NVCCLL “CODE OF CONDUCT”

Preamble:
The Nyack-Valley Cottage Congers Little League (“NVCCLL”) believes that the essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship 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”. 
Please see two sections as set forth below, the first being “Recommended Behavior”, which is behavior that is expected to be taught as well as to be reinforced by each of the Parents and/or Guardians of NVCCLL players.   The second category is deemed “Required Behavior”, which sets forth behavioral guidelines that must be obeyed otherwise one will be subject to disciplinary action(s) by the NVCCLL including but not limited to those set forth under Section II.  For more details about the rules and regulations governing the NVCCLL you can access our bylaws here.


I.             RECOMMENDED BEHAVIOR
 

• Parents will not force their child to participate in sports and will not over-commit her/him regarding school, sports and personal schedules.
• Parents will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• Parents will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of their child or the safety of others.
• Parents will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league and will insist that their child follow the rules and policies of the league, team and coach.
• Parents and guests will be positive role models for their child and encourage sportsmanship 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.
• Parents will demand that their child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability
• Parents will teach their child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that their child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance
• Parents will praise their child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make their child feel like a winner every time.
• Parents will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit their child over winning. Parents will also deemphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
• While the league encourages all spectators to encourage the participants in a positive manner, adults should refrain from attempting to give coaching advice to players on the field. The managers and coaches are acting in this capacity and anything else can be a distraction.
• Parents will teach their child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Parents will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire they may have for their child to win.

II.                                REQUIRED BEHAVIOR
 

1. Good sportsmanship must be practiced at all times
2. Players, staff, parents, guests and other family members will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with or in front of any official, coach, player, or other parent or spectator, said behavior including but not limited to booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; using profane language or gestures; or making threats or acting violently. All visitors to the facility will demonstrate complete respect of both teams’ players, coaches and parents.
3. Players, staff and spectators will respect the officials and their authority and will not question or express disagreement with any official’s calls or rules interpretations. Under no circumstances, may a spectator directly confront a game official.  In addition, parents will instruct their child that the calls or rulings of all officials are to be accepted without question, protest or gesture.
4. Only team managers may approach the umpire to question a call or ask for additional information. Managers may only discuss potential rules violations with the umpires and should refrain from questioning judgment calls
5. All adults present, including coaching staff, must refrain from making any negative comments about any of the participants on the field. Spectators, as well as players and staff, will never ridicule or yell at any child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
6. Parents and other spectators 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 away from the players and field of play.
7. Only designated managers and coaches may enter the field of play or the dugouts during a game
8. Please respect the league facilities. There is no smoking or use of alcohol on or near the premises. The little league demands a sports environment for all children that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and all spectators will refrain from their use at all sports events. Violation of this rule is grounds for immediate removal from the facility. Additionally, all spectators must be responsible to clean up after themselves before leaving the facility.
9. Parents (or the adult designated as taking care of any child at the facility) are responsible for watching any of their children that are in attendance at games to ensure that they are behaving in a safe and responsible matter.  Adults will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes or other children at the facility
10. Refusal to moderate behavior and immediately comply with the code of conduct is grounds for immediate removal from any facility.

II.A             FAILURE TO OBEY ANY OF THE REQUIRED BEHAVIORABLE GUIDELINES (SECTION II ABOVE) WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY NVCLL THAT MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
 

• Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or representative of league organization
• Written warning
• Single or multiple game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved
• Game forfeit
• Parental season suspension or permanent ban
• Contacting local police authority

Violations of the “Code of Conduct” as determined by a Board member present at the time of the violation may result in immediate action, if deemed necessary.  Any spectator that wishes to file an official complaint about a code of conduct violation that did not require immediate action must do so in writing to the division director and the Executive Board of the Nyack Valley Cottage Congers Little League (you can send an email to: [email protected]). All complaints must include specific names, dates, and perceived violations in order to be reviewed by the board. The Executive Board will respond quickly to acknowledge receipt of the complaint. Once the matter has been reviewed and an appropriate action determined, the Board will contact the Complainant to inform them that the matter has been addressed.  All decisions will represent what the executive board feels is a fair and balanced reaction given the specific conditions that apply to each individual complaint. The Board cannot and will not disseminate the details of any action taken to the public.
By signing below I certify that I am signing for my entire family and I understand that the above disciplinary actions may be applied to any family member or guest in the event that they fail to abide by this Code.
 
Player Name:  __________________________________________________________
 
Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________________________________________
 
Name (Please print):________________________________________________Date:________
 

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