FAQ's printable
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q) What is Dardenne Athletic Association (DAA)?
A) The Dardenne Athletic Association, or DAA, is a not-for-profit community organization that provides children the opportunity to play organized baseball or Softball.
Q) Who runs the DAA?
A) DAA is run by a volunteer board of directors in accordance with an approved set of bylaws. The board of directors includes an executive board made up of an Executive Board (President, vice president, treasurer, secretary, etc) along with a group of general Board members.
Q) My child isn’t on a team. Can they still sign up?
A) Yes, DAA accepts individual registrations. These players are either placed on a team of other individual players or used to fill spots on organized teams that need additional players.
Q) My child has never played organized baseball before. Can they still sign up?
A) Yes, DAA accepts players at all skill levels. 5 & 6 year olds play in the DAA Pee Wee coach-pitch league. Older children play on teams that play at one of Three (3) competition levels, Continental, American Red or American Blue. The Continental division is a more recreational division, and American Red/Blue divisions are the more competitive.
Q) How are players placed on teams?
A) Players can be part of an organized team that joins DAA to play together or they can sign up individually as “Pool” players. “Pool” players are placed together to form new teams or are assigned to existing teams that may need additional players.
Q) When are the teams formed?
A) Once registration ends (mid- February or Early March for Pee Wee) the Board is able to complete the teams. There are usually 400-500 players to place and this process does take time.
Q) When will I learn what team my child is on?
A). As soon as all teams are put together, the coaches will receive the registration forms to make contact with the players, usually in early March.
Q) Who coaches the teams?
A) Existing teams that sign up are generally coached by those who organized the team. New teams formed by DAA from “Pool “players are coached by parents of the players used to form the team. DAA does not have staff available to coach teams. We are always looking for Coach and Assistant Coach Volunteers. Please Contact a Board Member if interested.
Q) Does DAA provide uniforms for the teams?
A) DAA provides a t-shirt to all players signed up for the 5 – 6 year old Pee Wee coach-pitch league as part of their registration fee. All other teams and players are responsible for supplying their uniforms. Uniforms can be paid for by the parents or through sponsorship arranged by those involved with the team.
DAA does not provide sponsorship for any team.
Q) Does DAA provide equipment for the teams?
A) For 2012, DAA provides a basic equipment issue for those teams which require Equipment. This equipment will be signed out to the team for use during the season and turned back in to DAA at the end of the season. (1 Set Catchers Gear (Less Glove), 12 Practice balls, Gear Bag, Score Book). All players are required to provide their own glove, bat, and helmet.
Q) Where and when will my child’s team practice?
A) DAA offers its coaches the opportunity to sign up for practice at the DAA field
Complex on Hanley Rd. Depending on the number of teams signed up at DAA, each team may possibly have two weekly practice assignments prior to the start of the season and one weekly practice session after the season begins. Practice times are awarded via a signup lottery held at the DAA preseason coaches’ meeting. Practice times assigned are held by each team for the entire season. DAA reserves the right to supersede practice assignments for tournaments and other special events. Coaches will be notified of any changes via email, Website, and Field Bulletin Board.
Q) In what league do DAA teams play?
A) DAA participates in the New Horizon Youth Sports League (NHYSL), which also includes Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, New Melle and River City. Each age group within NHYSL is typically broken into two to three (3) levels of competition dependant on # of teams in age group and league ranking. The Continental division is suited more for new and recreational teams/players, while the American Red/Blue division is best for teams/players looking for a higher level of competition.
Q) When does the season begin and end?
A) The NHYSL season typically runs from mid-April through mid-July. The 2012
NHYSL season begins on Wednesday April 11 and ends on (or about depending on rainouts) Friday, July 13. Peewee Division teams will begin their season on or shortly after Monday, May 1th and run for 8-10 weeks.
Q) How many games are played during the season?
A) The NHYSL plays a 12-game regular season consisting of 6 home and 6 away games for each team for player ages 8 thru 15 years old.
Machine Pitch Division is 10 Games. Peewee usually plays 8 to 10 games.
Q) Where are the games played?
A) DAA home games are played at the DAA field complex on Hanley Road. NHYSL away games may be played at any or all of the fields associated with the other NHYSL member associations. (Directions can be found on DAA website)
Q) On what days and times are the games played?
A) Regular NHYSL games are scheduled during the week with a minimal number of games scheduled on Fridays. The majority of games are scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. DAA & NHYSL reserve the right to schedule games, particularly rainout makeup’s as required to ensure completion of the NHYSL season within the established schedule. In extreme circumstances, these makeup games may be scheduled on Saturday or Sunday as necessary to complete the season.
Q) Do I have to work at the concession stand?
A) DAA does not require concession stand duty as this effort has been too hard to manage in the past. We do require each Family to participate in the Mandatory Fundraiser provided on our Registration form.
Q) How can I help DAA?
A1) You can help DAA by volunteering and responding to requests for help by the DAA board. If you would like to be involved, please contact a board member in person or through the email links provided on this site.
A2) You can help DAA by understanding that DAA is managed by a board of volunteers who also hold full time jobs, have families and coach/manage teams that play at DAA.
A3) You can help DAA by remembering that the baseball and softball games played at DAA & NHYSL are for the benefit of the children playing, not the glory of the coaches and parents involved. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter so much whether they win or lose, but how they play the game and have fun.
A4) You can help DAA by remembering that the DAA and NHYSL umpires, although paid for their service, are not “professionals” and mostly teenagers and young adults. As such, there will be missed calls and unusual situations where the rules may not be clearly or correctly applied every time. Both DAA and NHYSL provide training for these umpires in an effort to minimize these situations. The reaction and response of the coaches, parents and fans to these situations go a long way in setting a positive example for the players. Everyone should try to show some restraint, patience and compassion when the going gets rough.
A5) You can help DAA by letting us know if there are clarifications needed in these answers or if there are additional questions and answers we should add to the list. Please submit any suggestions you have to www.dardennepsorts.com
