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Devon Strafford Little League

Devon Strafford Little League Code of Conduct for All

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Devon Strafford Little League Code of Conduct

Through baseball, Devon Strafford Little League (“DSLL”) seeks to enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of every child that takes part. It is the league’s express goal that every player will be a better citizen, and have a greater chance for success in future endeavors, as a result of their Little League experiences. As such, Devon Strafford Little League expects the highest degree of sportsmanship from its members. In keeping with this philosophy, the following Code of Conduct has been adopted to better promote fairness, teamwork, good citizenship, sportsmanship, responsibility, and respect among the members of Devon Strafford Little League. Players will learn these values by the examples they see from those around them, and to this end, the following rules will be strictly enforced:

  • Verbal abuse of an official, coach, player, or spectator, including obscene gestures, will not be tolerated. The offender may be removed from the DSLL fields at the discretion of an umpire or DSLL board member.
  • Baseball is a game of interpretations, and as a result, disputes will occur from time to time. However, it is important that players learn respect. All disputes that are taken up with the umpire will be handled in a civil manner. Only coaches may initiate such discussions with an umpire. The coach(es) will conduct themselves with decorum and once the umpire has made his/her final ruling, the coach(es) will make no further field protest. Off-field protests may be lodged with the Board of Directors per league policy.
  • Coaches will refrain from complaining about perceived bad calls to players and fans.
  • All discussions will be held in conversational tones. Under no circumstances will a coach, fan, or player yell at an umpire, coach, fan, or player. The lone exception to this rule is when a coach or player shouts to another coach or teammate during the course of a play as part of that play.
  • Profanity is expressly forbidden at all times.
  • Alcoholic beverages and the use of illicit drugs are prohibited at all DSLL activities.
  • The use of tobacco products on the DSLL fields and in the dugouts is prohibited.
  • I may be asked to leave the property by a coach, league official or umpire. If I am asked to leave the property I will, without hesitation or further altercation. 

 

Anyone removed from the DSLL fields must leave all fields and the access roads to the fields. Such persons may NOT remain in the DSLL parking lot. Any infraction of the above rules will result in a report being delivered to the Devon Strafford Little League Board for consideration of further action, as appropriate.

 

First Offense: Upon the reporting of a first offense by an individual, the Board of Directors, at a minimum, will provide a written warning to the offender, detailing the consequences of future infractions. Depending upon the severity of the infraction, nothing precludes the Board of Directors from banning a repeat offender from all Devon Strafford Little League activities, including, but not limited to, practices and games, for a period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

 

Second Offense: The Board of Directors may institute a wide range of penalties for repeat offenders, beginning with the second offense, as deemed appropriate by the Board. Such penalties include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Suspension from all coaching activities for a prescribed period of time.
  • A ban from participating in all DSLL activities for a set period of time or number of games.
  • Severe violations can result in suspension from all DSLL activities for the remainder of the current season or tournament.

 

Third Offense: The Board of Directors may choose to apply any of the penalties prescribed for a second offense. In the most extreme of circumstances, the DSLL Board of Directors may hold a meeting to determine whether or not the individual should be permanently banned from all future DSLL activities. The individual in question must receive a certified letter of such a hearing at least one week prior to the meeting, and must be given the opportunity to speak at the meeting.

 

Physical Abuse - Physical abuse of an official, coach, player, or spectator will result in immediate expulsion from the DSLL fields at the direction of an umpire or a DSLL board member. Anyone expelled for this reason may not return to the DSLL fields or participate in any DSLL activity until the DSLL Board of Directors approves. Any parent, coach, fan, player, or umpire who has been suspended or banned from league activities may petition, in writing, to the Board of Directors for a review of the penalty. The petition should be delivered to the league president, and the Board of Directors will meet as soon as reasonably possible to consider the petition. The aggrieved parties will have the opportunity at the meeting to present their appeal. Devon Strafford Little League strongly encourages the following:

 

Consequences of Violations

I agree that if, in the sole and exclusive determination of the DSLL Board of

Directors, I fail to follow the above Code of Conduct in any manner, DSLL may

immediately terminate my coaching assignment. I understand the League may at its sole

option take other action, and I will abide by this decision.

 

* Abusive behavior on the part of coaches, parents or players may be grounds for forfeiture of the game.

 

 

PLAYERS Code of Conduct

  • Play for FUN! 
  • Work hard to improve your skills. 
  • Be a team player - get along with your teammates. 
  • Be on time for practices and games. 
  • Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents and officials / umpires. 
  • Never argue with the officials / umpires decision.

 

Do not use foul language, throw your equipment, disrespect your teammates, opposing players, parents or anyone within the game or attending the game.

Do your best to not let negative feelings or emotions that occur during a baseball game affect your performance (have a short memory, keep playing & having fun).

  
COACHES Code of Conduct

  • Winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one. Care more about the child than the winning of the game. Remember players are involved in baseball for fun and enjoyment.
  • Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety of players.
  • Be generous with your praise when it is deserved; be consistent, honest; be fair and just; do not criticize players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and coach, don’t yell at players.
  • Adjust to personal needs and problems of players, be a good listener, never verbally or physically abuse a player or official; give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop self-esteem; teach them the basics.
  • Organize practices that are fun and challenging for your players. Familiarize yourself with the rules, techniques and strategy of baseball; encourage all your players to be team players.
  • Maintain an open line of communication with your players’ parents. Explain the goals and objectives of your association.
  • Be concerned with the overall development of your players. Stress good health habits and clean living.

 

Umpires

I will refrain from public criticism of the umpires. I understand that umpires are

human and will occasionally make mistakes. I understand that this is part of the

game. I acknowledge that referees are trained in the Laws of the Game. I will always

accept the judgment of the umpires no matter how difficult this might be in the

midst of the game. I understand that the umpire can remove others (or me) from

the game and the fields of play if I, or a parent or spectator associated with my

team violate any of Rules of the Game. Further, depending on the severity of my

violation of this Code, I acknowledge that I could be subject to sanctions from DSLL

or the governing league, including, but not necessarily limited to, fines, probation,

suspension, or termination as a coach.


PARENTS Code of Conduct

  • Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams. 
  • Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants, your child will benefit. 
  • Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize game and competition in the lower age groups. 
  • Know and study the rules of the game, and support the officials on and off the field. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game. 
  • Applaud a good effort in victory and in defeat and enforce the positive points of the game. 
  • Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports. 
  • Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are very important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them. 
  • If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about the game, and volunteer! 
  • Remember that the league exists for the players to learn and to have fun. Even though baseball is competitive in nature, winning is of secondary performance.
  • Parents should be supportive of coaches. The coaches are volunteers giving of their time – and often, giving of their money – in order to coach. Parents should be a positive role model that fosters respect of the coaches among the players. Concerns about a player’s role on a team should be expressed to the coach(es) in a private setting, never in public.
  • Umpires are “in training” as well as the players. Coaches and parents should bear in mind that many of our umpires are youngsters learning the skills of umpiring. All umpires will make mistakes occasionally, but coaches and parents are expected to accord the umpires with the respect their position within the game deserves.
  • Booing, taunting, refusing to shake another coach’s and/or player’s hands after a game, or ridiculing another player is not acceptable behavior.
  • All children, regardless of race, creed, sex, or talent, will have an opportunity to play baseball and to learn.

Contact Us

Devon Strafford Little League

145 Old State Rd 
Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312

Email Us: [email protected]
Phone : 000-000-0000
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