Chapter 9
Sportsmanship
The South Bay Sports Program`s goal is participant recreation and
enjoyment. It is expected that all participants will conduct themselves in a
manner that will not impair the enjoyment of other participants. All actions and
comments, whether directed at game Officials, opponents, teammates or spectators
should be constructive and conducive to fulfilling this goal.
The South Bay Sports Program insists on good sportsmanship. To foster
a positive atmosphere and attitude for recreation and competition and
encourage teams and individuals to take responsibility for their actions and
comments, South Bay Sports Staff will review each contest to determine whether actions
that are detrimental to the goal of the Program were exhibited.
Actions that are dangerous and/or conduct that is detrimental to the goal of
the Program are not tolerated and are grounds for suspension from further
participation in Intramural Sports.
Examples of unsportsmanlike behavior and conduct detrimental to the goal of
the Program include, but are not limited to:
- Striking or any attempt to strike an opponent or South Bay Staff member.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
- Aggressive action toward a participant or South Bay Sports Staff member.
- Profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures - incidental or
otherwise.
- Verbal or physical taunting.
- Actions that may lead to a fight.
- Attempts to influence the decision of a game Official.
- Dissent towards an South Bay Sports Staff member`s decision.
- Failure to cooperate with South Bay Sports Staff.
A. Ejections Any coach, participant or spectator ejected from
an South Bay Sports contest for any form of unsportsmanlike conduct is suspended
indefinitely. In most instances, the suspension is for a minimum of one game*.
Based on information from the individual`s behavior, reinstatement
meeting, game Officials, Program policies, and precedent cases, a decision is
generally rendered within 48 hours. Written notice and/or a phone call regarding
the decision rendered is made to the individual at the address or phone number
provided.
To be reinstated for
participation in South Bay Sports, the ejected individual must meet with the South Bay
Sports President. Meetings take place at the availability of South Bay Sports
Staff and must be scheduled appointments. Call (310) 489-7054 to schedule an
appointment. Failure to meet with one of the above individuals maintains the
suspension in full effect.
*Note: If an ejected individual plays more than one South Bay Sport,
the suspension is in effect until after the individual`s next game for
the team he was playing when he was ejected. For example, Joe Participant
plays Soccer in a Sunday league. Joe also plays Basketball on Wednesday and
Volleyball on Thursday. If Joe is ejected during Soccer, he must sit out his
next Basketball, Volleyball, and Soccer games. If he meets with an South Bay Sports
Staff member to be reinstated, he may participate in Basketball the second week
pending reinstatement.
If a player is suspended and if the league ends, then the suspension will carry over to the next season.
Penalty: A team using a suspended player forfeits
all games that the suspended player participates in. Teams knowingly using such
a player may face additional sanctions.
B. Probation
Participants ejected from a contest are placed on probation for 365 days
from the date of the incident. Any further unsportsmanlike behavior during
this probationary period results in a minimum 365-day suspension from all South
Bay Sports and Special Events activities.
C. Fighting
Any coach, participant or spectator who, in the
judgement of South Bay Sports Staff, engages in an attempt to fight immediately before, during
or after an South Bay Sports contest is suspended indefinitely from
further participation in South Bay Sports activities. The minimum suspension for
fighting is 365 days.
Based on information from the individual`s behavior, reinstatement meeting,
game Officials, Program policies, and precedent cases, a decision is generally
rendered within 48 hours. Written notice and/or a phone call regarding the
decision rendered is made to the individual at the address or phone number
provided.
Behavior classified as fighting includes, but is not limited to:
- striking or attempting to strike an individual.
- engaging an individual in a combative manner.
- throwing a punch at an individual.
- spitting at an individual.
- kicking or attempting to kick an individual.
- brandishing a foreign object or weapon with intent to harm, injure, or
intimidate an individual.
- retaliating against an aggressive act.
Penalty: A team using a suspended player forfeits all games that
the suspended player participates in. Teams knowingly using such a player may
face additional sanctions.
D. Fighting with South Bay Sports Staff
Any coach, participant or spectator that fights or attempts to
fight with or attempts an aggressive act toward an South Bay
Sports staff member is suspended from participation in South Bay Sports activities for
a minimum of five years.
Penalty: A team using a suspended player forfeits all games that
the suspended player participates in. Teams knowingly using such a player may
face additional sanctions.
E. Leaving the Bench Area to Participate in an Altercation
Any bench personnel, coach, participant or
spectator that leaves the bench or coaching area to participate in
an altercation is automatically ejected. The suspension is a mandatory one game suspension*
(see note on one game suspensions above). In all instances,
the South Bay Sports Handbook`s policies on "Fighting" and "Fighting with South Bay SportsStaff"
take precedence.
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