Mission and Purpose:
The Littleton Park and Recreation Commission is dedicated to raising the standard of service to youth in sports through the creation and enforcement of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct defines the expectations for coaches/parents/spectators/officials/players in youth sports and explains the tools to be used by the Park and Recreation Commission and its sub-committees (such as Littleton Youth Baseball, Littleton Youth Soccer, and Littleton Youth Basketball), when necessary, to check behavior and to respond with resolve to protect children from any psychological, emotional, physical, or social abuses that can be perpetrated against them during their participation in youth sports.
The Littleton Park and Recreation firmly believes that for the sports experience to be positive, safe, and an enjoyable learning experience for youth, coaches/parents/officials/players (hereafter “participants”) must be held accountable for their behavior when working with and around youth.
Any player, coach, assistant coach or parent/guardian of a player who is a discipline problem, who throws their hat, helmet, bat, ball, or glove in anger, uses foul language, or any other actions detrimental to the LYB Constitution will be removed from the game and required to leave the area. This rule may be enforced by the player’s coach (where applicable), umpire or Board of Directors member.
Any mischievous behavior or inappropriate conduct on the bench will also result in removal from the game. Examples include:
Players will direct all cheering towards their own teammates and shall refrain from taunting, criticizing or jeering at opposing players. Badgering, name-calling or use of foul language by a coach, whether directed at an umpire, coach, player or spectator will not be tolerated. Violation of this rule will result in a warning to the coach followed by ejection from the game.
Cursing or fighting is cause for immediate ejection from the game, and repeated offenses will result in player(s) or coach(es) being barred from participating in future games or practices.
Coaches shall have the authority to temporarily suspend a player on his/her team from activity for a period not to exceed beyond the next game, when in the coach's view a player's conduct during a team activity warrants such action. The coach will immediately report such action in writing to a Board of Directors member.
The game umpire shall report to a Board of Directors member within twenty-four hours after the game the reason(s) for the removal of a player from the game.
Board of Directors
When a board member has been informed that an individual was removed from a game, he/she may require said individual to appear before the Board of Directors for an explanation. The player's coach shall appear to supply additional information. The Board of Directors shall impose such penalty as they feel is warranted.
Control of Team
Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents, and assistant coaches. If, at the request of the umpire, a coach refuses to exercise control of players, parents, and assistant coaches, the coach may be removed from the playing field along with any and all offending spectators and/or players.
Player Signature: Parent Signature:
Littleton Park and Recreation
Coaches’ Code of Conduct:
I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
I will treat each player as an individual, and expect age appropriate skills from all my players.
I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players on and off the field.
I will respect the decisions of referees and coaches.
I will remember that I am a youth sports coach and that the game is for children and not adults.
I will adhere to the Coaches Code of Conduct while participating in any youth sports activity, regardless of the sponsoring municipality or organization.
Inappropriate Behavior by Participants:
Taunting, criticizing or jeering of opposing players and officials.
Cursing or fighting.
Critical, insulting, foul, or discriminating actions before, during or following games or practices.
Inappropriate behavior is cause for immediate ejection from the game. Repeat offenses will result in participant being barred from participating in future games and practices.
Any conduct incident with a coach or volunteer involving youth sports will be subject to review by the sub-committee and the Park and Recreation Commission.
Procedures for Implementation of Code of Conduct:
The right to discipline a participant remains with the sub-committees.
Procedures for discipline will involve first trying to resolve the issue via discussion between the appropriate sub-committee and involved parties within 21 days of the sub-committee receiving notification. If the sub-committee cannot come to a decision within 21 days, they will appoint a five-member impartial review board to hear the matter. The Park and Recreation Commission will appoint one attendee from the Park and Recreation Commission. If the violator does not agree with the review boards’ decision, he/she can grieve it to the majority of the Park and Recreation Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Park and Recreation Commission has the final word. The Park and Recreation Commission reserves the right to overrule any sub-committee decision.