Our league grows every year and managing the success of the largest special needs league in the country takes a huge amount of effort from volunteers, coaches and directors. As the league gets bigger, we are trying to put in place protocol and etiquette so that everyone can have a good experience on our fields. If we all have patience with each other and look out for our players we know we can continue to build this amazing community. Our players have all kinds of disabilities and we welcome the wide varieties of challenges that our families face. We hope you will read these so that you and your player have clear expectations on what it means to be a part of Challenger Baseball.
The Program Directors of Challenger Baseball, A Division of District 8 Little League, have implemented the following Code of Conduct for the important message it holds about the proper role of coaches, volunteers, parents, caregivers, mentors and any other individual arranged by the parent, guardian or caregiver to assist players and the behavior we will be encouraging from all of our players. Parents, guardians, caregivers and players should review this form prior to participating in our league. All parents, guardians, mentors, and caregivers are expected to abide by and follow all the protocols, rules and requirements listed in this Code of Conduct. The responsibility of parents, guardians, mentors, and caregivers assumed under this Code of Conduct is extended to, without reservation, to any and all individuals arranged by the parent, guardians, mentors, and caregivers to assist the player during participation.
The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: • Trustworthiness, • Respect, • Responsibility, • Fairness, • Caring, and • Good Citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”
I therefore agree:
If my player needs, I will be on the field assisting my player at all times.
I understand that the Coach(s) cannot be responsible for every player’s actions at all times and I will offer to help out on the team.
I assume responsibility to supervise my player and any other family members in attendance. Whether it is my player playing on the field or my other children on the sidelines, I will make sure my player/children are supervised at all times & respect all others around us. At no time will I leave a child unsupervised, and that includes on any playground associated with our fields.
I will give only encouragement & applaud only positive accomplishments of my player & his/her team mates.
I will encourage my player to not become physically or verbally aggressive to other players, parents, mentors, and/or volunteers. If it does happen, I will immediately intervene & respect any requests made by the coach to help my player regroup.
I will respect the Coach(s) & other parents/volunteers at all times, along with respecting any decisions that the Coach(es) make on the field. Tough decisions need to be made to ensure the safety of all members of the team and I will not encourage other parents to get involved in any decisions regarding a player I am supporting.
I will never demonstrate threatening or abusive behavior, or use foul language at any event. These behaviors are grounds for immediate dismissal from the league.
If I see any behavior that concerns me, I will immediately report it to a coach or administrator.
If a coach or administrator receives a report of behavior by an adult that puts any of our players in harms way, the administrators reserve the right to ask the adult to leave the fields until the time the report is fully investigated.
I will teach my player that doing one’s best and being a part of a team is the most important part of our games, so that he is never disappointed in his/her performance. I will praise my player and other players for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my players and other players feel encouraged.
I will respect all of the facilities & clean up after myself & my player.
PHOTOS: I understand that pictures and videos will be taken of all players during games. If I would prefer not to have my player’s pictures displayed on marketing materials, facebook or the league’s website, I will immediately let the coach know.
I understand that my player must be at 7 out of 14 games (weather Permitting) in order to receive a trophy at the end of the year banquet.
SERVICE DOGS: I will respect that players with Special Needs have fears associated with pets and will only bring Official Service Dogs to the fields. If asked by a coach or Program Director, I will remove a dog or another pet because I understand that players with autism or other disabilities may run from the pet. That action may cause the dog or pet to chase after the player. If the league asks a dog owner to remove the dog more than once the owner will be ejected from the league.
SMOKING: There is no smoking on or near the field at any time. The league creates a sports environment for players that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
GRADUATING FROM JUNIOR LEAGUE: Players who are 15 years and older on opening day of the league will be given the option to move to the adult or senior league. At age 17 all players will be moved out of the junior league. It is understood that change is difficult for all of our players, however in order to make room for new players we need to graduate players to the senior and adult leagues. Please prepare your player as best as you can for the move and work with your coach on explaining the reasons for graduating players.
Players moving to the Senior League will be moved onto those teams at the discretion of the coaches and program directors. Players who would like to continue to play at the junior league level (no strikes called, all players get an at bat, fielding work is minimal) will be moved to the adult teams.
SENIORS: Players on the Senior League are expected to follow the rules of the coaches. The Seniors play a more challenging level of baseball where strikes and outs are called. Players are expected to play the infield and outfield with attention to the batter during that time. If a coach sees behavior that leads him to believe that the Senior League may cause an injury to a player based on his/her behavior, the administrator will move the player to the Adult League. Parents will be consulted but the decision by the administrator is final.
ADULTS: Players on the Adult League play the same game rules as the Junior League with no strikes or outs called and assistance in the outfield and infield expected. Safety is the number one priority of the league. Mentors and/or caregivers are expected to assist their players with the game. Challenger does not operate as “drop off” facility for adult players.
SAFETY: If a player poses a risk to any other player or if playing the game may cause injury to that player, the league directors under the advice of the coaching staff, have the ability to move or dismiss players from the league regardless of the league rules stated above. All decisions by the league directors will be final and players waive any rights, and acknowledge that there is no recourse or claim of any nature whatsoever against directors, our volunteers or coaches. In the event of a dispute, the directors’ decision will be final and binding.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND PRIVACY PROTECTION:
It is understood that we use social media as a positive outlet to promote players, teammates, teams and others involved in Syracuse Challenger Baseball. Our league has a page on Facebook for members to interact with. Posting photos and acknowledging individual, league and team performances on social media makes many aware to the positivity of our league and achievements. Proper use of social media is encouraged and embraced wherever and whenever possible to further promote our League.
It is your responsibility to be respectful at all times on social media. You are expected to show the same respect and regard for people that you would when playing, officiating, coaching or attending a baseball game. Always assume the person you are talking or writing about will see what has been said or written. Ensure all comments are factually correct.
Do not use social media to be critical of teammates, coaches, administrators, volunteers or spectators. Negative comments and images, bullying, criticism and sexist remarks can be dangerous and harmful to people’s wellbeing and reputation along with the image of our players, coaches, volunteers, spectators and administrators.
It is understood that we as individuals are responsible when using social media and that action can be taken against the violating individual. In the instance of minors breaching the Code of Conduct, their parents will be alerted to the situation.
We do not tolerate or condone poor social media behavior or actions. If you are aware of or observe poor social media behavior or actions, do not accept it. There is no place for it and it will not be condoned. If you believe the breach is serious, immediately report it to the head coach or to the league administrators.
Consequences: The League reserve the right to discuss any negative use of social media and other group communications with parents and player representatives. We will take any negative communication as a serious issue and will work with parties to remove posts or emails. A serious breach can result in a participant, coach, volunteer, mentor, caregiver, family or audience member being asked to leave the program.
RESTROOMS: Any Challenger player under the age of 15 that needs to use the public restroom at Carrier Park will be accompanied into the restroom by the appropriate parent, caregiver, family member and/or trusted adult. Any player needing special assistance over the age of 15 that needs to use the public restroom at Carrier Park shall be accompanied into the restroom by the appropriate parent, caregiver, family member and/or trusted adult. If the parent, caregiver, family member and/or trusted adult is unable to physically accompany the player into the bathroom for any reason, the parent, caregiver, relative and/or trusted adult should seek out a Challenger administrator or volunteer to assist. Any failure to implement these restroom protocols shall be immediately brought to the attention of the Challenger Baseball Program Director or Administrators.
Any Challenger parent, caregiver, mentor, relative and/or trusted adult shall be strongly encouraged to work with fellow Challenger families to monitor and keep an eye on the safety of all of our players while using the public facilities and the public restrooms.
PARENTS, GUARDIANS, MENTORS, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS: All parents, guardians, mentors, and caregivers are expected to abide by and follow all the protocols, rules and requirements listed in this Code of Conduct. The responsibility of parents, guardians, mentors, and caregivers assumed under this Code of Conduct is extended to, without reservation, to any and all individuals arranged by the parent, guardians, mentors, and caregivers to assist the player during participation.
COMMUNICATION: Communication is important to the success of this league and responses to emails and texts are expected.
It is understood that if the above Conduct is not followed, a participant, mentor, caregiver, family or audience member may be asked to leave the program for the season.
All decisions by the league directors will be final. Coaches, volunteers, players, parents, guardians, mentors, caregivers, and audience members waive any rights and acknowledge that there is no recourse or claim of any nature whatsoever against directors, our volunteers or coaches. In the event of a dispute, the directors’ decision will be final and binding.
Syracuse Challenger Baseball is a volunteer organization, family involvement is critical to making our league a success for everyone involved.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AND RELEASE
By signing this Agreement electronically or otherwise, I understand and agree to the following:
Assumption of Risk
I understand that participation in or attendance at any league-related activity, event, practice, game, program, class, instruction, or use of facilities involves inherent risks. These risks may include, but are not limited to, personal injury, illness, property damage, or other harm.
I acknowledge that these risks may occur whether I am a participant, parent/guardian, volunteer, spectator, or otherwise present at any League or Team activity or facility. I voluntarily choose to participate or be present and assume all risks, both known and unknown, even if arising from the ordinary negligence of the League or Team.
These risks may include, but are not limited to:
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Use of sports or recreational equipment that may malfunction or break
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Improper or negligent maintenance of facilities or equipment
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Negligent instruction, supervision, coaching, officiating, or training
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Slips, trips, or falls on League or Team premises
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Dangerous or defective conditions on property used for League or Team activities
Release and Waiver of Liability
On behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, and assigns, I hereby release and forever discharge the League and Team, including their owners, trustees, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, affiliates, successors, and assigns (“Releasees”) from any and all claims or causes of action arising out of ordinary negligence related to participation in or presence at any League or Team activity or facility.
This release does not apply to acts of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, to the extent prohibited by law.
I understand that the League and Team provide recreational services and are not engaged in the business of selling or distributing sports or exercise equipment, and that use of such equipment is incidental to participation.
Indemnification
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any loss, liability, damage, or cost (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising from my participation in or presence at any League or Team activity or facility.
Communicable Disease (Including COVID-19)
I acknowledge that participation in League activities may expose me or my child to communicable diseases, including but not limited to MRSA, influenza, COVID-19, and any variants thereof. I understand these risks may be serious or life-threatening.
I knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks of illness or injury related to communicable diseases, even if arising from the ordinary negligence of the Releasees.
I agree to follow all League rules and safety guidelines. If I observe any unsafe condition, I will promptly remove myself or my child from participation and notify a League official.
Acknowledgment and Understanding
I acknowledge that:
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I have carefully read this Agreement
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I fully understand that it is a release of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnification agreement
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By signing, I am giving up legal rights, including the right to bring a claim against the League or Team for ordinary negligence
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No oral statements or representations have been made that alter this Agreement
If any portion of this Agreement is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Minor Participant Acknowledgment (Under Age 18)
I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the minor participant and that I have read and explained this Agreement to my child/ward in a manner appropriate to their understanding, including the risks involved and the importance of following rules and instructions.
I consent to my child’s participation and agree on behalf of myself, my spouse, and my child/ward to release, waive, indemnify, and hold harmless Syracuse Challenger Baseball and all Releasees from any and all claims arising from my child’s participation, even if arising from ordinary negligence, to the fullest extent permitted by law.