Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social, and emotional development of children. The way parents and family members behave at youth sports games and practices has a significant impact on the player experience. Parents can set an example for Little Leaguers by displaying the high-level of sportsmanship that Little League expects of all its participants and respecting all players, coaches, umpires, and volunteers.
Below are the Cherry Hill American Little League Codes of Conduct for Parents, Players, and Volunteers. The Cherry Hill American Board of Directors retains the sole authority to determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate for any conduct infraction. Parents, Players, and Volunteers who fail to abide by the following Codes of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action levied by the Cherry Hill American Little League Board of Directors, up to and including:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Written Warning
3. Suspension for game(s)
4. Suspension for season(s)
5. Expelled from all League activities
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
We, the Cherry Hill American Little League Board of Directors, have implemented the following Parent Code of Conduct for the important message that it holds about the proper role of parents in supporting the youth of our community and their child in sports.
Any parent guilty of improper conduct at any game or practice will be asked to leave the sports facility and be suspended from the following game. Repeat violations may cause a multiple game suspension, or the season forfeiture of the privilege of attending all games.
The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship
and six core principles:
1. Trustworthiness
2. Respect
3. Responsibility
4. Fairness
5. Caring
6. Good Citizenship.
The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”
As a Cherry Hill American Little League Parent, I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for each player participating in Little League and agree:
1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.
2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
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.
4. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my 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.
6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would 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.
9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
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.
11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.
13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
14. I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
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.
16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all Cherry Hill American Little League events.
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.
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT
Players are expected to be respectful of others, responsible, play fair, always do your best, and always exhibit good sportsmanship.
As a Cherry Hill American Little League player, I hereby pledge that I will:
1. Encourage good sportsmanship from fellow players, coaches, officials, and parents.
2. Be a team player and support my teammates.
3. Be on time and attend every practice and game that I can, and will notify my coaches if I cannot.
4. Work hard to improve my skills.
5. Do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
6. Encourage my parents to be involved with my team in some capacity.
7. Congratulate the other team after each game as a demonstration of sportsmanship.
8. Refrain from using violence, unfriendly language, or insults to others.
9. Be generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
10. Obey the rules of the game and always work for the good of the team.
11. Accept the decisions of the officials with grace and never challenge or question calls. Refrain from challenging or questioning on-field calls by officials and/or managers and coaches.
12. Conduct myself with honor and dignity.
13. Applaud the efforts of my teammates and opponents.
COACH / VOLUNTEERCODE OF CONDUCT
Volunteers, managers and coaches in the Cherry Hill American Little League are expected to be a model of good sportsmanship and behavior for all players, parents, umpires, and visiting teams, and hereby pledge to:
1. Remember that I am a youth sports coach/volunteer and that the game is for children, not adults.
2. Place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of my own desire to win.
3. Understand that the objective of the Cherry Hill American Little League is to promote the ideals of good sportsmanship, respect for authority and team building.
4. Strive to help my players become happy, well-adjusted children who will evolve into good citizens.
5. Treat each player as an individual, realizing the large range of development for the same age group.
6. Realize that statistics and win/loss percentages are minor in comparison to whether a player has a positive, enriching experience.
7. Lead by example in demonstrating fair play and good sportsmanship.
8. Enforce with parents/spectators that they are responsible for abiding by the Cherry Hill American Little League Code of Conduct as a condition of their child's registration.
9. With the assistance of a team parent, handle all administrative requirements of the team.
10. Spend the time necessary with my team at practices and games, and do my best to organize play that is fun and challenging for all players.
11. Provide a safe playing environment, free of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
12. Review and practice the basic first aid principles needed to treat injured players.
13. Learn the official Little League rules and regulations and to teach and enforce them with the players and parents.
14. Be responsible for the proper use of all assigned equipment, facilities and uniforms. Return all equipment on the date specified by the Equipment Coordinator at the end of the season.
15. Understand that the Board of Directors is committed to assisting coaches/volunteers while running a program based on what is best for all participants.
16. Understand that any of the following actions, while in the presence of players, will result in disciplinary action by the Board of Directors, up to and including removal as volunteer, manager or coach:
1) Display of poor sportsmanship or disrespectful behavior, including arguing, baiting or berating the umpire
2) Loss of temper and/or self-control
3) Demonstrating an obvious lack of integrity by intentional manipulation of the rules
4) Playing players less than the minimum play requirements
5) Use of bad language, including derogatory remarks made toward players, umpires, or other adults
6) Allowing players to trash talk opponents, umpires, or spectators
7) Use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco while on Little League property and/or around the team