by Bob Mueser

DSL Tournament Email

All:

This next Saturday, May 21, will be the day of the Developmental and All Girls JV/V Soccer Tournament.  The Tournament location is at the No Offseason 904 Little Deer Creek Valley Rd, Russellton, PA 15076.  I have attached a few things that should make your day go more smoothly if you are participating in this year's tournament.  They are as follows:
1. Tournament Spreadsheet.  The Games, Bracket and Venue Tabs will be most helpful to you, but feel free to review them all.  Note that in the VEnue Layout tab this spreadsheet is not to scale for any of the fields, and that the fields for JV/V girls tournament will be larger than what they appear on the layout (we will be combining fields), but the general location will be accurate.
2. Tournament Rules – A lot of time has gone into the preparation of this tournament.  We do insist on having each coach read these rules and we ask that you share them with your families as well.  I almost had to disqualify one team last year for failure to read and follow the rules and the venue could ask you to leave if you do not follow their rules (such as no dogs, etc.).  Take a couple of minutes to familiarize yourselves with them, it will make Saturday go much more smoothly for all of us.
3. Form of Team Roster – Please bring this and the registration fee to the DSL Tent for each team prior to the start of your first game.  Schools can have one person drop off all fees and registrations, but each team should still check in with the tent so that we know you are here.  
Remember to check in 30 minutes prior to the start of your first game to allow you time to get to the venue, park, and start organizing your team.  
We have rearranged the tournament flow and fields a bit to try to eliminate the parking issues we had last fall.  When parking in no event should you block someone in, you may find your vehicle towed if you do.  If by chance there isn't a parking space readily available, drop off your player and wait for a spot to open before parking, we have teams rolling in and out all day.  I know it can be frustrating, but not nearly as frustrating for the other person who is now boxed in.
Finally, please note that due to size constraints that there will not be any school tents permitted this year so prepare accordingly.  We also are not permitting any food on the fields due to last season's issues with garbage and food being left on the field.  Concessions will be provided and there are areas that you can eat, just not on the fields.  Those that do not follow these rules will be asked to leave.  I would not want to choose to ask a parent to leave and not watch their kids play, but the alternative is that we lose these fields and we may not be able to have a tournament next season, so please be a considerate guest and do not eat on the fields.
That's it, let me know if you have any questions and I'm looking forward to a great event.
Rob Glentzer
by Bob Mueser

DSL – Week 7 Email

  Good evening everyone, 

Just a couple of things as we enter into our last few weeks of the season.
1. JV/Varsity Regular Season Games
  • To say that this season's weather has been a challenge is a bit of an understatement.  I know that you are all doing your best to get games in, but we currently sit at around 25 games that haven't been rescheduled and our regular season is over Sunday May 29.  Games not played by May 29 will not count for standings and standings will not be prorated, so unplayed games will put your team at a competitive disadvantage when deciding who makes the playoffs.  Given that the weekend of May 29 is also memorial day you may have further complications in trying to reschedule matches.  At this point I would encourage all teams that have games to reschedule to use weekdays if necessary.  Also, if you don't have enough to field a squad, check with the other team as well, both teams can agree to play 10v10, 9v9, 8v8 or even 7v7 if you need to do that to get the game in.  
2. DSL Developmental and All Girls JV/Varsity Tournament 
  • Coaches List – I have attached a pdf of the registered teams.  I included coaches names based largely off of the coaches who are coaching during the regular season.  AD's, Coordinators, and Coaches, please take a look and let me know who should be coaching in for the teams that don't have coaches listed yet and if any changes need to be made since my assumption that regular season coaches may be incorrect or I might have selected the wrong coaches.  That attached pdf is sorted by school alphabetically, so it should be fairly easy to review and get me comments.  Please provide me with any changes to this list by the end of day, Wednesday, May 11.
  • Schedule – I am working on the schedule now and it will take some time to complete.  Generally speaking (and subject to change), first grade and third grade will start the day at 8am,1/2 and 3/4 will follow, second and fourth grade would be next and then the JV/Varsity Girls go last.  Once I have specifics I will share them but that likely won't be until Wednesday the week of the Tournament.
  • Check ins – Each team should check in at the Diocese tent 30 minutes prior to the start of your first game so that I can verify that you are here and ready to play.  Each team should have their roster and fee with them at check in, or, if your school is sending payment/roster with one team, it should be the first team playing that day.  Each team should be at their field 10 minutes before the start of your game (unless you are playing back to back, in which case you should come immediately to your next game).  We will be running early at times.  We do not have time to wait for teams that are late so if you are not at the field early for your match you may end up forfeiting your match.
  • Fees and Tournament Rosters – As a reminder, they are $100 per team, payable in cash the day of the tournament.  Please do not come with a check in hand that day as I won't have time to cash it that day and the fees are used to pay the costs of the tournament incurred that day such as refs, field fees, etc.  Tournament Rosters are also due that day, before your first game.
  • Rule Correction – in the guidance I previously circulated I mistakenly said that 3rd and 4th grade will play with a size 3 ball– they will play with a size 4 ball.
Thanks everyone and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Rob Glentzer
by Bob Mueser

Last Call for Tournament Registration

All:

Today is the last chance to register for the DSL Developmental and All Girls JV/Varsity Tournament.  Below is what I have each school as having registered.  If this is not accurate please let me know by end of day Saturday as I will start scheduling with the information set forth below.
SCHOOL NAME 1st 1st/2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd/4th 4th Girls JV Girls V Spring 22 #’s
Aquinas Academy 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 7
Archangel Gabriel 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 6
Ave Maria Academy 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
BFSA 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 6
Blessed Trinity Academy 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
Butler Catholic 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Carlow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Christ the Divine Teacher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Divine Mercy Academy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Guardian Angel Academy 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 1 6
Holy Cross Academy 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3
Holy Sepulcher 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Mary of Nazareth 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
Mother of Mercy Academy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Northside Catholic Assumption 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Our Lady of Fatima 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
Providence Heights Alpha 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
Sacred Heart 2 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 9
St. Bede 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
St. James 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
St. Kilian 4 0 4 2 0 2 1 1 14
St. Louise de Marillac 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
St. Monica 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sts. Peter and Paul 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Southhills Catholic Academy 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
PHA/OLF 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
totals 16 9 10 10 12 7 6 5 75
Regards,
Rob Glentzer
by Bob Mueser

DSL Tournament Registration Deadline is approaching

All:

As a reminder, this Friday, May 6 is the deadline to register for the Developmental Tournament  and All Girls JV/Varsity Tournament.  At this time, the first grade bracket is full and we are only accepting standy registrations.  All other age groups have availability.  Additionally I need two more Girls JV teams and two more Girls Varsity teams to register in order to have that tournament.  The all girls Tournament is a 5v5 game and plays short 20 minute games (finals consist of two 15 minute halves) so even a team of 5 girls would work.  If you have any interest in either the JV or Varsity girls tournament please let me know.
Finally, below is what schools we have registered and for what teams.  I have not had any registrations for the following active schools so if you were planning on registering please let me know:  Ave Maria (only one first grade team registered to date), Carlow, Christ the Divine Teacher, Divine Mercy, Guardian Angel, Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Monica, and Sts. Peter and Paul.  If I missed a registration that you believe that you sent and it is not reflected below, please resend immediately.
Regards,
Rob Glentzer
SCHOOL NAME 1st   1st/2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd/4th 4th Girls JV Girls V Total
Aquinas Academy 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 7
Archangel Gabriel  2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 6
Ave Maria Academy 1               1
BFSA 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 6
Blessed Trinity Academy                  
Butler Catholic 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Carlow                  
Christ the Divine Teacher                   
Divine Mercy Academy                   
Guardian Angel Academy                  
Holy Cross Academy 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3
Holy Sepulcher 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Mary of Nazareth  0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
Mother of Mercy Academy                  
Northside Catholic Assumption                  
Our Lady of Fatima                  
Providence Heights Alpha 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
Sacred Heart 2 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 9
St. Bede 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3
St. James 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
St. Kilian 4 0 4 2 0 2 0 0 12
St. Louise de Marillac                  
St. Monica                   
Sts. Peter and Paul                   
Southhills Catholic Academy 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
totals 16 5 12 9 6 7 2 2 59
by Bob Mueser

Last call on Memorial Wristbands

All:

If you wanted to order wristbands in honor of Samanth Persuitte, Monday is the last day.  See below for details.

Memorial Wristbands.  Our Lady of Fatima will be ordering wristbands to wear the rest of their season to wear in Samantha Persuitte’s memory.  If anyone else would like to order wristbands for your players/coaches to wear during this season’s games, please reach out to Mike Grayson at ssppathletics@ssppbeaver.com to coordinate your school’s order.  I have attached an image of the design for your reference and the cost is $2 per wristband.
by Bob Mueser

DSL – Week 4 email

All:

I don’t have much this week communication wise.  This Thursday, registration officially opens up for the Developmental Tournament at No Offseason in Russelton PA and he registration will remain open until May 6th.  Attached to this email are the Tournament Rules and Player Rosters (I won’t need the player rosters returned until the day of the tournament).  Please read the rules and familiarize yourselves with them.  If after reading them you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
As a brief reminder, games for tournament will most likely follow the below format:

  • Grades 1 and 2 – 5v5 games, size 3 ball, 20 minute rolling games until the championship and the championship game is 30 minutes, consisting of 2 fifteen minute halves. 
  • Grades 3 and 4 – 7v7 games, size 3 ball, 20 minute rolling games until the championship and the championship game is 30 minutes, consisting of 2 fifteen minute halves. 
  • JV Girls – 5v5 games, size 4 ball, 20 minute rolling games until the championship and the championship game is 30 minutes, consisting of 2 fifteen minute halves. 
  • Varsity Girls – 5v5 games, size 5 ball, 20 minute rolling games until the championship and the championship game is 30 minutes, consisting of 2 fifteen minute halves.(Also note that if we have the demand we will have combined 1/2 grade brackets and 3/4 grade brackets and if we do not have enough JV/Varsity Girls teams sign up we may either cancel the girls only tournament or combine JV/V together.)
Finally, I’m travelling this week/weekend so if issues come up I may be a little slower in response time.  At the JV/Varsity level please remember to include Chuck Pruss on game cancellations/reschedules as well, especially this weekend as I won’t be monitoring things as closely to relay those messages if you forget.
Regards,
Rob Glentzer
by Bob Mueser

DSL – Easter Week

Good evening everyone,

First off, I hope all of you are well and will get to spend some time with your family and friends this upcoming Easter Weekend.  There are four things I wanted to cover in this week’s email, so let’s just jump right in.
  1. Memorial Wristbands.  Our Lady of Fatima will be ordering wristbands to wear the rest of their season to wear in Samantha Persuitte’s memory.  If anyone else would like to order wristbands for your players/coaches to wear during this season’s games, please reach out to Mike Grayson at ssppathletics@ssppbeaver.com to coordinate your school’s order.  I have attached an image of the design for your reference and the cost is $2 per wristband.
  2. Developmental Tournament/All Girls JV/V Tournament.  This year’s DSL Developmental Tournament (Grades 1-4) and All Girls JV/Varsity Tournament will take place on Saturday, May 21st.  The Tournament will again be held at No Off Season in Russellton PA.  Registration opens on April 21st and closes on May 6th and it is on a first come, first serve basis.  Any registrations received after May 6th are considered late and depending on where we are at creating the event’s schedule, might not be accepted.When registering, the Soccer Coordinator or Athletic Director for each school should let me know how many teams total they are registering, the grade brackets (We have brackets for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade (and most years 1/2 and 3/4 combined grades) and JV Girls and Varsity Girls (but depending on numbers those JV/V Girls brackets might have to be combined), and the names of the coaches.  Please do not have individual coaches register their team as it makes it difficult to organize and could result in teams being entered twice (once by the coach and once by the coordinator).  I’ll be travelling the first week of registration so please email me all registrations; that will allow me to easily timestamp each entry when received so I can better adhere to the first come, first serve policy.Each grade bracket is capped at a maximum of 16 teams. We had a great response for spring teams registering in our league for the regular season this year so there is a chance that we fill up in several age brackets for this tournament.    Accordingly, and in anticipation that we may have more teams interested in the tournament than spots available, for the first week of registration, (April 21-28), preference will be given to the schools/teams that are currently registered for the the Spring 22 Season, (so if your school has 2 first grade teams and you register 3 for the tournament on April 22, I will would hold those first two spots for you until April 29, and then on/after April 29th, if that first grade bracket has capacity, I’d enter the third team).

    Registration fees continue to be $100 per team entered and are payable the day of the tournament.  I will circulate the rules of the venue and the tournament at a later date, but there will be two big changes this year — First, due to the number and size of fields and general space limitations, no school tents are permitted, we will be using almost all available field space to play our matches on so other than the registration tent we won’t have room for any other ones.  Second, due to the issues we had with people leaving food on the field last fall, no food is permitted on the fields.  There will be plenty of places to eat outside of the fenced in fields and concessions will be available.

  3. Cancellations and Reschedules.  As you all know, these first few weeks have not been kind to us weather-wise.  Safety is paramount, so it is understandable that so many cancellations have occurred.  I would like to remind everyone of the correct cancellation procedures as some coaches are not following them.  They are below (cut and pasted from my 3/24 email), note that at the JV/Varsity level it is not adequate to just let the opposing coach know of the cancellation.  You need to notify Chuck Pruss and myself as well (and if it’s less than 48 hours notice Chuck must be called or texted to ensure that he receives it).  If these guidelines are not followed and the referees show up for a match, the home team is responsible for paying the referee fees for that day even if the game is not played.Also, with respect to reschedules, those should be made within 1 week of the original date of the game.  Given that weeks 1, 2 and 3 of our season were pretty much a wash, the schedule for remakes is going to get very busy, very quickly.  And as a reminder, if games are not played they won’t count for standings at the end of the season for JV and Varsity and those teams will be at a disadvantage for qualifying for playoffs– there are no pro-rated standing determinations.  If a game isn’t played both teams would likely get a “0” point entry for standings for that game.  There is an expectation that both teams will work in good faith with one another to determine reschedule games and then let Chuck and me know if the dates/times of the rematch and then Chuck will confirm referee availability.  If there are problems between the two teams in selecting a date, feel free to involve me in the discussion.  Finally, depending on the circumstances, I reserve the right to award forfeit wins/losses if one team is not working in good faith for the reschedule.  Forfeit wins and forfeit losses are scored at a +2 and -2 respectively for standing points.
    Excerpted from my 3/24 email:
    “Cancellation protocol.  ***
    Developmental League – If you have determined that a game needs to be cancelled please reach out to the opposing coach ASAP.  If the cancellation is due to field conditions and the call is being made on game day be cognizant of the fact that between early arrivals and travel time, all such calls should be made as early in the day as possible and the opposing team should be given at least two hours notice (but preferably much more).  Home team should also remember to notify the referees and if you are using the PIAA referees provided by Chuck for developmental games, see the applicable comments on referee notice below in the JV/Varsity section. My contact information, Chuck’s contact information, and the coaches contact information are all contained in the attachment.
    JV/Varsity Games — If you have determined that a game needs to be cancelled please reach out to the opposing coach ASAP.  If the cancellation is due to field conditions and the call is being made on game day be cognizant of the fact that between early arrivals and travel time, all such calls should be made as early in the day as possible and the opposing team should be given at least two hours notice (but preferably much more).  If the cancellation is more than 48 hours in advance the Home team should notify Chuck Pruss by email.  If the cancellation is less than 48 hours in advance you should also text/call Chuck Pruss.  In both instances Chuck will respond and confirm cancellation.  Please note though that if the notice for cancellation is too short or if you don’t get an acknowledgment from Chuck and the referees aren’t given adequate notice, the home team may still be responsible for the referee fees for the scheduled games.  If you are in a jam and aren’t getting responses I can be reached via cell.  My contact information, Chuck’s contact information, and the coaches contact information are all contained in the attachment.” 

  4. Updated Contact information.  Please see attached for a further revised updated contact information sheet.  The attachment reflects corrections to the Second Grade North Bracket that involve the St. Kilian 2nd grade Black and Green teams and the Holy Cross team.
That is all I have, I wish you a blessed Easter and I wish that we all have sunny days in store for the rest of the season.
Rob Glentzer
DSL Commissioner
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by Bob Mueser

DSL Update

The Diocese Soccer League has the distinction of being one of the most unique soccer organizations that I have ever been involved in as we place an emphasis on faith into our sport that you do not see in most leagues, and we more often than not view our opponents each week as family and friends.  As many of you may have heard, this past weekend Samantha Persuitte, a student and soccer player from Our Lady of Fatima School, unexpectedly passed away.  I would ask each of you to keep Samantha, her family, her friends, her teammates, and all of the families of Our Lady of Fatima in your prayers.  I would also ask that at this weekend’s matches that we all take a moment to acknowledge Samantha with a moment of silence during the team prayer.

For those that didn’t know Samantha, here is a link to the obituary that her parents prepared.

Also, several of you had asked if there is any way to help out the family during this terrible time.  Rich Rhodes and Our Lady of Fatima are working on a couple of different ways to allow us to help the family.

Here is a link that would allow you to donate to the family

Also, the Diocese and Our Lady of Fatima are looking into ordering/designing an arm or wrist band for Our Lady of Fatima players to wear this season that will memorialize Samantha.   While the particulars such as cost, design, etc., are still being worked out; I did want to let you know that if any other teams would like to order and wear those arm bands this season we plan on opening that up to all teams in our league and donating all proceeds.  Please bear with us though as we work on firming up the details.  Mike Grayson from Sts. Peter and Paul has offered to coordinate this initiative for other Diocese Schools that want to participate and either he or I will reach out to you all once we know more details.

Regards,
Rob Glentzer
DSL Commissioner

by Bob Mueser

DSL – Week 2

Good evening everyone, just two items as we head into week 2 of our spring soccer season:

  1. Make Up Games. We had a rough start to our season last week as it appears that winter wasn't quite finished with us yet.  Hopefully this weekend's games will go off a bit smoother.  If you were a home team that had to cancel to due field or weather conditions please remember to coordinate reschedules within 1 week of the cancelled game date (actual rematches can be for later in the season, but if you don't get something on the books now, it will only become increasingly challenging as the season goes on).
  2. Updated Coach Contact List.  Please refer to the attached coaches' contact list going forward, it is the most up to date and it incorporates, among other changes, revisions to the Holy Cross First Grade Coach's and Carlow's JV/Varsity Coach's contact information.
Good luck to you all this weekend.
Rob Glentzer
DSL Commissioner
by Bob Mueser

DSL – Week 1 Email

All, a few quick items as we head into our first weekend of the soccer season:
1.  Rosters.  Rosters are due, please send the signed rosters to me by the end of day Friday (3/25).
2.  Games this weekend.  Depending on what day and time your games are this weekend, we will have some less than ideal opening weekend weather.  My suggestion is to play the games so long as your field conditions allow it as reschedules are oftentimes difficult to coordinate.  If you are playing this weekend please dress appropriately, wear layers including under armor, gloves, hats (but no hooded sweatshirts as the hood can cause safety issues).
3.  Cancellation protocol.  If you end up having to cancel this weekend because of field conditions, below is the cancellation protocol: Developmental League – If you have determined that a game needs to be cancelled please reach out to the opposing coach ASAP.  If the cancellation is due to field conditions and the call is being made on game day be cognizant of the fact that between early arrivals and travel time, all such calls should be made as early in the day as possible and the opposing team should be given at least two hours notice (but preferably much more).  Home team should also remember to notify the referees and if you are using the PIAA referees provided by Chuck for developmental games, see the applicable comments on referee notice below in the JV/Varsity section. My contact information, Chuck’s contact information, and the coaches contact information are all contained in the attachment.

Also, please refer to my 3/14 email for rescheduling procedures.  You should finalize plans for a day and time for your remake within 1 week of the date of cancellation (note that the game can be played at a later date, but you should determine that date within 1 week from the date that the game has been cancelled).

JV/Varsity Games — If you have determined that a game needs to be cancelled please reach out to the opposing coach ASAP.  If the cancellation is due to field conditions and the call is being made on game day be cognizant of the fact that between early arrivals and travel time, all such calls should be made as early in the day as possible and the opposing team should be given at least two hours notice (but preferably much more).  If the cancellation is more than 48 hours in advance the Home team should notify Chuck Pruss by email.  If the cancellation is less than 48 hours in advance you should also text/call Chuck Pruss.  In both instances Chuck will respond and confirm cancellation.  Please note though that if the notice for cancellation is too short or if you don’t get an acknowledgment from Chuck and the referees aren’t given adequate notice, the home team may still be responsible for the referee fees for the scheduled games.  If you are in a jam and aren’t getting responses I can be reached via cell.  My contact information, Chuck’s contact information, and the coaches contact information are all contained in the attachment.

Also, please refer to my 3/14 email for rescheduling procedures.  You should finalize plans for a day and time for your remake within 1 week of the date of cancellation (note that the game can be played at a later date, but you should determine that date within 1 week from the date that the game has been cancelled).

Thanks everyone, good luck this weekend and be safe!

Rob Glentzer
DSL Commissioner