COACH, PLAYER, PARENT & SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR

SPORTSMANSHIP: Coaches, players, parents and spectators must adhere to a high level of sportsmanship. The league will not tolerate negative interactions between or among coaches, spectators & players; harassment of umpires; verbal or physical altercations involving coaches, players, or spectators; hazing or organized chanting or “cheering” directed at opposing teams or players.  Instances of unsportsmanlike behavior reported to the Board of Directors will be investigated by the President and may result in discipline, including suspensions.

TREATMENT OF UMPIRES: Coaches, players, parents and spectators must accept and respect umpire decisions. They must refrain from questioning “judgment” calls and parents and other spectators must avoid actions which tend to undermine umpire authority.  WMLL will not tolerate any abusive language, equipment throwing or other violent or unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches, players or fans.

• Warning:  Any spectator or player guilty of participating in these actions will be warned once by the umpires.
• Ejection: A second such action will result in ejection from the game and removal from the WMLL field areas. In severe instances, the offending party will be immediately ejected.  Note: The umpire and coaches shall report such ejections to the umpire coordinator and/or league coordinator who will notify the VP-Baseball or VP- Softball.
• Suspension: Unsportsmanlike behavior which results in a game ejection carries with it another automatic additional one game suspension. For a second game ejection there will be an automatic three game suspension and for a third game ejection, the individual will receive a season ending suspension.

COACH BEHAVIOR

Coaches and coaching staff should provide the players and fans with an exemplary model of sportsmanship & are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. Coaches are expected to discourage any unsportsmanlike conduct they observe and attempt to mitigate any such behavior by their team, their fellow coaches or any spectators.  Coaches are to follow all WMLL rules – in general & specific to their individual league.

INTERACTIONS WITH UMPIRES

• No challenge of an umpire’s ruling,  Coaches may not challenge an umpire’s ruling during a game and may not confront an umpire after the game, whether on or off the field.  There are no exceptions to this rule.  Any violation of this standard by a coach will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and a violation of this Code of Conduct.
• Coaches should be prepared to mitigate any challenge to an umpire’s ruling by reminding anyone present of this Code of Conduct and the expectations for fan, coach, and player behavior at WMLL.
•  Coaches and other adults are reminded that calls sometimes do not go your way and part of the youth baseball experience is accepting those calls with grace and sportsmanship.  Calls that you do not like, correct or mistaken, are one more teaching moment with these young athletes and we are reminded to model good sportsmanship in all of our interactions with players.
• Coaches who believe an individual umpire is lacking in skills or knowledge or is acting in a biased manner are not permitted to offer instruction or advice, constructive or otherwise, but should report their concern to either the league coordinator or the umpire coordinator after the game.  WMLL will follow-up with the umpire to investigate or provide guidance.
• To check on an injured player, a coach should immediately move onto the playing field after calling for a time out to assist the injured player.

MISCONDUCT: Any coach that is reported to WMLL  for issues of misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior will be investigated by a Committee of the WMLL Board and that investigation may result in discipline, including suspension from games, practices, and other volunteer positions.  Examples of misconduct are as follows, but not limited to, openly disputing or arguing any decision by an umpire; using obscene or vulgar language; visually displaying any sign of dissatisfaction with an umpire’s decision including staying on the field or standing in the dugout with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators; & berating players, umpires, coaches, families, and/or spectators in a manner unbecoming WMLL.

• Warning:  Depending on the circumstances, an initial action may be a discussion between the coach(es) and the League Coordinator and/or Board President and a warning to prevent any future instances. In more severe instances, the offending party may be immediately suspended for one or more games.  A written summary of the discussion should be provided to all parties and kept on file.  
• Suspension: A second instance of a violation of the Code of Conduct that occurs in the same season may result in suspension from coaching for a period of weeks or the remainder of the season.  A history of unsportsmanlike behavior will be taken into account in assigning coaching positions in the future.  A written summary of the discussion should be provided to all parties and kept on file.

ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES

Any member of the WMLL Organization or Community is subject to further consequence should they be found to flagrantly disregard the Organization’s rules, expectations, and this Code of Conduct.

SAFETY

WMLL believes in “safety first” & is an active participant in Little League, Inc.’s “A Safety Awareness Program”.  Players, coaches, spectators & umpires are expected to be careful, to use good judgment & to adhere to the following safety rules.

• Player drop offs: Please do not pull into WMLL’s main parking lot for drop-offs or pick-ups as there are many players & children in the area – instead use the designated “drop off” zone on Forward Drive just to the north of the main parking lot entrance
  • Note: Any cars that park in WMLL’s parking lot without a WMLL coach’s pass or handicap sticker or plate will be ticketed.
• Peanut ban: For the safety of players & spectators with peanut allergies, WMLL does not allow peanuts at the ballpark
• Facility cleanliness & safety: Help keep WMLL’s fields, grounds & facilities neat, clean & safe. Clean up after yourself & report any safety or hygiene concerns to the concession stand.
• Safe warm up: Players should warm-up away from crowds & traffic patterns & must not swing bats outside playing field fences, unless they are in a batting cage or soft-toss station
• Errant balls: Be on the lookout for foul & thrown balls at all times
• Safe play: Remind your children to be careful on the playground equipment & to refrain from playing on or underneath bleachers
• Severe weather: When threatening weather approaches, seek appropriate shelter (do not move under trees)
  • Note: When lighting is visible, game will be suspended for 30 minutes and all coaches, players, spectators and umpires are expected to take immediate shelter in the dugouts, near the concession stand, picnic porch or in private vehicles to insure their safety.  If the delay continues to a total of 45 minutes, that game will be postponed & rescheduled per current rules.