Coaches Code of Conduct

Coaching youth baseball and softball is a privilege and a responsibility that should never be taken for granted. As a coach appointed by the Conshohocken Baseball & Softball League (CBSL), you play an important role in the development, safety, and well-being of the children entrusted to your care. Our goal is to teach each player the positive values of sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, accountability, and respect. While competition and winning are part of the game, the development and well-being of every player must remain a priority.

Coaches are expected to serve as positive role models and represent CBSL with professionalism and integrity. This Code applies to all practices, games, tournaments, team events, travel activities, and interactions involving players, parents, fans, opposing coaches, umpires, and league representatives.

1. Players – Respect, Development & Fair Treatment

Coaches must treat every player with dignity, patience, fairness, and respect, regardless of ability, experience, performance, or position.

Language & Behavior

• Cursing at, yelling at, threatening, belittling, or humiliating a player is never acceptable.
• Provide constructive feedback and encourage players to learn from mistakes.
• Foster an environment where players feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and developing their skills.

Discipline & Accountability

• Physical discipline, intimidation, bullying, hazing, and inappropriate physical contact are prohibited.
• Establish and communicate team rules and behavioral expectations via the player’s code of conduct at the beginning of each season.
• Appropriate disciplinary measures may include a discussion with the player or temporary removal from an activity. Significant discipline must be communicated to the player's parent or guardian.
• Dismissal from the team requires approval from the CBSL Board of Directors.
• Coaches are responsible for supervising a player until the player's parent or authorized guardian arrives following the conclusion of a team activity.

Equal Treatment & Player Development

• Make objective decisions and avoid favoritism toward your own child, family members, or specific players.
• Provide players with appropriate opportunities to develop their skills and receive coaching and feedback.
• Playing time, positions, and participation must comply with applicable league and tournament rules and the team's communicated playing-time philosophy.
• Communicate expectations regarding playing time and player roles to families at the beginning of the season.
• Do not punish or treat players unfairly for making mistakes, asking questions, or respectfully expressing concerns.
• Retaliation against a player or family for raising a good-faith concern is prohibited.

2. Player Safety & Child Protection

The safety and well-being of players must always come before competition or winning.

• Comply with all applicable Little League International, Cal Ripken, or other governing-body abuse prevention, background screening, and child protection requirements, as applicable to the program.
• Maintain appropriate adult supervision during all team activities.
• Avoid being alone with a player in an isolated or unobservable setting. Individual instruction should occur in an observable setting consistent with league safeguarding requirements.
• Communications with players by text, email, social media, or other electronic platforms must follow league-approved policies and include a parent or guardian when required.
• Do not transport players without prior parental consent and compliance with league transportation policies.
• Maintain appropriate physical and professional boundaries with all players.
• Promptly report suspected abuse, inappropriate conduct, or child safety concerns through the league reporting process and to appropriate authorities when required.

3. Injuries, Medical Issues & Emergencies

• Prioritize player safety over competition; never pressure an injured player to continue participating.
• Notify parents or guardians promptly of injuries, illnesses, or other medical concerns.
• Follow applicable concussion protocols and return-to-play requirements.
• Know the emergency contact and medical information process and emergency response procedures for team activities.
• Know where first aid supplies are located and how to obtain emergency assistance.
• In an emergency, obtain appropriate medical assistance and notify the player's parent or guardian as soon as possible.

4. Parents & Fans – Communication & Professionalism

• Interact with parents and fans respectfully and professionally.
• Establish clear communication expectations with parents at the beginning of the season via the parent and family code of conduct.
• Address concerns regarding a player's performance, behavior, or playing time privately with the player's parent or guardian.
• Do not discuss another player's performance, playing time, behavior, or personal circumstances with other families.
• Do not argue with parents or fans during games, practices, or in front of players.
• Use an established process to address disagreements, including a reasonable cooling-off period following games before discussing coaching decisions or playing time.
• Do not retaliate against a player or family for raising a concern or respectfully disagreeing with a coaching decision.
• Do not post negative comments about players, families, opposing teams, or league personnel on social media or other public platforms.

5. Opposing Coaches & Teams

• Interact with opposing coaches, players, and teams in a professional and sportsmanlike manner.
• Do not yell across dugouts or engage in confrontational behavior with opposing coaches.
• Conduct necessary discussions with opposing coaches professionally and, when appropriate, with an umpire present.
• Never encourage players to intentionally injure, intimidate, or disrespect opponents.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during, and after every game, regardless of the score or outcome.

6. Umpires – Respect & Sportsmanship

• Do not yell, curse at, threaten, intimidate, or publicly criticize an umpire.
• Discuss calls respectfully and in accordance with applicable game rules and umpire procedures.
• Respect the umpire's authority and decisions.
• Remember that some umpires are young or inexperienced individuals who deserve the same respect as any adult official.
• Recognize that umpires have authority to remove a coach from a game in accordance with applicable rules.

7. Travel Team & Tournament Responsibilities

• Communicate schedules, attendance expectations, tournament commitments, and team rules to families in advance.
• Provide appropriate player supervision during tournaments, team events, and travel activities.
• Ensure overnight accommodations, room assignments, transportation, and supervision comply with league-approved child safety policies.
• Maintain appropriate conduct at hotels, restaurants, team dinners, and other team functions.
• Follow all CBSL, governing-body, and applicable tournament rules and requirements.
• Communicate schedule changes and important team information in a timely and consistent manner.

8. Other Coaches & League Representatives

• Work collaboratively and respectfully with other CBSL coaches, volunteers, and Board members.
• Do not undermine, disparage, or publicly criticize other coaches, league leadership, or volunteers.
• Address disagreements privately and through appropriate league channels.
• Follow league policies, Board directives, and applicable governing-body rules.
• Do not use a coaching position for personal gain, preferential treatment, or inappropriate influence over team decisions.

9. Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco

• Never supervise players or participate in team activities while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana, or any substance that impairs the ability to safely supervise children.
• Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs are prohibited during practices, games, tournaments, and other activities where coaches are responsible for players.
• Smoking, vaping, and tobacco use are prohibited around players and must comply with applicable park and facility restrictions.

10. Social Media & Electronic Communications

• Maintain professional boundaries in all electronic communications with players and families.
• Do not privately message players unless expressly permitted under applicable league safeguarding policies and appropriate parent or guardian visibility is maintained.
• Do not share confidential player or family information, including medical, disciplinary, or personal information.
• Share photos and videos of players only in accordance with applicable league policies and parental consent.
• Do not post inappropriate, offensive, or disparaging content that reflects negatively on CBSL or its players and families.

11. Reporting Concerns & Disciplinary Action

All coaches are expected to uphold this Code of Conduct and promptly report violations or concerns to the appropriate CBSL Board representative. Parents, players, coaches, and other league representatives should have an appropriate avenue to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

Upon receiving a complaint, the CBSL Board of Directors or its designated representative may review the matter, gather relevant information, and determine appropriate action.

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, disciplinary action may include:

• Written warning.
• Restriction or revocation of coaching privileges.
• Permanent removal from coaching responsibilities.

The Board may implement interim restrictions when necessary to protect players or ensure a fair review of a serious concern. Serious allegations involving child safety, suspected abuse, threats, or potentially criminal conduct must be escalated promptly to appropriate authorities and handled in accordance with applicable reporting requirements. Such matters will not be treated solely as internal disciplinary issues.

The CBSL Board of Directors reserves the right to determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the circumstances and severity of each incident.

12. Acknowledgment & Agreement

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to comply with the Conshohocken Baseball & Softball League Coaches Code of Conduct.

I understand that coaching is a privilege, not a right, and that failure to comply with this Code may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of my coaching privileges.

I agree to represent CBSL in a manner that prioritizes the safety, development, respect, and well-being of every player.