Historically, inappropriate behavior of managers and coaches involved with the Pitt County Girls’ Softball League has resulted in disciplinary action to include ejections and one-game suspensions, probation and ineligibility for post-season competion. In those instances, the Ethics Committee usually took the lead in assessing the incident(s), contacting the offending party (parties) and reporting the results of the inquiry to the Board for any disciplinary action. At other times members have reported such incidents to the Board, whereby the Board would assess the situation and take action, usually instructing the Ethics Committee to inform the offending party (parties) of any disciplinary action approved by the Board.

Because of the infrequency of such occurrences since the League’s inception, much of the process described above has been handled informally and without adequate documentation of the facts of the incident (s) as well as the basis for the Board’s decision.

Accordingly, the PCGSL Board of Directors has adopted the following policy/guidelines for investigating and assessing any incident of inappropriate behavior/unsportsmanlike conduct. For clarity and simplification, all such incidents shall be classified into two categories: A). “On-Field Incidents with Ejection” and B). “All Other Incidents” with adherence to the following procedures:


A. On-Field Incidents with Ejection

1. In cases resulting in the ejection of a manager, coach or other team
representative, the “ejecting umpire” will report the ejection and the
circumstances of the incident to the League Executive Director utilizing the
Incident Report Form. This form will be used to record information pertinent
to the incident and must be reported to the Executive Director within twenty-
four hours.

2. An ejection shall result in an automatic one-game suspension as delineated in
the PCGSL Local Rule Amendments.

3. The ejected party may file a written notice of appeal of the suspension to the
Executive Director no sooner than twelve hours nor no later than twenty-four
hours subsequent to the ejection as stated in the Local Rule Amendments.
Upon receipt of the appeal, the automatic one-game suspension will be
delayed pending the conclusion of the investigation by the Ethics Committee.

4. Once notified by the Executive Director of the appeal, the Ethics Committee
will initiate a review of the appeal within forty-eight hours. The Committee
shall contact all parties involved in the alleged incident to include any person
who may have knowledge of the circumstances of the situation. A confidential
Incident Investigation Form will be utilized as the investigative document. All
information relevant to the investigation will be recorded on this form and
will be kept secure and confidential by the Board of Directors.

5. Upon the conclusion of its investigation, the Ethics Committee will report its
findings and recommendations to the League President and Executive
Director within seventy-two hours. Any suspension upheld by the Ethics
Committee’s recommendations would be immediately re-instated. Notification
of disciplinary action shall be submitted in writing to the offending party
within twenty-four hours.

6. The League President shall decide whether to initiate a special call meeting to
discuss the findings/recommendations of the Ethics Committee with the Board
of Directors or discuss said findings/recommendations at the next scheduled
Board meeting. If the findings of the Ethics Committee’s investigation
warrant an immediate suspension, the President may implement this
suspension pending subsequent ratification by the PCGSL Board.

7. The decision of the PCGSL Board is final.

B. All Other Incidents

1. This category will address procedures for any incident not described in Section
A. and may include “on-field incidents ”(not resulting in an ejection) as well as
“off-field incidents” which may have occurred within the Sara A. Law Park
premises or at some other location.

2. Any person who wishes to file a complaint or grievance based upon an alleged
incident of inappropriate behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct must present
to the Executive Director during normal office hours. The complainant must
complete and execute (sign) the PCGSL Incident Report Form.

3. When notified of an occurrence of inappropriate behavior or unsportsmanlike
conduct, the Ethics Committee shall be required to initiate an inquiry within
forty-eight hours.

4. The Ethics Committee may designate one or more of its members to initiate its
investigation and may enlist the assistance of the Executive Director and
League President.

5. The Ethics Committee will contact all parties involved in the alleged incident
to include any person who may have knowledge of the circumstances of the
situation. The Incident Investigation Form will be utilized as the investigative
document. All information relevant to the investigation will be recorded on
this form and will be kept secure and confidential by the Board of Directors.

6. Upon the conclusion of its investigation, the Ethics Committee will report its
findings and recommendations to the League President and Executive Director
for approval within seventy-two hours. Notification of disciplinary action shall
be submitted in writing to the offending party within twenty-four hours.

7. The League President shall decide whether to initiate a special call meeting to
discuss the findings/recommendations of the Ethics Committee with the Board
or discuss said findings at the next scheduled Board meeting. If the findings of
the Ethics Committee’s investigation warrant an immediate suspension, the
President may implement this suspension pending subsequent ratification by
the PCGSL Board.

8. The offending party shall have the right to appeal any disciplinary action to
the PCGSL Board. The appeal must be in writing and be received by the
Executive Director within seven days from the effective date of the disciplinary
action. The appeal must also contain new or additional evidence or
information not considered by the Ethics Committee, Executive Director or
League President in the initial findings/recommendations.



Jerry Law, Chairman
PCGSL Ethics Committee