In an effort to make Baseball 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.