Dear St. Bethlehem Little League Participants,

St. Bethlehem Little League's Board of Directors has focused on the improvement of the overall safety of our league.  We are addressing the well being of our Players both from a physical and psychological standpoint.  From the physical standpoint, we are in the process of improving our fields and we are purchasing new player equipment to keep our players safe.  From the psychological standpoint, this will be the first year of implementation of our Code of Conduct Policy with a Three Strikes and “You're Out” implementation.  This implementation will begin immediately.

The Code of Conduct Policy is for the most part, standard throughout the Little League.  A copy of this Policy will be found on our Web Site.  What is unique in our St. Bethlehem Little League is the implementation of our Three Strikes Policy.  Game Monitors will attend random games that are played this season. Game Monitors, Managers, Coaches, Umpires or Members of the Board can file a Code of Conduct Incident Form to be later reviewed by the Code of Conduct Review Committee.  If the Committee determines that the Player, Manager, Coach, Umpire or Volunteer did not adhere to the Code of Conduct, a Strike will be assigned to his/her record as outlined below.  Strike One is a Suspension for 1 - 3 games; Strike Two requires forfeiture of Position and Strike Three is suspension from the League.  In addition, Umpires have been instructed to halt a game until an abusive Fan or Parent leaves the field if they are directly involved in a Code of Conduct violation.

In an effort to help our managers and coaches comply with our safety standards, the Board of Directors has put forth a mandate of safety rules to be followed as outlined in our St Bethlehem Little League Safety Manual.  Each team will be responsible of insuring that all safety guidelines are met whether at practice or during a game. 

National Little League mandates that all Volunteers must fill out a Volunteer Application Form.  They are only allowed to volunteer after the Safety Officer, has made a background check for Sex Offenders.  All information must be filled out on the form (including Social Security Number) and a photocopy of the Volunteers Drivers License or Government issued ID must be attached.  This is to protect our children and there are no exceptions to this rule.  This information will be secured by the Safety Officer and shredded at the start of the next season.

In closing, remember that safety rests with all of us, the volunteers of St. Bethlehem Little League.  Always use common sense, never doubt what children tell you, and report all accidents or safety infractions when they occur.  Now, let's play ball and play it safe!

Thank you for your support of St. Bethlehem Little League,

Scott Bagwell

Safety Officer

St. Bethlehem Little League Code of Conduct:

It is the goal of St. Bethlehem Little League to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment for our children to play and learn the game of baseball.  It should be the primary objective of every Board Member, Manager, Coach and Parent to insure that this goal is achieved and maintained in our League. 

The board of directors of St. Bethlehem Little League has mandated the following Code of Conduct.  All coaches, players, and parents will be held to this Code of Conduct.  The following guidelines have been voted on and approved by the St. Bethlehem Little League Board to see that our goals are met.

Parent Code of Conduct:

• I will not force children to participate in Little League.
• I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• I will inform a league official of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of children or the safety of others.  This includes asthma and ADD/ADHD.
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• I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the St. Bethlehem Little League.
• I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for players and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, managers, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
• I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of un-sportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
• I will teach my child that doing ones' best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
• I will praise athletes for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
• I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.  Only constructive criticism will be used.
• 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 demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all events.
• I will refrain from smoking in the stands and understand that smoking will only be permitted in designated areas, which will be 30 feet from any spectator stands or dugouts.
• 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 understand that all field positions are important and it is left up to the coach to place my child wherever he/she sees fit.
• I believe in the welfare and safety of all children and understand that if my child or myself violates St. Bethlehem Little League’s Code of Conduct we will be subjected to the “Three Strikes Policy.”

Board Member, Manager, Coach, Player, Umpire, Spectator Code of Conduct:

No Board Member, Manager, Coach, Player, Umpire or Spectator shall:

• At any time, lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to strike an official.
• Encourage any behavior or practice that would endanger the health and welfare of the athletes.
• Be guilty of heaping personal verbal or physical abuse upon any official for any real or imaginary belief of a wrong decision or judgment.
• Be guilty of an objectionable demonstration of dissent at an official’s decision by throwing of gloves, helmets, hats, bats, balls, or any other forceful un-sportsmanlike action.
• Be guilty of using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of a game against the body of an opposing player.
• Be guilty of a physical attack upon any board member, official 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 on the STBLL complex while in an intoxicated state at any time.  Intoxicated will be defined as an odor or behavior issue.
• Be guilty of gambling upon any play or outcome of any game with anyone at any time.
• 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 umpire, manager, coach, 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 verbal abuse of any player, fan, and manager/coach and understand that this shall be reason for a warning or ejection.
• Be guilty of equipment throwing out of anger or frustration caused by oneself or others, which shall be grounds for a warning or ejection.
• Be guilty of physical contact with another player, manager, coach or umpire not in the spirit of the game by a player, manager/coach or fan shall be grounds for a warning or ejection.
• Be guilty of Alcohol/Drug consumption during a game by a player, manager/coach or fan shall be reason for a warning or ejection.
• Challenge an 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 removal from the game.
• Smoke while in the stands or on the playing field or in any dugout at any time.  Smoking will only be permitted in designated areas, which will be 30 feet from any spectator stands or dugouts.
• Allow unruly Fans to disrespect Umpires, Coaches, Players, and other spectators during or after the game.
• As a Board Member, Manager, Coach, Spectator, and Player believe in the welfare and safety of all children and understand that if I violate St. Bethlehem Little League’s Code of Conduct I will be subjected to the “Three Strikes Policy.”

As a coach, I additionally agree to the following:

• I will teach youth to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I will demand that athletes treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
• I will never ridicule, demean or intentionally embarrass my players or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.  Only constructive criticism will be used.
• I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my players to win.
• I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.

Additional Improper Conduct:

• Any complaint about an umpire abusing his power or unfairly treating any player, manager/coach or fan may be filed with the Chief Umpire. It is the responsibility of the Chief Umpire to report all complaints to the Board.

Conduct Review Committee and Action:

The St. Bethlehem Little League is concerned about the safety and well being of the children participating in Little League Sports Activities.  A Conduct Review Committee will evaluate each reported incident to determine the appropriate action to be taken. 

The Conduct Review Committee will be comprised of the President, Safety Officer and three other nominated board members. If the President or Safety Officer has a conflict of interest with an issue under review, they shall be not be allowed to vote and an Alternate must vote in their place.  The Conduct Review Committee will be nominated and accepted by the St. Bethlehem Little League Board of Directors at the beginning of each season.  Upon receiving a Code of Conduct Incident Report, the Safety Officer will contact the members of the Code of Conduct Committee to meet in person or via email depending on the severity of the incident.

A Code of Conduct Incident Report Form maybe filed by any Manager, Coach, Referee, Board Member or Game Monitor.  Game Monitors will randomly monitor and evaluate games throughout the season.  A Code of Conduct Incident Report Form may be filed if the Game Monitor feels that a Manager, Coach, Referee, Fan or Player has not adhered to the Code of Conduct as outlined in Section B.  A Game Monitor may not use a game that his/her son/daughter participates in for evaluation purposes.  Umpires and official scorekeeper shall log warnings and ejections so the Chief Umpire may file a Code of Conduct Incident Report if necessary. 

If there is an issue regarding Board Members, Managers, Coaches or Umpires that is potentially harmful either mentally or physically to a child, the President and Safety Officer are immediately notified and a written Code of Conduct Report will be filed.

The Conduct Review Board shall decide if any deviation from the league's ejection policy is to be enforced, modified or revoked.  The Conduct Review Board will review all infractions of the STBLL Code of Conduct.  Depending on the seriousness or frequency, the board may assess additional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the league.

If either the President or Safety Officer is unavailable for more than a (3) day period, the Vice President may substitute for the absent party.

Three Strike Policy:

All participants in the St. Bethlehem Little League will adhere to the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” principle.  The Conduct Review Committee will assign Strikes according to the severity of each incident.  Depending on the incident, an infraction can carry more than one Strike as determined by the Conduct Review Committee.  Figure 2 is a guideline for assignment of Strikes by the committee.  Strikes may only be filed against an individual if a majority of the Conduct Review Committee determines that an infraction has been committed.  All decisions made by the Review Committee are at their discretion and all decisions are final.  Strikes are cumulative each season and will not carry over into the next season.  Assigned Strikes will be used by the Board to evaluate and accept Volunteer Positions each year.

Evaluation Procedure:

 If any Coach, Player, Parent, Fan, Board Member, or Umpire is under review by the Code of Conduct Committee for the above mentioned item (i.e. mental or physical harm to a child), they shall be temporarily suspended until the issue is resolved or they receive an email from the President and Safety Officer stating that they can continue with their duties.

Notice of Infraction:

The Conduct Review Committee will send via the United States Post Office a Notice of Conduct Infraction to the offending party with a description of the resulting penalty. Examples of applicable penalties are included in Section D below as a reference.

Conclusion:

As Board Members, Managers, Coaches and Volunteers we are entrusted with the well being of the participants in the St. Bethlehem Little League.  It is critical that each child have a positive experience with his/her participation.  Umpires, Volunteers, Parents and Players all must be educated in Code of Conduct expectations and enforcement.  The Conduct Review Committee must consistently enforce this policy to provide a healthy playing environment for all participants at St. Bethlehem Little League.

Reference Chart and Example of Actions: