LEXINGTON LITTLE LEAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR PLAYERS, PARENTS AND MANAGERS

Successful participation in baseball and softball requires fair play and the mutual respect of everyone involved, whether on or off the diamond. Lexington Little League looks to our managers and parents to educate our players on how a true teammate should act and to embody the highest standards of overall respect and fair play.

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

Your responsibilities are simple: be respectful of others, be responsible, play fair and do your best. As a Lexington Little League player, I hereby pledge that I will:  

• Treat everyone as I want to be treated.
• Always play with my best effort.
• Encourage fair play from fellow players.
• Be a team player and support my teammates.
• Be on time and attend every practice and game that I can, and notify my coaches if I cannot.
• Work hard to improve my skills.
• Do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
• Congratulate the other team after each game as a demonstration of good will.
• Refrain from using violence, unfriendly language, or insults to others.
• Never throw equipment.
• Be generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
• Learn and obey the rules of the game and always work for the good of the team.
• Accept the decisions of the officials with grace and never challenge or question calls. Refrain from challenging or questioning on-field calls by officials and/or managers and coaches.
• Conduct myself with honor and dignity.
• Applaud the efforts of my teammates and opponents.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

As a Lexington Little League parent, I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for each child participating in Lexington Little League by adhering to the following code of conduct. I hereby pledge that I will:

• Encourage good fair play by demonstrating positive support at all times.
• Not force my child to participate in sports.
• Inform the coach of any disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or others.
• Remember that children participate to have fun, and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• Learn the rules of the game.
• Teach my child to play by the rules and resolve conflicts peaceably.
• Not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing and taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language; I will ensure my guests also not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning.
• Respect the officials and their authority during games, never questioning a call.
• Not confront coaches or managers at any time during games.
• Refrain from coaching my child or other players during games.
• Never ridicule or yell at my child or another player.
• If I have any concerns about what happened during a game, I will speak with the coach at an agreed upon time and place.
• Not bring alcoholic beverages to Lexington Little League events.

MANAGER CODE OF CONDUCT

As a Lexington Little League manager, I pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while coaching, officiating and participating in Lexington Little League events. In furtherance of my role in supporting and developing players, and promoting fair play and safety, I hereby pledge that I will:

• Provide a safe and supportive playing environment for all players.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Place the emotional and physical well-being of players ahead of my desire to win.
• Treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• Keep in mind that players have a range of skills and spend equal time coaching all players to help them have fun and improve.
• Do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all players.
• Lead by example in demonstrating fair play to all players.
• Learn, understand and follow the rules of Lexington Little League and teach them to my players.
• Explain the goals and objectives of Little League to parents and players at the beginning of the season.
• Ensure that all players are allotted the guaranteed play time required by Little League International.
• Remember that children participate to have fun, and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• Not abuse other coaches, umpires, parents, or players.
• Respect and support officials, never criticizing umpires.
• Promote fun and fair play over winning.
• Not use profanity or other offensive language.
• Encourage all team members to treat all players, teammates, coaches, officials and parents with respect.
• Emphasize and foster a team atmosphere and not individual achievements.
• Be consistent, honest, fair and ethical, never berating players or shaming them.
• Maintain an open line of communication with parents and players.
• Never use alcohol, drugs and tobacco products when in contact with players.
• Be responsible for league policies.
• Return all equipment and player evaluations per league policies.

ENFORCEMENT

I agree that if I fail to abide by the rules and guidelines above, I will be subject to disciplinary action by the Lexington Little League Board of Directors or Code of Conduct Committee that may include the following:

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Suspension for games
• Season suspension
• Removal from all league activities

The Lexington Little League Board of Directors retains the sole authority to determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate for the failure to follow this Code of Conduct.