Denbigh Youth Baseball League: League Info

League Objective-
The League seeks to instill in the youth of the Denbigh Community ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and reverence so that they may be finer, stronger, healthier young people who will grow to be good, clean, healthy adults. We provide supervised training programs, practices, and competitive games to accomplish this objective. The League's primary goal is to provide a recreational outlet that will help to mold the future adults of our nation. We want the DYBL experience to be fun and rewarding for all. We would like everyone to improve their skills and learn the benefits of teamwork, but we must all remember that producing all-stars and winning games is not the ultimate goal.
League Operations-
DYBL operates in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Newport News. Essentially, DYBL runs the youth baseball and softball programs for the City. The City provides and maintains the fields and furnishes a limited amount of equipment and funds. The League operates solely through the efforts of volunteers. The managers and coaches, who spend many hours teaching and guiding players, are all volunteers. The DYBL Executive Board, which plans, organizes, and administers the operation of the program in accordance with the League Constitution and By-laws, is also made up of volunteers. DYBL is a "participation" league. This means that every child, regardless of his/her skill must play in at least 30% of the innings played by the team in a week, unless absent or held out by the team manager because of disciplinary problems. This rule applies in all divisions, except the Junior and Senior Pinto divisions, where each player must play in at least 50% of the innings played by the team in a week. The League operates a web site at http://www.dybl.org/. If you have a question that needs a direct answer, please call a member of the Executive Board.
Membership Meetings-
The participation of your child(ren) in the League automatically makes you a member of the League. We will hold three general membership meetings during the season to conduct League business. Please note the dates from the calendar and make every effort to attend these meetings. Your participation is very important! See the Key Events Calendar on the HOME page of this site for other important dates. Dates and locations subject to change.
Parental Support-
We hope that you will come out and watch as many games as possible, particularly those played by your child's team. It has been proven that parental support of the team is a positive influence on both the individual players and the team as a whole. However, we ask all parents to show maturity, restraint, and respect for the actions of all players, coaches, and umpires. Good sportsmanship is a primary objective of the program and adults must set the example for the young people.
Birth Certificates-
Proof of age must be presented for each player at registration. The birth certificate is the usual document of proof. Passports and military identification cards are also acceptable. Note that proof of age will be required for all players, including those who are returning from last season. This is necessary to help purify our computer records.
Player's Age-
We assign players to divisions based on their "league age." The date for determining this age for baseball is May 1, 2009. The date for determining this age for softball is January 1, 2009. For example, if a baseball player's 12th birthday falls on or before April 30, 2009, he/she is a 12 year-old for this season. If the player's birthday is on or after May 1, 2009, he/she is an 11 year-old player for this season. Five-year old players must be 5 years old before April 1, 2009.
Player Distribution-
Players are assigned to teams based on a distribution plan approved by the League. An evaluation of players in the Bronco, Sr. Girls, Jr. Girls, and Pony Divisions has been used the past few seasons, and based on its success, this evaluation will be continued again this season in these divisions. Players in these divisions must participate in an evaluation session prior to the draft. This procedure has proven to improve the competitive balance among the teams in the division. The actual distribution is accomplished using a League computer program. All players registered on any of the four regular registration days will be placed on a team, except that players in divisions using the evaluation process who do not attend the evaluation session may not be placed on a team. Players registered after these four days may be placed on the waiting list. Your team manager, or a league official, will call you sometime after the March 21st Player Distribution Meeting to give you the name of the team and manager's name and telephone number.
Practice-
The number and location of practices by each team is generally at the discretion of the team manager. During the practice season, the League schedules practices for each team, but the manager may schedule additional ones if a field is available. During the regular season, the manager may decide to practice if he can obtain a field.
Game Schedules-
The number of games played by each team depends on the number of teams in that division and the number of playing days available. Generally, each team plays two games per week, but a make-up game could mean a third game in a week. The regular playing season starts on Monday, April 13th, and will end about June 8th. Your child’s coach should give you a game schedule before the first game. Please try to schedule any vacations around the season so your child will be able to participate in all games. His/her absence could adversely affect the team and might even cause it to lose by forfeit due to an insufficient number of players.
All-Star Competition-
There will be All-Star competition for selected players in the Mustang, Bronco, and Pony Divisions and Junior and Senior Girls Divisions beginning in July. All players in these divisions are eligible for All-Star competition, but must be initially nominated by their team Manager as a candidate and then try out. The All-Star teams normally play in at least two double elimination tournaments with other teams from the area. In preparation of the tournaments, practices are held daily and the players are required to attend. All All-Star play should be completed by August 15th.
Muscular Dystrophy Tournament-
DYBL has long supported the MD tournament by sending teams to participate. All proceeds for this tournament directly support the effort to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy. The baseball part of this tournament is normally held during the first and second weeks of August. Managers of MD teams select players from the Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, and Pony Divisions. Practice will begin after the regular All-Star tournaments end. Players will be asked to help raise money for this worthy event.
Uniforms and Equipment-
The League furnishes bats, balls, uniforms, batting helmets, and catcher's equipment. Each player is responsible for providing his/her own shoes and glove. Players may wear the uniforms only for games and League-sponsored activities. Any player found violating this rule, such as wearing a League jersey to school, will be suspended for two games. All equipment and uniforms, except caps and socks, are the property of DYBL and are LOANED to the players for the season. The League will hold sessions to fit and issue uniforms. Your team manager will give you the date for your child's fitting/issue. Each player must be present to be fitted for a uniform. A parent or legal guardian must sign for the uniform. If any fund-raising money has not been paid, a uniform will not be issued. All money from fund-raising should be paid to DYBL with a check or money order. At the end of the season, you are responsible to return the uniform to the League in a freshly-laundered and mended condition no later than July 9th. You are responsible for ensuring the uniform is returned to the League, regardless of whether or not the team manager has arranged for uniform collection. Parents will be billed the following amounts for uniform parts that are not returned by July 15th: Jersey - $30.00 Pants - $20.00
Insurance-
The League does have some insurance, but it is secondary to the private insurance of families.
League Expenses-
The Executive Board strives to keep League expenses and registration fees as low as possible. Nevertheless, the cost of good quality equipment and uniforms continues to increase. Our projected budget for this year is nearly $67,000.00. The cost to the League of providing uniforms, equipment, umpires, etc., is more than $78.00 per child. The League obtains these funds from player registration fees, a City grant, sponsorships by businesses and civic organizations, and a fund-raising campaign. The fund-raiser is an extremely important part of the program. In addition to the registration fee, each player must either sell our fund-raiser product or pay $30.00.
Parking at field-
For safety reasons, the City requires that you park your vehicles in the paved parking lots near the fields. No one is permitted to park on the dirt or grass areas surrounding the playing fields without prior written approval from the League or the City. Park Rangers check the areas now and then and will ticket offending vehicles.
Opening Day-
Opening Day ceremonies will be held on Saturday, April 18th, 2009. This is a day of festivities and celebration designed for the enjoyment of the whole family. There will be a parade, a guest speaker, and games for the children, some shortened exhibition games, prizes, and plenty of refreshments for everyone. Plan now to attend.
Assistance-
Activities such as conducting Opening Day ceremonies, assisting during the picture days, and operating concession stands at fields require a considerable number of workers. We need your help!!! Contact a DYBL board member if you can help in any way.

Missing Games-
If a player misses three games in a row without a reasonable excuse, the Team Manager may request that the Player Agent drop the player from the team’s roster. If the Player Agent investigates and confirms the absence, the Player Agent may then drop the player, and place a new player on the team, if one is available.
League Structure-
The League is not affiliated with any national organization, such as Little League, Cal Ripken, or Pony Baseball. However, our structure and rules generally follow those of Pony Baseball. The League provides baseball for boys and girls ages 5 through 15 and fast-pitch softball for girls ages 7 through 16. Players are distributed to teams in the following divisions:
Baseball
Shetland Division is for children ages 5 & 6. This is an introductory program and the primary objective is for each child to learn some of the basic fundamentals of baseball while having FUN! For most of the season, players hit the ball off a stationary tee. During the latter part of the season, a combination of coach pitch and hitting off the tee is used. The diamond is smaller than usual with the bases spaced 50 feet apart. No team standings or records of runs scored are kept. Every player is a winner! This season, most games will be played at Palmer Elementary School.

Pinto Division is for 7 and 8 year-olds and introduces players to some additional aspects of the game. A pitching machine is used to pitch to the batters. A "bat the bench" procedure is used which enables all players in attendance to bat whether or not they are playing in the field. The bases are 60 feet apart. No team standings or records of runs scored are kept. Games will be played at Passage Middle School and Dutrow Elementary School.

Mustang Division is for 9 and 10 year-olds. This is the first level where they play "real" baseball. Players pitch in this division. To protect their arms, they are not permitted to pitch more than three innings per game. Base stealing is restricted. The "bat the bench" procedure is used. The bases are 60 feet apart and the pitching distance is 44 feet. Games will be played at Jenkins and Macintosh Elementary Schools.

Bronco Division is for 11 and 12 year-olds. The rules are the same as for professional baseball, but the diamond is smaller. Bases are 70 feet apart and the pitching distance is 48 feet. Games will be played at Denbigh Early Childhood Center and Richneck Elementary School.

Pony Division is for 13, 14, and 15 year-olds. The rules are the same as for professional baseball, but the diamond is smaller. Bases are 80 feet apart and the pitching distance is 54 feet. Games will be played at B. C. Charles Elementary School.

Girl's Softball

Bantam Softball Division is for 7 through 9 year girls. Modified high school rules are used. The "bat the bench" procedure is used. The bases are 60 feet apart and the pitching distance is 35 feet.

Junior Girl's Softball Division is for 10 through 12 year girls. Modified high school rules are used. The "bat the bench" procedure is used. The bases are 60 feet apart and the pitching distance is 40 feet.

Senior Girl's Softball Division is for 13 through 16 year-old girls. High school fast-pitch rules are used. The bases are 60 feet apart and the pitching distance is 40 feet.
The number of registered players and their ages determine the divisions for any year.