Codes of Conduct

Parental Code of Conduct

If children are to grow and develop in their sport or physical activity, an environment of positive communication and respect must exist. Parents should observe the following Code of Conduct with their child athletes.

• I will remember that my child plays sport for his or her enjoyment, not for mine.

• I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• I will encourage my child to respect the rights of other players, coaches, fans & officials.

• 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 a game/event.

• I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly and trying hard.

• I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition.

• I will remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good players’ performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.

• I will never question the official’s judgment or honesty in public.

• I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.

• I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to provide sport activities for my child, understanding that I have a responsibility to be part of my child’s development.

• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

• I will educate & encourage my child to treat other players, coaches, officials, & spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.

• I will demand an environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all sporting events.

• I will have respect for all the facilities and equipment used in the sport.

PARENTAL CONCERNS

If a parent or guardian has a concern about a matter directly related to their child’s team, coaches, or players the proper channel to present their concern is as follows:

1. Approach the child’s coach BEFORE or AFTER a practice or game.

   1. Questioning a coach during a practice or game is to be avoided.

2. Approach a CMF Board Member

3. Approach the President and provide a written account of concern.

If a parent has a concern with the Association, they should express their concern to the President in writing as well as in person. If a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the parent may request to attend an Executive meeting to express their concern.

• I will not have unrealistic expectations. I will remember that we are not professionals and cannot be judged by professional standards.

• I will respect the official’s decisions and communicate with them in an appropriate manner, and I will encourage my team mates to do the same.

• I will encourage my teammates to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• I will exhibit good sportsmanship.

• I will never ridicule or yell at my teammates, opponents, coaches or officials for making a mistake.

• I will applaud players’ performances on both teams.

• I will never question the official’s judgment or honesty in public.

• I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

• I will not consume alcohol, tobacco, or drugs on, or near the vicinity of the players’ benches.

• I will not use bad language, nor will I harass opponents, coaches, officials, or spectators.

• I will be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations.

• I will respect the rights of other players, coaches, fans & officials.

• I will be responsible for my own behavior.

• I will have respect for all the facilities and equipment used in the sport.

If players are to grow and develop in their sport or physical activity, and environment of positive communication and respect must exist. Coaches should observe the following Code of Conduct.

• I will remember that all the players are playing for their enjoyment, not for mine.

• I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of a personal desire or external pressure to win.

• I will do my best to provide a safe playing environment for all players.

• I will not have unrealistic expectations. I will remember that the amateur athletes are not professionals and cannot be judged by professional standards.

• I will respect the official’s decisions and communicate with them in an appropriate manner, and I will encourage my players to do the same.

•  I will encourage all players to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• I will teach my players good sportsmanship.

• I will never ridicule or yell at the players, coaches, or officials for making a mistake.

• I will applaud good players’ performances on both teams.

• I will never question the official’s judgment or honesty in public.

• I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

• I will not consume alcohol, tobacco, or drugs on, or near the vicinity of the players’ benches.

• I will not use bad language, nor will I harass athletes, coaches, officials, or other spectators.

• I will be knowledgeable of the league rules and regulations and teach these rules to the players on my team.

• I will encourage my players to respect the rights of other players, coaches, fans & officials.

• I will be responsible for my own behavior and the behavior of my team members, their parents & fans.

• I will have respect for all the facilities and equipment used in the sport.

Individuals and or teams who choose to ignore the operating rules or policies set forth by Chief Mountain Fastpitch will be considered to be in contempt. Team officials who willfully and intentionally violate the above operating rules will be brought forward to a Disciplinary Hearing. This may lead to and include suspensions.

Players or individuals in any official capacity with a team shall not make disparaging, insulting, or obscene remarks prior, during or after a game, to or about opposing players, officials, or spectators. The penalty for violation by a player, coach or manager is removal of the offender from the game and grounds. On the first offense, a player, coach, or manager may be warned, but on the second offense they are promptly removed from the game. The offender shall leave the grounds for the remainder of the game. Failure to do so will warrant a forfeiture of the game.

Effect: Umpires should note violations on the back of the score sheet. Ejection from a game for any reason will result in the offender being suspended for at least the next scheduled game. This ruling will apply to all league and playoff games. Duration of the suspension shall be determined by the CMF Board. Playing a suspended player in any game will result in forfeiture of the game in question.

If during the course of a game, the conduct of the supporting fans of either team becomes objectionable, the umpire may suspend play for a suitable interval while an attempt is made to rectify the situation. If, after a suspension of play, there is no improvement in the situation, the umpire may, at his or her discretion, suspend the game, play to resume later at the point at which it was suspended.

Effect: If the game is suspended to a later date, play will resume at a time and place specified by the Board. On this occasion, should the supporting fans of the same team persist in the conduct which led to suspension; the game will be declared forfeit to the non-offending team.

Any player removed from the game for fighting will automatically be suspended for three (3) league games - i.e., the next three games her team is involved in. A second such incident will result in automatic suspension for the rest of the season. Coaches and/or players involved in such unsportsmanlike conduct shall be dealt with by the CMF Board.

If a coach is perceived to be misusing the rules, such reports shall be made to the League in writing. Umpires on the field will not be expected to intervene during a game.

Effect: Where the CMF Board finds that a team and or its coach has been found in violation of this Rule, the minimum penalty for first offence will be forfeiture of the games played in question and a suspension of the responsible coach in violation.

Suspensions may be issued for:

• Improper conduct on or off the playing field,

• Coach’s recruiting and playing unaffiliated players.

• Having received money for his or her services while carrying out any duties or activities on behalf of the Lethbridge Minor Softball Association,

• Knowing and continuing violation of the operating rules of Chief Mountain Fastpitch

Upon a suspension, the President will immediately file a report containing all pertinent information required for cause of suspension and send it to all board members for their reference.

Suspensions will be effective until judged upon by the CMF Board which will be within seven (7) days from the date the suspension was issued.

The CMF Board will use best efforts to meet within 7 days from the date that the suspension was issued, or the date that the incident report was received.

Notification procedure of the ruling from the CMF Board to the member(s) shall be a verbal notification and written notice.

A suspended individual will remain ineligible to participate in Chief Mountain Fastpitch throughout the duration of the suspension.