FALLS CHURCH KIWANIS LITTLE LEAGUE

Fan Behavioral Expectations

We encourage all parents, siblings, family and friends to come out and support the players at games, and encourage everyone to cheer for the players. This is youth recreation baseball, and we expect all participants, fans, volunteers, and players alike, to remember this. Everyone in attendance has a role:

Players play

Coaches coach

Umpires officiate

Parents cheer

Negative and abusive comments toward players, umpires, or volunteers will not be tolerated.

Comments of any kind toward the umpires are not permitted before, during or following games. Violation can result in immediate dismissal from the field and potential suspension at the discretion of FCKLL.

The following link is a brief video discussing the current state of officiating. We encourage everyone to watch this video: https://vimeo.com/763511733/d7c55355ec?mc_cid=4861e3cb0a&mc_eid=484e332b92

We cannot play games and run a league without umpires and the simple fact is more and more officials are quitting youth sports, broadly speaking. The main reason is abusive behavior from adults. This is a problem in all sports and at all levels. In the past few years, officials have been forced to reduce their teams from 3 officials to 2 in Fairfax County high school basketball games and from 7 officials to 5 in Fairfax County high school football games. Shortages of officials have already impacted FCKLL and each year it gets more and more difficult to cover all games due to fewer and fewer umpires.

FCKLL broadly requests that all instances of abuse towards players, umpires, and coaches be reported immediately. FCKLL will be judicious in banning abusive fans without warning, with penalties up to and including player suspension.

Together we can make this a fun, encouraging and positive experience for everyone!!!

Little League Regulations and Rules on Conduct and Calls

Parents, managers, coaches, and umpires should be aware of the following Little League regulations and rules:

REGULATION XIV – FIELD DECORUM
(a) The actions on or off the field, of players, managers, coaches, umpires, and league officials must be above reproach.

LL Rule 9.02 (a): Any umpire’s decision which involves judgement, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. No player, manager, coach or substitute shall object to any such judgment decisions.

Parent/Caregiver Expectations

As a FCKLL parent/caregiver/family member, I WILL:

Remember that children participate to have fun
Be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship
Teach my child to play by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence
Demand that my child treats coaches, officials, and other players with respect regardless of race, creed, color, gender identity, or ability
Teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning
Praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard
Promote the emotional and physical well being of athletes ahead of my personal desire to win
Respect the officials and their authority during games

As a FCKLL parent/caregiver/family member, I WILL NOT:

Force my child to participate
Engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent
Boo, taunt, refuse to shake hands, or use profane language
Encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of athletes
Ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a game
Use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol at any league event
Coach my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am a coach.

FCKLL Code of Conduct

All FCKLL registrants and members have agreed to the following Code of Conduct in order to play in the League.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, parents, spectators and fans. In becoming a member of this organization, an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the organization and its participants. The essential elements in this Code of Conduct are HONESTY and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects these elements will bring credit to themselves, their team and their organization. It is only through such conduct that our organization can continue to earn and maintain a positive image and make its full contribution to our sport and community.

The following essential elements of the Code of Conduct must be followed:
1. Sportsmanship and teaching the concepts of fair play are essential to the game and must be taught at all levels and developed both at home and on the field during practices and games.
2. The value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play, and the skills of the game should always be placed above winning.
3. The safety and welfare of the players are of primary importance.
4. Players should always demonstrate positive behavior and respect toward teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
5. Coaches, players, parents and spectators are expected to demonstrate the utmost respect for officials and reinforce that respect to players/teammates.
6. Grievances or misunderstandings between coaches, officials or any other parties involved with the organization should be communicated through the proper channels and procedures, never on or about the field of play in view of spectators or participants.
7. Spectators involved with the game must never permit anyone to openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass or threaten an official, coach, player or opponent.
8. Eligibility requirements, at all levels of the game, must be followed. Rules and requirements such as age, previous level of participation, team transfers, etc, have been established to encourage and maximize participation, fair play and to promote safety.