HJRB Parents and Fans,
Our 2013 season is well under way and overall, things seem to be going great. However, it has come to the Board's attention that there have been some limited circumstances of parent/fan conduct issues that we believe need to be addressed at this time. The Board recognizes that players, parents and HJRB fans all want their players and teams to win. We also recognize that baseball, like all other sports, can be frustrating and emotionally charged at times. With that said, in addition to developing our kids as baseball players, our program is dedicated to promoting sportsmanship, teamwork and the physical and mental well being of our kids by way of the examples of our coaches AND our parents. One of the goals of this program is for our kids to develop into responsible, respectful and well rounded individuals. We want our HJRB players to respect their teammates, their opponents, umpires and their coaches. Our players and coaches are expected to conduct themselves with class and dignity as their actions reflect upon how our program is perceived by other communities.
While these things are expected of players and coaches, they are also expected of our parents and fans. While a parent may disagree with their son's coach as to what position their son is playing, the coach's coaching style, the number of innings the player is playing etc., it is inappropriate to in any way criticize or demean the coach or coaches. We have had complaints of parents confronting and treating their son's coaches disrespectfully in front of the players and other parents. We have also had one report of a parent addressing their own child in front of his teammates in a derogatory fashion and utilizing inappropriate language. THIS CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL CEASE FROM THIS POINT FORWARD! As a reminder to parents/fans, the HJRB organization has a "Player and Spectator Code of Conduct" that states as follows:
"Parents and Spectators agree to be positive role models at practices and games, and to demonstrate respect for coaches, players, officials and fellow spectators, at all times. Parents and spectators will not question an umpire’s call. Parents and spectators will comply with the decisions of league officials and observe all rules, policies and procedures established or endorsed by Holt Jr. Rams Baseball (HJRB). Parents and Spectators will limit verbal comments to positive encouragement for players, or will otherwise remain silent during practices and games. Parents will discuss any concerns with the coach in a respectful, private manner, at post-practice and post-game opportunities......... Parents will be responsible for any spectator they bring to the HJRB athletic event. Failure to comply with the above conduct could result in disciplinary action up to removal of your child from the team, and/or banning from the HJRB organization."
There is certainly no reason why a parent cannot speak to their son's coach in a respectful manner and in a private setting about whatever issues they may have. We believe that our coaches are always open to positive and constructive comments, however, we will not permit our volunteer coaches to be disrespected, demeaned or subjected to any type of verbal abuse. This type of parent conduct does absolutely nothing to further the goals of Holt Junior Rams Baseball or to promote our program.
We are insisting that all parents and spectators conform their behavior to the above "Player and Spectator Code of Conduct". In the event that new complaints are received after the date of this e-mail, the complaint will be investigated and if found to have merit, the offending parent/spectator will be given ONE warning by the HJRB Board of Directors. If the conduct persists after that warning, disciplinary action will be taken in the discretion of the Board against the parent, spectator or offending parent's child in conformance with the above HJRB policy.
We appreciate your anticipated cooperation in this regard.
Holt Junior Rams Baseball
Board of Directors
