9. CODE OF CONDUCT - COACHES, UMPIRES, PARENTS, & PLAYERS

9.1. WMBA COACHES - CODE OF CONDUCT

Good coaching:

Patience, respect for other coaches and officials, fairness and encouragement offered to all players, sportsmanlike conduct in victory or defeat, willingness to do fair share of the work on the team, a positive attitude

Results of good coaching:

Positive role model for the team, respect from individuals and the organization, more credibility with other teams and ball clubs, a smoothly running team and organization, less strife, more fun, continued development of self and players

The following actions are unacceptable for a coach:

Foul language, disrespect for an individual or a team, petty or unsportsmanlike conduct, physical or verbal abuse of any kind, to an individual or a group, derogatory comments regarding an individual or a group, bad temper, rudeness or lack of patience with players, infractions which result in expulsion from a game, negative attitude with any of the players.

What are the consequences of unacceptable behavior?

Investigation by non-partisan committee, followed where inappropriate behavior or action is validated, by discipline - verbal warning, written warning, game suspension, multi-game suspension, season suspension, loss of position, refusal of position in following year(s), as well as, on a personal basis, loss of respect and creditability as an individual, contributing to degradation of the image and reputation of The WMBA.

ALL FORMAL ALLEGATIONS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS WILL BE INVESTIGATED FULLY AND WILL BE DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY AND CONSISTENT MANNER.

9.2. WMBA UMPIRES - CODE OF CONDUCT

Good umpiring:

Respect for players and coaches, patience, firm clear management of the game, fair and unbiased treatment of teams and individuals, adherence to official dress codes, willingness to adhere to umpiring guidelines as set forth by the Umpire In Chief.

In an umpire, these attributes will result in: Respect, advancement in umpiring career, greater knowledge and understanding of the complexities of umpiring, positive role model for on-field behavior, smoothly running baseball season, positive impact on the image of The WMBA outside the association.

As an umpire for The WMBA, you should not exhibit:

Clear bias, argumentative attitude, physical or verbal abuse, conscious disregard of rules and guidelines, obvious lack of interest in the game. As well you have a responsibility to be on time for scheduled games.

What are the consequences of unacceptable behavior?

Investigation by non-partisan committee, followed where inappropriate behavior or action is validated, by discipline - verbal warning, written warning, game suspension, multi-game suspension, season suspension, loss of position, refusal of position in following year(s), as well as, on a personal basis, loss of respect and creditability as an individual, contributing to degradation of the image and reputation of The WMBA.

ALL FORMAL ALLEGATIONS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS WILL BE INVESTIGATED FULLY AND WILL BE DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY AND CONSISTENT MANNER

THE UMPIRE IS THE RULING OFFICIAL ON FIELD AND SETS THE TONE OF THE GAME. AS SUCH, HIS OR HER BEHAVIOR AND MANAGEMENT OF THE GAME MUST BE ABOVE REPROACH.

9.3. WMBA PARENTS - CODE OF CONDUCT

How can parents of WMBA players help to create a great baseball season?

Encourage the team as well as the individual, exhibit a positive and pleasant deportment at games and practices, offer assistance to the team where appropriate, and demonstrate respect for the abilities and the authority of coaching staff and umpires.

As a result of this:

You become part of the team, by extension, you have the respect of your child and his/her team. You can consider yourself part of their achievements.

As a parent, you should never do the following:

Use foul language, interrupt games or practices with personal comments, opinions or calls, make derogatory comments of any kind, use physical or verbal abuse of any kind, show disrespect by word or deed, for the authority of the coaching staff or umpires, encroach or interfere for the purpose of distracting or otherwise affecting players, harass players, coaches or other officials.

What would be the consequences of inappropriate behavior by a WMBA parent?

The players are the ones who will ultimately suffer in many ways for parents' bad behavior.

Investigation by non-partisan committee, followed where inappropriate behavior or action is validated, by discipline - verbal warning, written warning, game suspension, multi-game suspension, season suspension, loss of position, refusal of position in following year(s), as well as, on a personal basis, loss of respect and creditability as an individual, contributing to degradation of the image and reputation of The WMBA.

ALL FORMAL ALLEGATIONS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS WILL BE INVESTIGATED FULLY AND WILL BE DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY AND CONSISTENT MANNER

PARENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT GAMES AND PRACTICES REPRESENT STRONG ROLE MODELS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. FOR THE SAKE OF PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS, THE HIGHEST STANDARS OF AUDIENCE BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE EXERCISED AT ALL TIMES.

9.4. WMBA PLAYERS - CODE OF CONDUCT

Good play:

Support of teammates, respect for the authority of the coaching and umpiring staff, willingness to work hard and try your best, pleasant, friendly and co-operative manner, respect for opposing teams, adherence to the rules of the game, sportsmanlike conduct in victory or defeat, good attendance and attention at games and practices.

What is the result that you can expect from exhibiting these attributes?

The respect of your teammates, coaches and opponents, the opportunity to improve your baseball and life skills, being part of the achievements of the team, making friends, having fun, learning to work together and develop personal responsibility and accountability.

As a player, you should not:

Use foul language, rude actions or gestures, exhibit a lack of respect for teammates, coaches, officials, opposing teams, bad temper, physical or verbal abuse to others, ignorant or "trashy" talking.

What are the consequences of unacceptable behavior by a player?

Investigation by non-partisan committee, followed where inappropriate behavior or action is validated, by discipline - verbal warning, written warning, game suspension, multi-game suspension, season suspension, loss of position, refusal of position in following year(s), as well as, on a personal basis, loss of respect and creditability as an individual, contributing to degradation of the image and reputation of The WMBA.

ALL FORMAL ALLEGATIONS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS WILL BE INVESTIGATED FULLY AND WILL BE DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY AND CONSISTENT MANNER

ALL PLAYERS ARE EXPECTED, AT ALL TIMES ON FIELD AND AT PRACTICES, TO REFLECT A SPORTSMANLIKE ATTITUDE AND RESPECT FOR THE GAME, THE COACHES, TEAM MEMBERS, OPPONENTS AND OFFICIALS. PLAYERS MUST BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.