This is the third review of the sport parent code of conduct that many parents have signed in order for their child to participate in little league baseball. At Chad Moeller Baseball – we are looking at this document in a deeper reflection with the hope that we can help explain the importance of this conduct code.
The code of conduct includes 17 elements that parents must agree to before signing the document. Number 5 on the list states:
“5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.”
This post is focusing on making sure that whoever comes to the athlete’s game must understand what is expected from them when they attend. Many families have relatives who might attend a single game during the season and their attendance should be celebrated and be a positive experience, but that particular relative did not sign the commitment. It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure they know what is expected.
A relative might not know that their behavior might have a huge impact on how an athlete views their performance and their perception of the sport. Let’s face the facts, behavior at games has changed over the past twenty years.
Encourage your relatives to encourage all the players. Encourage your relatives or guests to make their appearance a positive experience.
Number 6 on the list states “ I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusal to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.”
It is the parent’s responsibility to enforce this rule. A relative or friend might think they are being funny because they are chiding an umpire or the other team but they are negatively affecting the entire game and experience of every athlete.
I have witnessed many times that a guest can negatively affect not only the game that they are attending but future games that they might not even attend.
Please remember this code of conduct and the experience will be better for all involved.
Until Next Time,
Chad