We, the Wilkes-Barre City Little League, have implemented the following Volunteer Code of Conduct for the important message it holds about the proper role of volunteers in supporting children in sports. Volunteers should read, understand, and electronically sign this form during the registration prior to participating in our league.
Any volunteer guilty of improper conduct at any game or practice will be asked to leave the sports facility and be suspended from the following game. Repeat violations may cause a multiple game suspension, or the season forfeiture of the privilege of attending and participating in all games and league activities.
Preamble
The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles:
• Trustworthiness,
• Respect,
• Responsibility,
• Fairness,
• Caring, and
• Good Citizenship.
The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character”.
I therefore agree:
• I will place the emotional and physical well-being of players ahead of any personal desire to win.
• I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• I will do my best to provide a safe playing environment for all players.
• I will promote fun, fairness, and sportsmanship over winning.
• I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all players.
• I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all players.
• I will teach the rules of the game to all players, officials, and parents.
• I will remember that I and other adults involved are youth sports volunteers and that the game is for children, not adults.
• I will not abuse other coaches, umpires, volunteers, parents, or players, either physically or verbally. I will not speak disrespectfully to any umpire, coach, or league official.
• I will not physically confront an umpire for any reason. Nor will I demonstrate dissent or disagreement with an umpire’s decision by throwing any equipment or take any other forceful unsportsmanlike actions.
• I will not challenge an umpire’s authority. The umpires shall have the authority and discretion during a game to penalize the offender according to the infraction up to and including removal from the game.
• I will not publicly discuss, in a derogatory or abusive manner, any play, decision or a personal opinion on any players during the game with spectators.
• I will not mingle or fraternize with spectators during the game.
• I will not engage in the use of profanity or other offensive language.
• I will encourage all team members to treat all players, teammates, coaches, officials, and parents with respect.
• I will emphasize and foster a team atmosphere and not individual achievements.
• I will be responsible for league policies.
• I will follow all safety protocols of the league.
• I will not appear on WBCLL grounds in an intoxicated state. Intoxicated will be defined as an odor or behavior issue.
• I will not smoke on WBCLL grounds. I will only smoke in designated areas, which shall be at least 20 feet from league grounds. I will properly dispose of any cigarette butts or similar.
• I will not gamble upon any play or outcome of any game with anyone at any time.
• I will not tamper with or manipulate of any league rosters, schedules, draft positions or selections, official score books, rankings, or financial records or procedures.
• I will return all equipment and player evaluations per league policies.
REMEMBER
THESE ARE KIDS.
THIS IS A GAME.
LITTLE LEAGUES ARE STAFFED BY VOLUNTEERS JUST LIKE YOU.
THE UMPIRES ARE HUMAN.
OUR PLAYERS ARE NOT BEING SCOUTED BY THE PHILLIES, YANKEES, OR ANY OTHER MLB TEAM TODAY.