Parents

I will

a. I will remember that the game is for the children—not adults.

b. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.

c. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practice, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

d. Set a good example. Children learn best by example.

e. Applaud good plays made by team and by members of the opposing team.

f. Never leave my child alone without informing the coach or asking another parent present to look after my child’s welfare.

 

With the Officials I will

a. Not publicly question umpire’s judgment and never their honesty.

b. Remember that only the coach should question an umpire’s call relating to the proper interpretation of a rule. Judgment calls should not be questioned.

c. Remember that umpires are usually parents just like me and they are there to help make my child’s youth baseball experience a positive one. They need my support by refraining from umpiring from the sidelines. As a volunteer organization, there’s always an opportunity for me to take an interest umpiring.

d. Remember that the umpire does not care who wins. Any mistakes they make are honest ones, and my children need to know that I believe this. Being an umpire is a difficult job, and I will do my best to respect their job.

With my child’s team I will

a. Respect and support all players, and coaches.

b. Remember that coaches are usually parents just like me. They volunteer time to help make my child’s youth experience a positive one. They need my support by refraining from coaching from the sidelines. As a volunteer organization, there’s always an opportunity for me to take an interest in coaching.

c. Recognize value and importance of volunteer coaches and give them their due respect. Without them, there would be no baseball program.

 

With my child I will

a. Through encouragement and good example, help assure that all the children learn good sportsmanship and self discipline.

b. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.

c. Remember that parents serve as role models for their children. I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth activities.

d. Remember that my child is the one playing baseball, not me.

Ocala Rotary Sportsplex Babe Ruth Baseball