Downers Grove Youth Baseball has established the following Code of Conduct to offer all participants, volunteers and parents the most enjoyable experience that our program has to offer. Please take some time to read and familiarize yourself with this document. Its terms and conditions are effective January 1, 2014. If you have any questions, concerns or reports of violation, please report to board@dgyb.org Thank you for your assistance in making DGYB a program that everyone can enjoy.
DGYB Code Of Conduct
Effective January 1, 2019.
Managers and coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, as well as the parents and other spectators who attend the game. A manager, coach, player, or spectator can be removed from the playing field or spectator area by order of an umpire, division director or any other board member for violating any of the rules of conduct listed below.
Downers Grove Youth Baseball (DGYB) will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike conduct within any of our divisions. Board members, managers, coaches, players and parents are expected to conduct themselves as positive role models within the community.
Expectations of Managers, Coaches, Players and Spectators
Mangers and Coaches are expected to:
• be open and understanding,
• show patience,
• have the capacity and willingness to work with young players,
• be reasonable in their demands on the players and remember that the game is for them, and
• emphasize good sportsmanship at all times.
The Manager and Coaches must help their players understand that winning is secondary and giving their best effort is primary. When a Manager / Coach is focusing on the effort a player puts forth, it will make the player more confident with their abilities. Any criticism of a player is to be “teaching orientated” and is to be directed towards the improvement of the player.
Each Manager and Coach is expected to know the rules for his / her Age Group, including but not limited to pitching limitations, playing time, batting order, safety and position play. Downers Grove Youth Baseball (DGYB) will not tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct within any of our divisions. Board members, coaches, players and parents are expected to conduct themselves as positive role models within the community. Managers and coaches are to recognize that they hold positions of trust and responsibility; they are role models, set examples for the players and need to conduct themselves accordingly.
Managers and Coaches and players will:
If a Manager wishes to discuss the interpretation of a rule (not balls and strikes, safe or out) or needs to discuss a situation with the umpire, they shall ask for time out and, if granted, then shall discuss the call / situation in a courteous and calm manner. Only the Manager is allowed to discuss these issues with the Umpire. The Umpire will ask for the participation of the opposite team Manager in these discussions. Umpire decisions are final. In the event the Coach feels the rule was improperly interpreted they may request a conference with the League Director, League President, and Chief Umpire after the game. The umpire making the call will also be a party to the discussion. The League President will be the ultimate arbitrator of the dispute.
Once the game begins, the Managers and Coaches shall remain in the dugout at all times except when coaching a base, warming up a pitcher, batter or catcher or when time out is requested and granted for a conference with a pitcher, umpire or for an injury.
While baseball “chatter” is sometimes used during a game, loud obnoxious noises or screaming with the intent to rattle the opposing pitcher is prohibited. Intentional distractions, such as banging or rattling dugout fences will not be tolerated. After each game, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, all coaches, assistant coaches and players shall form two opposing lines and proceed through a traditional, orderly “handshake line”. No coach or player shall avoid participation in this line or exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct in the line.
Non-adherence to this code will result in disciplinary action.
Disciplinary Committee
The DGYB Chairman has established a Disciplinary Committee (Committee) made up of the Executive Committee of the DGYB Board of Directors and any capable person(s) the Chairman may appoint from time to time.
It is the mission of DGYB to maximize the growth and development of players, managers, coaches, and spectators in a positive, non-threatening environment. It is with this in mind that we encourage an attitude of good sportsmanship and mutual respect that will serve everyone well in this area and other areas of their lives. With all for your help these actions will never need to be imposed.
Violations Requiring Disciplinary Action
Section I
Violation:
Any directing of remarks (particularly profanity) or actions to a coach, assistant coach, player, spectator or umpire that are of a distracting nature.
Arguing with an umpire or league official over a call on the playing field.
Penalty:
First violation: Written warning
Second violation: One week suspension from coaching (practices and games) or attending as a spectator.
Third violation: Indefinite suspension from coaching (pending Committee review) or attending as a spectator.
Section II
Violation:
Throwing equipment or damaging the property of DGYB in any way.
Refusal to follow any league or game rules or removal of a team from the field of play before regulation play is done, unless it is done so for player safety.
Use of tobacco products at any time during games or practices
After each game, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, all coaches, assistant coaches and players shall form two opposing lines and proceed through a traditional, orderly “handshake line”. No coach or player shall avoid participation in this line or exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct in the line.
Penalty:
First violation: One week suspension from coaching (practices and games).
Second violation: Indefinite suspension from coaching (pending Committee review).
Section III
Violation:
Verbal threats or actual physical harm towards players, umpires, league officials, coaches or spectators.
Use of or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at any time during games or practices.
Penalty:
First violation: Indefinite suspension from coaching (pending Committee review) or attending as a spectator.
Disciplinary Process
If a manager, coach, player or spectator is removed from a game or otherwise notified by a Board member that they have violated the Code of Conduct, that person shall provide a written statement describing his/her version of the events and/or other explanation to the division director within twenty four hours of the incident or notification. He/she may not participate in any game or practice until doing so.
It is the responsibility of everyone involved in DGYB to report violations to this code of conduct to their League Director or another Board member. In the event that that League is notified of a violation of the above guidelines, the Disciplinary Committee will conduct an investigation of the facts consisting of interviews with those involved. The Committee shall review the statements and gather any other information from other parties that they deem necessary to determine if a further penalty should be assessed.
Following an investigation of the facts, a determination will be made by the Committee and a notification of action will be submitted. The person accused of the violation will be notified of the decision by the Committee in writing within one week of the final hearing.
The Committee, at its sole discretion, may take disciplinary action to any incident, reported or otherwise, if it feels it is warranted to continue to provide a safe and positive environment for the entire organization and its participants.