When Jim Vieira first took interest in the Dartmouth Youth Activities Association 45 years ago, he technically wasn't allowed to coach.

To coach with the nonprofit sports league, you had to be a DYAA member. To be a DYAA member, you had to be 21 years old. Vieira was 18.

"I could vote, I could go into the service, and I could [legally] drink, but I couldn't coach," recalled Vieira.

Vieira attended a board meeting to point out the oddity, and earned himself a Junior League team. The victory has since shaped his life.

"I don't know what prompted me to go down there. I might've heard they were looking for coaches. I always loved baseball," he said.

Vieira spent 30 years as a DYAA coach, worked as the board secretary, spent 20 years as the board president, and has been the treasurer for the past 10 years.

Through his years with DYAA, Vieira has watched the league grow from one field to five, with another three coming now that Town Meeting members have approved $100,000 to replace the baseball diamonds at Gidley School.

When Vieira first started with the league, North Dartmouth kids played at Gidley School, and South Dartmouth children played where the Southworth Library now sits, said Vieira. With the construction of the library, DYAA was awarded the Crapo Field lot on Russells Mills Road, where the league still operates.

Two years into becoming a DYAA coach, Vieira scored his first Little League team. "That was a big deal because you got them for three years," he said. Junior League coaches only had their athletes for one year.

"I took over the Minnesota Twins. There's no Little League team called the Minnesota Twins right now," he added, laughing at his dream of reinstating the team when his grandkids came through the league.

Both of Vieira’s children, Rachel and James, played ball through town leagues — softball with the Dartmouth Girls Athletic League (DGAL), and baseball with DYAA and the high school, respectively. Now, both, along with Vieira’s five grandchildren, live in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

"I was hoping to have my grandchildren play in DYAA, but it's a long ride. Those [Twins] uniforms are probably rotted away by now," said Vieira.

Vieira too had an early start in baseball. The former centerfield and first baseman played high school ball for Dartmouth Public Schools before marrying his sweetheart Michelle.

"My wife knew when she married me [43 years ago] that I was married to the DYAA to some extent," Vieira explained, adding that date nights would often be scheduled around practices.

Vieira recalled when the facilities building went up in 1991, and when the concession stand was built the decade before. Prior to that — in the ‘70s — the league sold candy out of a station wagon to raise money, Vieira said.

"To me, this is one of the finest [facilities] around. And the thing is, we've done it ourselves," said Vieira.

In the ‘80s, Vieira took a hit that only strengthened his involvement with the league. Working in managing and receiving for the then Acushnet Company, he was wedged between a forklift and a pole. His femoral artery was replaced with tubing as a result.

"It took me out of work. I remember coaching in a wheelchair for a few months," said Vieira. But it’s always been worth it, he said.

"I always loved working with children. I just get enjoyment seeing the kids, the looks on their faces," he said. "The sad part is there's less involvement. Baseball was the only thing here. There was no lacrosse and soccer," he said. The DYAA now offers both baseball and basketball leagues.

Despite, Vieira said it's cool to watch the next generation of ballplayers come in for signups. The DYAA accepts all players, no matter skill level or ability, beamed Vieira.

"No one is cut. As long as I'm here, that's not changing," he said, explaining that the league focuses on teaching the basics and having fun. The league does have a residency rule, but Vieira said if a player starts in Dartmouth, he can finish in Dartmouth, regardless if he or she moves.

That doesn't mean Vieira doesn't appreciate talent. Recalling that he himself was only an "adequate player" in his youth, Vieira jumped forward to brag about an All Star team he had managed. The 2001-2003 team had a 23-game winning streak, and won six of eight tournaments.

"We had a lot of fun, and we travelled with that team," he said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of team that you get."

Vieira said it’s difficult to slow down, despite the fact that he’ll turn 63 next month, and stopped coaching 12 years ago.

"I have love for this organization. This is my hobby, or whatever you want to call it. It's part of me," he said.

In the meanwhile, Vieira has picked up some other hobbies. He has spent the past 12 years as an umpire for high school baseball. He's been on the town Board of Parks & Recreation for seven years.

He also keeps up with his grandkids. He recently returned from Florida, where his granddaughter competed in a cheerleading competition. Their soccer games are also high priority, he said.

When Vieira's not at Crapo Field or Town Hall, he's can be found at Sunrise Bakery on Dartmouth Street.

"Every morning, you'll find me there between 9 and 10 o'clock," he laughed.