ARLINGTON GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT
Coaching a youth sport program such as Arlington Girls Softball Association (AGSA) is a privilege that is not to
be taken for granted. As a coach, appointed by the AGSA Board of Directors, you have an important role in
the development of the young ladies in our community. The essential elements of character building and
ethics in sports are the foundations of sportsmanship and are demonstrated by the core principals of respect,
responsibility, fairness, teamwork, and good citizenship. These values and lessons learned in softball will
benefit our young ladies throughout life.
With this in mind, AGSA expects each coach to adhere to the following code of conduct:
1. I will promote good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support at all times.
2. I will teach good softball skills, and have fun in the process.
3. I realize, accept and will practice the principle that a team’s reputation is built not only on its playing
ability, but also on its sportsmanship, courtesy and manner.
4. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent.
5. I understand verbal abuse of an official, coach, player, or spectator, including obscene gestures, will
not be tolerated and that the offender may be removed from the AGSA fields at the discretion of an
umpire or an AGSA board member.
6. I understand all discussions will be held in conversational tones. Under no circumstances will a coach,
fan, or player yell at an umpire, coach, fan, or player.
7. I understand profanity is expressly forbidden at all times at all AGSA events.
8. I understand alcoholic beverages and the use of illicit drugs are prohibited at all AGSA events.
9. I understand that the use of tobacco products, including “chew” is prohibited on all AGSA fields and in
the dugouts.
10. I will know and understand the rules and abide by them (whether local or national). I will instruct my
team members in the rules and coach my team in such a way as to motivate each player to compete
according to the rules at all times.
11. I will attend all required coaches meetings. If I cannot attend, I will ensure that one of my assistant
coaches attends on my behalf.
12. I will complete and submit to AGSA all required paperwork, including the background check and the
code of conduct.
13. I will be responsible for caring for all equipment assigned to my team, and will ensure that all leagueprovided equipment is clean and accounted for when returned.
14. I will be responsible for cleaning up fields, dugouts, and stands after each game.
15. I will maintain open communications with players and parents to inform them of practices, games and
other responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner.
16. I will conduct practices in an organized manner, with a planned agenda that focuses on specific skill
development appropriate for the skill level of the players.
17. I will focus on providing instruction commensurate with players abilities so all players have the
opportunity advance their skills towards their full potential, gain confidence and develop self-esteem,
as well as establish a solid foundation for further softball competition.
18. I will teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory
and proud and courteous in defeat.
19. I understand that coaches are appointed by the board of directors to be responsible for the team’s
actions on the field and to represent the team in communications with the umpires, opposing teams
and the league. I will take full responsibility for the care and actions of my team during the season and
will ensure that my team abides by all AGSA and VTD rules.
20. I understand that inappropriate behavior that conflicts with this code of conduct WILL NOT BE
TOLERATED. Offenders may be removed from the premises at the discretion of an umpire or an AGSA
board member. Serious violations may be cause for removal as a volunteer coach, at the distraction of
the board of directors.
I, the undersigned, agree to follow the above Code of Conduct and comply will all League rules, policies,
and procedures. I understand the violation of this code of conduct will not be tolerated and that violators
will be subject to disciplinary action by the board of directors, up to and including suspension of
participation in the League. I understand that if while I am suspended I will not be permitted to attend any
league functions including practices, games, team parties, etc.
_________________________________________
______________________________
Signature
Date
_________________________________________
______________________________
Printed Name
Team Division / Name
ARLINGTON GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
PARNET/PLAYER CODES OF CONDUCT
Recreational youth softball should be a fun and rewarding time for players, parents, coaches, umpires, and
fans. Through softball, Arlington Girls Softball Association (AGSA) seeks to enhance the physical, mental, and
emotional well-being of every child that takes part. AGSA expects the highest degree of participation, effort,
and sportsmanship from its participants.
The following Codes of Conduct have been adopted to promote fairness, teamwork, trust, good citizenship,
sportsmanship, responsibility, and respect among the members of AGSA.
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
As an AGSA parent, I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for each child
participating in AGSA by adhering to the following code of conduct:
1. I will applaud effort on the field, regardless of the score.
2. I will remember that the league exists for the players to learn, compete and have fun. While softball is
competitive, winning is secondary to learning and the enjoyment of the girls. Youth softball is for the
young ladies, not the adults.
3. I will be supportive of coaches. The coaches are volunteers, giving or their time to coach. Parents
should be a positive role model that fosters respect of the coaches. Concerns about a player’s role on
a team should be expressed respectfully to the coach(es) in a private setting, never in public.
4. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such
as booing and taunting, refusing to shake hands, ridiculing another player or using profane language.
These behaviors will not be tolerated.
5. I will remember that all umpires will make mistakes occasionally, but coaches and parents are
expected to treat the umpires with the respect their position within the game deserves. Verbal abuse
of umpires will not be tolerated.
6. I will teach my player that she has a responsibility to learn and to try her best. Effort leads to
achievement and respect.
7. I understand that the use of profanity is never allowed at AGSA events.
8. I understand that alcohol and the use of illicit drugs is strictly prohibited at AGSA event.s
9. I understand that violation of this code of conduct may result in removal from AGSA events at the
discretion of an umpire or an AGSA board member. Serious and/or repeat offenses may result in
suspension from participation in AGSA events at the discretion of the AGSA board of directors.
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT
Players’ responsibilities are simple; be respectful of others, be responsible, play fair, always do your best, and
always exhibit good sportsmanship.
As an AGSA participant, I hereby pledge that I will:
1. Encourage good sportsmanship from my fellow players, coaches, officials, and parents.
2. Be a team player and support my teammates.
3. Be on time and attend every practice and game that I can, and will notify my coaches if I cannot.
4. Work hard to improve my skills.
5. Respect my coaches, and do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
6. Congratulate the other team after each game as a demonstration of sportsmanship.
7. Refrain from using violence, unfriendly language, or insults to others.
8. Be generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
9. Obey the rules of the game and always work for the good of the team.
10. Accept the decisions of the officials with grace and refrain from challenging or questioning calls by
officials and/or coaches.
11. Conduct myself with honor and dignity.
12. Applaud the efforts of my teammates and opponents.
13. Understand that inappropriate and/or unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated and may result
in suspension of participation, at the discretion of the board of directors.
My signature verifies that I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the AGSA Player Code of Conduct.
__________________________ _____________________________ ________________________
Player Name (printed)
Player Signature
Team Division / Name
My signature verifies that I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the AGSA Parent Code of
Conduct. I have also read and discussed with my daughter the AGSA Player Code of Conduct and will do my
best to positively encourage my child to abide by it.
__________________________ _____________________________ ________________________
Parent Name (printed)
Parent Signature