SPYBA Code of Conduct
The Stansbury Park Youth Baseball Association (SPYBA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all participants. This includes players, coaches, parents, spectators, officials, and volunteers. The following Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for behavior and consequences for misconduct.
General Expectations
All participants will demonstrate good sportsmanship, respect, and integrity at all times — on and off the field.
Coaches and volunteers will serve as role models, teaching players to win with humility, lose with grace, and treat everyone with dignity.
Players will respect coaches, umpires, opponents, teammates, and the game itself by giving their best effort and acting responsibly.
Parents and spectators will encourage and support all players, refrain from negative comments, and allow coaches and officials to perform their roles without interference.
Bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviors are strictly prohibited:
- Verbal or physical abuse toward any participant, coach, umpire, or spectator.
- Use of profanity or inappropriate language.
- Arguing with umpires or attempting to influence calls.
- Alcohol, tobacco, or drug use at any SPYBA event or facility.
- Any action that discredits the league, team, or community.
Enforcement and Consequences
SPYBA reserves the right to take disciplinary action for any behavior deemed inappropriate or detrimental to the league. Consequences may include verbal or written warnings, removal or ejection from an event, suspension, or permanent removal from the league — depending on severity and frequency of the violation.
Umpires and league board members (not acting in a coaching capacity, related to the situation, at the time) have the authority to eject an individual (including players, coaches, parents, or spectators) from a game or event for inappropriate behavior or violations of the league conduct guidelines.
Any individual who is ejected must leave the facilities immediately. “Facilities” include the field of play, dugouts, bleachers, surrounding grounds, parking areas, and any area readily accessible to the event.
Failure to comply with an ejection or refusal to leave the facilities could result in forfeiture of the game and suspension or removal from the league.
If necessary, SPYBA may report incidents to local law enforcement or child protective services as appropriate.
All concerns regarding behavior should be reported to a league board member.
Disciplinary Process
Disciplinary actions, including suspensions or removal from the league, will be determined by the SPYBA Board after reviewing the facts of the incident. Individuals subject to discipline may be given an opportunity to provide their account before a final decision is made.
The Board’s decision is final and will be communicated in writing.
⚾ Everyone has a role in keeping SPYBA a safe and positive league. Support your team, respect others, and play with integrity!
Parent Code of Conduct
The Stansbury Park Youth Baseball Association (SPYBA) strives to provide positive experiences for all players within our organization and the greater youth baseball community. Creating a constructive and supportive learning environment for players is essential to this process.
Parents play a key role in creating this environment. SPYBA has set certain expectations in order to ensure positive learning experiences for players. It is our expectation that parents adhere to these guidelines regardless of the player's age, level of play, or setting. Whether your player is at practice or playing in a state tournament game, your behavior plays a critical role in the experience for everyone involved. Please keep in mind that parents are representatives of our organization both on and off the field.
As a parent within our organization, you will be held to the standards outlined below. Please read these expectations carefully. If you have any questions regarding these rules, please contact any member of the SPYBA Board of Directors as listed on our website. Being a member of SPYBA means you will be held to these standards.
General Guidelines
- I will support my child’s commitment to their team by getting them to games and practices on time as best I can. If schedule conflicts arise I will notify my child’s coach in a timely manner but I understand that baseball should have equal priority to any other activity my child participates in.
- I will be positive and supportive of each child’s efforts, recognizing that each is an individual and each possesses different skills and abilities.
- I will place the realistic skill development of my child above my own personal expectations.
- Respectful and appropriate language is expected during any SPYBA event, game, tournament, or practice.
- If I have concerns about my player’s experiences, I will address the issues directly with the coaching staff in a constructive manner and not during or immediately following a game. Examples include but are not limited to playing time, position play, or general treatment of my player.
- If I am not comfortable addressing the issues referenced above with coaches, I will notify one or more SPYBA Board Directors members of my concerns. I will do so promptly recognizing that delays in sharing concerns prevents the organization from responding meaningfully to the issues I identify.
- As a parent responsible for the welfare of all players within SPYBA, I recognize that concerns of child welfare should be taken to the SPYBA Board of Directors immediately.
- It is my responsibility to help my player behave with respect and sportsmanship. In addition, if coaches inform me that my player is exhibiting inappropriate behavior, I will work with them to correct the behaviors. I understand that inappropriate behavior or continued misbehavior can have an impact on my child’s participation.
- I will adhere to any rules set in place by the park, establishment or municipality where SPYBA events occur.
Games and Tournaments
- I will treat coaches, umpires, and league officials with courtesy and respect before, during, and after games.
- I understand the importance of being respectful of the umpires and the calls they make regardless of their effect on my child’s team. I will not engage with an umpire if I disagree with their decision.
- I will be respectful of all players from other teams and will not engage with them in negative ways.
- I will be respectful of my child’s teammates. I understand that young players will make mistakes as they learn the game. I will not be critical of their actions but instead will work to create a supportive environment for all. This includes committing to using only positive language when talking about players, even off the field.
- As a parent, I understand that when I am in the stands, I am not a coach. During games, I will refrain from coaching my child or any other player. I will not approach or enter the dugout to engage my player or their teammates in conversations related to game play.
- I will be respectful of the coaches during games. I will let the coaches coach. I will not approach the dugout to advocate for my child’s playing time or criticize the way the coaches approach the game. I understand the coaches are volunteers who are donating their time to help my player learn the game of baseball.
- I understand that I am a SPYBA representative and my actions can have either positive or negative impacts on our organization. I will be respectful of the fans from our team and our opponents. I will refrain from engaging in conversations and activities that will create a negative environment and have a negative impact on SPYBA.
Enforcement and Consequences
I recognize that, as a parent, I may be suspended or permanently dismissed from SPYBA events if I do not adhere to the Parent Code of Conduct outlined above. In addition, I understand that failure to adhere to the Parent Code of Conduct may jeopardize my child’s continued participation within SPYBA.
Decisions to suspend or remove a parent or player from a team because of parent conduct must be approved by the SPYBA Board of Directors before the decision is finalized.
The Board of Directors may elect to take all, some, or none of the following actions regarding a parent under review for improper behavior:
- Verbal Warning
- Written Warning
- Practice(s) and / or Game(s) Suspension
- Season Suspension
- Permanent Dismissal from SPYBA
I understand that these actions may or may not be taken in a progressive manner. The SPYBA Board of Directors reserves the right to select and apply any consequence depending upon the situation.
I recognize that my failure to comply with these rules may adversely affect my child’s ability to participate in SPYBA.