MISSION STATEMENT

St. Charles County Softball (STCCSOFTBALL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to firmly implanting in the girls of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, team play, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority. The STCCSOFTBALL attempts to provide an environment that will also remain sensitive to the physical and emotional well being of the girls in the program.

SCCSA is an independent league located in St. Charles County, Missouri. Our league consists of girls middle school softball teams. The STCCSOFTBALL is not associated with nor receives any funding from St. Charles County or any other public school or government entity.

It is our intent to have girls that attend the same middle school compete against other middle schools. To this end, the STCCSOFTBALL adopts a philosophy that places the emotional and physical well being of our players ahead of any desire to win. As an association, we accentuate that our managers do their best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all our players and develop personal softball skills necessary to allow that player to advance to the high school level of play or beyond.

We stress that our managers lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all players and treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development...

The STCCSOFTBALL emphasizes the game is for the children and not the adults and that this game should be fun for the kids. If it is not fun, then we have lost site of what it is all about. In the years to come the STCCSOFTBALL hopes to continue our expansion and continued success in developing the children of the St. Charles and surrounding communities.

 

ST. CHARLES COUNTY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

PROCEDURES MANUAL

CONDUCT / DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES

MAY 2011

I. INTRODUCTION

The St. Charles County Softball Association (STCCSOFTBALL) is home to some of the finest competition in the Greater St. Charles area in the field of Girls FastPitch Softball and the STCCSOFTBALL is committed to insuring an exceptional atmosphere for its participants and spectators, the majority of who are impressionable youths. The responsibility to protect that commitment is vested with the adult leadership.

This policy is not intended to alter the character of the games. Rather it is intended to discourage the inappropriate, spontaneous outbursts that lead to abuse, both physical and verbal.

These guidelines are intended for use in softball operations without discrimination.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this comprehensive policy is to define the actions to be taken when it becomes necessary to order the removal of players, coaches and spectators from games for rule violations and unsportsmanlike conduct and to provide a mechanism to insure accountability for actions deemed inappropriate. A number of contingencies have been taken into consideration.

The Policy:

1. Reinforces the authority of the Board of Directors of the STCCSOFTBALL to hear matters of violations of this policy, make recommendations regarding them and implement those recommendations.

2. Establishes a range of disciplinary action to be taken for infractions that warrant requital.

III. TERMINOLOGY DEFINED

Board: The Board of Directors of the St. Charles County Softball Association (STCCSOFTBALL).

Calendar Year: January 1 through December 31 of the same numbered year.

Coaches: Those persons whose function it is to instruct and train the players and direct the team strategy.

Disreputable Conduct

Any conduct which brings discredit to the reputation, good order and welfare of the St. Charles County Softball Association, its members and its mission to provide a wholesome atmosphere for youth recreational activity. In this instance an explicit accounting will need to be entered into the “Summary of Incident” area on the Conduct Policy Documentation Form.

Disqualification

In National Softball Association (NSA) rules, a “disqualified” player is one who is removed from a game for a procedural violation. While this is frequently referred to as “ejection” it is not and should not be treated as such for purposes of this policy. If a disqualified player is later “ejected” for participating in the game after disqualification, that matter would not be considered as ejection as it relates to this procedure. A disqualified player can serve as a coach after disqualification. In the event they subsequently violate a rule allowing for ejection, i.e. unsportsmanlike conduct, they will be dealt with in the manner prescribed.

Disqualification for alcoholic beverage and tobacco products consumption in game and warm-up areas is dealt with in the manner prescribed in those sub-sections of this policy.

Ejection

The removal of a player or coach from the game by the umpire, generally for an act of injurious or unsportsmanlike conduct. Ejections are over and above any future disciplinary actions as the result of an incident. Ejection from a game is viewed as corrective action needed at that time to defuse an incident.

A player or coach who has been ejected from the game is restricted to the bench area unless the act is determined to be flagrant. If the act is flagrant, the player or coach must leave the grounds. Ejections are typically the result of either of two types of violations:

1. Unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or coach to a degree that the penalty is determined by the umpire to be ejection. Examples of conduct, which could be construed by an umpire to be unsportsmanlike, include but are not limited to:

A. Unbecoming / disruptive conduct.

B. Disorderly, abusive, profane or inappropriate language.

C. Improper physical contact by a player or coach with:

a) An Official

b) Another player (whether opponent or teammate)

c) Another coach (whether opponent or teammate)

d) A spectator

D. Unreasonable and continuous disputing of an umpire’s ruling whether judgmental or involving the application of a rule.

2. Violation of a playing rule by a player or coach and for which ejection is the predetermined penalty

Ejections will subject the violator to immediate suspensions contingent on the facts of the case.

Official

An umpire or other person in a position of authority, to include Board Members, who are empowered to act and make decisions within their purview on behalf of the STCCSOFTBALL.

Participant

Any player, coach or official.

Physical Contact

For the purposes of this policy “physical contact” is described as any unsolicited, intimidating or otherwise improper physical contact however slight between individuals, to include coaches and umpires, outside of that which can reasonably be expected from sportsmanlike competition. It does not include contact between two players during routine play of the game.

Example: An aggressive slide or the failure to do so, or two players who collide during the playing of the game would not constitute improper physical contact. However, if the incident is flagrant and unquestionably meant to instigate an altercation or is the result of an ongoing dispute, it could be construed as a violation under this policy.

Players

Those persons who are actively participating in the fundamental execution of the game.

Profane Language

Any language that, in the opinion of the game official, is offensive. The officials are the sole interpreters of its inappropriateness. No other opinions are welcomed.

Season

There is one season, Fall.

Spectators

Spectators are not considered participants of the game and are there merely to observe, encourage and support the team of their choice. All persons at the facility who are not classified as participants will be considered “spectators” for purposes of this policy.

Suspension

Suspension is the temporary removal of a person from participation.

IV. CONCEPT OF POLICY

The STCCSOFTBALL provides league competition for teams registered within the Association.

Umpire Responsibilities

In view of the fact a more comprehensive accountability system is levied on participants and spectators, it will be incumbent upon the umpires to insure fair and equitable treatment of all participants.

V. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

The STCCSOFTBALL Board will insure that all procedures are followed in the administration of discipline for matters. Because all members of the STCCSOFTBALL Board of Directors are volunteers, matters brought to the attention of the STCCSOFTBALL will be acted upon in a prudent, reasonable and timely manner however no predetermined time limits will be established for deliberation or determination.

The STCCSOFTBALL will:

1. Determine whether or not to form an Incident Review Panel to evaluate the merits of an occurrence.

2. Have the authority to make determinations of discipline for Unsportsmanlike Conduct violations not exceeding 2 games suspension without the formation of an Incident Review Panel. These matters will be determined in consultation with the President of the Board.

3. Will convene an Incident Review Panel for all matters stemming from an Improper Physical Contact violation unless mitigating factors are fairly obvious.

Incident Review Panel

To deal with infractions within the STCCSOFTBALL family of teams, an Incident Review Panel will be formed to examine matters referred to it by the STCCSOFTBALL. Not all matters brought to the attention of the STCCSOFTBALL will require a review by the Incident Review Panel. The decision whether or not to form an Incident Review Panel will be by the STCCSOFTBALL. The Panel will serve at the pleasure of the STCCSOFTBALL.

Under no circumstances will any member of an Incident Review Panel hear an issue brought before it that presents a personal conflict with any person sharing involvement in the incident. It is incumbent on the person first realizing the conflict to bring it to the attention of the STCCSOFTBALL.

Disciplinary Hearings

Within a reasonable period of time following an incident requiring review by the STCCSOFTBALL, they will be appointed and convene to determine the course of action regarding the issue brought before it

Adjudication

The STCCSOFTBALL will adjudicate the issue and a written determination will be sent to the violator’s last known address of record. An alternate method of notification can be used on a case-by-case basis.

Implementation

In no case will the execution of the ruling be delayed without the express approval of the STCCSOFTBALL. In case of inclement weather or other factors causing a suspension to be modified (rain-outs, schedule changes, etc.) those modifications will be made and the violator notified in a manner consistent with the efficient execution of this process. Games rain-outs or otherwise postponed will not be credited to a suspension. Any games forfeited to a team that has a player, coach or manager serving a suspension will constitute credit to a suspension. Any games forfeited by a team, which has a player, coach, or manager serving a suspension will not constitute credit to that suspension.

Request for Hearing Review

Any request for a hearing review must be in writing and sent to the attention of the STCCSOFTBALL. Reviews will be at the pleasure of the STCCSOFTBALL.

Alternative Methods of Discipline

From time to time alternative methods of discipline may be submitted by the STCCSOFTBALL for consideration.

Multiple Violations

There could be instances wherein an incident results in more than one violation requiring ejection or matter brought before the Board. In those cases the penalties will run “consecutive” meaning that the number of games of suspension will be combined to present a total. In these cases it might be more prudent to consolidate the charges if a Provisional or Permanent Removal are options. In that case the more stringent penalty would be invoked.

VI. DISCIPLINARY CATEGORIES

Because not all incidents will be identical, whether by resultant injury or by the nature of the aggravating circumstances, ranges of discipline have been established to take those instances into account. It is expected that the adult leadership (managers/coaches) of teams should be held to a higher standard than their players. For that reason disciplinary judgments are more severe for those individuals.

Attached to this document is a schedule of disciplinary ranges for each of two realms of misconduct; Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Improper Physical Contact.

In determining the range of disciplinary action, all facts, including but not limited to the following, will be considered:

1. The details of the incident

2. The age of the officials if applicable

3. The severity of any injury

4. Provocation by one party of another

5. Defense of oneself

6. Inflammation of onlookers

Disciplinary action is premised on occurrences within a 365 day period beginning with the date of the first reported offense and will continue from one calendar year into another. The number of occurrences determining the severity of disciplinary action will be predicated on the date of the last offense. Offenses occurring outside that realm (more than three instances within a 365 day period) will be remedied by a determination of the Incident Review Panel on a case-by-case basis.

In the order of severity the following are the determinations that will typically be reached when resolving each incident:

Excused

The facts presented indicate that the incident did occur but there is a logical basis for it. No further action taken.

Filed

If the incident was relatively minor and no other circumstances exist requiring a more rigid penalty, the matter and findings will be filed. No further action needed.

Letter of Reprimand

If the incident is of a fairly significant or recurring nature, the violator will be furnished with written notification that the matter was reviewed and future infractions will be dealt within a more severe manner. Letters will be mailed to the last known address of record. In cases where the STCCSOFTBALL issues that a Letter of Reprimand will deal with the infraction, a copy of any letter regarding an incident involving a player will be sent to the manager of that team.

Suspension

If the incident is of a significant and/or recurring nature, the violator (individual or team) may be suspended. During the period of the suspension managers, coaches and players suspended will not be allowed on the premises of the park on the dates their team is scheduled for play. (See “NOTE” below) Violating an order of suspension will result in the forfeiture of all games participated in by the violating individual and the immediate and permanent removal of that individual from the STCCSOFTBALL program.

Suspensions will range from one game to 12 games depending on the infraction. Prior to execution, recommendations for suspension will be subject to review by the STCCSOFTBALL. Suspensions handed down at the conclusion of a season will be carried into the start of the following season. Suspensions of beyond 12 games duration will be within the Provisional Removal category.

NOTE: If a team is scheduled to play games beyond the suspension number on the suspension date, i.e. playing a doubleheader or in a multi-game tournament and the suspension is for only one game, the manager, coach or player suspended will be allowed onto the premises but not sooner than the conclusion of the game(s) satisfying the suspension period.

Provisional Removal From the STCCSOFTBALL Program

If the incident is serious or so unreasonably recurrent that a more stringent penalty needs to be assessed, the violator (individual or team) will be provisionally removed from the program. The period of time will range from 16 games to not less than twelve consecutive months. It will mandate an automatic review and concurrence by the STCCSOFTBALL.

Permanent Removal From the STCCSOFTBALL Program

Permanent removal will occur when the incident was so abhorrent or disreputable that the only prudent determination is to terminate the violator (individual or team) from the program. The most severe form of discipline, it will mandate an automatic review and concurrence by the STCCSOFTBALL.

Violators (individual or team) receiving a Permanent Removal determination can petition the STCCSOFTBALL for reinstatement consideration at the conclusion of the calendar year in which the incident occurs. A letter requesting reinstatement and postmarked after December 31^st of that year must be mailed to the STCCSOFTBALL. The correspondence must indicate good cause why the previous determination of the STCCSOFTBALL should be reversed.

VII. UNIQUE SITUATIONS

Alcoholic Beverage Consumption

An Official of the STCCSOFTBALL when confronted by a manager, coach or player who, in the opinion of that official, has consumed an alcoholic beverage and in the opinion of the official it MAY be a factor in the dispute, can refuse to discuss the issue with them and insist that they remove themselves from the field of play without having to eject them. If the matter escalates and it becomes necessary for an ejection, then that course of action should be taken.

If a manager, coach, or other team assistant is observed consuming any alcoholic beverages in any team area during their team’s game, that individual will be “disqualified” by the umpire from further involvement in that game. This is not considered an ejection but will prohibit the individual involved from further participation in the game. They will not be allowed in the dugout, warm-up area or on the field of play for the remainder of that game. They will be restricted to the spectator area. “Team area” is defined as practice and warm-up areas, dugouts and the field of play. Failure to honor this disqualification will result in ejection after which the procedures of this policy will then be enforced.

Banned Individuals

From time to time it will be necessary to advise certain individuals that, for a variety of reasons, they are no longer welcome at the STCCSOFTBALL facility and their presence equates to “trespassing.” If any of these individuals are subsequently encountered on the STCCSOFTBALL property, they will be instructed to leave the park immediately. The matter is not subject to negotiation. If they refuse, the STCCSOFTBALL representative on duty will be contacted and reinforce the decision that they leave. If they again refuse, the proper law enforcement authorities will be summoned. Under no circumstance will any official of the STCCSOFTBALL initiate a physical confrontation with one of these individuals for the sole purpose of having them leave the premises. Persons banned from the facility may petition the Board of Directors in writing to reconsider the order of preclusion. Until the order is rescinded, they are considered as prohibited from entry onto the facility.

Complaint Procedure

Only signed letters of complaint from persons outside of the STCCSOFTBALL regarding a manager, coach, player or official will be considered by the STCCSOFTBALL.

Forfeiture of the Game

If any participant or spectator physically attacks an umpire, or if there is any improper physical contact with an umpire that, in the opinion of the official, is intentional or was avoidable, the game will be immediately forfeited by the STCCSOFTBALL

Incidents at the Conclusion of a Game

In cases involving the improper conduct of managers, players and coaches at the conclusion of a game where no ejections occur but a review is warranted, a report of those incidents will be made and the matter brought before an STCCSOFTBALL.

Profane Language

Profane language will not be tolerated to any degree. The use of profane language directed at an official will be handled the same as an Unsportsmanlike Conduct incident.

The use of profane language directed at individuals other than officials will be handled as follows:

a) If the language is directed by a team member (manager, coach, player) at another team member or to a member of the opposing team, each team will normally be issued a “team warning” that all future incidents by either team will result in the awarding of an “out” against the offending team. If the incident is so egregious that an immediate ejection is warranted, then that will be done. The other team will be issued a warning at the same time.

b) If the offending team is on defense at the time of the incident, the outs will be assessed as soon as they come to bat. Only one out may be assessed per play with a maximum of two per time-at-bat. If circumstances exist which would allow for more than this number, consideration should be given to more severe forms of action. These outs will be assessed as “team outs” and not charged to a particular batter. There will be no one skipped in the batting order to accomplish this.

The determination of whether the language is offensive is exclusively that of the officials. This is a STCCSOFTBALL “House Rule” and will be used during league play and in tournaments sponsored and sanctioned by STCCSOFTBALL

 

Refusal / Failure of Manager/Coach/Player to Provide Required Information to an Official

If it becomes necessary for an official to solicit information from a manager, coach or player regarding an incident that may require a report to the STCCSOFTBALL, and if that participant refuses to provide that information in a civil manner, it will be cause for remedial action by the STCCSOFTBALL.

Unruly Spectator

Spectators are not subject to ejection but if their conduct is deemed to be of a nature that demands their removal from the vicinity of a game, the following procedure for that task should be observed:

1. If the spectator’s team allegiance can be determined and the manager/coach is agreeable:

A. The umpire will request the manager/coach to handle the situation.

B. If the spectator refuses to comply, the Umpire in Chief and/or the STCCSOFTBALL will be summoned to the location and reiterate the request for the spectator to alter their behavior or leave the premises.

C. If all attempts at a peaceful resolution of the matter fail and they refuse to leave, law enforcement assistance will be requested.

2. If the spectator’s team allegiance can be determined and the manager/coach refuses to assist:

A. The manager/coach will be ejected.

B. The umpire will order the spectator to leave the vicinity of the field.

C. If the spectator refuses to comply, the Umpire in Chief and/or the STCCSOFTBALL will be summoned to the location and reiterate the request for the spectator to alter their behavior.

D. If all attempts at a peaceful resolution of the matter fail and they refuse to leave, law enforcement assistance will be requested.

3. If the spectators team allegiance cannot be determined:

A. The umpire will order the spectator to leave the vicinity of the field.

B. If the spectator refuses to comply, the Umpire in Chief and/or the STCCSOFTBALL will be summoned to the location and reiterate the request for the spectator to alter their behavior.

C. If all attempts at a peaceful resolution of the matter fail and they refuse to leave, law enforcement assistance will be requested.

In the event a coach puts forth a good faith effort and the spectator refuses to cooperate, the coach will not be responsible for that spectator’s behavior and the aforementioned procedure regarding unruly spectators will be followed.

Any spectator who has any physical contact as defined in this policy, with another spectator, an official or a game participant, will be subject to criminal prosecution. The STCCSOFTBALL be contacted for assistance.

Tobacco product consumption

If a manager, coach, or other team assistant is observed using any tobacco product in any team area during their team’s game, that individual will be “disqualified” by the umpire from further involvement in that game. This is not considered an ejection but will prohibit the individual involved from further participation in the game. They will not be allowed in the dugout, warm-up area or on the field of play for the remainder of that game. They will be restricted to the spectator area. “Team area” is defined as practice and warm-up areas, dugouts and the field of play. Failure to honor this disqualification will result in ejection after which the procedures of this policy will then be enforced.

Warnings

Warnings by an umpire, unless mandated by rule, are not required prior to the implementation of disciplinary measures. If warnings are given, whether as individuals or as a team, no future warnings in that contest should be anticipated.

VIII. INCIDENT DOCUMENTATION

In order to provide the necessary data to insure a consistent policy, a system of documentation regarding those individuals (managers, players, coaches and officials) involved in these incidents is in place. The Conduct Policy Documentation Form will be used to record information immediately following an incident. The information needs to be accurately recorded in order to insure an expeditious and effective process of policy.

IX. DISCIPLINARY RANGES

1. Improper Physical Contact

The above punishments are over and above any ejection from a game as the result of the improper behavior.

IX. DISCIPLINARY RANGES

2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The above punishments are over and above any ejection from a game as the result of the improper behavior.

X. CONCLUSION

This policy is exclusively for the St. Charles County Softball Association and intended to cover a wide variety of instances of objectionable or questionable behavior. Amendments to the policy are at the direction of the STCCSOFTBALL.