MYAA Baseball League
Code of Conduct
Medford Youth Athletic Association Baseball League (MYAA Baseball) Board of
Directors would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to our
program. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to outline our goals for the
season while establishing some expectations of all involved.
MYAA Baseball presents many challenging situations and a number of
opportunities to develop the skills of strong character, courage and loyalty in our
league and in our community. As parents and coaches, we are in an excellent
position to influence the development of our youth by acting as
positive role models on and off the field. As the league of MYAA Baseball, we
are expected to treat every person in this organization with respect and dignity.
We ask that you read the following and acknowledge your agreement through
your actions over the course of the season.
MYAA Baseball expectations of Parents
Each Parent will ensure that his/her conduct sets examples for their child and
other spectators. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities,
As a parent, I will make every effort to:
• Maintain control of my emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane
language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical
assault upon another player, coach or parent at any time
• Attend my child’s games
• Be a supportive parent for the coach and team
• Cheer for all of the players on each team
• Show respect and courtesy to umpires, coaches and players at all times
• Respect the rules of the game and the league, and abide by the rulings
and instructions of all league officials
• Be supportive when my child is successful or when struggling for success
• Play and practice the skills of the game with my child
• Be positive and supportive whether the team wins or loses
• Remember that the game is for the players and that the Coaches and
Umpires are volunteers
MYAA Baseball expectations of volunteer Coaches
Each Coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets examples for team members
and spectators. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities,
As a coach, I will make every effort to:
• Maintain control of my emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane
language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical
assault upon another player, coach or parent at any time
• Create a safe and caring place for players to learn, practice and play
• All coaches must be fingerprinted prior to the start of the season.
• Know the rules and abide by them. Instruct the players in the rules and
motivate each player to compete according to the rules at all times.
• Respect the game umpires. Refrain from questioning their decisions in a
hostile or abusive manner.
• Ensure that all field rules and regulations are followed by all players and
spectators
• Ensure that fans of his/her team exhibit sportsmanship and maturity at all
times and assist league officials and umpires in maintaining control of
spectators during games.
• Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team during the play of
the game and at its conclusion.
• Take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway games, in the spirit
of sportsmanship.
• Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble
and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
• Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or
gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.
• Instruct team support personnel (e.g., assistant coaches, scorekeepers,
and team parents) in their responsibilities as prescribed by rules &
procedures.
• Realize, accept, and practice the principle that a team's reputation is built
not only on its playing ability but also on its sportsmanship, courtesy, and
manner.
MYAA Baseball expectations of Players
As a player, I will make every effort to:
• Do my best and have fun
• Maintain control of my emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane
language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical
assault upon another player, coach or parent at any time
• Know and respect the rules of the game.
• Show respect and courtesy to umpires and coaches by following their
instructions and directions
• Respect the game umpires and refrain from addressing them or
commenting on their decisions during the play of the game.
• Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team and display
sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game
• Be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
We strive to meet these goals in everything we do, from practice, to games, to
play-offs and tournament teams. Our volunteer head coachs and coaches are
dedicated and give generously of their time and attention. The players are
generally well behaved and respectful of their teammates. However, we realize
that in a season that lasts several months and includes hundreds of players and
adults, disagreements may occur. In order to help resolve any issues quickly
and appropriately, we suggest the following procedures:
1. Contact the team head coach and discuss the issue. Generally speaking, the
head coach is the person closest to most issues and, in most cases, is
probably the person most familiar with the details and the personalities
involved. We expect that most issues can be adequately addressed through
the head coach.
2. Each league has a commissioner, who can be reached by emailing directly
through personal contact. Email addresses for commissioners can be found
at http://myaabaseball.com/board.php. If the matter cannot be settled by a
discussion with the head coach, then the division coordinator should be
contacted.
3. Our league’s Board of Directors, a volunteer group, governs MYAA Baseball.
When required, the league commissioners will bring issues to the Board for
review.
Sportsmanship Code of Babe Ruth League, Inc.
The principles outlined above are consistent with and in support of the
Sportsmanship Code of Babe Ruth League, Inc. established in 1954:
• Develop a strong, clean, healthy body, mind and soul.
• Develop a strong urge for sportsman-like conduct.
• Develop understanding of and respect for the RULES.
• Develop courage in defeat, tolerance and modesty in victory.
• Develop control over emotions and speech.
• Develop spirit of cooperation and team play.
• Develop into real, true CITIZENS.
CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATION OF CODE OF CONDUCT:
Parents/Players/Coaches may be subject to disciplinary action that could
include but is not limited to the following:
• Verbal warning by umpire, coach, and/or Board Member or other
League Official
• Written warning.
• Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident
kept on file.
• Parental season suspension.
• Parental disbarment.
• Player removal / Coach removal.
Harassment or Abusive Language
One of the most common problems / complaints is harassment of an umpire or
coach and / or use of foul language. Even though fan harassment isn't really the
head coach's responsibility, the enforcement of this problem involves the head
coach. If a fan (usually a parent or grandparent) harasses the umpire, players,
etc. unduly, and it happens to be a fan (parent) from your team, the enforcement
procedure will be as follows:
1. The Umpire will take that Head coach to the respective fan.
2. The fan will be advised that they need to refrain from the harassment, or
they will be asked to leave the park.
3. If the harassment continues, the Umpire and Head coach will ask the
person to leave. If they do not leave, their child will be removed from the
game.
4. If the parent persists at that point, the game will be forfeited to the
opposing team.
5. Any warnings need to be reported to the Board Member on Duty, and will
be recorded by the league.
If the harassment is from a coach or assistant coach, the Umpire along with the
opposing coach, will follow the same procedures.
For repeat offenders, the Umpire has the right to skip any warnings and
immediately ask the harasser to leave the field. The harasser will be required to
meet with the Board prior to being allowed to return to the fields.
Coaches
We have our coaches sign a coach’s contract that provides guidelines that they
should operate under. Coaches who routinely operate outside of these
guidelines, dependant on the seriousness of the circumstances, will:
1. Be made aware of any verbal or written complaints for feedback and input
2. Be asked to take steps to address any identified problems
3. May be put on official probation
Behavior found to be abusive physically or verbally to any player or league
official shall be grounds for immediate termination with a 2/3 vote of a quorum at
a board meeting.
Coaches should keep in mind that it is rare not to receive negative feedback at
some point from a parent who disagrees with coaching style, the playing time of
their child or even the position their child should play. Board members will
encourage parents with those types of complaints to address coaches directly,
and coaches should respectfully receive constructive criticism.
Umpires, opposing coaches and spectators may be interviewed regarding issues
of unsportsmanlike conduct, treatment of players, etc. The coach may be asked
to be interviewed by the Board.
Smoking / Alcoholic Beverages / No Pets Policy
Alcohol consumption and smoking of any kind are strictly prohibited on the
MYAA Baseball Complex grounds - including parking lots and stands. Also,
we ask that you not bring pets to games. Following these rules will help us
ensure that families can enjoy the games in a comfortable, safe environment.
If you should notice fans that are violating these rules, please inform them, in a
courteous manner, of our policy and ask them to please abide or contact a
league official.
There is a perception in youth sports that parents and coaches are overbearing
and unruly. We believe this is not deserved, as the majority of us participate
without incident. We as an organization will not tolerate behavior from coaches,
players or parents that would contradict this Code of Conduct. Please be
conscience of your behavior at all times. You are representing not only yourself,
but your child’s team and our organization.
Finally, children playing at this level are not expected to be superstars. Let’s
allow them to make their mistakes - and hopefully learn from them - but always
be there with positive support to lift their spirits. If we eliminate the negative, the
children will have an opportunity to play without any unnecessary pressures and
will learn the value of sportsmanship and have f-u-n!
Let’s have a great season! Thank you for your support.