Managers and Coaches Misconduct Policy

The primary description of acceptable behavior for coaches is given in the Coaches Code of Conduct statement distributed to all coaches at the beginning of the year. Generally, we have few or no problems with coaches behaving in a manner contradictory to that described in the Code of Conduct. However, occasionally a situation does arise where the behavior of a coach becomes unacceptable. This policy is intended to describe the procedure that the Winter Springs Youth Sports Board of Directors will follow to address such instances.

An occurrence of misconduct must be documented before the Board will address the matter. Documentation consists of one of two forms: 1) a Board member personally witnesses the misconduct and brings the matter to the President and the VP of Baseball / Softball Operations, or 2) an eyewitness has observed the misconduct and submits a written complaint to a Board member within 2 weeks of the misconduct; once nwotified the President will appoint a Review Committee. The Review Committee will interview those filing the complaint, seek to interview others present who witnessed the behavior, and interview the coach and or coaches whose actions are in question.

The Review Committee may determine that the event was not a serious violation of the behavior code, or that circumstances dictate that the event be ignored. If such is the case, the matter will be dropped and all participating parties will be notified. The Review Committee may determine that the violation was serious and calls for punitive action by the Committee.

The first step in such action is for the Committee to issue a letter of warning to the coach indicating the Board's disapproval of the indicated behavior, and to advise the coach that he or she is being placed on probation for the remainder of the season. The warning letter will also advise the coach that subsequent occurrences will result in further disciplinary action including but not limited to the suspension of the coach from a part of or all of the remaining season. The letter will be signed by the members of the Review Committee and a copy will be delivered to the offending coach. The original will be kept as part of the League’s documentation. The Review Committee will present the action and a copy of the letter to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Those filing the complaint will also be notified of the actions taken by the Board.

In the event that the Review Committee finds the first offense to be serious enough to warrant a punitive action greater than a letter of warning, the Review Committee shall request approval from the President.

If a coach behaves in such a manner as to create a second event of misconduct during his or her probationary period the Review Committee will investigate the incident and report its findings and recommendation to the President. The Review Committee will recommend suspending the coach for any or all of the remainder of the season. Written notification of the suspension will be presented to the offending coach and if it is necessary that the coach be suspended for the remainder of the season. The VP of Baseball / Softball Operations will appoint a replacement coach and a member of the Review Committee will meet with the parents and players of the team to advise them of the Board's actions.

Any manager or coach that is suspended for the year will not be allowed to take a manager or coaching position the following year.