Sportsmanship
CALL Code of Conduct
For Players, Coaches, Parents, Guardians and Spectators
Central Amherst Little League (“CALL”) plays an important role in promoting the physical, social and emotional development of children. Therefore, it is essential for parents, coaches, spectators and officials to encourage youth athletes and embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Parents, guardians, family members, coaches, spectators and officials involved in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect and self-control.
The CALL Code of Conduct has been developed for the purpose of encouraging and requiring trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and good citizenship for all individuals involved in CALL
All members of the CALL community, including players, parents, guardians, family members, coaches, spectators and officials must agree to follow the CALL Code of Conduct in order to participate or attend CALL sponsored events, including, but not limited to, baseball games and practices.
As a PLAYER, I understand and must abide by the following expectations:
Respect the game, play fairly and follow its rules.
Show respect for authority to the officials of the game and of the league.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during and after games.
Help parents and fans understand the league philosophy so they can watch and enjoy the game.
Be courteous to opposing teams and treat all players and coaches with respect.
Be modest when successful and be gracious in defeat.
Respect the privilege of the use of public facilities.
As a PARENT/GUARDIAN, I understand and must abide by the following expectations:
I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, fans and officials at games and practices.
I will place the well being of my child before a personal desire to win.
I will encourage my child to play by the rules and respect the rights of other players, coaches, fans and officials.
I will not engage in the use of profanity or any other kind of offensive language.
I will not publicly question or criticize an official's judgment.
I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player participant, official or any other attendee.
I will respect the privilege of the use of public facilities.
I understand that the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are prohibited at Central Amherst. I will not use drugs, tobacco, alcohol and abusive language at the ballpark.
As a COACH, I understand and must abide by the following expectations:
I will embrace the role of volunteer.
I will remember that I am a youth coach, and that the game is for the children, not adults.
I will place the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of all participants ahead of my personal desire to win.
I understand that my approval to coach is based upon the results of my background screening, availability of coaches, and discretion of the board of directors.
I will treat each player as an individual, remembering that each child develops (emotionally and physically) at his/her own rate.
I will attend the seasonal coaches meeting for each level that I am coaching.
I will not publicly question or criticize an official’s judgment and will encourage parents and players to do the same.
I promise to review and practice the necessary first aid principles needed to treat injuries of participants in my care.
I will use appropriate coaching techniques and organize practices that are fun and developmental for all my players.
I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
I understand that the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are prohibited at Central Amherst. I will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
I will ensure that I am knowledgeable in the rules of each level that I coach, and I will teach these rules to all my players.
I will abide by the established policies, rules and regulations, putting first the safety and well being of all who participate.
I will not use social media or any other means of communication in a negative manner regarding anyone, including but not limited to players, parents, other coaches, the or league.
By agreeing to coach, I acknowledge and agree to uphold this CALL Code of Conduct, and understand that volunteering is a privilege and not a right. I understand that the CALL Board of Directors has the right to remove a volunteer if any behavior or conduct is deemed inappropriate and that a violation of the CALL Code of Conduct and rules of Little League International shall be the determining factor for my removal as a volunteer.
Investigation and Enforcement
If a player, parent, guardian, family member, coach, spectator or official has questions or concerns about an individual(s) adherence to the CALL Code of Conduct, such questions/concerns should first be addressed with a coach or, when applicable, the level commissioner. In the event of a very serious violation of this CALL Code of Conduct, a reporting individual should contact CALL’s General Manager directly.
Level commissioners will work with coaches to resolve any matter according to the rules and expectations of Little League and CALL. However, level commissioners have been instructed to escalate any major concerns to the General Manager, who will work with CALL’s Executive Committee of the Board to resolve any matter reaching this level. CALL’s Executive Committee reserves the right to discuss major concerns with CALL’s full Board of Directors whenever appropriate or necessary.
To reinforce the importance of the CALL Code of Conduct, each level commissioner will meet with coaches before the draft to review this information and set expectations. Additionally, level commissioners at CALL will email the parents in their level introducing themselves, their role, and how to contact them if necessary.
Unfortunately, violations of this CALL Code of Conduct can and will occur. In the event of a violation of the CALL Code of Conduct, CALL intends to respond as follows:
We are humans. Most incidents will be minor and resolvable by the coach. In the event any incident is not resolved by or cannot be resolved by the coach (e.g., the coach was involved; or the incident was egregious), the incident should be escalated to the level commissioner.
In the event the level commissioner is contacted to resolve an incident, the level commissioners have been instructed to document the incident in writing, including what was reported and by whom, any investigatory steps taken to review the incident and their understanding of what happened, and any solutions that were proposed and/or implemented. In the event any incident is not resolved by or cannot be resolved by the level commissioner (e.g., the level commissioner was involved; or the incident was egregious), the incident should be escalated to the General Manager.
In the event the General Manager is contacted to resolve an incident, the General Manager will document the incident and any response in writing, including what was reported and by who, any investigatory steps taken to review the incident and their understanding of what happened, and any response or enforcement action that is implemented. Upon escalation of an incident to the General Manager, the General Manager will work with CALL’s Executive Committee to review the circumstances and determine whether and to what extent a violation occurred, which requires a response or enforcement action to be taken. Whenever appropriate or necessary, CALL’s Executive Committee may discuss any incident with CALL’s full Board of Directors and request input relative to the appropriateness of any proposed response or enforcement action to be taken.
CALL’S Executive Committee will, at minimum, discuss its findings with the individual(s) reporting the incident, including whether or not it has determined that a violation of the CALL Code of Conduct had more likely than not occurred. In the event CALL’S Executive Committee determines that a violation likely occurred, the individual(s) found in violation will be notified in writing via e-mail.
To the extent possible, CALL’s Executive Committee will enforce CALL’s Code of Conduct as follows, although it reserves the right to deviate under appropriate circumstances:
First Offense: Upon an individual’s first violation, CALL’s Executive Committee will, at a minimum, provide a written warning to the offender, detailing the consequences of future infractions, and according to Little League International Regulation XIV(a), issue a suspension. Depending upon the severity of the infraction, nothing precludes the Board of Directors from banning a first time offender from all CALL activities or events, including, but not limited to, practices and games, for a period of time deemed appropriate by CALL’s Executive Committee.
Second Offense: CALL’s Executive Committee may institute a wide range of consequences for repeat offenders, beginning with the second offense, as it deems appropriate. Such penalties include, but are not limited to: