The goal of the BCRSA program is to provide an opportunity for all girls to learn softball skills, have fun with their friends and classmates and to teach good sportsmanship.  This is a recreational softball league and is not intended to be a highly competitive situation. 

Sportsmanship for all players, coaches and parents is essential in all youth sports activities.  The BCRSA program spans multiple towns so the players, coaches and fans not only represent themselves and their teams but also their towns.  We are asking for support from everyone to help us demonstrate good sportsmanship during our season.
 
Please remember that children participate in sports because it is fun.  Please help us keep it fun.  Winners are developed from kids who try their best. Placing too much pressure on children can detract from their fun and can affect their self-esteem.  Coaching from the stands takes away from what the coach is trying to teach during the game.
 
We ask that everyone follow the guidelines outlined below for good sportsmanship:

• Pledge to use positive encouragement to a child and his/her teammates. Encourage and praise all players for trying their best. Do not be loud or negative towards coaches, players, umpires or other spectators.

• Do everything possible to get the child to practices and games on time and also be on time to pick the child up from softball events.  This shows respect for the coaches and the team.

• Honor the game.  Set a good example for the children. Regardless of what others are doing, demonstrate respect and avoid confrontations with others who may be displaying poor sportsmanship. 

• Understand that officials make mistakes and respect the officials call. Do not approach the umpire(s) regarding calls made during the games.  The coaches, parents and players are not to argue with the umpire or question his/ her call in a confrontational way.  Coaches are the only ones that should talk with the umpires and that should always be done in a calm and respectful manner.  Yelling at or arguing with a referee will result in the coach receiving a warning from the BCRSA, which could affect your coaching status in the future.

• Be tolerant of mistakes that are made during the game by players and coaches.  Mistakes are opportunities for learning and everyone has different abilities. Winners are those who make the maximum effort and learn from their mistakes.

• Refrain from yelling instructions from the stands. Let the coach do his/her job. Children get confused if they are trying to follows directions from multiple sources.

• Refrain from making negative comments about the coach and players in front of your child. This will only plant the seed of negativity which will affect the overall experience.

• Gossip is not an effective form of communication. Any questions, concerns or comments should be directed to the head coach of your team. 

• Respect school property while at games and practices. Ensure that the area is clean and neat for the next group. This is important as a host team as well as a guest team. 

• If a player commits an unsportsmanlike act on the field, such as arguing with an umpire or an opposing player or is guilty of excessive physical play, that player should be removed from the game to ‘cool off’ and gain composure before returning to the game.  Subsequent poor behavior may result in game suspension(s).

• The score of the game should not be over-emphasized.  Of course everyone tries to win every game, but not at all costs.  Good sportsmanship takes priority over winning or losing a game.