Youth baseball starts up with signups this Sunday

Jun 12, 2020

Youth sports are opening back up with extra precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic — and the Dartmouth Youth Activities Association baseball is no exception.

DYAA is holding signups on Sunday, June 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for its junior, little, and pony leagues, said association treasurer Jim Vieira.

The junior league is accepting kids born between May 1 and April 30, 2012, while those born in 2010 can join the little league and those born in 2007 go into the pony league.

Fees cost $165 for each group.

T-ball registration is still pending, as sports for younger children won’t be starting up again until Phase 3.

Vieira noted that DYAA will be following all of the state guidelines for safety, including all coaches wearing masks, kids asked to not share equipment and sanitizing everything whenever possible.

New restrictions will also mean that the teams will only be holding practices for the first three weeks of the season, Vieira said.

Restrooms won’t be open until games start back up again in Phase 3.

When games begin, there will be no out of state teams traveling to play, and spectators will be limited and asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

“A lot of parents are so happy,” said Vieira of the return of little league baseball. As for safety concerns, he added, “Kids are spread apart in baseball anyways, it’s not really a contact sport.”

For more information about the 2020 little league baseball season, contact DYAA at dyaa@comcast.net or call Jim Vieira at (508) 954-3087.