District 63 adjusted the boundary between DPLL and GVSLL (our western boundary) to expand the population enclosed by DPLL's boundaries. Area was transferred from GVSLL to DPLL, increasing the number of players eligible to register for DPLL, which has a smaller enrollment than GVSLL. To compensate for this loss of area, GVSLL's eastern boundary was moved to include more area in Santa Barbara.
I live in the area that has been transferred to DPLL. Can I register with GVSLL?
If you played for GVSLL in Spring 2008, and live in the area that has been transferred from GVSLL to DPLL (See the map on the Age Chart/Boundaries page) you have the choice of playing for either DPLL or GVSLL. If you decide to stay with GVSLL, you will need to submit a special waiver. As long as you play with GVSLL continuously (you can't take a year off), you and your siblings are eligible to register with us. If you have any questions about how the change in boundaries affects you, contact the Major/Minior Player Agent or the Coast/ T-Ball Player Agent.
I am a returning player who has moved outside the boundaries. Can I register?
If a player has moved outside DPLL boundaries yet has a history of continuous play with the DPLL during the regular season (not Fall Ball), the player is still eligible to play in this league on a waiver. Be sure to let us know if you move outside our boundaries so we can request a waiver for you. If you have any questions about eligibility, contact the Major/Minior Player Agent or the Coast/ T-Ball Player Agent.
How do I know my league age?
A player’s “league age” for the 2009 season is defined as his/her age on April 30, 2009. If you need help figuring it out, use the table on the Age Chart/Boundaries page
Where can I play baseball if I don't live within DPLL boundaries?
If you live in Goleta west of Kellogg Ave, check out Goleta Valley South Little League. If you are not within the boundaries of either Little League, try Santa Barbara Pony Baseball.
Does DPLL include girl’s softball teams?
No, DPLL consists only of co-ed baseball teams. Most of our players are boys, but girls are welcome! If you are looking for a girls' softball team, contact the Goleta Valley Girls Softball Association.
General Information
When does the Spring Season start?Teams will be formed by the second week of February, and practices can begin as early as the third week of February. Games will begin in March, and will continue until mid-June. Important dates will be posted on the Calendar as available.
Where are games played?
Most games are played at the DPLL Fields, located at Girsh Park 29 Phelps Rd. Goleta, CA, (behind Costco). The Junior teams will play some games at other locations, including GVSLL, Canalino School, and San Marcos, Dos Pueblos, and Carpinteria High Schools.
What time commitment is required?
Beginning in mid February, teams will practice 2-3 times per week. Once games begin in early March, teams play 2 games per week, usually once during the week and once on the weekend, and will practice 1-2 times per week. In general, older teams practice more often. T-Ball teams will practice 1-2 times per week beginning late February. Once games begin in March, all T-Ball teams will play twice per week. Some T-Ball teams do not practice once games begin, while other teams continue to hold 1 practice per week.
What will I need to buy?
The league will provide a uniform jersey and hat. To complete the uniform, you will need baseball pants, socks, and a belt. Wait on this until your Manager tells you what color to buy. You may want to buy a second pair of baseball pants for practice (any color). You will also need a baseball glove and cleats. It is not necessary for younger players (Minors or younger) to purchase baseball-specific cleats – soccer or football cleats will do fine if you already have them. Older players should purchase baseball cleats. Metal cleats are allowed in the Junior Division only.
Are parents required to volunteer?
Yes, we need everyone's help! All families are required to work one volunteer shift (approximately 3 hours) per family, including Board Members, Managers, Team Moms,etc. Only Umpires are exempt from working a shift. DPLL is entirely a volunteer organization and it takes all of us to keep things running! Please read the Volunteer Commitment Form for more information. In addition to the required volunteer shift, each team will need help with scorekeeping, announcing, field maintenance, Opening Day, etc. There are lots of fun and rewarding ways to contribute!
Registration
When can I register for the Spring 2009 Season?
On-line registration will begin on this website on December 10. Walk up registration dates are scheduled for Saturday, January 5th from 2:00-5:00pm at Goleta Sports, Wednesday, January 9th from 5:30-8:00pm at Goleta Boys and Girls Club, and Saturday, January 19th from 10am-2pm at the Sports Authority. Please register early, so we can get an accurate player count (and so you don't end up on the Wait List!). Detailed registration instructions will be mailed to returning regular season DPLL players by mid-December.
How do I register?
Detailed registration information and instructions can be found in the Registration Page . If you have problems with the online form, email the League Coordinator for a PDF version you can print and fill it in by hand, or come to one of the walk-in days. New players should fill out the online form, print it out, and bring it to one of the walk-in registration days, along with proof or age and residence (see the Registration Form for details).
Do you offer scholarships?
The league does offer a limited number of scholarships for families who cannot afford the fee. Scholarship families work additional volunteer shifts in return for reduced registration fees. Contact the League Treasurer for details.
Why was I asked for a $100 volunteer deposit?
DPLL families are required to work one volunteer shift for each family. Your check will be returned to you when you work your shift. For more information on the volunteer commitment, please read the Volunteer Commitment Flier
Skills Evaluation
Why does my child need to be evaluated?
If your child’s league age (age on April 30, 2009) ranges between 8 and 11, he is being evaluated to determine which Division will best suit him or her: Coast (Coach pitch), Minors, or Majors. This process places the player in a Division where he/she can compete fairly and enjoy the game most. Older players (12-15 yr olds) are being evaluated purely for draft purposes and to help us put together teams with as much parity as possible within each division.
What happens at the Skills Evaluation?
Players should bring a baseball glove and be dressed to play ball (most players come in baseball pants, hat, and cleats). When a player checks in he/she will be given a large sticker with a number on it to put on the front of his/her shirt. Players of the same age will be evaluated together, and will visit three different drill stations: Outfield, where they will be asked to catch several fly balls; Infield, where they will be asked to field several balls from the shortstop position and throw them to 1st base; and Hitting, where a coach will throw several pitches for each player to hit. The Team Managers observe the players during the evaluation. In addition, an experienced, impartial official (such as a former Board member or Manager with no children in the league) also rates each player. This is sometimes referred to as the "league rating", and is used for reference during the draft.
Do all players have to attend the Skills Evaluation?
Everyone except T-ball players must be evaluated to determine which Division is appropriate to the player’s skill level!!! This includes returning Major Division players, because the Major Division will be redrafted this Spring. All returning Major Division players who register will definitely be drafted onto a Major Division team (there's no way you'll end up back in the Minors). However, if you do not attend the evaluation, the managers will not be able to draft you, and you will be placed on a team by the Player Agent.
Should my 7-year old attend the Evaluation? Many 7-year-olds play T-ball; however, a significant number of experienced 7-year-olds are drafted into the Coast Division, depending on the current age distribution in the league. If your child has already played two years of T-Ball and you feel he/she is ready to hit a pitched ball, go ahead and attend the evaluation. If your child is not drafted by a Coast team, he/she will be placed on a T-Ball team. 7-yr-olds who intended to try out for the Coast Division should pay the full fee, and we'll refund the extra $20 if you are placed in TBall. A child MUST attend the evaluation to be eligible for the Coast Division
draft. Older players will have priority.
Should my 6-year old attend the Evaluation?
Little League International rules specify that 6-year olds should play in the T-Ball Division. Occasionally waivers are granted, generally in cases where a safety issue is involved. Very few 6-year-old are ready to play in the Coast Division. Keep in mind that your child would be playing with 9-year-olds. Please contact the Coast Vice President if you want your experienced 6-year old to be evaluated. Unless the league decides to apply for a waiver for your child, realize that he/she will be placed on a T-Ball team. A child MUST attend the evaluation to be eligible for the Coast Division draft. Older players will have priority.
Is it possible to “fail” the Skills Evaluation?
The Skills Evaluation is not a "try-out"; your registration as a DPLL player is NOT dependent on how well you do at the evaluation. The purpose is to place players in the appropriate division and draft competitive teams, so that the players get the most out of the season.
What if I can’t make my scheduled evaluation time?
If possible, attend the alternate session for the same age group. It is far preferable to be evaluated with your age group, because the Managers from the appropriate Division(s) will be there at that time. If you can’t make either session for your age group, attend a session for the age group just above or below your own. If this is just not possible, contact the League President to make other arrangements.
What happens if I totally miss the Skills Evaluation?
Players who miss the evaluations are not eligible for the open draft, and will be placed on a team by the Major/Minior Player Agent or the Coast/ T-Ball Player Agent . In general, players who are not evaluated may NOT move up to the next Division; for example, a 10 year old would be placed in the Minors, an 8 year old in the Coast Division, and 7 year old in T-Ball.
Team Placement
How are the teams formed?
Open drafts are held for each Division except T-Ball. Team Managers take turns choosing players, based on their ratings for each player from the Skills Evaluation. Drafts are held starting with the highest Division, going in reverse order ( Majors, Minors, Coast). There is no T-Ball draft. T-Ball teams are formed by the T-Ball Vice President and the Coast/T-Ball Player Agent, placing children from the same school together if possible.
Can I request placement with a friend or a specific Coach?
Since the teams are formed through a draft, we cannot accommodate special requests except in the case of siblings in the same Division. We will do our best to honor requests from T-Ball players. If you have a request, please note it on your form before you turn it in.
What is the difference between the different Divisions?
For a description of the different levels of play, check out the Divisions page. In general, players are placed in a Division based on their age and skill level.
If I played in the Majors last Spring, will I play in the Majors this year for sure?
Yes. All returning Major Division players will remain on the same Major Division team or will be drafted onto Major Division teams if a redraft is necessary. Also, returning Minor and Coast division players will not be drafted into a lower division this year (so, a returning Minor player will play in either the Minors or Majors this year, and a returning coast player will play in either the coast division or Minors).
What if I don't want my 8 or 10 year old to "move up" a Division?
Based on the Skills Evaluation, each player will be drafted onto a team in the Division judged appropriate for his/her skill level. Although most 8 year olds will be drafted by coast divisionteams, some will be drafted into the Minor Division; most 10 year olds will be drafted by Minor teams, but some will be drafted into the Major Division. We recommend that you trust the placement process; however, some parents object strongly to their child being placed in the higher Division. On the registration form, parents of 8 and 10 year olds will be asked if they are open to their child moving up if so drafted. If you feel strongly that your child should stay down, please be sure to indicate this on the registration form. If you change your mind after you register, you must inform the Major/Minior Player Agent or the Coast/ T-Ball Player Agent by February 2nd. Note that although your request will be considered, the final decision on where a player is placed is made by the league, based on the age distribution of the league and the results of the Skills Evaluation.
When and how will I know what team I am on?
Drafts for the Junior, Major, Minor, and Coast Divisions are held the first or second week of February. You will hear from your team Manager at the general meeting scheduled for February 22, 2009, including T-Ball teams. Practices may begin as early as February 23rd. Team rosters will be posted on the website after February 23rd.
If my child is unhappy with the team they are placed on, can they switch teams? Only in extreme cases does the league allow children to switch teams after the teams have been formed. Such requests must be made by contacting the Major/Minior Player Agent or the Coast/ T-Ball Player Agent . Approval requires extenuating circumstances, so any request is highly unlikely to be approved, and in most cases we will ask the player remains with their team. Team balance is established early on, and changes of this type are difficult if not impossible to implement without upsetting the balance that has been established.
Volunteering
How do I apply to be the Manager or Coach of a DPLL team?
If you would like to volunteer as a manager or coach, you need to submit a DPLL Manager/Coach Application and the Volunteer Application required by Little League International. Also, when you register your child you will be given the opportunity to indicate if you are interested in volunteering as a Manager, Coach, Team Mom, Team Dad, or Umpire. Managers are chosen by the DPLL Board of Directors; a Manager takes responsibility for the team, drafts the players, and acts as the Head Coach. After the team is drafted, the Manager will recruit a coach (or coaches!) from the team parents. The Manager will receive your registration form, so if you have indicated an interest in helping to coach, the Manager will have that information.
How do I volunteer to be a Team Parent?
Every team needs a Team Parent. Team Parents keep the team organized and act as the communication link between the league and the other parents on the team. For more information about what a team parent does, please read this description of Team Parent Responsibilities. Team parents help the coach by helping to assign the responsibility for field maintenance before or after the game as required, and act as the contact point between the Fields Director and the other parents on the team. When you register your child you will be given the opportunity to indicate your willingness to be a Team Parent. This information will be given to the Team Manager after the draft. It is the responsibility of the Team Manager to recruit a Team Parent. All volunteers interfacing with the players must submit a Volunteer Application, required by Little League International.
Do you do background checks on volunteers?
YES!! Every local Little League is required by Little League International to perform a background check on all volunteers who will be working directly with the players (Board members, Managers, Coaches, Team Parents and any other parents who help out at practices, etc.). Specifically, we are required to verify that volunteers have not been convicted of, or pled guilty to, any offense against a minor. All volunteers are required to submit a Volunteer Application. A list of cleared volunteers is compiled. Only cleared volunteers are permitted to interact with the players during games or practices. We do NOT do background checks on parents signed up for mandatory volunteer shifts such as working in the Concession Stand or at the Field Work Days. Note that a social security number is no longer required on the application. If there is any chance you will be helping out with the team, please submit this application.
Do you need umpires? How do I get started as an umpire?
We always need umpires! No previous experience necessary - we will train you. Teenagers are welcome to volunteer, and can earn community service hours. Every team in the Coast, Minor, and Major Divisions is required to provide an umpire for at least 3 games during the season. It works best if 2-3 volunteers from each team share this responsibility. Please consider helping out your team, and the league, by sharing your love of baseball through this important and rewarding role. For more information, contact the Umpire-in-Chief.
What are the responsibilities of a manager and a coach?
The team manager oversees the management of the team throughout the season. They are responsible for developing a practice format, creating a lineup card for every game, and ensuring kids get their minimum playing time in each game. Managers are the focal point of the team and must be committed to following through with managing the team from mid-February to the end of June. Time commitment is usually around 5-6 hours a week depending upon division.
Managers need to be able to commit to be at all practices and games. Managers also must attend a pre-season coaching clinic provided by the league, and a manager's meeting with the division representative. They should also schedule and conduct a meeting with all of the parents prior to the first practice of the season.
Two assistant coaches are allowed in the dugout during games. However, a manager may elect to use more than two coaches during practice. Coaches provide support during practice to ensure kids get enough attention while developing their skills. Coaches are under the guidance and direction of the manager. Typically, a manager will design a practice format and have assistants take care of coaching small groups of players, assisting with batting practice, hitting fungos, or other assistant duties. Coaches are strongly urged to attend a pre-season clinic provided by the league. All actions of an assistant coach during games are the ultimate responsibility of the manager.
2009 Spring Season
Can I sponsor my child's team?
Team sponsorship includes a banner to be displayed by the team at each game, and well as a large ad in the DPLL Handbook. There are other sponsorship options also. Check out the Sponsorship Flier for details. Contact our Director of Sponsorships early if you are interested in sponsoring your child's team, before someone beats you to it!
What is Opening Day?
Opening Day, to be held on March 14, 2009, is a celebration of the new season. It is an opportunity for recognition of all those that make our league what it is - sponsors, "old-timer" umpires, managaers and the Board of Directors are all recognized. During the formal ceremonies, each team marches onto the field together and is introduced to the crowd. We'll sing the National Anthem and have the 1st pitch thrown out, just like at a Major League Baseball game.
How will the Division Champions be determined?
The method varies from year to year depending on the preferences of the Managers and Division VP. The method of determining the Championship may not be the same in each Division. This posting will be updated when we know what the various Divisions will be doing this year.
Are they any changes in the rules this year?
Little League International updates the rules every year. All local Little Leagues are bound by these rules, but can also enact more restrictive local rules. 2009 Rules Changes include pitch count limits for 7-8 year olds, a ban on playing catcher after having pitched in a game, removal of the "automatic" intentional walk rule, requirement that all 12 year olds play in the Major Division, a 5 run inning limit in the Minors, and removal as a passport as proof of age. Check out this summary of the pitching rule changes
Rain-outsWho determines if games or practices are cancelled due to rain, and how will I know?
The decision on whether to close the DPLL fields is made by the DPLL Fields Director and/or the Safety Officer. Conditions will be checked at noon; field closures or special instructions will be posted on the website in the early afternoon as a News Alert (you won't be able to miss it!). Status of practices held away from the DPLL fields are up to the Team Manager.
What if Conditions Change?
Status is posted in the early afternoon; obviously conditions can worsen later in the day. There is no one at the fields with a computer to update the website if things change. We are at work in the afternoon, some of us in buildings with no windows! If a later update is available, it will be posted. Please do not call Board Members to ask for status!!! If we know, it will be posted. When in doubt, assume the game will go on as scheduled. The umpire will cancel the game or end it early if conditions are not safe.
Will rained-out games be rescheduled?
We will make every effot to make up games depending on the weather throughout the season.
What about rained-out Concessions Shifts?Since rained-out games won't be rescheduled, neither will the rained-out Concessions Shifts. We know many of you arrange to get off work early and/or scheduled a babysitter to be available for your shift, and we won't ask you to do it again due to circumstances beyond your control. Be sure the shift has been cancelled - do not assume! If the shift has not been cancelled and you don't show up, your check will be cashed! We will try to call you, but can't always get hold of everyone. Check the website New Alert for status, and contact the Concessions Manager if you are in doubt. If you are willing to reschedule, please contact the Concessions Manager (and Thank you!!!)
What about rained-out Field Work Days?
If a Field Work Day is cancelled due to rain, it will be rescheduled - the work still needs to get done! Volunteers will be contacted with the new date.
