Rowdy behavior at youth sporting events has made headlines for years. Parents who are upset with coaches or referees have taken out their frustrations in a public and dangerous manner. So have coaches and players. In order to prevent hostile and dangerous incidents from occurring, many youth sports leagues make all parties involved sign codes of conduct that will help promote good behavior at sporting events.
Identification
A code of conduct is a signed promise to behave in a mature and sensible manner. The code of conduct is presented to players, athletes and coaches prior to the start of any sports season.
The code of conduct identifies how fans should behave, how coaches should run their teams and how players should act on the field of play. This gives all involved parties an outline on how they should behave during games and practices.
Function
The main goal behind the code of conduct is that more individuals will think before they act out. A parent might be unhappy that an umpire called strike three on his daughter in softball. Because he was sitting directly behind home plate, he believes the pitch was outside and the pitch should have been called a ball.
As a result, he is angry that his daughter has been called out in what he believes is an unfair manner. He wants to tell the umpire that he thinks he's unfit for the job and doesn't belong on the field.
But before he opens his mouth, he remembers that he signed a code of conduct that prevents that type of criticism of officials. As a result, he sits quietly and does not lash out at the official.
Features
The code of conduct demands that coaches not argue with officials and that they cannot criticize them. Players must respect officials, coaches, teammates and opponents. Fans may not criticize officials, coaches or players.
They can cheer for their own player, but they may not deride members of the opposing team. The code of conduct might also outline penalties for first-time offenses and future offenses. However, before penalties are imposed, league officials usually hold hearings with all parties.
Benefits
The code of conduct is an educational tool for all parties involved. Not only does it give players, coaches and parents a baseline when it comes to behavior at sporting events, but also it lets them know that they are being watched. When people know that their behavior is being examined, they are less likely to behave irresponsibly.
History
One of the most infamous incidents in youth sports history involved the father of a youth hockey player who killed the father of another youth hockey player after the two sons were involved in some rough play during a hockey practice.
The "Hockey Dad" incident occurred in Reading, Massachusetts, in July, 2000 and underscored the problem of violence at youth sporting events. Thomas Junta was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2002 in the death of Michael Costin.
Codes of conduct in youth sports became customary throughout the United States after this incident.
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