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Respect My Game Program


RESPECT My Game Program was developed by Softball Ontario as an educational tool to assist Softball Associations Organizers, Players, Coaches, Umpires and Fans of the game to decrease the level of abuse towards, umpires, coaches, and players.

The EOUA (The umpires utilized by the Blackburn Ladies Softball League) will be implementing the RESPECT My Game Program this season.

RESPECT My Game Program - Mission Statement
To educate stakeholders in softball, thereby creating awareness of abuse in the game and building mutual respect amongst participants, while introducing no tolerance policies to reduce abusive situations at all levels in all components of the game, thus reversing the decline in leadership roles within the sport.

Philosophy
"Give Respect to Get Respect"
"Believe that disrespect must be prevented whenever and wherever possible"

Player's Code of Conduct
      
     I will:
  • Play by the rules
  • Never argue with the officials. Comply with umpires decisions with dignity
  • Control my temper
  • Be a good sport
  • Treat all players as you would like to be treated
  • Co-operate with my coach, team-mates, opponents, and umpires, for without them we don't have a game
  • Be a positive role model for softball at all times
  • Accept responsibility for my actions
  • Participate within the competition conditions and rules, and in the spirit of fair play
  • Refrain from offensive or abusive language or gestures
  • Refrain from making derogatory or demeaning remarks about any athlete, coach, umpire or participant
  • Not tolerate, participate or respond to acts of abuse, disrespect or aggression
  • Remember we ALL make mistakes

Disciplinary Action
Although not a huge problem in the Blackburn Ladies Softball League, there have been incidents of official, player, and spectator abuse in organized sports. Blackburn Ladies Softball League has been and always will be a recreational softball league, and as such will not tolerate any behaviour that will make any participant feel uncomfortable or unwelcomed. Softball Ontario has outlined several sanctions to help combat this type of behaviour. These sanctions are in each team binder. Should an official decide such sanctions are warranted, the Blackburn Ladies Softball League Executive will support that decision. The following is a list of misconduct and recommended disciplinary action.

Examples of Recommended Disciplinary Action
for Associations / Leagues
Type of Misconduct Definition/Examples Mandatory Minimum Penalty
Lewd or vulgar language on or around the playing field Conversational language, gesture or behaviour deemed inappropriate. Applies to ALL persons including spectators and game officials. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 1 meaningful game. 2nd seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 3rd seasonal offence: suspension for remainder of season.
Alcohol or illegal drugs on or around the playing field The act of carrying and/or consuming alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs on or around the playing field. Applies to ALL persons including spectators and game officials. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 2nd seasonal offence: suspension for remainder of season. 3rd seasonal offence: lifetime suspension.
Tobacco consumption within the confines of playing field, dugout or bench No tobacco products shall be consumed by ANY person on the playing field, in the dugout or on the bench. Tobacco consumption will be tolerated in the stands. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 1 meaningful game. 2nd seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 3rd seasonal offence: suspension for remainder of season.
Verbal abuse directed at someone other than a game official Abusive language directed at a player, coach, parent or spectator on or around the playing field by anyone in attendance. This includes heckling, poking fun at or in any other manner doing anything that in the opinion of the umpire distracts the opposing team (e.g. yelling "swing" at the batter, or "pitcher can't pitch", or "batter can't hit". 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 1 meaningful game. 2nd seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 3rd seasonal offence: suspension for remainder of season.
Verbal abuse directed at a game official Abusive language directed at a game official (e.g. umpire, scorekeeper) by anyone in attendance. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 2nd seasonal offence: Suspension for 6 meaningful games. 3rd seasonal offence: suspension for remainder of season.
Physical abuse directed at someone other than a game official The act, attempt or threat of physical contact (e.g. pushing, pulling, charging, spitting, etc.) directed at a player, coach, parent or spectator on or around the playing field by anyone in attendance. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 2nd seasonal offence: Suspension for remainder of season. 3rd seasonal offence: lifetime suspension.
Physical abuse directed at a game official The act, attempt or threat of physical contact (e.g. pushing, pulling, charging, spitting, etc.) directed at a game official on or around the playing field by anyone in attendance. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 6 meaningful games. 2nd seasonal offence: Suspension for remainder of season. 3rd seasonal offence: lifetime suspension.
Violent physical assault directed at any individual The deliberate act of assaulting any individual in attendance in a violent manner, (e.g. punching, swinging a bat, etc.) 1st lifetime offence: lifetime suspension.
Other unsportsmanlike conduct The deliberate act of contravening a published rule or the principles of fair play and good sportsmanship on or around the playing field (e.g. competing under a assumed name; playing a suspended or unregistered player; throwing equipment; instructing a player to "run him over if he is in your way"; or a pitcher deliberately "hitting" a batter. Applies to ALL persons including spectators and game officials. 1st seasonal offence: suspension for 1 meaningful game. 2nd seasonal offence: suspension for 3 meaningful games. 3rd seasonal offence: suspension for remainder of season.
Act detrimental to the game Any act away from the playing field, which is deemed detrimental to the best interests of the Association/League (e.g. misconduct in commercial establishments while attending exhibition, regular, playoff or tournament games; committing fraud involving fastball/slo-pitch; submitting bad cheques; defaulting games without providing reasonable notice of inability to play; not returning Association/League uniforms and equipment when requested). The discipline committee shall meet to review the misconduct in accordance with Association/League Bylaws and shall determine the disciplinary action, if any to be taken.
Sexual harassment/abuse Any act by anyone to take advantage of a person for his/her own sexual stimulation or gratification. The Association/League executive shall immediately investigate the allegation and if necessary notify police.


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last modified: April 23, 2009
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