Greater Hudson Valley Softball League
Participant Code Of Conduct
The Greater Hudson Valley Softball League (GHVSL) is an organization focused on the development and education of players, coaches, umpires, and the families that support them. The GHVSL is a healthy outlet for all when respect for the game & each other is embraced. The GHVSL places a passionate priority on sportsmanship for all who participate and interact with the game and the league.
The next and following generations will be the stewards of the great game of Softball. More importantly, they will be the caretakers of our families, communities, and nation. The present and future well-being of our communities will depend on women & men of high moral character who will demonstrate and live out the virtues of honesty, integrity, respect and personal responsibility. Recognizing that these and all other ethical values do not develop automatically in our participants, the GHVSL will make a deliberate and conscious effort to assist them in developing the values and ideals necessary for moral decision making and conduct.
The GHVSL groups league participants into 4 groups:
#1 - Player - THE most important participant is the player. It is ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!
#2 - Coach - The hardest (and most rewarding) job in the league. Coaches inspire, teach, and lead by example.
#3 - Umpire - Upholds the integrity of the game & league. Umpires must be treated with respect at all times.
#4 - Spectators - Enjoy the game. Allow the players, coaches, and umpires to perform with positive support & respect.
Without exception, the GHVSL places the enjoyment of participants in order of priority numbered above. Every policy & rule we develop keeps this list of priorities in mind. The GHVSL’s Code of Conduct is stated for the general welfare and betterment of our league. Expectations & requirements have been established for all participants in the GHVSL. Those who fail to act according to the GHVSL Code of Conduct may lose their right to participate in the organization.
LEAGUE EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS:
All participants shall exhibit respect for each other (player, coach, umpire, spectator) & respect for the game of Softball. Each participant is encouraged to make your impact a positive one. Our goal is to build a supportive environment, increase participants' self-esteem and foster in them a true sense of enjoyment in which everyone can enjoy themselves in & around a GHVSL game. Participants are expected to display consistently high standards of behavior and appearance.
Participants must never place the value of winning above the emotional & physical well being of peer participants. Participants are expected to exhibit the highest ideals of character & sportsmanship. All participants must uphold the honor and dignity of the game. In all interaction with players, coaches, umpires, & spectators, we shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. Consider it an honor and a privilege to be a positive influence on the young people of our community.
Participants shall read & follow GHVSL rules, policies, code of conduct and shall teach them to his or her peers. Participants shall never seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules. Sportsmanship is the rule. Gamesmanship is not tolerated. Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.
Participants should meet and exchange greetings to set the correct tone for games before and after the contest. Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants (players, coaches, umpires, and spectators) built & based on mutual trust and respect. Be a good sport, exhibit poise & composure regardless of the situation - win with modesty, lose with dignity.
At any time where anything less than exemplary behavior is being conducted or observed, behavior is the responsibility of each head coach & the umpire crew chief. Specifically, each head coach has the ultimate responsibility for the behavior of his or her team, coaches, and spectators. In the event a head coach is ejected or removed, the responsibility falls to the first assistant.
Participants must do their best to provide a safe & healthy playing situation for players on and off the field of play. Teams and players are guests at the fields we use during the season. Participants are asked to be mindful of their surroundings when it comes to cleaning their benches, dugouts, bleachers, and obeying local parking rules before, during and after GHVSL games. Report any unsafe playing conditions to the GHVSL league office as soon as possible - ghvsoftball@gmail.com
It is mandatory that no one ever engages in, or tolerates offensive, insulting or abusive language or behavior which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of gender, race, disability, age, religious or political belief, sexual orientation, social background, ethnic origin, language, marital or civil status. There is zero tolerance for this behavior.
Players, coaches, & spectators are subject to ejection from a game at any time. Any ejection results in a one game suspension, but each ejection is subject to additional penalties including longer suspensions and expulsion from the league. Each ejection shall be examined for its severity to determine appropriate sanctions. In the event a participant is ejected, they are required to leave the field complex for the remainder of the game.
Disputing an umpire’s judgment, making contact with an umpire or directing unsportsmanlike conduct toward any league participant will not be tolerated. Players, coaches, or spectators involved in such behavior will face disciplinary action up to and including permanent removal from the league.
Violations of the Code of Conduct will not be tolerated. If the conduct of a participant (player, coach, spectator) is deemed unsportsmanlike, malicious, or too aggressive by the umpire, the player will either receive a warning or be ejected from the game depending on severity. Participants who do not exemplify the high level of expectations described here may be subject to punishment up to and including expulsion from the Greater Hudson Valley Softball League.
If any participant witnesses inappropriate behavior at GHVSL games, please let us know about it. It’s our job to address it. Concerns should be sent to - ghvsoftball@gmail.com
Yours in Softball,
David Zaslaw
Founder & Commissioner
Greater Hudson Valley Softball League