For Players

• Respect the judgment of the game umpires, understand that they are doing their best to help promote youth baseball athletes, and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.
• Treat all players, coaches, umpires, and spectators with dignity and respect, using appropriate language in appropriate tones when interacting with them.
• Arrive on time for games.
• Play the game to the best of their;ability, trying their hardest on the field, and concentrating on the play of the game.
• Win and lose graciously, demonstrating good sportsmanship throughout games.
• Be honest, play by the rules, and take full responsibility for their actions.
• Will not use any form of intimidation or bullying against another player, coach or umpire.
• Play for their team, not themeslves.
• Support their teammates through positive interactions and support during both success and struggle.
• Support and cheer for all players, enjoy the skill and competition, and do not intimidate or ridicule the other team or its fans.
• Only use cheers that are postive and support the teams involved; chanting/yelling negatively directly to players during pitch delivery or live plays is prohibited.

For Coaches

Conduct and ethics

• Be a positive role model for the athletes they coach and demonstrate fair play and sportsmanship to all their players. 
• Act professionally and take responsibility for their actions.
• Be aware they have a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the player and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.
• Remember that they are a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.
• Exert their influence to enhance sportsmanship through assistant coaches, players, parents and those associated with their team with special emphasis on respecting the rights, dignity and worth of athletes, coaches, other volunteers, and spectators.
• Respect and support umpires.  They will not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials.
• Place the emotional and physical well being of their players ahead of a personal desire to win.
• Ensure their language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation demonstrate high standards.
• Treat everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion, or ability.
• Only use cheers that are postive and support the teams involved; chanting/yelling negatively directly to players during pitch delivery or live plays is prohibited.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Adhere to all pitch count rules in the interest of player health and longevity, regardless of situation.
• Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for competition.
• Exhibit sound injury and risk management practices and encourage athletes to seek medical advice when required.
• Provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
• Ensure that all equipment is safe and ready for play.

COACHING

• Treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• Be fair, considerate, and honest with athletes and communicate with athletes using positive, supportive language.
• Be knowledgeable in the rules of the Massasoit League for the age group and division, and ensure players adhere to those rules.
• After due process, should they be asked by the Massasoit League to step down as a coach, will do so without incident.

For PARENTs AND SPECTATORs

• Respect the judgment of the game umpires, understand that they are doing their best to help promote youth baseball athletes, and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.
• Remember that you are at the contest to support and cheer for your team, and to enjoy the skill and competition; not to intimidate or ridicule the other team or its fans.
• Be a positive role model at events through your own actions and by censuring those around you whose behavior is unbecoming.
• Keep in mind that you are a guest of the town in which the game is being hosted and the Massasoit Baseball League.  While winning is certainly an admirable goal, it is hollow if it comes at the expense of morals, ethics, and common sense.
• Use of any controlled substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.) is strictly prohibited at any Massasoit League events.
• Remember youth sports is a learning experience for players and that mistakes will always happen.
• Praise youth athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as athletes and as people, just as you would praise a student working in the classroom.
• There is no such thing as a “right” to attend Massasoit Baseball League events.  Massasoit League events are considered a “privilege” and the spectator who avails themselves of it is expected to conduct themselves accordingly.
• Learn the rules of the game, so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.
• Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, and other spectators.
• Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.
• Use only cheers that support and uplift the teams involved.
• Your town is responsible for the behavior of their spectators.  The team as well as it's parent baseball program can and will be punished for actions of patrons which are found to be in violation of the Massasoit League's codes of conduct and policies.
• Parents and spectators should be aware that SEMA Baseball Association Board Members or umpires can (and should) remove spectators from the premises and can prohibit them from attending future contests due to undesirable behaviors.

Coach, Player, or Parent Issues

Disciplinary Infractions and Actions

Other non-Game Related Fines

• All town team rosters need to be entered into the Massasoit system by the start of the regular season (first day of league games).  Roster information must include Last Name, First Name, Birthday, Jersey Number, and Town of Residence.  Failure to comply and meet this deadline will result in a $50 fine to the town per day for each team not entered into the system.  If roster information is found to be inaccurate, towns may be subject to fines and ineligibility for playoffs or future season participation based on the nature of the violation.
• If a town drops a team out after the Team Declaration review is completed, then they forfeit the team registration fee and will be fined $300 per team dropped.  Additionally, if a town drops a team due to disagreement with divisional placement or once the regular season has begun, the town will not be allowed to participate at any level of play the following season.
• All teams registered for season play must have at least one coach represented and in attendance at the preseason coaches meeting.  Any team not represented by a coach will incur a $150 fine, billed to the corresponding town program.
• The master league schedule must remain accurate.  If a town or team moves a game without informing the MSL (even if it is coordinated with the opposing coach), the town will incur a $150 fine.  All schedule changes must be reviewed and cleared by the MSL.
• If a town is found to be manipulating game data in a way that violates rules, particularly as it relates to pitch count and thus player safety, the coach be suspended for a minimum of three games and the town will be fined $500 for each instance of violation.  The offending coach's team may also be subject to forfeiture based on the results of the investigation.
• Towns and coaches must abide by rulings/guidance issued by the SEMA Baseball Board and promptly pay any fines.  Non-adherence will result in the town being removed from participation for the next calendar year.  Any town removed in this manner will have to settle unpaid fines and apply for admission in order to re-join.

GREIVANCE PROCEDURES

1. Initial Response

• The grieving party must respond in electronic writing to the SEMA Baseball Association Executive Board within 24 hours of the grievance.

2. Board Review

• Written responses from the accused party will also be submitted to the Executive Board.
• All participants may be asked to appear before the board to discuss the problem.

3. Communication of Decisions

• Disciplinary action decisions will be communicated to the town representative, who will carry out the decision.
• Decisions will be communicated in writing to the grieving party, the accused party, and the town representative.

4. Failure to Implement Disciplinary Action

• Failure by the town representative and organization to implement disciplinary action will result in the suspension of the entire town across all levels.

Disciplinary Review Board:

• Led by the Vice President and composed of other board members.
• Deals with Code of Conduct/disciplinary issues for the league.
• Appeals must be submitted within 24 hours of the initial decision.
• All parties involved, including the Town Rep, will meet within 48 hours after the infraction.
• Decision communicated to the Town Rep within 24 hours of the hearing.
• All decisions communicated in electronic writing to the relevant parties.