Parent, Manager and Player Code of Conduct
Review Parent, Manager, and Player Codes of Conduct here
Our codes of conduct hold an important message about the proper role of parents, managers and players in our league.
GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT
Irmo Little League is a recreational baseball and softball program. During some games/seasons, the level of competition is increased causing more tension. We all need to be reminded from time to time that our main goal is to ensure that the players have a safe and fun environment where they can learn and grow. There will be plenty of time for competitive sports in travel ball, high school, and beyond.
With that in mind, Irmo Little League has no tolerance for poor or negative game attitudes. We expect all fans, parents, managers and coaches to set a good example for the team/players. This will be enforced in two ways:
- Our umpires have the final call on the field and no one is allowed to argue a call by the umpire. The umpire will deal with the actions/attitudes of anyone within the fences. If there are issues outside the fence, the umpires will ask the Team Manager to deal with the issue.
- At all times, the Board will provide an Officer On Duty. This person has final say on all actions/attitudes of anyone outside of the fences. One warning may be given depending on the severity of the action/attitude. If after a warning, the actions/attitudes continue, the offender will be removed/ejected from the game and/or park.
No Board Member, Manager, Coach, Player, or Spectator shall:
- At any time, lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, and feint to throw or threaten any individual
- At any time use violence, unfriendly language, racial slurs or insults towards any individual.
- Be guilty of heaping personal verbal or physical abuse upon any official for any real or imaginary belief of wrong decisions or judgment.
- Be guilty of objectionable demonstration of dissent at an official's decision by throwing of gloves, helmets, hats, bats, balls or any other forceful unsportsmanlike action.
- Be guilty of using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of a game and/or against the body of an opposing player.
- Be guilty of physical attack upon any board member, umpire, manager, coach, player or spectator.
- Be guilty of the use of profane, obscene or vulgar language in any manner at any time.
- Appear on the field of play, stands, or anywhere in the Friarsgate Park complex while in an intoxicated state at any time. "Intoxicated" will be defined as an odor of alcohol on one's breath or clothing, or a behavior issue.
- Be guilty of gambling upon any play or outcome of any game with anyone at any time.
- Smoking anywhere on the premises. RCRC prohibits smoking at any time within the park boundaries.
- Be guilty of discussing publicly with spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any play, decision or a personal opinion on any players during the game.
- Speak disrespectfully to any manager, coach, official or representative of the League.
- Be guilty of tampering or manipulation of any league rosters, schedules, draft positions or selections, official score books, rankings, financial records, or procedures.
- Be guilty of challenging any umpire's authority. The umpires shall have the authority and discretion during a game to penalize the offender according to the infraction up to and including the removal from the game and/or park.
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
We, the Irmo Little League Board of Directors, have implemented the following Parent Code of Conduct for the important message that it holds about the proper role of parents in supporting the youth of our community and their child in sports.
The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are the foundations of sportsmanship and are demonstrated by the core principles of respect, responsibility, fairness, and good citizenship.
As an Irmo Little League Parent, I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for each child participating in ILL by adhering to the following code of conduct:
I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support at all times.
I will remember that children participate to have fun, and that the game is for youth, not adults.
I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing and taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language.
I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning.
I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games.
I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.
I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I have for my own child to win.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action levied by the ILL Board of Directors that could include, but is not limited to the following:
Verbal Warning
Written Warning
Parental suspension for games
Parental season suspension
Parental removal from all league activities
The Irmo Little League Board of Directors retains the sole authority to determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate for any conduct infraction.
MANAGER CODE OF CONDUCT
Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social, and emotional development of children. As managers and coaches in Irmo Little League you should be models of good sportsmanship and behavior for your child and all children in the community including participants and spectators alike.
The Irmo Little League Board of Directors ask that you pledge to be responsible for your words and actions while coaching, officiating, and participating in Irmo Little League events, and that you conform your behavior to the following Code Of Conduct:
Place the emotional and physical wellbeing of players ahead of any personal desire to win.
Treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
Do your best to provide a safe playing environment for all players.
Do your best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all players.
Lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all players.
Teach the rules of the game to all players, officials, and parents.
Remember that you are a youth sports coach and that the game is for children and not adults.
Do not abuse other coaches, umpires, parents, or players.
Promote fun, fairness, and sportsmanship over winning.
Do not engage in the use of profanity or other offensive language.
Encourage all team members to treat all players, teammates, coaches, officials, and parents with respect.
Emphasize and foster a team atmosphere and not individual achievements.
Be responsible for league policies.
Return all equipment and player evaluations per league policies.
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subjected to disciplinary action levied by the Irmo Little League Board of Directors that could include, but is not limited to the following:
Verbal warning
Written warning
Manager/coaches suspension for games
Manager/coaches season suspension
Manager/coach removal from all league activities
The Irmo Little League Board of Directors retains the sole authority to determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate for any conduct infraction.
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT
Player's responsibilities are simple; be respectful of others, be responsible, play fair, and always do your best, and always exhibit good sportsmanship.
As an Irmo Little League participant I hereby pledge that I will:
Encourage good sportsmanship from fellow players, coaches, officials, and parents.
Be a team player and support my teammates.
Be on time and attend every practice and game that I can, and will notify my coaches if I cannot.
Work hard to improve my skills.
Do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
Encourage my parents to be involved with my team and League in some capacity.
Congratulate the other team after each game as a demonstration of sportsmanship.
Refrain from using violence, unfriendly language, or insults to others.
Be generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
Obey the rules of the game and always work for the good of the team.
Accept the decisions of the officials with grace and never challenge or question calls. Refrain from challenging or questioning on-field calls by officials and/or managers and coaches.
Conduct myself with honor and dignity.
Applaud the efforts of my teammates and opponents.
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action levied by the ILL Board of Directors that could include but is not limited to the following:
Verbal warning
Written warning
Player suspension for games
Player suspension for season including postseason (All Stars & TOC)
Player being expelled from the league
The Irmo Little League Board of Directors retains the sole authority to determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate for any conduct infraction.
EJECTIONS
All ejections of Managers, Coaches, OR Spectators mean that the person(s) are ejected for the current game AND the next game the team plays. An ejected person must leave the field area and move to beyond the yellow gate, into the parking lot. All game/park ejections are reviewed by the Irmo Little League Board and continued issues will be dealt with appropriately. Depending on the seriousness or frequency, the Board may assess additional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the League.