CYBSA Code of Conduct

Participation in Cohasset Youth Baseball & Softball Association is a privilege. Whether you are a coach, player, parent, fan, volunteer, or umpire, you play an important role in creating a positive experience for the children in our community. We strive to teach each child the values of good sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, respect, and responsibility.

To help ensure a safe, positive, and supportive environment for all participants, the CYBSA has developed the following Code of Conduct for interactions before, during, after games, practices, and other league events.

1. Players

When there are interactions with teammates, coaches, opponents, umpires, and spectators, appropriate language and behavior is expected.

• Respect – Players are expected to treat teammates, coaches, opponents, umpires, and spectators with respect at all times.
• Sportsmanship – Players should play fairly, encourage teammates, and show good sportsmanship in both winning and losing.
• Language – At no time is cursing, abusive language, taunting, ridicule, or threatening behavior acceptable.
• Conduct – Players may not throw helmets, bats, gloves, or other equipment in anger. Players may not openly argue with umpires or display disrespect toward any participant.
• Safety – Players are expected to follow team and league rules and to avoid behavior that could endanger themselves or others.

2. Coaches

Coaching a youth sport program such as Little League Baseball and Softball is a privilege that is not to be taken for granted. As a coach, you have an important role in the development of the young children in the community.

Interactions with Players

• Responsibility – Coaches are responsible for the supervision of players from the time they are dropped off until the time they are picked up.
• Language – At no time is cursing at, yelling at, or humiliating a player acceptable. As a coach, you are a mentor and should focus on the positive. A coach should always be looking for opportunities to praise, teach, and encourage players.
• Discipline – At no time is physical discipline of a player acceptable. Coaches are encouraged to establish and communicate rules of acceptable behavior to players and parents at the beginning of the season, as well as the consequences if those rules are not followed.
• Corrective Action – Coaches have a variety of discipline measures at their disposal, including restriction to the dugout or dismissal from practice or games. With approval of the CYBSA, a player may be dismissed from a team. If a coach wishes to discipline his or her own child, the player should be pulled aside for corrective action.
• Wellbeing – Coaches are expected to place the emotional and physical wellbeing of players ahead of winning.

Interactions with Parents & Fans

• Coaches are expected to interact with parents and fans in a professional manner. Appropriate language and behavior is expected at all times.
• At no time should a coach respond to comments from fans during a game.
• Concerns or disagreements should be addressed at an appropriate time and place, away from players and away from the field of play whenever possible.

Interactions with Other Coaches

• Coaches are expected to interact with opposing coaches in a professional manner.
• Coaches must show respect for opposing coaches and teams and must expect their teams to do the same.
• Coaches may not agree to change league rules outside of approved league procedures.

Interactions with Umpires

• Coaches are expected to interact with umpires in a professional manner.
• Coaches must always show respect for umpires, especially when calls are disputed, and must expect their teams to do the same.
• Coaches may ask for clarification in a respectful manner, but arguing, baiting, intimidation, or abusive language is not acceptable.

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Substances

• A coach determined to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave the field immediately.
• An infraction of this type may, with approval from the CYBSA, result in termination of coaching privileges.
• The use of tobacco or nicotine products (including vaping) while coaching or while at CYBSA events is strictly prohibited.

3. Parents, Guardians, and Fans

Parents, guardians, and fans are expected to help create a positive youth sports environment for all participants.

• Positive Support – Parents and fans should encourage all players and support good sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork.
• Respect – Parents and fans must treat coaches, players, umpires, volunteers, and other spectators with respect.
• Language and Behavior – Booing, taunting, ridicule, threatening behavior, abusive language, or profanity directed at any player, coach, umpire, or spectator is not acceptable.
• Umpire Decisions – Parents and fans may not openly dispute or argue umpire calls from the stands or sidelines.
• Sideline Conduct – Parents and fans may cheer positively, but may not coach players from the sidelines unless they are an approved coach.
• Player Development – Children participate to have fun, learn, and grow. Parents and fans are expected to support effort, learning, and improvement over winning.
• Safety – Parents should inform coaches of any physical condition, injury, or issue that may affect the safety or wellbeing of their child or others.
• Substances – The use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or nicotine products, including vaping, at CYBSA practices, games, or league events is prohibited.
• Field and Facility Conduct – Parents and fans may not enter the field, dugout, or other player areas unless invited or authorized to do so, and may not throw objects onto the field.

4. Umpires

Umpires play an important role in the development of players and in the success of the game environment.

• Professionalism – Umpires are expected to conduct themselves in an impartial, respectful, and sportsmanlike manner at all times.
• Respectful Communication – Umpires should answer reasonable questions professionally, but should not escalate confrontations or engage in unnecessary arguments.
• Conduct – Baiting, inciting, or disrespectful behavior toward players, coaches, or spectators is not acceptable.
• Preparation – Umpires are expected to make every effort to know and apply the rules of the game and any applicable local league rules.
• Support of Youth Umpires – CYBSA expects all participants to remember that some umpires may be youth umpires who deserve the same respect and treatment we would want for our own children.

5. Respect for All Participants

CYBSA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.

• Discrimination, harassment, or demeaning comments based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or background will not be tolerated.
• Bullying, intimidation, threats of violence, and physical violence are strictly prohibited.
• This expectation applies in person and in any electronic communication, including texts, emails, and social media related to CYBSA activities.

6. Scope of This Code

This Code of Conduct applies to all CYBSA games, practices, clinics, meetings, events, and league-related communications. It applies before, during, and after events.

7. Reporting and Enforcement

In the event that a complaint is received by the CYBSA regarding failure to comply with this Code of Conduct, the Board may review the matter and take action as it deems appropriate based on the severity and frequency of the conduct.

Actions may include, but are not limited to:

1. Dismissal of the complaint
2. Verbal or written warning
3. Removal from a practice, game, or event
4. Suspension from one or more games or events
5. Revocation of all or part of a participant’s privileges
6. Dismissal from a team, volunteer role, or coaching position
7. Suspension or ban from attendance at CYBSA events

Any coach, parent, fan, player, volunteer, or other participant who is asked to leave a field or facility is expected to do so immediately. Failure to comply may result in additional disciplinary action.

8. Acknowledgment

All coaches, parents/guardians, volunteers, and participants are expected to read, understand, and comply with this Code of Conduct. By participating in the CYBSA, all members agree to support the goals of the league and to help maintain a safe, respectful, and positive environment for the children in our community.