Dana Point Youth Baseball
Manager’s Code of Conduct
All Managers and Coaches, as a condition to their
selection and continued service as Managers and Coaches, are expected to adhere
to the following Code of Conduct:
- Managers are to recognize that they are
role models and examples for the players and conduct themselves
accordingly:
- Show good sportsmanship at all
times;
- No swearing or abusive language;
- No ridicule or harassment of umpires
– if a manager wishes to question the interpretation of a rule (not balls
or strikes, safe or out) or needs to discuss a situation with the umpire,
he must first ask for time out and, if granted, then discuss or question
in a courteous manner;
- No throwing or kicking bats, gloves,
helmets or any other items in anger;
- No verbal abuse or ridicule of any
player on his or her team or on the opposing team;
- No threats of physical abuse or
pushing, shoving or grabbing of shoulders or similar acts of
“discipline”;
- No use of alcohol or tobacco at any
games, practices, or trips to the batting cages.
- The manager is responsible for any
and all prohibited activity, such as described above, on the part of his
or her coaches, players and parents of players. All players, coaches and
parents of players are to be advised that the Manager can be ejected or
suspended for their conduct.
- The Manager must recognize that he is
representing the DPYB at all times. The statements and conduct of our
Managers significantly determine the reputation of our baseball program in
the eyes of parents, players, spectators and visitors. Therefore, it is
the responsibility of each Manager to maintain the best interests of the
DPYB at all times. Complaints and concerns about the management of the
program and the DPYB should be addressed in private with the Division Commissioner
only! Failure to abide by this rule can be cause for immediate removal of
a Manager or Coach.
- Once the game begins the Manager or a
Coach is to remain in, or in front of the dugout at all times, except when
coaching a base or when time out is requested and granted for a conference
with a pitcher or umpire, or for an injury. Conferences with batters
should be limited, discussions with batters should occur in the on-deck
circle or in the dugout. No more than two assistant coaches on the field
for Mustang, Bronco, and Pony.
- Each Manager should be familiar with
all of the rules for his or her division, including the baseball rules,
the PONY league rules and our own house rule adjustments. Protests are not
allowed at lower age levels and Managers at the upper age levels should
work to avoid any protests. Each Manager is responsible to know his or her
division rules regarding pitching limitation, mandatory playing time and
batting order rules. Violation of these rules can result in warnings,
suspensions or expulsions from the manager position.
- The Manager is responsible for his/her
player’s parents and supporters. The Manager should make all reasonable
efforts to keep the crowd under control; verbal comments behind the
backstop to batters, the umpire or the catcher are not to be tolerated.
- The Manager is responsible for the
players on his or her team. No ridicule of each other or the other team’s
players is tolerated. Constructive criticism is the responsibility of the
Manager, not the players. Conduct in the dugout during the game is the
responsibility of the Manager. While baseball “chatter” is encouraged,
loud and obnoxious noises or screaming, the intent of which is to “rattle”
the opposing pitcher, is prohibited. Intentional distractions, such as banging
or rattling the dugout fence, shall not be tolerated.
- In the event a player should require
more than minor disciplinary action (calisthenics, etc.) such action
should be taken in private with the player. Players should not be
disciplined in front of their teammates. Should the Manager “bench” a
player during a game as a disciplinary measure, the Division Commissioner
must be notified of the disciplinary action taken.
- DPYB’s objective is to have all games
be competitively played, without losing sight of the primary goal of the
program, i.e. the development of our children into responsible young
adults by providing a healthy and enjoyable baseball program. In keeping
with that spirit both “blow-out” scores and non-competitive “dream” games
are to be avoided (see #17).
- Cooperation is necessary between both
teams for a) field maintenance, b) filling in umpiring responsibilities if
the umpire is not present, c) scorekeeping and d)
field clean up. All of our Managers will be held responsible to assist in
maintaining the fields. This includes the chalking of the baselines if
needed before each game as well as the clean up of the field after the
game is over.
- Be on time for games and practices. Do
not leave players unattended after practices or games.
- Be sure players adequately stretch and
warm-up before practices and games, especially on cooler days. Recommend
each player to keep a jacket in the dugout on cool days.
- Have line-up cards prepared before the
game to assure timely start and proper attention to warm-ups.
- Manager is responsible for all
equipment. Do not allow players to throw or otherwise abuse equipment.
Turn in equipment promptly at the end of the season.
- Be certain a responsible coach is
available at any and all times if you the Manager cannot be present for
any reason.
- The Manager should create a positive
team attitude toward field maintenance, preservation of equipment, league
events, and fundraising events.
- The Manager should schedule a
reasonable number of practices to assure the proper education of your
players, but do not work them excessively to the point of frustration or
burn-out. No more than 4 “events” (practices, games, organized trips to
batting cages) is recommended per week (Sunday through Saturday).
- The Manager should encourage
participation by all the players, especially the weaker players. Never
ridicule players or discourage their involvement. It is important that
each player feel that they are an important part of the team and it is the
Manager’s responsibility to create that feeling. DPYB encourages each
Manager to try to play his or her players in positions that they would
like to try. However, these efforts should be mitigated by the overall
desire to maintain a balanced game environment. While each player can be
allowed their “dream” game or inning, “dream” games in which all players
play positions to which they are inexperienced or unaccustomed at the same
time which results in lopsided scores are prohibited. It is important to
remember that in Shetland and Pinto Divisions, no score is kept and no
standings are maintained. The goal of these Divisions is to train the
players in the fundamental baseball skills and the principles of team
play. The Manager, at these levels, must emphasize the goals of the
Division in his or her own conduct toward the players, both individually
and in the aggregate. For the Mustang, Bronco and Pony Divisions, while
statistics can be maintained and standing are
kept, it is important that the display of such statistics be limited to a
manner that is not critical toward the weaker players. If there are
questions about the display of such statistics, please discuss your
presentation with your Division Commissioner.
- Please direct all items of conflict or
concern to your Division Commissioner, who will be responsible for the
resolution of all Division issues.
Dana Point Youth Baseball
Manager and Coach Contract
Team Name: ____________________________________
Division: ____________________________________
Position:
__________________________________
I have fully read the Dana
Point Youth Baseball Manager’s Code
of Conduct and agree with each of the Rules and Regulations set forth. I
understand that managers and coaches can and will be relieved from
participation in the Dana Point Youth Baseball program if it is determined that
their conduct violated either the letter or the spirit of the Code of Conduct
or the Rules and Regulations.
Signature: ______________________________
Print Name: _____________________________
Date:
__________________________________
Signature: ______________________________
Print Name:
_____________________________
Date:
__________________________________
Signature: ______________________________
Print Name: _____________________________
Date:
__________________________________