KOUTS YOUTH BASEBALL
CODE OF CONDUCT

Code of Conduct for Coaches

A specific code of ethics has been developed and formally adopted as a part of the Bylaws of the Club to clearly communicate the league’s strict requirement that the conduct and demeanor of all coaches, assistant coaches, and others involved in any way with the supervision or administration of players always reflects courtesy, good sportsmanship, and professionalism as well as ethical and moral behavior. Violation of any aspect of this code will be subject to the disciplinary procedures established by the league up to and including the separation of coaching and league membership privileges. *ALL COACHES AND ASSISTANTS ARE TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE FOLLOWING, WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM OUR LEAGUE BY-LAWS.

Responsibility to Players

• • The Coach must never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of players. Winning should only be promoted as a result of preparation and teamwork not as an individual achievement or an end in itself.

  • Coaches shall instruct and ensure that players play according to the philosophies of the Club and within the written laws and spirit of the game at all times.

  • Coaches shall never seek unfair advantage by failing to allow every player to participate in at least one-half of each game, by substituting un-registered players, or by allowing unsportsmanlike behavior in any form.

  • Coaches must take proactive corrective action at any time when they observe any form of inappropriate behavior from any player, parent, spectator, or other party to any league game or practice.

  • Coaches must always direct players to seek proper medical attention for injuries and to follow the physician's instructions regarding treatment and recovery. At no time should a player be put at risk by returning from injury prematurely or by being forced to play while injured. 

Responsibility to the League

• Adherence to all league rules and policies as well as the rules and regulations of the PCYL, especially those regarding eligibility, team formation, and player participation may never be violated. It is the responsibility of every coach to know and understand these rules.

• Player development and the improvement of the player through coaching and participation is essential to the growth of the sport. The coach must always behave in such a manner that the principles, integrity, and dignity of the sport are maintained.

• Any problems that cannot be resolved between coaches, assistant coaches, members, or other individuals as regards matters of the league must be referred to the Commissioner or other member of the Board of Directors as soon as possible and must never interfere with any league activities or in any way be conducted in a manner that is not in keeping with the express philosophies and purposes of the league.

Responsibility to the Laws of the Game

• Coaches should be knowledgeable with the laws of the game of baseball. Coaches are also responsible to ensure that their players understand the intent as well as the application of the rules.

• Coaches must always adhere to the letter and spirit of the laws of the game.

• Coaches are responsible for their player's actions on the field and must not permit to violate this Code of Ethics or the philosophies of this league.

• The coach must strive constantly to teach good sporting behavior.

Responsibility to the Officials

• Officials must always have the support of coaches, players, members, and spectators. Criticism of officials undermines the purpose of the game. Coaches must always refrain from and encourage all others to refrain from criticizing officials in the presence of players.

• Coaches should strive to develop communication with officials giving each party an opportunity to better understand the problems relating to their specific area and provide an example to players of the benefits of mutual cooperation.

• On game day, officials should be treated with respect before, during, and after the game. Officials should be addressed politely and courteously. Professional respect should be mutual and there should be no demeaning dialogue or gesture between official, coach, member, or player. Coaches may never incite players or spectators or attempt to disrupt the flow of play.

• Constructive comments or appropriate feedback regarding any official should be made in writing and submitted to the respective Age Commissioner or the Director of the Organization.

Game Day and Other Responsibilities

• A coach's behavior must be such as to bring credit to him/herself, the team, our league, and the sport of baseball. This is never more evident than on the day of the contest.

• Rival coaches should meet prior to the game and exchange friendly or professional greetings. While the concept of competition is recognized, it cannot take precedence over exemplary professional conduct.

• During play, coaches have a responsibility to be as inconspicuous as possible. Coaches shall exhibit a respectful attitude towards all players. The coach must confine him/herself to an area not closer than ten feet of the playing field nor closer than twenty feet to the end line. The attitude of the coach towards officials, spectators, members, and all players should be controlled and undemonstrative.

• It shall be unethical and subject to discipline for a coach to have a verbal altercation with an opposing coach, bench, official, or player during the game. Physical contact in any form is considered highly unethical and subject to the disciplinary processes of the league.

• Coaches shall cooperate with Commissioners to provide for the adequate preparation and maintenance of all fields and playing surfaces as assigned or requested.

Code of Conduct for Spectators

• Keep POSITIVE support, encouragement, cheerleading on the baselines. When the players are working hard, they need and deserve everyone's best POSITIVE encouragement and support. They need to know you're there and that their effort is appreciated. Most teams have a tough enough time developing a sense of teamwork and achievement at the same time the players are gaining experience and skill. They do not need to hear your anxiety piled on top of their own when the game is going poorly.
  

•  DO NOT CRITICIZE umpires or players of either team for any reason. If the umpires really ARE doing poorly, they may get angry or offended by critical spectators and that may make things tougher for the team. If they are good at what they do, they will ignore you, or perhaps ask you to leave the field. Either situation is at best distracting and at worst reflects poorly on the team's overall sportsmanship. Publicly criticizing players on your team can really hurt team morale. They will already have an excellent idea what their weaknesses are from their coaches and teammates. They will not need reminders from their families, friends and other spectators. The players for the other team are also trying hard and in truth are probably no meaner or nastier than players from your team. Criticism is simply poor sportsmanship and leads to unnecessary bad feelings on and off the field. The unfortunate spectacle of a supposed adult shouting insults at a child on a baseball field is merely disgusting. Baseball is a game, not a war.
  

• Don't coach players from the baselines, or for that matter while they are on the baselines. In most leagues, coaching from the sidelines is frowned on, and rightly so. Baseball is different from most sports in the US, because it is a game of the players. Coaches are supposed to intrude as little as possible. If you feel a child is not doing what should be done, tell the coaches, not the player. As parents occasionally discover, a player may be doing exactly what the coaches have instructed. Either way, a parent can help a player's athletic development much better working together with the coaches, not independently.

• Give the players, coaches and umpires room to work. Many organizations have rules which require that spectators on the baselines stay in an area off the fields, and keep all parts of their bodies (even outstretched feet) at least 5 feet behind the baseline. Do not crowd the baselines for any reason and stay away from these areas to avoid interfering with those involved in the game. If necessary, gameplay will be halted until these areas are cleared.  ONLY PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED on the fields and in the dugouts! Please call for the team mom or one of the coaches if you need to speak with your child or give/get something to them.

• Parents/Guardians should understand that the main objective of our league is to provide an atmosphere of safe, recreational fun that includes the proper examples for our children. The spirit of the game must always reflect good sportsmanship. Coaches, referees, and parents/guardians have a tremendous responsibility to promote this spirit at games and the cooperation of all participants and spectators is vital.

• All spectators will recognize the authority of the umpires, coaches, and assistant coaches in maintaining the spirit of the game on the field of play prior to, during, and immediately following a game.

• Parents/guardians watching on the sideline should sit quietly on the side and not raise their voices in anything but positive encouragement.

• Foul or abusive language as well as derogatory acts and comments that are directed towards the umpires, coaches, players, or any other spectators will not be tolerated.

• Parents/Guardians/Spectators will not argue or dissent with umpire decisions. Furthermore they will not make statements or engage in other actions that could incite others.

• All non-playing participants to any baseball game shall remain at least five feet back from the touchline and no closer than 10 yards to either goal line.

• The referee, coach, or any board member has the authority to dismiss from the field of play anyone, including spectators, parents, or guardians, who do not adhere to these rules or other reasonable expectations of good behavior.

• Remember, IT'S ONLY A GAME. Don't forget, your attitude on the baselines can affect the mood and success of the team. If the coaches think that your baseline activity is hurting team performance in any way, they should promptly advise you, hopefully without ruffling any of your feathers. Be tolerant. Emotions run high during games, and feelings are easily hurt.

• Nevertheless, any spectator, whether parent, friend or player, who persists in inappropriate baseline behavior after being warned by the coaches should be asked to leave the vicinity of the field. Coaches should not argue with parents at the game. If you want to talk about the game, call the coaches later at home or get them aside after the game.