| Canastota Little League
Coaches Code Of Conduct
Coaching a youth sport program such as Little League Baseball is a privilege that is not to be taken for granted. As a coach, appointed by the Canastota Little League Board of Directors, you have an important role in the development of the youth in the community. We strive to teach each child the positive values of good sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork – values they can use throughout their lives. In order to ensure each coach is acting in the best interest of the children and Little League Baseball, a Code of Conduct for Coaches should be adhered to for interactions with players, parents, fans, coaches, and umpires.
1) Players – When there are interactions with players, appropriate language and behavior
is expected.
- Language - At no time is cursing or yelling at a player acceptable. As a
coach you are a mentor and should focus on the positive. A coach should always
be looking for opportunities to praise and encourage the players.
- Discipline – At no time is physical discipline of a player acceptable. At the
beginning of the season, coaches are encouraged to establish and communicate
rules of acceptable behavior to players and parents, and the consequences if not
followed. Coaches have a variety of discipline measures at their disposal
including restriction to the dugout, dismissal from practice or games, and, with
approval of the CLL Board of Directors, dismissal from the team. (Coaches are
responsible for supervision of the child until the parents arrive at the field.) If a
coach wishes to discipline his own child, he is expected to pull the player aside
for corrective action.
2) Parents / Fans – Coaches are expected to interact with parents in a professional
manner. Appropriate language and behavior is expected. At no time should a coach
respond to comments from fans during a game.
3) Coaches – Coaches are expected to interact with opposing coaches in a professional
manner. At no time should a coach yell from one dugout to another at an opposing coach.
Coaches are to address other coaches between innings and with the umpire present. If the
need arises to address an opposing coach before the end of the half inning, the coach
should ask the umpire to call timeout to address the opposing coach at home plate.
4) Umpires – Coaches are expected to interact with umpires in a professional manner.
At no time should a coach yell from the dugout, 1st base coaches box, or 3 rd base
coaches box to an umpire. Coaches are to address the umpires between innings with
the umpire's permission. If the need arises to address an umpire before the end of
the half inning, the coach should call a timeout and request permission to address
the umpire at home plate. If a coach asks for the umpire's permission to discuss a
call, the umpire will be more willing to listen. Umpires are generally unpaid volunteers.
Some are high school students. Adult coaches should be mindful of this when interacting
with them.
5) Drugs, Alcohol, & Tobacco – A coach determined to be under the influence of drugs
or alcohol will be asked to leave the field immediately. An infraction of this type will
(with approval from the CLL Board of Directors), result in a termination of coaching
privileges. In addition, the use of tobacco (in any form) while coaching is strictly
prohibited.
In the event a complaint is received by the CLL Board of Directors of a coach failing to
comply with the above listed code of conduct, the Board may decide to 1) dismiss the
case, 2) draft a warning letter or 3) revoke all or part of the coach's privileges. By signing
in the space provided below, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the
Coaches Code of Conduct for Canastota Little League Baseball.
|