NIPL Softball Coaches Code of Conduct

NIPL is concerned about the conduct of all coaches during the games at all levels, from 8U through 17U. We want to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all the children and adults involved. A softball game should be friendly and unifying – a spirited

social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, umpires and spectators. To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we expect all coaches to conform to this code of conduct.

•      Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.

•      Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the umpire.

•      During the game, you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your assistant coaches and your players. If one of your assistant coaches or your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the assistant coach or the player out of the game at least long enough for him/her to calm down.

•      During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of the parents and spectators of your players.

•      Encourage your assistant coaches, players, parents and spectators to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team. Discourage them from yelling at the other team’s coaches or players and the umpire.

•      During the game, if you have a small issue, discuss it with the umpire calmly and patiently. Remember no matter how inexperienced or experienced an umpire is, mistakes can and will happen.

•      If you have a major complaint or protest (please refer to the NIPL bylaws for how to handle a protest), make your objection known at the game before the game continues. Then report your complaint or protest (follow the NIPL bylaws for the protest rules) to your town rep who will contact the NIPL board.

•      After the game, thank the umpire and ask your players to do the same.

 

Please note:

1.      Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the other team’s coaches and players and the umpire, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you’re overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the other coaches or players and the umpire harshly then your players and their parents will also notice and may follow your behavior.

2.      Think about what you’re doing during a game! Uphold the Spirit of the Game! If you follow the expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and well and will grow along with the enjoyment of all.

3.      Umpires – especially young and inexperienced ones are like your players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive postgame comments.

4.      Coaches who do not follow the expectations described above will first be contacted by their town rep about their behavior. If there is an additional complaint after the first contact then the following steps will be taken:

1.      NIPL board president will contact the town rep and request a formal meeting between the town rep and the coach.

2.      At that meeting, the NIPL board president will review the code of conduct and the NIPL bylaws and rules for the coach’s age group.

3.      If an additional complaint is made, the NIPL will contact the town rep and suggest further action. Including but not limited to suspension from a game or removal as coach.

Please note: the NIPL reserves the right to expedite this process in cases of gross unsportsmanlike behavior such as: foul language, aggressive behavior and personal threats.

.

I have read the Coaches Code of Conduct and agree to abide by the code of conduct at

all NIPL sanctioned events.

Coach’s Signature: _____________________________________________________

Town:___________________________________

Date: _________________

All copies of the NIPL coaches code of conduct are due to the NIPL by April 5th