Little League, Public Schools Partnerships For Parks and Rec

When the children of Dalton play ball this spring, they’ll be playing with a clear path not just to wearing the red and white of Dalton High School or Dalton Academy, but also toward championship glory in the Little League World Series. The Dalton Parks and Recreation Department is starting a new era this week with new partnerships with both Dalton Public Schools and also Little League Baseball and Softball.

Growing Up As Cats

The new collaboration with Dalton Public Schools will bring all of the city’s youth leagues together in a program called the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department Cats (DPRDC). That brand brings the program closer to the identity of both the Dalton High Catamounts as well as the system's middle school and Dalton Academy sports programs.

Coaches, officials, and players from the school system’s sports programs will be closely engaged with the young athletes and coaches of each DPRDC league. That interaction will give better opportunities for player development and coaching development with the full support of recreation staff and also school system coaches. The goal is to give the community’s athletes one identity and have all sports aligned with a sport-to-school model where players have a chance to the steadily develop into middle school and high school athletes.

A Shot At Williamsport

The dream of seeing Dalton baseball players on ESPN in the Little League World Series in Williamsport is a little closer to being a reality with the announcement that the DPRD’s Cats are joining Little League. This spring, DPRD Cats Baseball will be participating as a pilot program for Little League participation and the DPRDC Softball programs will be following suit in coming seasons. DPRD staff has worked tirelessly this week with Little League officials to become a sanctioned Little League organization, joining Cedartown and Rockmart as the latest northwest Georgia agencies to join the world’s largest youth baseball program.

“Our players get an opportunity to play in a quality program that can and will make a lasting impact on their lives,” said new DPRD director Caitlin Sharpe. “I grew up in Cartersville, Georgia and I’ve witnessed the success Cartersville and Bartow County have with their baseball and softball communities through their affiliation with Little League. While we know it will take a few years to build momentum, we’re very hopeful this will increase participation and continue to grow the City of Dalton’s baseball and softball community.”

“We’ve done the easy part so far – that’s make the decision become affiliated with Little League,” she added. “Now the hard works starts for the department. Our athletics staff is very excited to evaluate our programs and provide the best to our participants. Spring 2022 is going to be a very exciting time to be a DPRD Dalton Cat!”

Registration Is Open

Registration for spring sports is now open. Parents can register their athletes at the MyDPRD website.

• Cat’s Baseball – ages: 4-15 – registration fee per player $25
  • Registration ends February 18th
• Softball – ages: 6 – 15 – registration fee per player $25
  • Registration ends February 18th
• Team Soccer – registration fee per player $20
• Volleyball – grade based – elementary, middle, high school divisions – registration fee per player $25
  • Registration ends February 18th
• Lacrosse – 9 - 14– registration fee per player $25
  • Registration ends February 7th
• Track and Field – ages: 5 – 15 – registration fee per player $25
  • Registration ends January 31st

More To Come

More information and details will be coming for the other Parks and Recreation sports leagues as the department transitions into the new DPRD Cats era.

About Little League

Founded in 1939, Little League is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with approximately two million players (ages 4-16) playing baseball and softball in communities across every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries. Operated by more than one million volunteers, Little League believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities. From professional athletes and award-winning celebrities, to public officials and other influential members of society, Little League graduates have taken the lessons they learned, both on and off the field, to create the next chapter of the Little League story. Each year, millions of people follow the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship that Little Leaguers® display at seven baseball and softball World Series events, the premier tournaments in youth sports.