Bergenfield Little League Codes of Conduct:
a) Introduction:
Bergenfield Little League is a community youth baseball activity with the goal of providing our children an opportunity to develop life skills through team play, sportsmanship, competition, and hard work. Our mission is to provide Bergenfield youth the opportunity to play baseball in a recreation league commensurate with their individual ability, potential, and interest. An emphasis on fair play and respect for all participants is a primary element of our league's mission. To better achieve that mission, we provide the following Codes of Conduct for all Bergenfield Little League players, parents, and coaches.
b) Player’s Code:
As a Bergenfield Little League player, I will:
1. Show good sportsmanship before, during, and after games. I understand that baseball is a game, and that the players on the other team are my opponents, not my enemies.
2. Be humble and generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
3. Respect the game of baseball and its rules, and play the game fairly.
4. Work for the good of my team and give my best effort at all times.
5. Show respect for the authority of the umpire, even though I will sometimes disagree with his/her calls.
6. Conduct myself with honor and dignity and treat other players as I would like to be treated.
7. Control my temper and not retaliate, even if I believe I have been wronged.
8. Not use or possess tobacco, alcohol, or illegal or performance-enhancing drugs.
c) Parent’s Code:
As a parent, you play a special role in the development of your child and of his/her teammates. Your encouragement and good example will do more to ensure good sportsmanship and self- discipline than any other influence. The other team is the opponent, not the enemy, and should be treated with respect. While winning is important, playing well and fairly is the essence of the game.
1. Support your child: Support your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in his/her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory.
2. Always be positive: Children learn more by example than by criticism. Work to be a positive role model and reinforce positive behavior in others. Applaud good plays by others on your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Do not criticize any child's performance from the sidelines. Accept the results of each game. Teach your child to be gracious in victory and to tum defeat into victory by learning and working toward improvement.
3. Don't be a sideline coach or umpire: Refrain from coaching or umpiring from the sidelines. Parents who shout or scream from the sidelines often give inappropriate advice at the wrong time. The coach should be the only sideline voice. Remain well back from the sidelines and within the spectator area. You and your child will both enjoy the game more if you put some emotional distance between yourself and the field or play. Umpires are symbols of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship - Do not openly question their judgment or honesty.
4. Demonstrate a positive attitude toward your opponents and their families: Opponents are not enemies. Never allow yourself to be drawn into a verbal disagreement with opposing parents or coaches. No one has ever regretted letting "cooler heads prevail."
5. Remember that your child wants to have fun: Your child is the one playing baseball, not you. Children must establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose unreasonable demands on your child. Let your children experience the fun of playing as well as the challenge of excelling.
a. We will not criticize the umpires openly or directly, during or after games. Any criticism shall be done in writing, sent to my coach and not verbally.
b. We will give only positive feedback to players.
c. We will cheer at all games within the spirit of fair play and shall do our best to cheer the effort regardless of the outcome.
d. We shall do our best to teach our players to become students of the game.
e. We shall show the quality of our sportsmanship during and after each game and help our children remember to thank the umpire after the game without regard to the result.
f. We shall do our very best to have our child prepared for every game.
g. We shall support the learning efforts of the players, the coaches, and the umpires by demonstrating our patience.
h. We shall leave the coaching to the coach during the game. We shall not give our child instructions during the game.
i. We understand that the league can, and will, if necessary, suspend our individual privilege to watch our child play should we behave in a manner that is rude or otherwise offensive.
j. We agree to do our best to have as much fun watching the game as the players should have playing the game.
d) Manager/Coach’s Code:
The Bergenfield Little League Manager/Coach's Code enumerates basic requirements, organized under four principles. They are: Setting a good example; keeping players safe; ensuring that all participants in Bergenfield Little League have a positive experience; and relating to game umpires in an exemplary manner and encouraging players to do the same.
1. Setting a good example:
The manager/coach's example is powerful. If a manager/coach insists on fair play, concentrates on players' enjoyment of the game and their overall, long-term development, and supports the umpire, players and parents will notice. If a manager/coach discourages (or allows) players to play outside the rules, are overly concerned about the results, and/or criticize the umpire or opposing coach, players and parents will also notice. Above all, children deserve a coach they can respect.
a. Manager/Coaches, in all contact with Bergenfield Little League players, parents, officials and coaches, should strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. Before, during, and after the game, they should be an example of dignity, patience, and positive spirit.
b. Before games, opposing managers should meet and exchange greetings to set the proper tone for the game. After games, the teams and coaches should meet and congratulate each other in a sportsmanlike manner.
c. Managers/Coaches should ensure that their players' baseball experience is one of fun and enjoyment, and improvement in skill (winning is only part of it). Players should never be yelled at, lectured or ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game. Coaches should be generous with praise when it is deserved.
d. Mangers/Coaches should avoid any conduct which could be construed as physically or verbally abusive.
e. Mangers/Coaches should completely refrain from verbal dissent during a game with an opposing coach.
f. Mangers/Coaches should honor all professional relationships with colleagues, associations, umpires, and the public.
2. Keeping players safe:
Managers/Coaches shall always have the safety of the players in their charge as their priority. Coaches should be familiar with the facility(ies) and fields on which their teams practice and play and be mindful of the levels of fitness and skill of each one of their players. Coaches should also be familiar with the Rules of the Game, current with principles of age-appropriate coaching, aware of applicable existing rules and regulations, and informed of the affairs of Bergenfield Little League.
a. Mangers/Coaches should check players' equipment and playing facilities frequently. They should meet safety standards and be appropriate for the age and ability of players.
b. Managers/Coaches should follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to play again. During a game, and in an absence of medical advice, coaches should err on the side of caution in permitting an injured player to return to play.
3. Creating a positive experience:
Bergenfield Little League wishes to ensure that games are fair, positive, and enjoyable experiences for the children and adults involved. A baseball game should be friendly and unifying - a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, umpires, and spectators.
a. Mangers/Coaches should require all players and spectators to always adhere to the highest level of sportsmanship. During the game, the manager/coach is responsible for the sportsmanship of the players. If a player is disrespectful, irresponsible, or overly aggressive, the coach should remove the player from the game at least long enough for him/her to calm down. Coaches should explain acceptable behavior to players and parents at a preseason meeting. Encourage parents to make positive comments about good play by either team. Prohibit them from yelling at players and the umpire.
4. Relating to officials:
Mangers/Coaches should demonstrate respect for the umpire and his/her role. Mangers/Coaches can help umpires improve by letting them concentrate on the game, accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes, and offering constructive post- game comments.
a. Before a game, managers should introduce themselves to the umpire. During the game, they should address the umpire only as needed to continue play. After the game, they should thank the umpire and ask players to do the same.
b. Questions about calls should be handled by calling time out, not shouting at the umpire. Once time out is called, the manager can quietly discuss the call between them. Others near and around the field should not be able to hear the discussion.
c. Small disagreement should be discussed with the umpire calmly after the game. For major complaints, or if the umpire appeared to be unfair, biased, unfit, or incompetent, report opinions to the Chief Umpire.
e) Other General Codes of Conduct:
1. Speed Limit is 5 mph in roadways and parking lots while attending any Bergenfield Little League function. Watch for small children around parked cars.
2. No alcohol allowed in any parking lot, field, or common areas within a Bergenfield Little League complex.
3. Use crosswalks when crossing roadways. Always be alert for traffic.
4. No Profanity.
5. After each game, each team must clean up trash in dugout and around stands.
6. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in expulsion from the complex.