Lisle Baseball-Softball

LISLE BASEBALL-SOFTBALL LEAGUE, INC.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The MISSION of Lisle Baseball/Softball League, Inc., is to create a positive learning environment for the players to promote sportsmanship and fun while learning the fundamentals of baseball and softball appropriate to various levels of competition, age, and skill.

It is the purpose and intent of LISLE BASEBALL-SOFTBALL LEAGUE, INC (“LBS”) to create and offer quality learning baseball and softball playing opportunities. The following CODE OF CONDUCT is constructed as an instrument to emphasize those values, principles, and beliefs which are central to the foundation, structure, and operation of the teams of LISLE BASEBALL-SOFTBALL LEAGUE, INC.

The LBS Program serves the community with travel and in-house programs in baseball and softball. Although Lisle Baseball-Softball League uses the Lisle Park District facilities, it is not affiliated with the Lisle Park District. The Lisle Slammers are the girls’ softball travel division, and the Lisle Wolves are the boys’ baseball travel division. All teams, coaches, players, parents and fans are obligated to abide by the code of conduct herein and applicable sections amended for the respective travel teams.

LBS leagues are meant to provide a fun, rich, and rewarding experience for all involved (players, coaches, family, and friends). LBS does not condone or tolerate any abusive, violent, or harassment (gender, religious, ethnic, sexual, physical, verbal, visual, intimidating) behaviors.

To ensure the appropriate atmosphere for these activities, the league has adopted a Zero Tolerance policy, which means that behavior that is inappropriate may result in disciplinary action. In addition, the LBS cooperates with local, state, and/or federal authorities in the investigation and prosecution of abuse/violence/harassment behaviors and activities that are violations of laws

Penalty for non-compliance:

If a minor infraction occurs, it will be the discretion of the coaching staff to determine appropriate action. Repeat or more serious infractions will be addressed between the coaching staff, parent, travel director or the inhouse director and if warranted, the President and Board of Directors of LBS. Disciplinary actions can include suspension of player/parent or removal from program and will be commensurate with the seriousness of the offense

 

GENERAL Conduct Expectations for ALL:

All players, managers, coaches, parents and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a supportive and encouraging manner to their team members, as well as the umpires, opposing players, coaches, and spectators. Anyone whose actions are considered unsportsmanlike shall be subject to disciplinary action. Examples of inappropriate behavior include (but are not limited to):

•                    Any unsportsmanlike behavior that results in injury or unsafe conditions for all.

•                    Throwing any object in anger (bat, batting helmet, ball, glove, etc.).

•                    Using disrespectful or foul language.

•                    Badgering, criticizing, ridiculing, jeering or intimidation of the opposing team, coaches or fans.

•                    Any conduct that is disrespectful or threatening to the umpires.

•                    Fighting and/or using physical threats toward anyone.

•                    Use of tobacco products or use or under the influence of alcohol or drugs at any time engaged in or attending any Lisle Baseball/Softball activity or event.

•                    Any conduct not supportive of the mission of Lisle Baseball/Softball.

PLAYERS’ Expectations:

•                    Be a positive influence and respect your fellow teammates by providing encouragement, support, good sportsmanship, and ‘team first’ mentality at ALL times, on and off the field, including social media. Absolutely no bullying of teammates will be tolerated.

•                    Players will refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct. All cheering is to be supportive and positive in nature and demonstrate good sportsmanship.

•                    Be willing to work hard during practices and games and take instruction from coaches. Follow all team guidelines and rules and ask for clarification when not understood. All players are to be engaged in the game, whether on the field or in the dugout, supporting their team.

•                    Be respectful of the coaches and other adults. All players will show respect towards the umpires and their decisions. All decisions made by the umpires are to be accepted as final. No player should argue a call or judgement.

•                    Respect your equipment and the field in which you are playing – either at home or away. Clean up after yourself and your team and assist in field upkeep and maintenance per coach’s direction.

•                    Players have the right to open, respectful, communication with the coach. If there is ever anything you want to discuss with your coach, let them know so the appropriate time can be made to discuss.

Specific to LBS Travel Teams:

•                    Accept the coaches’ decision regarding playing positions and the amount of playing time. Understand that playing time is earned through hard work in practice and executing on the field and there are no guarantees for equal playing time or position.

•                    Understand that the Lisle Wolves/Lisle Slammers reserves the right to release any player from the team for poor sportsmanship by the player and/or the players’ family during games or for other reasons to include but are not limited to lack of cooperation, poor attitude, and lack of commitment, effort, or attendance.

• Understand that the coach may impose additional rules, guidelines and/or policies that you are required to follow and failure to comply with the rules, guidelines and/or policies is a violation of your commitment.

• You are committed to the Lisle Wolves/Slammers Travel Team for the duration of the teams’ season. You are not allowed to be on another team’s roster unless you have obtained approval from the Lisle Wolves/Slammers Travel Program or are serving as a guest player with appropriate sanctioning permissions. Any violation of this rule may result in immediate removal from the Team and all monies collected will not be refunded.

• Players are encouraged to participate in other sports and activities to round out their activities beyond baseball/softball. School and academics always take priority and part of being an athlete is learning to balance responsibilities. However, baseball/softball being a TEAM sport and making the commitment to travel baseball/softball requires that it is the FIRST priority during the main season (spring/summer). The player and family shall discuss with the coach other obligations during the off season to establish an acceptable schedule for the player.

PARENTS’/GUARDIANS’ Expectations:

·                    Obey all rules and regulations of Lisle Baseball-Softball League, Inc.

·                    Refrain from giving the children instructions during the game - allow the coaches to manage the team and game and refrain from dugout visits.

·                    Get your child to practice and games on time. Practice is crucial to development time for individual and team skills. Your player will benefit most from repeated skill development which may involve individual work outside of team practices.

·                    Be timely in your communications to the coach and notify the coach (per method established by team) of all absences from practices and games with as much notice as possible. Untimely notice and “no-shows” will significantly impact the overall team.

·                    Notify the coach immediately of any injury, medical condition, or restriction of play, etc. Provide medical documentation when a player has been cleared by a doctor to resume play. Do not expect coaches to make those decisions.

·                    Teach your child always to play by the rules and show proper sportsmanship and that hard work, skill improvement, and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.

·                    Please do not ridicule or yell at your child for making an error or for losing a game, they feel bad enough and is contrary to the philosophy of positive coaching.

·                    Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches. Give them their due respect and understanding that that are not infallible and volunteer way more time behind the scenes of just practices and games. Without them, there would be no baseball/softball program. Feel free to volunteer your time to aid the team in some way – talk to your coach!

·                    Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities. Abide by the “see something, say something” guideline by reporting to a person of authority.

·                    If you have a problem/conflict with the Manager or Coaches, do not approach them during or after a game. Allow a “cooling off” period and wait until the day after the game or tournament to contact the coach. Contact the coach to set up a mutually agreed upon time to discuss the matter.

Specific to LBS Travel Teams:

·                    Understand that the Lisle Slammers/ Lisle Wolves travel program reserves the right to release any player from the team for poor sportsmanship by the player and/or the player’s family during games or for other reasons to include but are not limited to lack of cooperation, poor attitude, and lack of commitment, effort, or attendance.

·                    Understand and acknowledge that the player’s fees and payment are non-refundable. If a child is dismissed or voluntarily leaves the team, the parents are not entitled to a refund and all monies are forfeited.

·                    Understand that the coach may impose additional rules, guidelines and/or policies that you are required to follow and failure to comply with the rules, guidelines and/or policies is a violation of your commitment.

·                    Players are expected to work on skills outside of team practices, which may include private coaching (hitting, pitcher, catcher, etc.) not covered by the team fees.

COACHES’ Expectations: 

·                    Will abide by all Lisle Baseball-Softball League, Inc. rules and regulations. Coaches will also abide by all rules and regulations of the respective baseball/softball leagues and organizations that they participate in and enforce all provisions set forth.

·                    The coaching staff is committed to developing the fundamental skills of each player and baseball/softball game play for the team. Through practices and games, the coaching staff will develop, train, and teach each player to maximize their ability both as an athlete and a team member.

·                    Provide instruction and constructive feedback to help improve players’ performance in a positive, respectful, and encouraging environment.

·                    Maintain a positive and safe environment for both player’s physical and emotional growth in and out of the sport, on and off the field.

·                    Will set a definite example of sportsmanlike conduct for the players to follow regarding umpires, opponents, and spectators and reinforce that players always observe all the rules of good sportsmanship on and off the field.

·                    Will address the Umpire(s) in a respectful manner and accept all judgment calls as final.

·                    Will maintain disciplinary control of their players at all times that they are under their jurisdiction.

·                    Will follow all rules and regulations of the Lisle Park district while using fields and facilities including field maintenance procedures and be responsible for team parents to do same.

·                    Will take responsibility for the team’s spectators to abide by sportsmanlike conduct and tournament rules and to support and uphold any rulings and/or removal for violation of sportsmanship as a spectator (such as foul language, violation of alcohol policy, derogatory comments, offensive behavior, etc.).

 Specific to LBS Travel Teams:

·                    Be prepared for practices and games that balance player growth and development while fielding a competitive team. Selection of tournaments, leagues and games is at the coach’s discretion to best meet the goals of the team established each season.

·                    Communicate expectations, team schedules and activities, and relevant information to the players and parents in a timely manner. Each coach will establish the preferred means of communication for the team. The coaching staff should be willing to communicate honestly with parents and players.

·                    Discuss the concerns of a parent/player at a mutually agreed upon meeting time either in-person or by phone/virtual meeting. Meeting requests will be answered only after the “cool off” period-the day following said game or tournament that initiated the concern. Both the coach and/or parents can also request the travel director be present at the meeting.

·                    The head coach/manager reserves the right to add additional assistant coaches to best advance the needs of the team. The coach will submit said names for background checks to Lisle Baseball-Softball League.

·                    Schedule out-of-town tournaments to align with team goals and plans with enough advance notice (2-month min.) for the team families to plan accordingly for travel and accommodations.