spectators. If there is a discrepancy, we ask that each party respectfully work together using the Addendum and rules to provide an outcome that is in the best interest of the League.
Coach Responsibility:
Head Coaches are the primary point of contact for their team roster. Coaches are responsible for creating/implementing practice and game plans, maintaining player safety and development, overseeing parent/player/coach conduct, introducing their team staff to the parents, and communicating league events. Positive reinforcement will help when coaching girls’ softball. Club managers are not allowed to coach within the league while managing a club team of the same age group.
Sportsmanship:
Each player’s parent/guardian, and every volunteer has committed to following our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct acknowledgment is included in the online registration form. Spectators and volunteers who are yelling, screaming, and disrupting the game, are to be managed by the head coach.
Players should conduct themselves positively during practices, games, and league events. Their conduct also includes cheers and chants that are motivational and/or respectful of the other team. Inappropriate conduct, such as screaming at officials, parents, or players will not be tolerated by anyone. After each game, all players and coaches should high-five and congratulate each other in a positive manner.
24-Hour Rule:
Coaches are responsible and empowered to respectfully address the conduct of their team and spectators before, during, and after events. Coaches should communicate the 24+ hour Contact rule to parents at the beginning of the season. As such, the League asks the coaches to also follow the 24+ hour rule when expressing concerns about their peers, umpires, parents, and fans. The exception to this rule is when safety is a concern. If the authorities, park rangers, fire, or ambulance is called, the coach should immediately notify their DC or a board member of the situation.
● If there is a concern that cannot be resolved by the coaches and team, contact your divisional coordinator (DC) to discuss options.
● If the DC needs assistance, partnership with the DC Lead should take place in a timely manner.
If the Board determines that a player, spectator, or volunteer has chosen to disregard any rule, they may be given a 1 game suspension. If someone is sanctioned a second time, they may be removed for the balance of the season.
No player or volunteer will be removed from the league without Board approval.
Safety, Gear, Equipment:
Players should wear the appropriate gear and attire for their position. All players should wear athletic attire to practices, including softball pants and cleats, or as coaches deem appropriate.
Jerseys:
DGSA provides jerseys and socks for games. Players picking up for other DGSA teams can wear their team jersey or a t-shirt that matches the other team they are representing.
Cleats:
Rubber, plastic, or molded cleats are required for 8u, 10u, and 12u players. Metal cleats can be worn in older divisions.
Face Masks:
Pitchers are required to wear a face mask; catchers must be in full gear while working with pitchers during practices and games. Defensive players are highly encouraged to wear a defensive mask while on the field.
Fielding Gloves:
All players should wear and use the appropriate size for their softball fielder's glove, and the appropriate length softball bat.
Helmets:
All batters, runners, catchers, and bat helpers must wear helmets, with face guards, while on the field. A chin strap is required for batters unless the helmet is compression fitting.
Team Rosters:
Each team will be assigned an equal number of players, as registration permits. Team rosters are created during the draft meeting when all registered players are assigned.
Each coach is responsible for contacting the player’s parents/guardians to welcome the player to their team and set expectations for the season. Coaches should not add or remove players from their roster without bond approval.
Non-registered DGSA softball players (including external club teams) are prohibited from participating in DGSA organized events. This includes using DGSA permitted fields, league equipment, league designated practice/game times, etc, without prior written consent from the board.
Keeper List
Coaches can keep up to 5 returning players from the previous season. Keeper’s List includes coaches’ children as part of the returning players. These players do not participate in the tryout/draft selection.
Player Attendance:
If a player has not attended 4 consecutive games/practices and has not communicated their absences to their coach, the coach should reach out to the parent to discuss the absences. If the parent is unresponsive to the head coach’s emails, phone calls and messages, the head coach should notify the Divisional Coordinator. Player removal from the roster and/or league cannot take place without board approval.
Field Reservations:
The first practice of the season should include a coach/parent/player meeting. This meeting should include introductions, what to expect at practice/games, reminder about the code of conduct (including the 24-hour rule), player attendance, and what support is requested of parents/families (ex: field help at practices, snacks schedules, not approaching dugout, notifying when running late, sponsorships, league events, playoffs, etc.).
Practices:
Practices are assigned to all teams at the beginning of the season. If a coach would like to trade a scheduled practice, they should work directly with the other coaches and notify the Divisional Coordinator to confirm. If trading with a coach from another division, the pitching distance will remain at the original division's distance. If a coach cannot use a designated practice field, they should notify the Division Coordinator to cancel the reservation (requires 24+ hour notice).
Teams are prohibited from organizing additional DGSA events outside of Peoria, AZ as our insurance covers Peoria fields and locations only.
Teams can begin warm-ups before their scheduled start time, only after the gates are open. Players, parents, and coaches should not jump the fence to gain access if the gate is locked. Lights are automatically shut off at 9 p.m. and cannot be extended for regular practices. The lights may be extended past 9 p.m. for games. The coach must call the city by 8:45 p.m.to extend the lights or the game will end and the current score is recorded.
Games:
All coaches have been provided a copy of the League Guidelines and the USSSA Addendum. It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to carry both documents with them at all DGSA events, practices and games. When there are questions that arise during gameplay, coaches should refer to these documents and the USSSA Fastpitch Rulebook.
Gameplay should be timely and efficient. If a player needs a water break, pitcher needs to cool down, or any other reason that stops gameplay, an alternative team player should be moved into her place and the game should continue within 2 minutes of calling time, unless a lesser amount of time of one minute is determined by the official. If an official believes that a team is running the clock or taking an unreasonable amount of time to continue the game, the official can make the necessary determination to advance gameplay by calling either a ball for the pitcher or a strike for the batter who delays the game.
Games are not contested to the board, the official score and game rulings are determined by the official on record for each game.
Scorekeeping (All divisions except 8U):
Each team is provided a (digital) scorebook and asked to keep record of runs scored for each of their games. Coaches should have the same score reported for both winning/losing teams. If there is a discrepancy, coaches need to discuss and agree upon a fix of the discrepancy before leaving the field.
Scores should be submitted to the league through TeamSnap at the end of each game.
Questions, Comments, and Concerns:
Please work with your team coordinator and divisional coordinator for a positive solution. If not resolved, please notify the divisional lead. If the matter is still unresolved, please contact the board.