Association Code of Conduct
The Amherst Athletic Association Board of Directors have mandated the following Code of Conduct for the important message it holds about the proper role of both parents and players in a youth sports environment. Parents and players should read, understand and sign this form prior to registering in our league. Any person guilty of improper conduct at any game or practice will be asked to leave the sports facility where the incident occurred and the incident will be reviewed by the Board of Directors regarding the need for any further disciplinary actions. Disciplinary steps are laid out in the Association Bylaws under section 8.3.
The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of the Four Primary Pillars of the Amherst Athletic Association - Character, Courage, Integrity and Teamwork. Other areas of importance in additon to the Pillars would be : Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Good Citizenship.
No board member, manager, coach, player or spectator shall, at any time:
* Lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to strike an official.
* Be guilty of heaping personal verbal or physical abuse upon any official for any real or imaginary belief of a wrong decision or judgment.
* Be guilty of an objectionable demonstration of dissent at an official decision by throwing of gloves, helmets, hats, bats, balls, or any other forceful unsportsman-like action.
* Be guilty of using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of a game against the body of an opposing player.
* Be guilty of a physical attack upon any board member, official manager, coach, player or spectator.
* Be guilty of the use of profane, obscene or vulgar language in any manner at any time.
* Appear on the field of play, stands, or anywhere on the AAA complex while in an intoxicated state. Intoxicated will be defined as an odor or behavior issue.
* Be guilty of gambling upon any play or outcome of any game with anyone at any time.
* Smoke while in the stands or on the playing field or in any dugout. Smoking will only be permitted in designated areas which will be 20 feet from any spectator stands or dugouts.
* Be guilty of publicly discussing with spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any play, decision or a personal opinion on any players during the game.
* As a manager or coach, be guilty of mingling with or fraternizing with spectators during the course of the game.
* Speak disrespectfully to any manager, coach, official or representative of the league.
* Be guilty of tampering or manipulating any league rosters, schedules, draft positions or selections, official score books, rankings, financial records or procedures.
* Challenge an umpire authority. The umpires shall have the authority and discretion during a game to penalize the offender according to the infraction up to and including expulsion from the game. The Board of Directors will review all infractions of the Code of Conduct. Depending on the seriousness or frequency, the board may assess additional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the league.
* Umpires can enforce behavior rules until they safely arrive home.
* Only Head coaches may address the umpires during a game. Umpires are under no obligation to prove the validity of their call. Head coaches, who dispute a call are obligated to support their opinion.