
CODE OF CONDUCT
The mission of South Florida Club Sport is to promote competition and athleticism through sportsmanship and fair play. Our leagues/events should be played with good sportsmanship. Although competition may become intense, we expect our participants to maintain good sportsmanship up to and after the final whistle. As a participant in any PHPS league, tournament or event, you must pledge to:
- Respect the game, play fairly, and follow all rules and policies.
- Accept the decisions of SFCS officials with good grace.
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during, and after games, win or lose.
- Be responsible for the sportsmanship of my teammates and assist in maintaining a respectful environment for all participants.
- Be courteous to opposing teams, officials, monitors, or facilitators and treat all players and SFCS officials with respect.
- Help to maintain and keep all equipment and conditions at the facility/park in good condition.
- Obey all facility rules, while respecting all equipment, common areas, playing areas, parking areas, and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Refrain from the use of abusive language or profanity.
- Not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well being of any player, official, staff member, or spectator.
- Not engage in verbal, written, or physical threats or abuse aimed at any participant, official, staff member, or spectator.
- Not initiate a fight, scuffle, or exchange with any individual (including but not limited to: pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, etc.).
- Not use alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs at any location unless permitted by the facility/venue.
- Wear/use all required and issued equipment and/or uniforms.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Sports are filled with judgment calls and, as a result, disputes between players, opponents, and staff may occur from time to time. However, it is important that participants respect and handle all disputes that may occur in a civilized manner. No one may argue/protest a judgment call. Protests for player eligibility or rule misapplications/misinterpretations are time-sensitive and must be made before the next live ball situation. All decisions made by on-site SFCS officials must be respected and obeyed. Any feedback regarding rules, players, officials, or staff members should be brought to the attention of a SFCS Director during normal business hours (M-F from 9a-5p). Any behavior deemed unacceptable by SFCS may result in an ejection, suspension, and/or expulsion as outlined below. Repeated Code of Conduct violations by the same team could result in a team expulsion from the league without refunds. All Code of Conduct violations during a dead ball situation will result in a suspension as outlined below. All violations/fouls/penalties during a live ball situation which result in an ejection are subject to review and a possible suspension. Players may appeal a suspension in writing within 48 hours of a suspension notification. Players cannot participate during the appeal process.
- An ejection for a minor violation of the Code of Conduct will result in a 1-game suspension. The second ejection for two minor violations in the same season will result in a 2-game suspension. Minor violations include, but are not limited to:
- Vulgar, abusive, sexist, racist, and/or discriminatory comments or gestures towards an opponent, teammate, or spectator
- Throwing equipment in anger at the ground, bleachers, or fence
- Excessive arguing over judgment calls
- Leaving the dugout, bench, or substitution area to enter the field and argue a referee's call
- Leaving the dugout, bench, or substitution area to enter the field during an altercation
- Ripping the shirt/pants of an opponent not in possession of the ball
- Any player who commits the offense of Assault will receive a 2-game suspension. The second ejection for Assault in the same season will result in a 4-game suspension. Assault includes, but is not limited to:
- Vulgar, abusive, sexist, racist, discriminatory comments or gestures towards a referee or staff member
- Verbal threat of violence towards an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Attempting to punch, kick, or strike an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Attempting to strike an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member with a ball, glove, or hat during a dead ball situation
- Attempting to spit on an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Brandishing/Displaying any type of weapon (including equipment) in a menacing/threatening manner
- Charging/Confronting another individual in a combative/threatening manner
- Any player who commits the offense of Simple Battery will receive a 4-game suspension, and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Simple Battery includes, but is not limited to:
- Striking an opponent with a ball, glove, or hat during a dead ball situation
- Pushing/shoving/tripping an opponent not in possession of the ball
- Pulling the hair of an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Spitting on an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Any player who commits the offense of Aggravated Battery will receive a 12-month suspension, and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Aggravated Battery includes, but is not limited to:
- Making physical contact with a referee while arguing a call (see Florida Statute below)
- Kicking an opponent not in possession of the ball
- Punching an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Choking an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
- Striking an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member with any type of weapon (including a bat)
- Slapping an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member