Coach's Code of Conduct

I understand that my responsibilities as a youth Team Manager / Head Coach / Assistant Coach (Coach) are of great importance and that my actions have the potential to significantly influence the youth athletes I coach. Therefore, I promise to uphold the following rights of young athletes to the best of my ability:

• Coach positively. Catch players doing things right, provide appropriate technical guidance and praise efforts to improve. Do not criticize players after a loss; instead, ask them what they think they did well and what they would like to improve.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship. Applaud good plays by the other team. Never argue an umpire's call. Laugh off mistakes.
• Safety and Athlete Protection - Two Deep Rule. Down East Girls Softball follows all Babe Ruth League safety policies. In addition, we employ a "two-deep rule"; for adult interaction with athletes: There must ALWAYS be at least two adults with the team at practices and games. When a coach needs to have a one-on-one conversation with a player, it should take place in a publicly visible area where other adult volunteers are present, such as the edge of the playing field.
• A coach may provide transportation to a player who is not his or her child, provided that the coach's child is also in the vehicle. If a second adult is not available to assist or observe a practice, then the practice must be canceled.

Regular Season Play:

• 6U-to-10U age divisions - Manage line-ups to equalize innings played at infield positions and at-bats. That means every player must have innings in the outfield and in the infield, and that batting orders must be rotated each game in order to equalize at-bats over time. Ensure that each player start and field at minimum three (3) games and meet All-Star inning eligibility.
• 12U+ age divisions - Manage line-ups to equalize innings played and at-bats. That means every player must have innings on the field, and that batting orders must be rotated each game in order to equalize at-bats over time. Ensure that each player start and field at minimum three (3) games and meet All-Star inning eligibility.
• 10U+ - Develop as many pitchers as possible, and at least two catchers on each team. Every player who desires to play these positions should be given ample practice, support and game opportunities to do so.
• Never intentionally crush the opposition. When it's obvious that your team is likely to win the game by a comfortable margin, remember good sportsmanship and the importance we plan upon girls' desire to keep playing the game. When an opposing pitcher is struggling, remember that our hope is that she will improve her skills and continue to play the game. In these situations, there's no need to steal home or to crush an opposing player's (or team's) spirit by piling on.
• A coach is a role model to young athletes.  A coach shall not do anything on the field or at a park facility that does not mee the standard of the league.  This includes, but is not limited to: alcohol use (includes smelling of alcohol at practices or games, or consuming alcohol at practices, or on park grounds), the use of inappropriate language with athletes and parents, etc.
• Play to win, but notice that winning is not among our measures of success in regular season play.

Post Season (All-Star) Play:

• Strive to uphold the DEGSL goals of for the post season: Be competitive, Have fun, Win District 5 Tournament, Advance to ENC State Tournament
• Manage line-ups to optimize competitiveness while also adhering to Babe Ruth League Postseason rules regarding defensive playing time and at-bats.
• Emphasize sportsmanship as a part of playing to win. Opposing teams should be respected at all times.
• Never intentionally crush the opposition by a margin outside of competitive strategy. When it's obvious that your team is likely to win the game by a comfortable margin, there's no need to steal home or to crush an opposing team's spirit by piling on runs.
• Coaches will not instruct players to strike out or intentionally walk batters with the intention of manipulating the timing of the end of the game (either shortening or prolonging the end) or purposefully losing the game. DEGSL will not tolerate this type of behavior, as it undermines the values of sportsmanship and fair play that should be foremost on the minds of all adults involved. Note: This policy is not to be interpreted as a prohibition against intentional walks when used as a tactic on the part of the defense to set up a force-out, double-play, to avoid pitching to a strong hitter, etc. Such intentional walks should be considered a natural part of the game.

These policies apply to all levels of play. Our most senior players are only 14 to 16 years old, and we hope they will have several more years of enjoyable, competitive softball ahead of them.

If the Code of Conduct is violated, depending on the severity of the violation, the board may, at their discretion, remove a Coach from their position immediately, without warning or notice.  The removal of a coach may impact that coach's eligibility to coach for Down East Girls Softball League and its subsidiaries in the future.