Sportsmanship Violations & Sanctions Policy

Streamwood Little League (SLL) is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and positive environment for players, coaches, parents, umpires, and spectators. This policy outlines how sportsmanship concerns are categorized, addressed, and resolved.

I. Categories of Sportsmanship Offenses

(Applicable to Coaches, Parents, and Players)

A. Verbal Conduct, Gestures, and Tone

Violations of the SLL Codes of Conduct include, but are not limited to:

• Swearing or use of obscene language

• Obscene or inappropriate gestures

• Verbal threats of physical violence

• Gestures implying physical violence (e.g., punching motion, throat-slitting gesture)

• Angry or aggressive tone of voice with elevated volume

  • Note: Expressions of frustration that do not rise to an angry or aggressive level are not considered violations. Determination may require Sportsmanship Committee (SC) consultation.

B. Physical Contact

Any inappropriate physical contact with players, coaches, umpires, parents, or spectators, including:

• Pushing or shoving

• Grabbing

• Punching or kicking

• Physical bumping during heated arguments

C. Rules Violations

• Violations of league rules, including those related to player participation

• Division-specific rules apply and are addressed separately

II. Types of Warnings, Penalties, and Duration

A. Warnings

• Issued for all violations except physical contact

• May be issued by:

  • The umpire (during a game), or

  • The SC Chair (after a game)

• No warning is required for:

  • Physical contact

  • Severe offenses

• Warnings may include:

  • Sitting on the bench for one inning to reflect

• Additional violations following a warning will result in further penalties

B. Removal from the Field

• Applied for:

  • Physical contact

  • Verbal conduct/gesture/tone violations following a warning

• The individual will be asked to leave the field for the remainder of the game

• Coaches may bench a player for one or more innings if behavior is unsafe or disrespectful

  • Such incidents must be reported to the Player Agent for league-parent communication

C. Game Suspensions

• Length determined by severity and/or repeated offenses

• Determined by the Sportsmanship Committee and approved by the Executive Board

• Typical guidelines:

  • Most first offenses: 1-game suspension

  • Severe first offenses: 2–3 game suspension

    • Includes physical contact or unethical behavior as determined by the SC

D. Season-Long or Extended Penalties

• Suspension for remainder of the season

  • May occur after repeated violations despite prior penalties

• Assistant-Coach-Only Status for the Following Season

  • Determined by SC consultation and Executive Board approval

• One-Year or Permanent Suspension from SLL

  • Applied when:

    • All prior penalties have been exhausted and violations continue, or

    • Severe misconduct occurs (e.g., physical contact), or

    • The individual refuses to acknowledge or apologize for their behavior

III. Communication and Decision-Making Process

A. Pre-Season Communication

• Sportsmanship Codes of Conduct distributed to all registrants

• Signed acknowledgment required

• Policies posted on the SLL website

B. Reporting of Violations

Violations may be reported through:

• Direct observation by a Sportsmanship Committee or Board member

• Reports from coaches, parents, or players (in person, by phone, or electronically)

C. In-Season Decision Process

• The Sportsmanship Committee conducts prompt consultations when incidents occur

• Initial reports during games are directed to the SC Chair

• The SLL President is on call nightly to consult with:

  • SC Chair

  • Player Agent

• For minor sanctions:

  • Input from at least two SC members is required

  • Additional SC input may be requested within 24–48 hours

• Final decisions are submitted to the Executive Board for approval

• Following a warning or suspension:

  • An SC member will observe the individual for 1–2 subsequent games

D. Communication of Sanctions

• Initial notification sent via email from the SC Chair

• The individual will be asked to discuss the incident by phone within 24 hours

  • Purpose: to understand circumstances and, when appropriate, resolve the matter with a lower-level sanction

• Final decisions are communicated via email, with an option for follow-up discussion

• The SC maintains a confidential log of all warnings and sanctions to ensure consistency and accuracy

IV. Appeal Process

• Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Board

• For more serious sanctions, the Board may allow an in-person appeal

• Decision timelines:

  • Regular season: within 1 week

  • Playoffs: within 1 day

  • End of season/off-season: within 1 month

V. Umpire Training and Responsibilities

• Umpires will:

  • Review key sportsmanship expectations with coaches and players before each game

  • Explain applicable rules and umpiring style prior to play

• The SC Chair ensures umpire training includes:

  • Review of all Sportsmanship Codes of Conduct

  • Review of this Sanctions Policy

• SC members attending games may remind umpires of sportsmanship guidelines as needed

• Umpires must:

  • Report sportsmanship violations to their supervisor within 24 hours

  • Supervisors must notify the SC Chair within 24 hours of receiving a report