GAIN UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR THE RULES OF THE CONTEST.

The necessity to be well informed is essential, so know the rules. The spirit of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP depends on conformance to a rule’s intent as well as to the letter of a given rule.

EXERCISE REPRESENTATIVE BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES

A prerequisite to good sportsmanship requires one to understand his/her own prejudices that may become a factor in his/her behavior. The true value of competition relies upon everyone exhibiting behavior, which is a representative of a sound value base. A proper perspective must be maintained if the educational values are to be realized. Your behavior influences others whether you are aware of it or not. Be a positive representative for your league, team and family.

EXHIBIT RESPECT FOR OPPONENTS

Applause for an opponent’s good performance displays generosity and is a courtesy that should be regularly practiced. This not only represents GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, but also reflects a true awareness of the game by recognizing and acknowledging quality.

EXHIBIT RESPECT FOR THE OFFICIALS

The officials of any contest are impartial arbitrators who are trained and who perform to the best of their ability. Mistakes by all those involved in the contest are part of the game. We should not rationalize poor or unsuccessful performance or behavior by placing responsibility on an official. The rule of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP is to accept and abide by the decision made. This value is critical for children to learn for later application in life.

DISPLAY PRIDE IN YOUR ACTIONS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY

Never allow your ego to interfere with good judgment and responsibility as a representative of Bayside Pony. Regardless, whether you are an adult, athlete, coach, or official, this value is paramount. Displaying a positive attitude will show you care about yourself and how others perceive you.

1. Accept and understand the seriousness of responsibility, and the privilege of representing your league and your community.
2. Live up to the standards of sportsmanship established by the Bayside Pony administration and the coaching staff.
3. Learn the rules of the game thoroughly and discuss them with parents, fans, fellow managers/coaches and athletes. This will assist both them and you in the achievement of a better understanding and appreciation of the sport.
4. Treat your opponents, as you would like to be treated as a quest or friend. Who better than you can understand all the hard work and team effort that is required of your sport?
5. Wish opponents good luck before the contest and congratulate them in a sincere manner, which you would like to be greeted following either victory or defeat.
6. Respect the integrity and judgment of contest officials. The officials are doing their best to help promote you and your sport. Treating them with respect, even if you disagree with their judgment will only make a positive impression of you and your team.

1. Remember that you are at a contest to support the skill and competition for your team: not to intimidate or ridicule the other team and its fans.
2. Remember that athletics are a learning experience for your children and mistakes are sometimes made. Praise athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as athletes and as people.
3. Learn the rules of the game so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.
4. Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, spectators and support groups. Treat them as you would like to be treated as a guest.
5. Respect the integrity and judgment of contest officials. Understand that they are doing their best to promote the athlete and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.
6. Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.
7. The use of any controlled substances (drugs and alcohol) is prohibited on Bayside Pony property; furthermore, violators will be subject to suspension.
8. Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited on City of Virginia Beach School property. Parents should also ensure they understand the rules when visiting other league ballparks.
9. Use only those cheers that support and uplift the teams involved.
10. Recognize and compliment Bayside Pony and athletic administrators for their efforts in emphasizing the educational benefits of athletics and the role of good sportsmanship.

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

1. Please applause during introduction of players, coaches and contest officials.
2. Players shaking hands with opponents who leave the game due to injury while both set of fans should recognize the player’s performance with applause.
3. Accept all decisions of contest officials.
4. Handshakes, which are given between participants and coaches at the end of each contest, are customary regardless of the outcome.
5. Coaches and players search out opposing participants to recognize them for outstanding performance or coaching.
6. Applause shall be given at the end of contest for performances to all participants.
7. Everyone shall show his or her concern for an injured player regardless of the team.
8. Encourage surrounding people to display only positive sportsmanship conduct

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

1. Yelling or waiving arms or objects.
2. Disrespectful or derogatory cheers, chants, songs or gestures (i.e. batter, batter) from our members or guests are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. This will also include cheers that are singling out specific players or antagonizing opponents. Laughing or name-calling to distract opponents is not sportsmanship behavior and will not be tolerated.
3. Managers, coaches, players or spectators criticizing officials in any way (i.e., display of temper with an official’s call). Persons guilty of this type of performance will be duly warned by the umpire or attending Bayside Pony official (s). If the situation persists, the umpire will call time and warn both managers and / or persons involved. The umpire shall state that further outbursts of this nature will result in the person (s) being evicted from the game or the vicinity of the playing field.
4. Any member of a team (player, manager or coach) ejected by an umpire is ineligible to participate for the remainder of that game and the next game played by his/her team. The evicted member cannot attend the game he/she was evicted from, and must leave the premises. On the second ejection, he/she is ineligible to participate in Bayside Pony activities until appearing before a special meeting of the Board of Directors.
5. Refusing to shake hands or give recognition for good play.
6. Blaming loss of contest on officials, coaches or participants is considered unacceptable behavior.
7. The use of profanity or displays of anger, which draw attention away from the game, is not the behavior we want exposed to our players.
8. Wearing extreme or unusual clothing including excessive face or body painting that will distract from the actions on the playing field is not prohibited.
9. Any player who becomes a disciplinary problem (being disrespectful to a manager, coach or another player, fails to attend practices or games or a source of team conflict) shall be released from the team with the approval of the Board. Nonetheless, protocol must be conceived, by means of writing a letter and submitting it to the Board from the team manager. The manager, player and parent shall appear before the Board of Directors following received letter.
10. Anyone exhibiting unacceptable behavior that has been listed above will be subjected to a verbal warning from any Bayside Pony official or umpire. If behavior persists, the offending person will be required to leave Bayside Pony property.