PARENTS AND PLAYERS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 As a participants (player/parent/coach) of the Boys of Summer Select (B.O.S.S.) Baseball Academy, I understand that I have agreed to have both myself and my child be bound by the rules of player and spectator participation of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy.

It is my understanding one of the goals of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy is to promote sportsmanship and prohibit inappropriate behavior as listed below and I agree to cooperate with the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy in meeting these goals or alternatively I agree to abide by the decisions of the governing body or limit my participation if in the sole discretion of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy. I am violating either the rules or the spirit of the rules which are set forth to meet those goals.

I understand that if a player (which may be my child) is ejected from a game, they will be disqualified to play in the next game in which they attend, further said ejected player will be required to sit on the bench in uniform during the suspension. In the case of a second offense, the player will be disqualified from further competition and attendance to games for that year.

Coaches and others associated with a B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Team who are ejected from a game or event will be referred to the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board for possible removal from the organization and all activities. They must leave the facility at the time of ejection.

Parents and/or spectators who are ejected must leave the facility. Any parent or spectator who is ejected or who is involved in Unsportsmanlike conduct will be referred to the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board before being allowed to attend further activities. All parents who are referred to the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board because they have been ejected or because they have been accused of Unsportsmanlike conduct agree to abide by the decision of the Board. It is further understood and agreed that a child/player may be removed from a team or suspended because of the inappropriate actions of a parent.

 Unsportsmanlike conduct is defined without limitation as:

Booing or ridiculing umpires, participants, and/or game administrators.

Using obscenities, racial slurs, unsportsmanlike remarks, or gestures that are inappropriate or demeaning.

Interfering with pre-game, game, or post game conditions. 

Interfering is defined, without limitation as, coming over to the bench area without permission, entering the playing area, personally confronting a coach regarding his strategy or ability, personally confronting an official regarding his ability or game calling.

The coaches have made a substantial commitment to every player and the team. If parents have issues or concerns, these are to be discussed only with the Parent Representative. The Parent Representative will report appropriate matters to the Manager, Coaches, or President.

·        Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play their chosen sport.  Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment.  Make it fun.

·        Encourage your child to play by the rules.  Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams.

·        Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. 

·        Know and study the rules of the game, and support the officials.  This approach will help in the development and support of the game.  Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.

·        Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, and enforce the positive points of the game.  Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive.  Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.

·        Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches.  They are important to the development of your child and the sport.  Communicate with them and support them.

·        If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about baseball - and volunteer.

Coaching from the stands is prohibited because it causes player confusion and will result in poor play. Positive encouragement is always welcome. Any negative comments may cause the spectator to be asked to leave the playing field.

No profanity allowed at any practice, game, or tournament.

During games and tournaments we ask that you permit the coaches to concentrate exclusively on the task at hand, coaching.

If any parent has a question or wants to voice a concern, they are to contact the Parent Representative/Team Mom.

This is a family oriented team and we expect that parents will participate and become actively involved in the program as needed.

Parents are encouraged to attend as many practices as they wish.

Parents will attend as many games as practical.

The coaching staff and team are responsible for the conduct of spectators. Please conduct yourself in a manner in which your son/daughter would be proud.

• I will treat each player, opposing coach, umpire, parent and administrators with respect and dignity.
• I will do my best to learn the fundamental skill, teaching and evaluation techniques, and strategies of my sport.
• I will become thoroughly familiar with the rules of my sport.
• I will become familiar with the objectives of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy..  I will strive to achieve these objectives and communicate them to my players and their parents.
• I will uphold the authority of officials who are assigned to the games in which I coach, and I will assist them in every way to conduct fair and impartial competitive games.
• I will learn the strengths and weaknesses of my players so that I might place them into situations where they have a maximum opportunity to achieve success.
• I will conduct my practices and games so that all players have an opportunity to improve their skill level through active participation.
• I will communicate to my players and their parents the responsibilities of individuals on our team.
• I will cooperate with the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy in the enforcement of rules and regulations.

I will protect the health and safety of my players by insisting that all of the activities under my control are conducted for their psychological and physiological welfare, rather than for the vicarious interest of adults.

 Players Code of Conduct

• Play for fun.
• Work hard to improve your skills.
• Be a team player - get along with your teammates.
• Learn teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline.
• Be on time for practices and games.
• Learn the rules and play by them.  Always be a good sport.
• Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents and umpires.
• Never argue with an umpires decision.

 Spectators Code of Conduct

• Display good sportsmanship.  Always respect players, coaches and officials.
• Act appropriately; do not taunt or disturb other fans; enjoy the game together.
• Cheer good plays of all participants; avoid booing opponents.
• Cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play; profanity and objectionable cheers or gestures are offensive.
• Help provide a safe and fun environment; throwing any items on the field can cause injury to players and officials.
• Support the referees and coaches by trusting their judgment and integrity.
• Be responsible for your own safety - be alert to prevent accidents from foul balls and other avoidable situations.
• Be supportive after the game - win or lose.  Recognize good effort, teamwork and sportsmanship.

 Zero Tolerance Policy

In an effort to make baseball a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy has instructed all members to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship.  This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials and parents/spectators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all games.  

Sportsmanship for Parents and Supporters

Sportsmanship is an important part of youth development. To become contributing, competent, and capable adults, youth must develop and learn to value sportsmanlike behavior. Parents and supporters are asked to help children develop these values by setting a good example and by demonstrating sportsmanship before, during, and after games. Here are some examples of ways you can help children learn to be fair and generous competitors, good losers, and graceful winners.

1. Teach children sportsmanship. Require them to demonstrate sportsmanship before, during, and after competitive activities. Teach and encourage them to:

• demonstrate and maintain high standards of personal behavior and conduct becoming them as individuals and as representatives of their family, club, community, and program.

• learn and follow the rules.

• be objective.

• be honest, fair, and straightforward in everything they say and do.

• show integrity.

• accept that competition involves seeking to get what others are seeking, and there are both, winners and losers.

• be well-mannered and show respect.

• be pleasant toward other participants, spectators, program officials, umpires, the media, supporters, and others.

• give others the benefit of the doubt.

• treat people, animals, and things kindly.

• be considerate and thoughtful in all they say and do, regardless of the outcome or whether they do well or not.

• be friendly and cheerful.

• hide ill humor and refrain from arguing.

• keep their emotions under control.

• congratulate winners.

• avoid griping, complaining, or making excuses when they don’t win or perform well.

• avoid complaining or making accusations about others unless they have proof and are willing to personally                face the person(s) they are accusing.

• recognize, appreciate, and try to learn from the accomplishments and admirable traits of others.

• recognize, learn from, and try to improve their own shortcomings.

• be happy but not to gloat, brag, act conceited, or downplay their accomplishments.

• thank advisors, program organizers, sponsors, judges, and others.

2. Applaud for your children and others for whom you wish to express appreciation and admiration.

3. Do not boo, heckle, or make disparaging remarks or insulting comments about or to anyone, including competitors from rival clubs or groups and program officials and organizers.

4. Listen, act interested, and be quiet when participants are introduced, when program officials are talking or making announcements, and when other comments are being addressed to the audience.

5. Remain until the end of the game, or until program organizers indicate it is appropriate for spectators to depart. Do not get up and leave as soon as the child you came to see leaves game.

6. Encourage children to politely ask questions if they have them, express concerns they may have, and make helpful suggestions to program officials and organizers.

7. Congratulate the winners after the game.

8. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, be polite in expressing them. Compliment in public. Criticize in private. Be considerate of the time program officials have to spend with you, and of their other responsibilities.  Schedule a later appointment if you need more time than they have to spend with you at the program. Submit compliments, concerns, and suggestions in writing with your signature.

Policy & Procedure B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Disciplinary Action

Any alleged violation of the Code of Conduct should be reported to the President along with any incident report for evaluation and further action, if necessary.

PROCESS FOR CONSIDERING DISCIPLINARY ACTION

1. The B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board shall consider all reports of any member's violation of the code of Conduct. A quorum of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board shall meet as soon as reasonably possible to consider any reports and determine by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board whether disciplinary action may be warranted. All Board members shall be noticed for any meeting to consider any alleged violation.
2. If a majority vote of a quorum of the Board votes that disciplinary action may be warranted, then the member shall be contacted immediately by certified letter of the alleged violation which should include, but not be limited to, the specific alleged violation of the Code the member is accused of violating and informing the member of his election to request a fact finding hearing before the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board to dispute the allegations.
3.  Any member who receives a letter describing a violation of the Code of Conduct shall have 72 hours to request a hearing upon receipt of the letter. The member's failure to respond will be deemed as an admission to the allegations and the Board shall then consider the appropriate disciplinary action under Section III of the guidelines.
4.  A requested hearing by any member after receiving a violation letter shall be conducted by a quorum of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board no later than 10 days after a requested hearing by a member. The hearing date and time shall be set with the coordination of the accused member. The hearing will be conducted by the president of the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board who will set time limits for witness testimony, the number of witnesses to be called, and any statement to be made by the member or his/her representative.
5. A quorum of the Board shall vote at the conclusion of the hearing to determine if disciplinary action warranted against the member pursuant to Section III. A majority vote of a quorum of the Board shall decide the outcome of any action, if any. The member shall be given written notice of the outcome of the hearing within 72 hours after the hearing.
6. No disciplinary action shall be taken against a member until the member is afforded the opportunity of a hearing. However, the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy president shall have discretion to temporarily suspend any member depending on the nature of the violation, safety of other members and whether the member has previously violated the Code of Conduct.
7. The B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board may, by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board, elect to have the B.O.S.S. Baseball Academy Board conduct a hearing pursuant to these provisions for any reason including, but not limited to, conflicts of interest.

• Letter(s) are received by President.  Petitions are not acceptable.  Each individual must submit a letter. 
• Letter(s) submitted to Board for review.
• If Board feels warranted a date is set for meeting.
• Witnesses informed of date and time of meeting. 
• Meeting is held.
• Certified letter sent to member of outcome of meeting.