SWLB Code of Conduct
Southwest London Baseball Association (“SWLB”) is committed to the growth and development of minor baseball. To achieve such growth and development, SWLB recognizes that the players must enjoy playing baseball. Fair play, sportsmanship and respect are core values which must be maintained.
All participants in SWLB, whether players, parents, coaches, volunteers or spectators are required to abide by the Code of Conduct. Any violation of the Code of Conduct may be dealt with by the SWLB Disciplinary Committee. The consequences for Code of Conduct violations range from education and counseling up to and including suspension and or permanent expulsion from SWLB. Any players suspended or expelled from SWLB will not receive a refund of registration fees. Any participant who fails to appear before the SWLB Disciplinary Committee when requested is subject to an immediate temporary suspension (and if a parent or spectator, the player related to them) until such time that they appear before the Disciplinary Committee.
For Players:
1. I will play by the rules and in the spirit of the game.
2. I will control my temper; I know that fighting, arguing and “mouthing off” can ruin the activity for everybody. I will not engage in any verbal or physical behavior that is offensive, derogatory or abusive.
3. I will respect my opponents.
4. I will do my best to be a true team player.
5. I will remember that winning isn’t everything – that having fun, improving skills, making friends and doing my best are also important.
6. I will acknowledge all good plays and performances – those of my team and my opponents.
7. I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their decisions and show them respect. I will abide by the rules of my team and will accept the consequences that come with violating those rules.
8. I will play baseball because I want to, and not because others want me to play.
9. I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteers who give their time to the game of baseball for my benefit. I understand and acknowledge that my coaches will make decisions for the best of the team, not necessarily me individually. If I have a question or disagreement with my coach, I will observe the 24 hour cooling off period and raise the question or issue in an appropriate, non-threatening way.
FOR PARENTS
1. I will not force my child to participate in baseball.
2. I will remember that my child plays baseball for his or her enjoyment, not mine.
3. I will encourage my child to play by the rules and resolve conflict without resorting to hostility or violence.
4. I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of the game.
5. I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for playing hard and competing fairly. I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a game.
6. I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help my child. I will accept their decisions and show them respect. I will abide by the rules of my child’s team and will accept the consequences that come with violating those rules.
7. I will remember that children learn by example. I will applaud good plays and performances by both my child’s team and the opposing team.
8. I will never question an official’s judgment or honesty in public.
9. I will not engage in any verbal or physical behavior that is offensive, derogatory or abusive towards any participant.
10. I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteers who give their time to the game of baseball for the benefit of my child. I understand and acknowledge that my child’s coaches will make decisions for the best of the team, not necessarily my child individually. If I have a question or disagreement with my child’s coach, I will observe the 24 hour cooling off period and raise the question or issue in an appropriate, non-threatening way.
FOR COACHES
1. I will be reasonable when scheduling games and practices remembering that the players on my team have other interests and obligations.
2. I will teach the players on my team to play fairly and to respect the rules, the officials, their opponents and their teammates.
3. I will ensure all players on my team receive equal instruction, support and appropriate, fair playing time.
4. I will not ridicule or verbally abuse the players on my team for making mistakes or performing poorly. I will remember that children play to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.
5. I will make sure that the equipment and facilities are safe and match the ages and abilities of the players on my team.
6. I will remember that children need a coach they can respect. I will be generous with praise and will set a good example.
7. I will obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.
8. I will treat other coaches, players, umpires and all other participants with respect. I will not engage in any verbal or physical behavior that is offensive, derogatory or abusive to any participant. If I have a disagreement with another participant, I will observe the 24 hour cooling off period and raise the question or issue in an appropriate, non-threatening way.
PRINT NAME: _________________________
SIGNED: _____________________________
DATE: ______________________________
Click here for a printable version of the code of conduct