CIRCLING THE BASES - Updated: March 2, 2010

LETTER FROM THE DGS PRESIDENT
This update addresses the possibility of DGS restructuring it's current five league set up. For those of you that attended the last two monthly meetings and provided feedback regarding the possible change to "U" age appropriate divisions, the DGS Board of Directors would like to thank you. Your feedback was a crucial piece to aid us in making a decision.

After two months of due diligence & deliberation, we have reached a decision. We broke this down in many different ways with a cutoff of Jan 1 as well as August to look at the numbers based on last years registrations. We also carefully looked at all the negative and positive points in making a change from a coaching, playing and social aspect to make sure we made the right decision.

In the end, the board unanimously voted not to make a league change. We felt the negative impact out weighed the positive. We will remain five leagues as we have been over the past four years. We will dive deeper into the rules and logistics of each of these leagues over the next couple months and look to make improvements where necessary.

I hope you all understand how much time went into this decision and how much we appreciate your input. We strive to provide a great league for the girls in town that you can all be proud of.

The next Open Meeting is Feb 8th, 6:30pm at Onion Town. Hope to see you all there.

DGS TRYOUTS
If you are in 3rd, 5th or 7th grade, you must attend try-outs to be selected to a team. These are the first grade levels of each of the three upper leagues. If you are not at try-outs, you will be placed on a team from a group pulled from a hat. All Tryouts are in the High School Field House gymnasium.

DGS Player Registration
The 2010 season player fee is $85 for the upper four leagues and $50 for TBall. To register your daughter, please print the Registration Form from the website in the "forms tab". Make a check payable to DGS and send to DGS, PO Box 435 Danvers MA 01923 attention Libby Kellard

There is also a family max of $170. If you have three daughters playing (even if one is in TBall) you would pay $170 (unless you pay by Feb 5th, it would be $150) We do not honor requests to play on specific teams or specific coaches.

Live Registration Dates
Feb 9th 6-8pm High School cafeteria
Feb 27th 10-Noon High School cafeteria

Below is the league set-up and cut-off dates to play:

2010 DGS Time Line
Please click here to see the current 2010 season time line of key events.

TEAM SPONSORS
DGS is currently looking for team sponsors. Team sponsorship is $250. This is a great way to help the league and for your sponsorship, you will receive a sponsor photo team plaque as well as have your company name proudly displayed across the back of a teams jersey. If you have a specific team you want to sponsor, let us know. Please click here to email Bob Gilmore and he will work with you to get your sponsorship in place.

DGS RECRUITING HEAD COACHES STARTING DECEMBER 1, 2009
ALL HEAD COACHES WILL BE SELECTED FEB 21st FROM SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS. IF YOU HAVE NOT SUBMITTED, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY. Head coaching positions are one year terms. If you are interested in head coaching a team in one our 5 leagues, please click here and express interest. Please list past experience, courses taken and qualifications. Please list the league in which you are interested in. There is no need to apply for Assistant Coaching positions, as these are picked by Head Coaches and approved or denied by the DGS Board of Directors. We are looking for anyone that is interested in coaching. You can be a coach from last year, years past or someone looking for the first time. We will collect all applicants and assign teams in the February timeframe. Please make your request now! We are looking to expand the "pool" of coaches for the 2010 season.

There is a coaching clinic being sponsored by Danvers Girls Softball on January 17th at the Danvers high school. It is being conducted by the famous Al & Al. Attendance to this clinic will provide you an advantage to being selected as a coach to the 2010 season. There will be DGS representation there taking attendance. Please click here to see times for your age group.

Specific Position Open: Fundraiser Coordinator
This individual will be responsible to visit and secure DGS discount card offers from various in town companies. This individual will also be responsible to solicit "team sponsors" for all teams prior to the beginning of the season. Any additional ideas to raise money would be presented to the Board and voted on.

Below are some general requirements of a Board member as well as specific outline of the position:

General Requirements:
- Attend the monthly Board Meetings, one Sunday per month. These meetings are from Nov through July, off Aug & Sep and final meeting in October.
- Attend the monthly Open Meetings, one Monday per month. These meetings are from Nov through July, off Aug & Sep and final meeting in October.
- Communicate and endorse all DGS rules and expectations
- Get around to various games to spot check overall effectiveness and communicate deficiency back to the Board for review
- Place DGS rules and philosophy over personal gain for yourself and or your player/daughter
- Remain positive at all times and be ready to help define the 2010 season

DGS Meeting Dates
OPEN MEETING March 8th. at 6:30pm at the OnionTown Grille.
BOARD MEETING February 21st at 6:00pm at Devcon.

2010 Team Page
Need a team page for the 2010 season? Post important team notices, events, game summaries, schedules, and much more! Team parents and players will always have the most up to date team information! Only $19.99 for the season. For details, click here.