Manager/Coach Code of Conduct

Each manager and coach will be provided with a copy of the Code of Conduct prior to the start of the season.  Each manager is responsible for ensuring their assistant coaches, players, and spectators abide by the respective Code of Conduct.  It is also the manager’s responsibility to review the Codes of Conduct with their assistant coaches and players.

ALL managers and coaches are expected to:

a.   Know the rules and abide by them.

b.   Instruct players in the rules and coach his/her team in such a manner as to motivate each player to compete according to the rules.

c.    Place the emotional and physical well-being of the players ahead of any personal desire to win.

d.    Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions in a disrespectful or abusive manner.

e.     Ensure that all building/ground rules and regulations are followed by the players and spectators.

f.      Ensure that fans of his/her team conduct themselves with sportsmanship and maturity while in attendance at games or practices.

g.     Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team both during the play of the game and at its conclusion, win or lose.

h.      Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.

i.      Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.

j.       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.

Disciplinary Action

Any manager or coach who violates the Code of Conduct set forth above shall be subject to penalties and sanctions as set forth in accordance to the Disciplinary Procedures below.  In addition to conforming to the requirements of the Code of Conduct above, the following actions are specifically prohibited

(“Offensive Actions”):

a.    Refusing to abide by an official’s decision.

b.    Verbally abusing or assaulting any player, coach, official, parent, or spectator.

c.     Physically assaulting, abusing, or threatening any player, coach, official, parent, or spectator

d.     Stalking, tailing, or attempting to intimidate any player, coach, official, parent, or spectator.

e.     Engaging in any other type of violent behavior, such as throwing equipment or other objects.

f.      Engaging in any lewd or sexual behavior, physically abusing a player, or engaging in any inappropriate physical contact with a player.

Disciplinary Procedures

1.   Reporting Improper Conduct

Back Mountain Little League provides a form to allow coaches, players, parents, spectators, and officials to report to the Disciplinary Committee any issues they observe before, during, or after practices and games.  To report Code of Conduct violations and Offensive Actions, please complete the “Contact Us” form on the league website (www.bmtll.org) located under “Parent Resources”.

a.  Reporting By Coaches

i.    It is the responsibility of every coach to address improper conduct observed by the coach or brought to the coach’s attention in a timely and respectful manner.

ii.     In the event any coach feels that the Disciplinary Committee should be involved in addressing any improper conduct, the coach is encouraged to contact the Disciplinary Committee in writing completing the “Contact Us” form on the league website (www.bmtll.org) located under “Parent Resources”.

iii.    Coaches must report any Offensive Actions to the Disciplinary Committee, including, without limitation:

1)    Any report or allegation of inappropriate physical contact, violence, or threatened violence against any player, coach, official, parent, or spectator.

2)    Any observed or reported use of drugs or alcohol by any player, coach, official, parent, or spectator during any Back Mountain Little League event.

3)    Any situation where a player, coach, parent, or spectator is ejected from a game or removed from the premises.

iv.    Coaches are encouraged to keep the Disciplinary Committee informed of any improper conduct and the steps taken by the coach to address the misconduct, even if the coach is not required to report the misconduct to the Disciplinary Committee.

v.      Coaches shall promptly respond to any request by the Disciplinary Committee for information relating to any incident or violation of the Code of Conduct.

b.    Reporting by Parents and Spectators

i.     Parents and spectators are encouraged to report any improper conduct to the coach and/or the Disciplinary Committee.

ii.     If a parent or spectator reports misconduct to the coach and feels that the misconduct is not appropriately addressed, the parent or spectator is encouraged to contact the Disciplinary Committee by completing the “Contact Us” form on the league website (www.bmtll.org) located under “Parent Resources”.

2.  Procedures for Addressing Improper Conduct

a.    Coaches and Officials

i.    Coaches and officials shall promptly address any misconduct that is observed or brought to the attention of the coach or official during a Back Mountain Little League event.

ii.    Coaches and officials have the absolute authority, in their sole discretion, to issue verbal warnings and/or eject any player, parent, or spectator from any game or match if the player, parent, or spectator violates the Code of Conduct or engages in any Offensive Action.

iii.    Officials have the absolute authority to issue verbal warnings and/or eject any coach from any game or match if the coach violates the Code of Conduct or engages in any Offensive Action.

b.   Back Mountain Little League Disciplinary Committee

i.     The Back Mountain Little League Disciplinary Committee will conduct a timely and reasonable investigation into any misconduct reported to the Disciplinary Committee.  The scope of any investigation will be determined by the Disciplinary Committee in its sole discretion, provided, however, that the Committee will provide any person accused of misconduct a reasonable opportunity to be heard.

ii.     After a reasonable investigation, the Disciplinary Committee will determine the appropriate penalty for any violation of this Code of Conduct and any Offensive Action.

1)     Penalties will be based on the nature and severity of the violation.

2)      The Disciplinary Committee will strive to treat all similar offenses in a similar manner, while considering the individual facts and circumstances of each violation.

3)      The Disciplinary Committee will not discriminate in any manner in determining whether to impose a penalty or in determining which penalty to impose.

iii.    The Disciplinary Committee will keep reasonable and appropriate records of each reported violation and shall document each penalty and the reasons for imposing the penalty.

All decisions of the Disciplinary Committee are final and cannot be appealed

1.    Penalties

The Disciplinary Committee shall determine the appropriate penalty for any violation of the Code of Conduct and any Offensive Actions.  Penalties may include any one or more of the following:

a.  Verbal Warning

b.  Written Warning

c.   Suspension:

i.     One game suspension

ii.     Multiple game suspension, or

iii.     Indefinite suspension

d.    Expulsion from Back Mountain Little League

2.    Additional Considerations

a.     There are no refunds because of any person being removed from the league.