Rules of the road

1. Reminder: No parent can be in the dugout or on the field of play unless they are registered as a volunteer. I did see several instances this past weekend where a non-registered parent was in the dugout and, in some cases, with their other kids. This is an insurance/liability thing and a rule set by Little League International, not DFYLL. There cannot be any exceptions to this rule. So, if you see a non-registered parent in the dugout or on the field, kindly ask them to step off the field and register as a volunteer. They can do this from their mobile phones via DFYLL.com. Then, they can return.
2. Safety reminders: All coaches should have a first aid kit as well as a supply of ice packs at the field for every game and practice. In addition, all catchers (baseball and softball) must have the dangling throat guard hanging off the mask/helmet. Please reach out to Eddie Corbett for these supplies. There is an AED in the third base dugout at Memorial, an AED will be installed in the third base dugout at Springhurst, and an AED is available at DFHS as well, should the need arise. If there’s a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911.
   
   All injuries on the field during practice or games – regardless of the degree – must be reported to our safety officer.
   
   In addition to passing a background check, all coaches (head/assistant) are required to take the following training courses with proof of completion:
   
   - CPR training (league will reimburse)
   - Little League Diamond Leader training (Free) - https://www.littleleague.org/diamondleader/
   - USA Baseball abuse awareness training (free) - https://usabdevelops.com/page/3532/courses
   
   Please provide certificates/proof of completion to the league’s safety officer (contact info below).
   
   
3. We strongly urge everyone to leverage GameChanger during the season. This is the DFYLL’s go-to utility for real-time communication, attendance tracking, game scoring and pitch counting. It’s a simple tool to learn, you can score practice games in there to help you get the hang of electronic scoring as well.
4. Umpires and decorum: As some of you are well aware, we have issues with getting our umpires to show up for our games. There are a number of reasons why, most of them being out of our control, but one of the things we can control is how we interact and treat the umpires who officiate our games. We get things can get competitive at times, we want to win, especially in our older divisions, etc. But this is still Little League and we can’t create scenes in front of our teams and teams from other town, ie we don’t want to be THAT Little League. If you take exception to a call from an umpire, please have a quiet and respectful conversation with the ump in-between innings, explain your position professionally, and leave it at that. Its just a gig for these people and we want them to want to come back.
   
   This applies to coaches from other towns (and our own) as well. No arguing on the field whatsoever, please.
   
   If you witness any parents berating, heckling or mistreating an umpire or coach, please report it to your coordinator immediately.
   
   10U Travel Baseball coaches must pay $40 at the plate for the umps. All other coaches will pay $75 at the plate for the umps. There are a few games for 12U softball which will be $40 pay at the plate. 
   
   This money will be provided by the DFYLL – these finances can be arranged payment with you before every game.
   
   
5. No more than three coaches in the dugout. This doesn’t really apply at the t-ball/6U level, but it does apply at every other level. We know there are a lot of parent volunteers and we are truly grateful for everyone who has dedicated their time and energy to their player’s teams. There are creative ways for all of our coaches to participate and be involved in these games, so please do not take this as being an un-inclusive rule. The district wants two base coaches and a bench coach and that’s it during games. We will leave it up to each head coach to divvy up the roles for their team, and ask that all abide by this rule.
6. Coaches on the fields during games: This is ok at 8U and below to start and at 6U/t-ball specifically, but we can’t have coaches directing traffic on the field during games at 10U and up (and at 8U, it needs to be phased out as you progress during the season). All coaches must be in the dugout with the gate closed during defensive innings, and we can only have base coaches on the field when our teams are at-bat.
   
   Obviously, when it’s time for coach pitch, that coach can come onto the field and do their thing.
   
   
7. IMPORTANT! Pitchers:
   
   Typically, we do not follow any sort of mandate or guidelines with our softball pitchers, outside of the 3 inning limit and the coach pitch rule in 8U or 10U. Having said that, if a coach would like to negotiate this rule before a game with their opposing coach, the league would not mind at all. Just be mindful of pitch counts with respect to stamina. A lot of walks will result in an elevated pitch count, and we don’t want our players rotting in the circle.
   
   As for baseball pitchers, that’s a completely different animal. We are very strict about the rules and guidelines for our baseball pitchers as a matter of safety and health. We have attached our pitching guidelines document, and all coaches must follow these rules or be subject to being barred from coaching in the DFYLL.
   
   
8. The players are here to learn, here to have fun, and here to chill with their friends while playing baseball and softball. Yes, it can get competitive out there but remember, this is about them, not us. Wins and losses should not be put above player safety, player engagement, player health, or including or not including someone for the purpose of competition. 
   
   Nobody is getting drafted out of the Dobbs Ferry Youth Little League. And no coach is going to be recruited by an MLB team out of Little League, either.

• Kurt Gabriel – league safety officer: (917) 482-7875
• Eddie Corbett – Equipment manager, money for umps: (914) 907-3226
• Phil Sallustio ((917) 418-1982), Joe Capasso ((914) 774-4860) – Baseball Operations
• Michael Baron ((917) 952-6325) – Little League Operations, Softball Operations