Code of Conduct

The purpose of Little League is to assist youth in developing good qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being, with proper guidance and exemplary leadership. Aragona Pembroke Little League, (APLL), has instituted this Code of Conduct to ensure that the behavior and conduct of all participants in APLL activities, whether on the APLL Complex or not, are consistent with and further these purposes. Players, managers, coaches, parents, league officials, umpires, scorekeepers, announcers, volunteers and spectators all share in the responsibility to display proper behavior at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct or disrespect for the game, league officials, opposing coaches and teams, the umpires and game officials, the scorekeepers and the spectators will not be tolerated at APLL during any of its activities. The APLL Board of Directors may take disciplinary action against any participant in the league, including players, coaches, parents, umpires, league officials, volunteers and spectators, whose conduct is detrimental to the operation and purpose of APLL. While this Code of Conduct lists certain conduct that may result in disciplinary action, it is not exhaustive and other conduct not specifically identified in this Code of Conduct could also result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include reprimands, game ejections, suspensions, expulsion from APLL and its activities, and permanent ban from APLL.

The following is the Code of Conduct players are obligated to follow while engaged at any APLL activities, (such as practices, games, tournaments or games played in other Little Leagues), or while on the APLL Complex. Violation of any rule may result in ejection, reprimand, suspension and/or expulsion from APLL, or any other action as deemed appropriate by the APLL Board of Directors. Any disciplinary action will begin immediately upon notification to the offending party by a representative of the APLL Board of Directors and take effect before the next scheduled game of the offending player. The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs by players anywhere on the APLL Complex is strictly prohibited. The following behavior will not be tolerated: • arguing with umpires or other game officials; • engaging in offensive behavior; • trash-talking to opponents; • unsportsmanlike conduct; • abusive, harmful or unwarranted disruptions to the game; • throwing bats, helmets, gloves, or other equipment in anger; • using profane, obscene or vulgar language; or • verbal disrespect directed towards an umpire, game official, league official, another player, manager, coach or spectator. There shall be no fighting whatsoever at any APLL activity. Any player who either suggests or threatens to fight, or initiates and/or participates in a fight before or during a game, or touches or threatens to touch anyone else in a violent or offensive manner, shall be immediately ejected from the game and removed from the APLL Complex. At the completion of their game, players shall properly participate in a post-game cheer and/or handshake ceremony on the field of play. In addition, players may thank the umpiring crew and any other game officials present. Players who are ejected from a game twice in any season may lose their eligibility to participate in any post-season tournaments. A player ejected from a game must leave the proximity of the playing field immediately, and may be required to leave the complex. Any player ejected from the game will automatically be suspended from their next physically played game.

 The following is the Code of Conduct all managers, coaches and other adult volunteers are obligated to follow while engaged at any APLL activities, (such as practices, games, tournaments or games played in other Little Leagues), or while on the APLL Complex. Violation of any rule may result in ejection, reprimand, suspension and/or expulsion from APLL. Any disciplinary action will begin immediately upon notification to the offending party by a representative of the APLL Board of Directors and take effect before the next scheduled game of the offending party. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs anywhere on the APLL Complex is strictly prohibited. The use of tobacco products on the field of play or bleachers during practices or games is strictly prohibited. The following behavior will not be tolerated: • arguing with umpires or other game officials; • engaging in offensive behavior; • trash-talking to opponents; • unsportsmanlike conduct; • abusive, harmful or unwarranted disruptions to the game; • throwing bats, helmets, gloves, or other equipment in anger; • using profane, obscene or vulgar language; or • verbal disrespect directed towards an umpire, game official, league official, player, manager, coach or spectator. Managers and coaches shall never threaten to or physically harm or abuse any player, umpire, game official, league official or spectator at any time for any reason. At the completion of their game, managers and coaches shall properly participate in a handshake ceremony with the opposing team on the field of play. In addition, all managers and coaches shall thank the umpiring crew and any other game officials present. Managers or coaches shall not deliberately circumvent any APLL Local Rules or regulations, Little League Rules, especially the mandatory playing rule. Managers and coaches who are ejected from a game twice in any season may lose their eligibility to participate in any post-season tournaments. A manager or coach ejected from a game will not be allowed to remain in the dugout or the spectator area and must immediately vacate the proximity of the playing field, and may be required to leave the complex. Failure to do so in a timely manner without further argument or delay may result in forfeiture of the game. Any manager or coach ejected from the game will automatically be suspended from their next physically played game.   

The following is the Code of Conduct all spectators, including parents, are obligated to follow at APLL, or at any APLL activities (such as practices, games, tournaments or games played in other Little Leagues), or while on the APLL Complex. Violation of any rule may result in disciplinary action and/or expulsion from APLL. Any disciplinary action will begin immediately upon notification to the offending party by a representative of the APLL Board of Directors and take effect before the next scheduled game of the offending party. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs anywhere on the APLL Complex is strictly prohibited. The use of tobacco products on the field of play or in the bleachers during practices or games is strictly prohibited. Spectators shall not incite or participate in any form of unsportsmanlike conduct at APLL or at any APLL activity. Spectators shall not use abusive or profane language or gestures at any time at any game or other APLL activity. Spectators shall not criticize, belittle, antagonize, berate or otherwise incite any players, managers, coaches, adult volunteers, umpires, league officials or other spectators by word of mouth or by gesture. Spectators shall accept all decisions of the umpires and game officials as being fair and judged to the best of their ability. Any spectator exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct, disruptive, profane, rude and/or abusive behavior towards any player, manager, coach, umpire, game official, league official or other spectator shall be subject to removal from the spectator area and the APLL Complex by a league official. Any spectator who fails to comply with this request in a timely manner, without further argument or delay, may subject the team to which they are affiliated with to a forfeiture of the game and must be reported to the APLL Board of Directors. Parents are responsible for the actions of their children while on the APLL Complex while their children are not specifically involved in a games or practice.