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O B L I G A T I O N S & C O N D U C TS
Little League Baseball is a good thing.It keeps the parents off the streets...
Yogi Berra
Great Falls Little League is dedicated to helping youth learn good sportsmanship, competitive spirit, fair play and the fundamentals of baseball and softball. Managers, coaches, players, parents and spectators all are representatives of their team and bound by the GFLL Obligations and Code of Conduct. Conduct inconsistent with these requirements by any manager, coach, player, parent or other spectator shall be subject to appropriate action as determined by the GFLL Board of Directors.
OBLIGATIONS
Manager and Coach Obligations:
- Every manager and coach is responsible for reading, understanding and at all times abiding by the Official Little League Regulations and Playing Rules found in the appropriate Little League Rulebook as supplemented or amended by the Local Rules approved by the GFLL Board of Directors (the Board). No changes to the rules can be made without advance approval from the Board, even if agreed upon by both managers.
- No manager or coach may engage in any activity which creates or implies a conflict of interest.
- No manager or coach shall contact other managers, coaches, players or parents of players of any other team, regardless of division, with the intent to replace or recruit for said individual’s team.
- The manager must report any unexcused player absences to the GFLL Player Agent within 48 hours.
- Every manager and coach must sign and agree to at all times abide by these obligations and the GFLL Code of Conduct.
Player and Parent Obligations:
- Unless ill, players must attend all practices and games unless granted an excused absence in advance by the manager. (Managers must excuse players when notified by the parents in advance of family, school or religious obligations. Managers may, at their discretion, grant an excused absence for other conflicts, including participation in other sports leagues; but they are not obligated to do so.)
- Parents must notify managers of anticipated conflicts with practices or games, keeping in mind that managers must notify the Board at least 72 hours in advance to avoid a forfeit if unable to field the minimum nine (9) players. Any absence for which the manager was not notified shall be considered unexcused. Any player with three or more unexcused absences can be released from his/her team (a warning must be issued after the second unexcused absence).
- No player or parent (or anyone else acting on behalf of a team) shall contact other managers, coaches, players or parents of players of any other team, regardless of division, with the intent to replace or recruit for said individual’s team.
- Every player and parent must at all times abide by these obligations and the GFLL Code of Conduct.The runner is out if he slides headfirst into any base, except when he is returning to a base that he already possessed.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Managers, Coaches, Players, Parents and other Spectators:
- Rule 1.00 of the Little League Rules begins: “Little League Baseball is a game.” Please remember that.
- A team’s reputation is built not only on its playing ability, but also on its sportsmanship.
- Cheer for, never against, players and teams.
- Show respect for the umpires at all times in words and deeds. Remember, these umpires are our kids and our neighbors. They are working hard, too.
- Be humble and gracious in victory and courteous in defeat.
- Use of obscene language or gestures is unsportsmanlike and will not be tolerated at any time. Any such action is grounds for immediate ejection of the manager, coach, player, parent or other spectator.
Managers & Coaches:
- Safety is an absolute priority at all times.
- Teach your players the rules and fundamental skills of the game.
- Encourage your players with positive, constructive comments. Comments that berate, embarrass or humiliate a player are inappropriate at any time and under any circumstances.
- Respect the umpires. Approaching an umpire (with his/her permission) to quietly ask him/her to explain a call is acceptable. “Working” them in any way, including “persuading,” complaining or intimidating (intentionally or not), whether from the dugout or the field, is not acceptable. Similarly, any non-verbal gesture or body language that displays disagreement with an umpire’s call is not acceptable.
- Managers who become aware of anyone acting contrary to this Code shall immediately direct them to stop.
- You are a role model for your team. Set a good example.
Players:
- Respect all managers, coaches, umpires and officials at all times. What they say goes.
- Respect your teammates and your opponents.
- Be positive and try your best at all times. Don’t point fingers at your teammates. Encourage them with positive comments and they’ll do the same with you.
Parents and other Spectators:
- The managers, coaches, umpires and other officials are volunteering their time to help your child. Please respect and encourage them.
- Let the managers and coaches do their jobs. If you want to manage or coach a team, sign up as a volunteer to do so. Positive comments are always welcome before and after the game. If you have questions or concerns, however, please take them up with the manager in private.
- Respect the judgment of the umpires. If you think you can do a better job, we’re looking for adult umpire volunteers.
- You are setting an example, too. Please act accordingly.
- Violations: Persons found violating this Code during a game will be subject to ejection from that game. Any manager, coach, player, parent or spectator ejected from a game is automatically suspended from that team’s next game. The penalty for violating that suspension is an automatic forfeit. Any person ejected from two games during the season will be suspended for the remainder of the season, unless reinstated by the GFLL Board of Directors. If at any time the conduct of a manager, coach, player, parent or spectator is determined to be detrimental and/or contrary to the best interests of the League, the GFLL Board of Directors retains the right to suspend that person from further participation of any kind, and for whatever period of time is deemed reasonable and proper by the Board.
Additional Guidelines for Parents
- Get involved. Stay involved. Staging a successful Little League season is truly a cooperative effort. Board members, managers and coaches all are unpaid volunteers. Any help you can volunteer is genuinely appreciated.
- Set a good example for the children. Yelling at umpires shows great disrespect for the game of baseball and sets a poor standard of sportsmanship. It is the manager's job alone to discuss any problems with the umpires. Remember, this isn’t Yankee Stadium out here!
- Encourage your kids AND the rest of the kids on the team. Let’s pump all these kids up so they'll have the times of their lives out there. Keep the comments positive and the results will be too!
- Bring problems to the attention of the manager IN PRIVATE. Arguing with the manager in public is detrimental to getting a successful resolution.
- Notify the manager of any absence as soon as you become aware of the need to be absent. Especially in the Major League, substitution and playing time rules are complex, so managers need time to put together the plan. Last minute changes can be very difficult.
- Please be on time to all events. Try to arrange for alternate transportation if your child otherwise can't arrive on time. Not warming up long enough can cause injury to the player.
- Please pick your child up promptly. Managers must wait until all players are accounted for so try not to add more to the time commitment they already have. Make alternate arrangements if necessary.
Bleacher Behavior and Ethics
- Parents on the sidelines have a major effect on their child’s play. Please be sure that the effect is positive. These tips come from long years of experience with youth sports.
- First rule. Allow your child to be a child and enjoy the game.
- Second rule. Cheer
- The fun lies in being able to play: Encourage development over winning.
- Support the entire team, not just your child: Cheer the good play of all the players.
- Practice good sportsmanship: Players learn by example and parents set the most powerful example.
- Let the players play and the coaches coach: Don't instruct your child during the game. You will only confuse the player.
- Let the umpires umpire: Yelling at the umpires does not accomplish anything positive. Consistent yelling may result in the umpire asking you to leave the field.
- Be supportive of the coach: The coach has to deal with a lot of details that are necessary to allow your child to play. Pitch in without being asked.
- Learn the rules.
- Keep all your comments to your child positive — no matter what the score or how well your child played: Negative comments from parents are a major reason that children quit sports.
© 2006 Great Falls Little League, All Rights Reserved
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