Arlington Softball Baseball League is a community youth softball/baseball activity with the goal of providing our children an opportunity to develop life skills through team play, sportsmanship, competition, and hard work. Our mission is to provide Arlington youth the opportunity to play baseball & softball in a recreation league commensurate with their individual ability, potential, and interest. An emphasis on fair play and respect for all participants is a primary element of our league’s mission. To better achieve that mission, we provide the following Codes of Conduct for all Arlington Softball Baseball League players, parents, and coaches.

 

These Codes of Conduct are an understanding between Arlington Softball Baseball League players, parents, and coaches to abide by the rules and regulations of the game, as well as to maintain a cooperative attitude and uphold the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship. These Codes express our values and goals. It is essential they be honored and followed.

 

The Codes of Conduct can be summarized in the following three principles: (1) Demonstrating a positive attitude; (2) Setting a good example; and (3) Maintaining good relationships with all Little League participants - including officials, opponents, and our own teams’ players, parents, and coaches.

 

1. Demonstrating a positive attitude

 

Players, parents, and coaches are expected to show a positive, respectful attitude for everyone involved in the sport. Criticism and disrespect for umpires, opponents, coaches or fans undermine the purpose of sport and encourage behavior contrary to the spirit of the game and the mission of Arlington Softball Baseball League.

 

2. Setting a good example

 

Each person associated with Arlington Baseball Softball League is accountable for his/her own behavior at all times on or off the field of play. Parents, coaches and other adults should remember that children learn by example - it is up to the adults to set good examples.

 

Arlington Softball Baseball League will not tolerate conduct that is detrimental to the sport, the participants, or the community. Such conduct includes: Vulgarity by coaches, players or parents; harassment or belittling of umpires, coaches or players; verbal abuse, threats or physical violence toward anyone before, during or after a match; and the taunting of opposing players, coaches and parents. We require thorough self-restraint by all participants - both players and adults. Teams must exercise appropriate control over those who fail to control themselves.

 

3. Maintaining good relationships 

Officials - The umpire’s job is a difficult one. All umpires are human and they do make mistakes. Parents or players who believe their team has been treated unfairly or has been assigned an unqualified umpire should speak to their coach after the game. Coaches should inform the appropriate league officials about blatant umpiring problems. Managers should make reports through appropriate channels, including mail evaluations where available. Verbal abuse toward an umpire can result in an ejection for the player, coach or parent pursuant to League rules.

 

Opponents - Players and coaches are required to maintain a sense of fair play and be respectful of opposing players, coaches and fans at all times. Sportsmanship begins with respect. Without it, the positive competitive environment, which should be a perfect classroom for learning the values of baseball, is completely undermined. Occasionally we will encounter opponents who do not share our values and high standards. If we allow ourselves to be drawn down to their level, we will have lost regardless of the final score.

 

Our Team - In an environment where our children are competing not only against other teams but also frequently against each other, it can be difficult to control jealousies and rivalries. A successful team resembles a family in that members put their own needs second, behind the greater good of the team. Great care must be taken not to undermine the coaches’ authority. As in most cases, parental example is all-important.