This page has been created as a resource for our managers and coaches.
We value our volunteer managers, coaches, and scorekeepers, and deeply appreciate the commitment they make to our league. A great coaching staff and focus on our recreational players is the difference between a good softball season and an amazing softball experience. Thank you! ~ D.G.S.L.
Ready for the 2023 Fall Recreational Season?
ASA requires all managers, coaches, and scorekeepers to have a National Background check on file with the league. DGSL extends this definition to include anyone working with the players at practice or in the dugout/on the field during games. A National Background check can be obtained by going to, logging in or creating a new account, and following the steps there to obtain your background check. An ASA background check costs around $12, if you wish to also become ACE certified, the fee to do so is around $28 and includes the necessary background check.
Expectations
Managers and coaches are expected to do the following:
- Attend the monthly league meetings. The manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring that if they are unable to make a meeting, that someone from their team is at the meeting to represent the team.
- Attend the Coach’s Meeting held prior to the start of the season
- Familiarize yourselves with and uphold the league bylaws
- Become proficient in the rules of your age division and have knowledge of the basic skills needed by your players to excel at their level of play
- Hold a team practice at least once per week during the season outside of scheduled games (weather permitting)
Always feel free to reach out to a Board Member with any questions, concerns, or other communications!
Need Help Getting Your Background Check?
Below are the necessary steps to register with USA Softball and complete the background check process.
Step 1: On your web browser, open a new tab and go to https://registerusasoftball.com/. Either create a new profile, or if you already have an account, simply log in.
Step 2: Once you complete your profile, you should be brought to the background check and ACE Education tab. You have two options. First, you can purchase solely a background check, which meets the league’s minimum requirements for managers, coaches, scorekeepers, and anyone that interacts with the players. The second option, which we highly recommend, is purchasing the background check and ACE test package. The ACE test package provides the best online courses to learn how to properly manage and coach a youth sports team.
Step 3: Fill out the required sections. You should consider filling out the non-required sections too, as this expedites the background check process.
Step 4: At this point, if you only purchased the background check option, all you have to do is come back to the site and check the status occasionally. However, if you purchased the bundle with the ACE courses/tests, you won’t be able to access them until the background check completes successfully.
That’s it! If you prefer a more detailed instruction set, check out the USA Softball PDF version found here or reach out to us using our contact form here.
Suggested Resources
Rhode Island JO ASA website: www.usasoftballri.org
ASA/USA Softball Website: www.usasoftballne.com
Coaching Cheat Sheet: http://staciemahoe.com/2013/06/24/coaching-cheat-sheet-situations/