Fall River Federal Baseball League
Kennedy Park - Abbott Court
Fall River, Ma.
On September 23, 2000, more than thirty heads of Massachusetts chapters of national sports and medical associations, education organizations, and professional associations met at Children's Hospital in Boston to participate in a consensus meeting to develop a sport parent code of conduct for the state. The meeting was covered by the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports and the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Inc.
Preamble
The essential elements of character- building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character". (1)
I therefore agree:
1) I will not force my child to participate in sports. (2,9)
2) I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults. (6,9)
3) I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others. (9)
4) I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league. (3,7)
5) I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event. (10)
6)I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing or and taunting; refusing to shake hands: or using profane language or gestures. (3,6,7,8)
7)I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that will endanger the health and well-being of the athletes.
8)I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence. (2,5)
9)I will demand that my child treat other players, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability. (6,9)
10)I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance. (2)
11) I will praise my child for competing and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time. (2)
12) I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition. (2,5)
13) I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also deememphasize games and competition in the lower age groups. (10)
14) I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of my personal desire I may have for my child to win. (9)
15)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. (4,7)
16)I will demand a sports enviroment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sport events. (6)
17)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. (4)
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but not limited to the following;
*Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization.
*Written warning.
*Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organization involved.
*Game forfeit through the official or coach.
*Parental season suspension.
Sports Parent Code Of Conduct
2009
The Following Code Of Conduct Has Been Adopted By The Board Of Directors Of The Fall River Federal Baseball League.
It Is Expected That All Parents, Players And League Officials Will Abide By This Code Of Conduct.
