RAMMS CODE OF CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE & RULES
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October 24, 2000
This is the Code of Conduct and Special Rules for participation in the RAMMS sponsored activities. This Code of Conduct is intended to be an outline of the principles and rules that govern the conduct of all coaches, players, parents, spectators, and officials during RAMMS sponsored
activities. RAMMS' programs are designed to teach sportsmanship, improve athletic skills, and provide wholesome and enjoyable entertainment for the youngsters involved.
To achieve these goals requires that players and adults, both as coaches and as spectators, adhere to certain rules of conduct. Coaches, officials, and parents should remember the following principles:
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Children need positive examples. Negative criticism can damage young egos and discourage athletes.
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Make athletic participation for the athletes a positive experience.
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Attempt to relieve the pressure of competition, rather than increase it.
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Always show respect to opposing coaches and officials.
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All coaches are volunteers giving personal time and, in many cases, money, to provide a recreational activity for the athletes. Coaching is a valuable community service and should be encouraged and rewarded, not criticized.
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Applaud good plays made by your team and by members of the opposing team. Do not criticize bad plays by either team or any player.
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The officials try to officiate to the best of their ability. They will make mistakes. Do not question the official's judgement, and never question the official's honesty. The official is a symbol of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship for athletes.
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Accept the results of each game. Encourage athletes to be gracious in victory and proud of their conduct and effort in defeat.
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Parental behavior greatly influences children. The attitude shown by parents at games towards their child, other children, opposing team members, officials, and the coach influences the child's values and behavior in sports and in life.
Criticism and disrespect for officials and opponents undermines the purpose of sport and brings into the game stresses beyond those of competition. A parent's comments should be positive and constructive at all times.
SPECIFIC CONDUCT
COACHES:
By accepting a coaching position on a RAMMS team, a coach agrees to follow RAMMS rules and disciplinary procedures.
Coaches must have their teams at the field a minimum of 20 minutes before game time.
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Coaches are responsible for informing officials of all local ground rules before game time. Coaches must be aware of all local rules governing the game or field of play.
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Coaches must be have a copy of the rules of the sport and must read the rules before the season begins. Each coach should have a copy of the rules handy at each game. Knowledge of and playing within the rules is an integral part of coaching in any sports program. Coaches must be aware of the difference between judgement calls and rule interpretations. An official's judgement call is just that and should not be disputed by a coach or any fan. An official should never change a judgement call and prolonged questioning or arguing by a coach only sets an inappropriate tone that affects players, fans, and all concerned with the game.
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Coaches must discuss questions of rule interpretations in a mature, calm and reasonable manner at all times.
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Coaches shall not use loud or abusive language in front of athletes, parents, or officials.
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Coaches shall not use profanity at any time.
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Coaches shall not criticize their players or opposing players in a manner that embarrasses or discredits the athlete.
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Coaches shall not have alcohol at any time on the field of play or during the game.
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Coaches shall exercise discipline over and be responsible for the conduct of the players on their team. A coach may suspend a player for one game if necessary. However, suspension beyond one game for misconduct must be approved be approved by the D&R Committee (where noted below).
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Coaches are responsible for the conduct of parents and fans of team members and shall cooperate with the official in dealing with any loud, abusive, or otherwise disruptive parent or spectator.
- If a player fails to attend practice the week of a game, the coach may decide how much time to allow that athlete to participate in the game.
PLAYERS:
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No player may play in any RAMMS sponsored regular season game, playoff game, or championship game unless the player has registered for the sport and paid all applicable fees or the fees have been waived.
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Players shall follow the direction of their coaches and all officials during the game.
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Players shall not use loud, abusive or profane language.
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Players shall not criticize their team members, opposing team members, coaches or officials.
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Players shall be responsible for their uniforms and any equipment provided by RAMMS. Players shall return the equipment and uniforms at the end of the season, if required, in clean condition and good state of repair.
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Players shall wear their uniforms in the appropriate manner at all games.
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Players shall not argue with an official's call.
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Players shall show good sportsmanship during the game.
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Players shall be gracious in victory and graceful in defeat. Players shall not gloat in victory nor sulk in defeat.
PARENTS:
By enrolling a child to participate in a RAMMS sponsored program, parents agree to be subject to the rules and disciplinary procedures of RAMMS with regard to the conduct of the parent and child during RAMMS activities.
Parents shall remain in the designated spectator areas at all times during games.
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Parents may come onto the field of play or into the players' area only when invited by a coach to help conduct the game. Once a parent has agreed to help a coach, the parent is subject to all rules governing RAMMS coaches.
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A parent shall never use loud, abusive, or profane language while attending a RAMMS event.
A parent shall not question the call of an official or the actions of a coach during the game and may be asked to leave the premises if such action occurs.
Parents shall not have alcohol at any time on the field of play or during the game.
RAMMS BOARD MEMBERS:
RAMMS board members are subject to all rules pertaining to parents and coaches. The RAMMS program will not tolerate any behavior or conduct by a Board Member that:
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dishonors a RAMMS program,
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results in physical or mental abuse, or
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is morally indefensible.
D&R COMMITTEE
PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE
The purpose of the D&R Committee is to review and take appropriate disciplinary action resulting from protests and misconduct related to RAMMS sanctioned sports in regularly scheduled play and practice sessions. The D&R Committee shall hear complaints and protests and render appropriate decisions and/or disciplinary action.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The committee consists of the executive committee of the RAMMS Board of Directors along with the overall league commissioner of the sport at issue [e.g., baseball, softball, etc].
JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY
The jurisdiction of the D&R Committee shall extend to all events sponsored by RAMMS. Misconduct by spectators, coaches, officials, players, named substitutes or other persons that occurs either on the field of play or in its vicinity at anytime prior to, during, or after a RAMMS event may be reported by any coach, official, player or parent to the D&R Committee. Complaints against the officials are to be directed to the overall League Commissioner for the sport at issue. The D&R Committee does not have jurisdiction over officials except through the League Commissioner. The League Commissioner will inform appropriate persons within the officials' association and provide whatever information or documentation the officials' association requires to handle the complaint. The D&R Committee has the authority to find any participant (athlete, parent or coach) guilty of a Code of Conduct Violation and render or recommend pertinent actions against the offending party. If an official terminates a game due to misconduct, the D&R Committee has the authority, after a thorough investigation to award a win to the opposing team.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
It is recognized that complaints or protests may occur involving teams with which a D&R Committee member is associated. Any D&R Committee member that has a conflict of interest may not participate in the actual ruling on any complaint or protest. However, D&R Committee members may attend hearings and give evidence with respect to matters in which they have a conflict of interest. Examples of conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
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The person accused of misconduct is a family member of the D&R Committee member.
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A family member of the D&R Committee member is on the same team as the person accused of misconduct or is on the team accused of misconduct.
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The D&R Committee member is a coach of a team on which the accused person is a player or is the coach of a team accused of misconduct.
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Other situations as the D&R Committee deems appropriate.
DISCIPLINARY HEARING PROCEDURE
A coach, official, player or parent may make a complaint regarding misconduct. Any complaint must be made by submitting a written report to the President of RAMMS or the League Commissioner within one week of the incident. The report should include a narrative description of the incident and include the names of all pertinent witnesses to the incident.
Upon receiving the written report, the D&R Committee shall appoint one of its members as the investigating committee member and shall notify the accused individual of the complaint [keeping the complainants’ name(s) anonymous if deemed appropriate]. That committee member shall thereafter contact and obtain written reports from as many witnesses as possible. Upon completion of the investigation, the investigating committee member shall submit his/her report to the D&R Committee along with a recommendation of action that should be taken. The investigation shall be completed within two weeks of the incident. The D&R Committee shall convene to hear the facts within one week following the submittal of the investigating committee member's report. All actions by a coach, player, official or parent will be carefully considered after a full report to the committee and a hearing [if requested by the D&R Committee or the accused individual]. The D&R Committee has the responsibility of notifying any disciplined individual of the committee's decision and will do so in writing. The disciplinary committee's decision is final. Copies of all written notifications and the investigative reports shall be kept for a minimum period of three years by the Secretary of RAMMS.
As a general rule, the penalties listed below will be used as guidelines by the D&R Committee. At the discretion of the Committee, the penalty may be greater or less than the suggested guidelines.
Misconduct: Violence directed towards a coach, player, official or parent (to include striking or attempting to strike). Premeditated rough play towards a player by another player. Non-premeditated rough play towards a player by another player. Ejection for objecting to an official's call. Ejection for foul or abusive language, disruptive conduct or unsportsman-like behavior.
Recommended Penalty: Possible suspension for a minimum of 1 year to complete lifetime ban Suspension for at least 2 not to exceed 4 games Suspension for at least 1 game, not to exceed 2 games Minimum 1 game suspension, subsequent offenses at least 2 games suspension, not to exceed 4 games Minimum 1 game suspension.
Probation: Probation shall indicate a period of time within which a player or coach shall be subject to further action by the D&R Committee if any further misconduct reports are received. Misconduct will include cautions or ejections. The probationary time period shall be determined by the D&R Committee. At the discretion of the D&R Committee, probation may be added to or substituted for any of the suggested guideline penalties.
Suspension: Suspension shall indicate a period of time during which a specific number of games a player, coach, parent or fan shall not participate. The length of time and/or number of games of a suspension shall be determined by the D&R Committee. Participation includes practices during the suspension period or prior to suspended games.
Ban: A ban shall result in being excluded from participation in or attendance at any RAMMS sponsored events for the period of the ban.
PROTEST PROCEDURES
All protests of RAMMS sponsored games must be in writing and submitted to the President of RAMMS or the League Commissioner within twenty-four hours of the incident that gave rise to the protest. A coach must file an official protest as follows:
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The coach must announce his decision to protest the game immediately following the incident that gives rise to the protest and before play continues.
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The decision to protest must be made to the official, the opposing coach and the official scorekeeper.
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The official will sign the official score book noting the protest and any relevant facts. The coach should also prepare a written report detailing the circumstances of the protest indicating relevant information and deliver the report to the President of RAMMS or the League Commissioner.
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Within two weeks of receiving a protest or complaint, the D&R Committee Chairman shall convene a meeting of the D&R Committee to hear the facts. After discussion, the Committee will vote. If a protest is allowed, the protested game will be replayed from the point at which the protest was made. If the protest is disallowed, the game result will stand.