Zero Tolerence Policy
In an effort to make Baseball and Softball a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, the Hertel North Park Youth Baseball League has instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. The campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials, administrators and parents/spectators to maintain a sportsmanship and educational atmosphere before, during, and after all HNPYBL games. All Umpires and Officials will implement the following points of emphasis:
Players
A game ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) may be assessed whenever a player:
● Disputes any decision by an umpire in a negative, violent or threatening way.
● Uses obscene or vulgar language in a negative, violent or threatening way.
● Any action visually displaying the intent of inciting any official, coach, player or spectator.
Coaches
A game ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) may be assessed whenever a coach:
● Disputes any decision by an umpire in a negative, violent or threatening way.
● Uses obscene or vulgar language in a negative, violent or threatening way.
● Any action visually displaying the intent of inciting any official, coach, player or spectator.
The Umpire will instruct the Manager/Coach the game will not continue and the game may be forfeited unless the offending coach leaves the area. Once removed, play will resume. Forfeited games will not be made up, and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the HNPYBL.
Officials / Umpires
Officials / Umpires are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official are above reproach. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited. Game officials/umpires are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
Parents/Spectators
The game will be stopped by the umpire when parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The umpire will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area. The umpire will instruct the Manager/Coach the game will not continue, and the game may be forfeited unless the offending parent/spectator leaves the area. Once removed, play will resume. Forfeited games will not be made up and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the HNPYBL. Prohibited includes:
● Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
● Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
● Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, or playing area directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.
Fighting and negative physical contact
Any individual participating in or attending a HNPYBL sanctioned event engaging in fighting or any negative physical contact including the throwing of any object, with any other individual participating in or attending a HNPYBL sanctioned event will be removed from that event and banned from ever participating in a HNPYBL sanctioned event.
I acknowledge that I have read the Zero Tolerance Policy of the Hertel North Park Youth Baseball League and affirm and assure that I along with my family members will adhere to this policy while participating in and or attending any and all events of the Hertel North Park Youth Baseball League.
Behavior/Conduct
Swearing or abusive language will not be tolerated. Umpires may eject coaches, spectators or players for flagrant offenses. Repeat offenders will be dealt with by the HNPYBL Board of Directors. Fans in violation of this rule will be asked to leave the park area and the game will be delayed until they comply. Forfeiture may result if actions persist.
Judgment calls by the umpire are not to be questioned (safe or out, fair or foul, etc.). Only interpretation of the rules may be questioned.
Smoking and tobacco use at all levels is prohibited on or around the playing field while participating in a game.
The managers and coaches are responsible for the behavior of themselves, their players, their players’ parents, and fans at all times. All individuals are to act within the Zero Tolerance Policy.
All defensive coaches must remain in the dugout area on their side of the diamond when their team is on defense (exception: Rookie Boys and Rookie Girls are allowed to have defensive coaches on the field, see individual rookie rules). Coaches may not cross the foul lines to confront an umpire. Only head coaches may address the umpires. Assistant coaches will not discuss calls with the umpires.
No manager or coach will argue with umpires. They will not question calls made by the umpires unless it is an interpretation of the rules. If a manager questions the ability of an umpire, he or she will report that concern to the Umpire-in-Chief as soon as possible.
All fans, at all times, must remain behind the out-of-play line. Once the game begins, each team may have no more than three coaches in the dugout area, except at Rookie, where the limit is four.
No fans or unauthorized people are permitted in the dugouts or beyond the painted area behind the dugout during games.
No one is allowed to stand directly behind home plate or shake the fences to distract players.
Players may be disciplined by their managers or coaches for lateness, absenteeism, or personal conduct unbecoming a member of the league. If any player is withheld or removed from a game for disciplinary reasons, the opposing coach must be informed immediately. The President of the League must also be informed within 48 hours.
Players in uniform must remain in the dugouts during games whenever they are not batting or fielding. No one in uniform is permitted to be in the stands.
Intentional misuse of equipment (throwing a bat, helmet, etc.) may result in ejection.
While accidental or incidental conduct is allowed, players should avoid contact around bases where plays are being made to the best of their ability. If in the judgment of an umpire the contact is flagrant or intentional, the offending player will be called out and may be ejected
Suspensions
When any manager or his/her assistant is ejected from a game, that person will be suspended from the team's next game. If the same person is ejected from 2 games in the same season, that person will be suspended for one (1) calendar year.
If an umpire ejects any player from any game, that player will be suspended from the team's next game. (The player under suspension will be required to sit on the bench with his/her uniform shirt on and will be required to attend the suspended game in full.) Failure to do so will result in an additional game suspension. If the ejected player’s conduct warrants a more severe punishment, the Board of Directors will meet and further action will be taken.
If a coach is ejected from the game and there is no one to take his/her place, (any league personnel of record may coach said team), a parent of record from that team can coach the remainder of the game.
A suspended manager or coach may not participate in the coaching of his/her team in any way during their suspension. They may not keep the scorebook or communicate with their team in any way. They may come to the park and watch the same from the stands, but strictly as a spectator. Once the game is completed, they may talk to their team in the dugout. Any violation of this rule will result in a one (1) calendar year suspension.
If a coach is coaching more than one team (ex. Boys 1st Minor and girls Majors) and is ejected from a game in 1st Minors and a game in Majors, this will be considered by the HNPYBL Board of Directors as two ejections in the same season and will result in a one (1) calendar year suspension.
One game suspension is automatic and cannot be appealed. However, one year suspensions may be appealed before the full Board of Directors of HNPYBL. The suspended manager or coach must sit out until the next scheduled meeting.
Any player suspended from their house team cannot be called up until their suspension has been served.