Lion Ball Rules...

Code of Ethics – Student-Athlete/Parent Handbook

It is the duty of all concerned with school athletics:

1. To emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play.

2. To eliminate all possibilities which tend to destroy the best values of the game.

3. To stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.

4. To show cordial courtesy to visitors and hosts.

5. To establish a good relationship between visitors and hosts.

6. To respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.

7. To achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility.

8. To encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by the players on the team.

9. To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of the individual players.

10. To keep in mind that an athletic contest is only a game – not a matter of life or death for player, coach, school, official, fan, community, state or nation.

Attendance

A.         Practice Meeting, Event Attendance (Student-Athlete/Parent Handbook)

A student athlete is to attend every practice, meeting, and team event, unless excused by his/her head coach or his/her medical doctor. Students cannot participate in any outside activities and/or team unless given permission from the head coach of that particular school sport.

On a non-school day, student athletes must report to their head coach at least thirty minutes before the beginning of the scheduled practice if they are unable to attend a practice. Such contact must be by the student-athlete, a member of the athlete’s family, or appropriate adult. On a school day, if the student-athlete is in school and is unable to attend practice, he or she must personally inform the head coach or Athletic Director of the inability to attend the practice no later than the beginning of the last scheduled class period that day.

If a student arrives tardy to school, it must be prior to 9:30 a.m. (Grades 9-12) and 10:30 a.m. (Grades 7 and 8) and must be an excused tardy as per District Attendance Policy. A student who must leave school early for excused reasons may not leave prior to 1:00 p.m. (Grades 9-12) and 2:00 p.m. (Grades 7 and 8), and must follow procedures as per District Attendance Policy. Exceptions to this rule may only be determined by the Athletic Director and/or School Principal.

If a student is absent the last school day of the week, and the competition is on a non-school day, the student must bring to the coach, a signed statement from the parent that permission is given to participate. It is recommended that the parent call the coach regarding the absence.

ü      ATTENTION:  3 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will result in a DISMISSAL FROM THE TEAM.

Homework and Behavior

B.         Permission will not be granted to miss practice or game due to any class assignment or exam preparation unless that class assignment or exam is in direct conflict with the practice session. PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENTS OVER THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE ASSIGNMENT, NOT ON THE LAST DAY.

C.         No coach will intercede on your behalf with any teacher to allow you to circumvent any assignment due to the fact that you are a member of the baseball team, unless such an assignment was missed due to the fact that the team was involved in a game on the road and you got out of school early and the assignment was made after you were given your assignments. GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO GET YOUR ASSIGNMENTS FROM THE TEACHERS OF THE CLASSES YOU ARE GOING TO MISS BEFORE YOU LEAVE SCHOOL.

D.         As a member of the baseball team, you will be expected to conduct yourself in a gentleman like manner, both on and off campus. Classroom misbehavior will not be tolerated. If you are suspended from school as a result of classroom misbehavior, you will be suspended from the team for the same number of games once your suspension has been lifted.

Game and Practice Uniforms and Equipment

E.      ALL TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD LOOK LIKE A TEAM, NOT A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.

a.       Uniforms are to be washed for each game.

b.      Practice gear is not provided by the district or team. Acceptable practice clothing includes:

                                                              i.      Sweatpants or old baseball pants.

                                                             ii.      South Fayette shirt or sweatshirt.

                                                            iii.      Team baseball cap.

c.       Pitchers are required to have a jacket or heavy sweatshirt at every game and/or practice.

·         Consequences for not obeying these policies will be determined by the coaching staff at their discretion.

Game Conduct and Practice Conduct

As a member of the South Fayette Lions’ Baseball team, you are expected to represent our team with class, sportsmanship, integrity, and behavior that defines what are program is about and how we want people to perceive our program.

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual."

Vince Lombardi

Visions drive champions, pushing them harder one pitch at a time. Believe in the system, encourage those that are a part of the system, and our success will become contagious. To ensure we strive daily to represent the team in the highest regards the following rules will be implemented and enforced by the coaches on an individual basis.

1.       If you are academically ineligible, the district declares you ineligible for one week. As a member of the team, you will also be ineligible for the following week.

2.       Players missing practice need to call at least 30 minutes before the scheduled practice time. Players missing games need to call the day before or make arrangements with the coach in the weeks leading up to the game. Emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis.

3.       If you miss the practice before a game, you will not play in the next game. Remember, all practices are mandatory and without you we are not a full team.

4.       Missing practice is EXCUSED if you were not in school, had a death in the family, a medical emergency, or went home early from school due to an illness. All other absences are considered UNEXCUSED.

As a member of the Lions’ Baseball program, we expect all players to wear the uniform with pride always pursing excellence to build a winning tradition both on and off the playing field. Keep these values in mind as you conduct your daily responsibilities in the classroom, community, and between the white lines.

The Role of Parents in our Baseball Program

1. We, as baseball coaches, realize that we have been given the awesome responsibility of developing the abilities of your son to their fullest.

2. You, as parents must understand that each athlete must be handled according to their personalities and needs.

3. It should also be understood that positions on the team must be earned. Starting positions on the baseball team are assigned according to the needs of that particular team. For

example, at some positions, defense may be sacrificed for offense, and vice versa. The attitude of the athlete toward the team will also be a determining factor in many instances.

4. The coaching staff encourages your attendance at all of our games. We however ask that you observe the following procedures when you are in attendance:

   1. Please refrain from talking to the players and the coaches unless it is absolutely necessary.

   2. Players are not permitted to leave the playing field for any reason without the permission of the coach.

   3. We all will be glad to offer suggestions on how to develop the techniques your son is being taught or drills that will help your son be a better player.

                                                               i.      Many times well meaning parents tell their son techniques that are in direct contrast to those that the coaching staff are trying to develop.

                                                             ii.      Remember, working Together Everyone Accomplishes More.

5. The coaches want all of the athletes focused on the task at hand – performing in the game. In order for this to happen, we ask the follow from you:

   1. Parents are asked not to come into the dugout area.

   2. If there is problem, please ask the coaching staff to arrange a time to meet and discuss the situation. Embarrassing situations between players, coaches, and parents happen many times on or near the playing/practice field; in everyone’s best interest, please follow this procedure.

   3. Players are not permitted to leave the dugout area after practices or games until they are dismissed by a coach.

   4. If there is an emergency, please see one of the coaches first.