Youth softball returns to Quinn School diamonds
May 1, 2022
Players from the 10U Gators play against Westport to open up the 2022 DGAL season. Photos by Christopher Shea
Members of the 10U Friars get ready to bat.
The dugout of the 8U Southeastern Fire & Safety discusses what they want their next chant to be.
Batter up!
The older gator infielders practice their catching in between innings.
A Wesport player runs toward first base.
Youth softball is officially in full swing in Dartmouth.
Sunday saw full diamonds outside Quinn School as the Dartmouth Girls Athletic League's celebrated opening day for the 2022 season — its biggest yet, according to commissioner Ryan Rymszewicz.
This year, the league saw 200 girls register for the season, up 50 from the previous season.
“We’ve definitely filled up a lot more than we have in the past,” he said. “It’s great to see.”
Rymszewicz said a big reason for the increase is the addition of a 6U program, which primarily instructs the youngest girls in the league on the fundamentals of softball during the first few weeks of the season.
Games will likely be played later on.
So far, the commissioner said, the youngest players have been very receptive to learning how the game works.
“These kids were so into it — running bases, learning, cheering each other on… I’ve never seen it in my years of coaching,” he said. “6U is usually out in the field picking up daisies.”
According to the commissioner, there were 30 signups for the 6U program.
There has also been an increase in former players returning to assist the growing league.
Rymszewicz noted that some of Dartmouth High’s current players, along with recent graduates, are helping coach the league’s 10U and 8U teams.
Many also officiate the matches.
“They’re all 18 and 19 years old and running their own teams, “ Rymszewicz said. “It’s great to see — former players give back to the community by giving back their own time.”
He added that their expertise will also help the girls currently participating be the best players they can be on the diamond.
“It’s always a lot better coming from a player who was in DGAL before,” Rymszewicz said.
This season, which runs through June 23, will consist of 12 games against fellow Dartmouth teams, along with squads from Westport and Fairhaven.
League championships will follow.
Overall, the commissioner said he anticipates 2022 will be a good year for DGAL.
“It's really good to see the kids out here cheering and playing,” Rymszewicz. “And they’re having
