Denison Youth Sports Parent/Fan Code of Conduct

I agree that:

1. I will not force my child to participate in sports;

2. I will remember that children participate in sports to have fun and develop friendships and that the game is for youth, not adults;

3. I will inform the manager or coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others in a timely manner;

4. I will endeavor to learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league;

5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, managers, coaches, umpires, officials, parents and spectators at every game, practice, or other league sponsored and/or affiliated events;

6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any players, managers, coaches, umpires, officials, parents and spectators including, but not limited to, physically and/or verbally harassing, taunting, booing and otherwise in any way demeaning or insulting; refusing to shake hands; using profane or crude language and/or gestures; any other inappropriate behavior;

7. I (and my guests) will not exhibit and/or display any behaviors, language and/or other practices that would, or even potentially could, endanger the physical and/or emotional health, well-being and/or safety of any players, managers, coaches, umpires, officials, parents and spectators;

8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts in a safe and respectful manner without resorting to hostility or violence;

9. I will demand that my child treat other players, managers, coaches, umpires, officials, parents and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, or ability;

10. I will teach my child that trying and doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance;

11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time, just for participating;

12. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning;

13. I (and my guests) will de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups, and place them in the proper perspective in all other groups;

14. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the players ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child and/or his/her team to win;

15. I (and my guests) will respect the umpires and other officials and their authority during games and practices and will never question, discuss, and/or confront umpires, officials, managers and/or coaches at the game field, and will take the time to speak in a respectful and civil manner to officials, managers and/or coaches at an agreed upon time and place;

16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and I will refrain from their use at all games and practices;

17. I (and my guests) will refrain from coaching and/or instructing my child or any other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official managers or coaches of the team;

18. I (and my guests) will help make Waterloo Ballpark an inviting and safe facility by keeping my trash picked up and ensuring that all children accompanying me to the park are properly supervised.

19. If I (or my guests) do have any complaints I will follow the proper chain of command and file a written email complaint to the baseball commissioner, and league vice president.

I understand that being a good player or team means more than scoring more runs. It also means practicing regularly, being proud of belonging to a team, continuing to learn and improve upon new skills, not being afraid of making mistakes and always trying one’s best. Anyone who violates this Parent Code of Conduct will be subject to removal from the facility. Further Denison Youth Sports action could result in possible suspension from all future season games or a complete ban from all Denison Youth Sports activities. The manager of the team may also be held responsible for fan behavior as well and subject to the same consequences.