KWHLB Codes of Conduct

It is the goal of the KWHLB to provide a fair, safe, secure and enjoyable environment for our players, parents, umpires and coaches. The league will be free of any illegal, offensive, demeaning or abusive behaviour, verbal or otherwise. A summary of inappropriate behaviours and the consequences associated with that behaviour is outlined in Table 1.  

Inappropriate behaviour ruins the game for everyone. As adults, we have a responsibility to protect our young people from any abusive, damaging behaviour and provide them with a safe environment in which to develop their skills and build their self-confidence.  We encourage the following:

• Please set a good example. Encourage the fans of your team to be supportive and positive.
• Be a part of a baseball community that helps protect our young people from any abusive behaviour.
• Have realistic expectations for players, umpires and coaches.
• Exemplify the league's commitment that teamwork, making friends, and gaining self-confidence are the important skills we are trying to teach.

Table 1:  Summary of the KWHLB Code of Conduct and Enforcement

Inappropriate Behaviours

●    Shouting any demeaning, rude or abusive comments at a player, coach or umpire. ●    Intimidating or threatening a player, coach or umpire. ●    Directing sarcastic remarks towards a player, coach or umpire. ●    Harassing an umpire over their calls behind the plate or on the bases. ●    Using foul language that disrupts the environment of the game for participants and fans. ●    Making loud comments or reacting in a manner that undermines the decisions and authority of a coach or umpire. ●    Gathering in cliques to criticize a coach or umpire in order to undermine their authority. ●    Engaging in verbal or physical conflicts with others.

Smoking, Vaping and Cannabis Use

Smoking, vaping (e-cigarette use) and cannabis use are prohibited on or near all playing fields.  More information on Smoking Enforcement can be found at the Region of Waterloo webpage.

Alcohol Products

No alcohol products are to be consumed immediately before any game. No alcohol products are permitted at or near the park at any time. Violations will mean immediate ejection from the game and the park as well as further discipline by Minor Baseball.

Enforcement Steps

The coach(es) on each team should advise the spectators associated with their team when their behaviour is unacceptable and request that they regain their composure. The offending party will be told by a KWHLB executive member, a convenor or a coach of the team(s) involved that their behaviour is not acceptable and they will be asked to stop the behaviour. If the party does not stop the behaviour they will be asked to leave the facility. If the party refuses to leave the Official will call the police.

Consequences

Any player or coach ejected (asked to leave the facility) by an umpire during a regular season, tournament or playoff game is automatically suspended for one additional game. This is to be the very next game played by the team (regular season, tournament or playoff game). In accordance with the Behaviour Management Policy for the City of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener under Article III, Sections ii, iii, iv, v and vi, anyone who commits inappropriate and prohibited behaviour or activity “may be ejected from the facility immediately and prohibited from returning to a program or event for a period of time.”

Bullying and Harassment

Bullying is a form of abuse at the hands of peers that can come in different forms at different ages. Bullying is defined as repeated aggression in which there is an imbalance of power between the person who bullies and the person who is being victimized and is understood as a disrespectful relationship problem.

Bullying is offensive, cruel, intimidating, insulting and humiliating behaviour. Combined with the misuse of power it can be physical or verbal, direct or indirect. Adults, children or youth who bully are typically cruel, demeaning and hostile towards the target of their bullying. The issue of bullying between youth under the age of 12 years old is not addressed by law. However, bullying behaviour is similar to harassment in that it is defined as the hurtful interpersonal mistreatment of another person.

Harassment is defined as conduct, gestures or comments which are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, degrading or otherwise offensive to an individual or group of individuals. This creates a hostile or intimidating environment for sports activities and negatively affects performance in those sports activities. Any of the different forms of harassment must be based upon prohibited disciplinary Human Rights legislation. Some types of harassment include, but are not limited to racism, disability harassment, sexual harassment and criminal harassment.

Bullying behaviour is not permitted within our program.  Any concerns should be reported to the coach, division convenor, or league.

Fair Play Codes Of Conduct

The following outlines expected codes of conduct for players, coaches, umpires, parents and spectators. Any concerns should be reported to your child's coach, division convenor, or the league.

Players:

• I am participating in baseball because I want to, not because others including parents or coaches want me to play.
• I will play by the rules of baseball and in the spirit of the game.
• I will represent KW House League Baseball and my community in a responsible manner.
• I will respect my teammates, opponents, game officials and spectators.
• I will do my best to be a true team player.
• I will remember that winning is not everything.  Having fun, improving skills, making friends and doing my best are also important.
• I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me.  I will accept their decisions and always show them respect.
• I shall not email, text, or use social media in a negative manner to express my opinion or concern rather than address them through my parent/legal guardian. 
• Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action.

Coaches:

• Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
• Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
• Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down within the Constitution and the rules of KW House League Baseball.
• Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
• Coaches must NOT exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance.
• Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players. 
• Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the player (and, where appropriate, their parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach. 
• Coaches must cooperate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player. 
• Coaches must always promote the appropriate Code of Conduct and positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) to players, parents and spectators alike.  Never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behavior contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques. 
• Coaches must consistently display high standards of behavior and experience and be a role model for players, parents, and spectators.
• Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action.

Parents/Guardians:

It is a policy of the KWHLB to provide a safe and fun environment for participants to play organized baseball.

• Let all participants play for the fun of the game and do not spoil your participant or any other participant’s fun.
• Encourage your participant to play by the rules and to enjoy the game.
• Respect all players, coaches, opponents, game officials and spectators.

KWHLB enforces a zero tolerance policy towards situations of harassment or abuse directed against game officials, players, coaches or spectators using any of the following, but not limited to, methods of verbal, email, texting or social media.

Recognize that many members of KW House League Baseball are volunteers.  Help and encourage all volunteers whenever possible to allow them to work to the best of their ability.

• Recognize and applaud good play by your participant as well as members of both teams.
• Do not embarrass your participant by yelling at players, coaches, game officials or spectators.
• Your participant will benefit when you show a positive attitude towards the game and all of its participants.
• Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action.

All Spectators:

• I will have realistic expectations for both our players, coaches and umpires.
• I will model a commitment to teamwork, making friends, and gaining self-confidence as the most important skills in the game.
• I will not shout any demeaning, rude or abusive comments at a player, coach or umpire.
• I will not intimidate or threaten a player, coach or umpire.
• I will not direct sarcastic remarks towards a player, coach or umpire.
• I will not harass an umpire over their calls.
• I will not use foul language that disrupts the environment of the game for participants and fans.
• I will not make loud comments or reacting in a manner that undermines the decisions and authority of a coach or umpire.
• I will not use social media to abuse or slander.
• I will not engage in verbal or physical conflicts with other parents or fans.
• I will not use alcohol, drugs or tobacco (including e-cigarettes) on or near the playing field.
• Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action.

Umpires:

• I will make sure that every athlete has a reasonable opportunity to perform to the best of his or her ability, within the limits of the rules.
• I will avoid or put an end to any situation that threatens the safety of the athletes.
• I will maintain a healthy atmosphere and environment for competition.
• I will not permit the intimidation of any athlete either by word or by action.  I will not tolerate unacceptable conduct toward myself, other officials, athletes or spectators.
• I will be consistent and objective in calling all infractions, regardless or my personal feelings toward a team or individual athlete.
• I will handle all conflicts firmly but with dignity.
• I accept my role as a role model for fair play, especially with young umpires.
• I will remain open to constructive criticism and show respect and consideration for different points of view.  
• I will obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my officiating skills.
• Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action.

Disciplinary Action

Failure to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, may result in disciplinary action levied by the KWHLB Code of Conduct Committee, Kitchener Minor Baseball Association and the Waterloo Minor Baseball Association.   Consequences for infractions to the KWHLB Code of Conduct could include but is not limited to the following:  

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Request to not attend for a number of games
• Request to not attend for remainder season including postseason
• Associated player suspension from games
• Associated player suspension for remainder season including postseason
• Associated player expulsion from the league
• Involvement of police or other officials as required

Note:  Ejection of a coach from a game will immediately result in immediate removal from the following game.

 

Rowan’s Law - Concussion Code of Conduct

The Province of Ontario has passed Rowan's Law meant to ensure concussion protection for youth athletes across our province.  All players, coaches and umpires are required to review the concussion code of conduct before registering.  

I will help prevent concussions by:

• Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly.
• Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability. 
• Respecting the rules of my sport or activity.
• My commitment to fair play and respect for all* (respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers and officials).

I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and I understand that:

• A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects.
• A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull may cause a concussion.
• I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion.
• I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when and individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion.* (Meaning: If I think I might have a concussion I should stop participating in further training, practice or competition immediately, or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion).
• Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases my risk of other injuries.

I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and others:

• I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust if I experience any symptoms of concussion.
• If someone else tells me about concussion symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust so they can help.
• I understand that if I have a suspected concussion, I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training, practice or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition.
• I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent information regarding incidents of removal from sport with the athlete’s school and any other sport organization with which the athlete has registered* (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand that letting all of my other coaches and teachers know about my injury will help them support me while I recover.)

I will take the time I need to recover, because it is important for my health:

• I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process* (I will have to follow my sport organization’s Return-to-Sport Protocol).
• I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice or competition.
• I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, health-care professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding my health and safety.