Code of Conduct

It is expected that all CSSA members will conduct themselves at all times in accordance with the highest standards of courtesy, integrity and sportsmanship. Players who are ejected from a game or violate these standards of conduct at any time are subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors and/or the CSSA. Any player who is ejected from a game will be suspended from playing in the next game for his/her team, scheduled, playoff, or first game of the following season. If a player is ejected a second time within the same softball season, he/she will go before the BOD who will determine the player’s period of suspension. The BOD will have the authority to ban a player from participating in any team, league or activities of the CSSA. Any player ejected from a game must immediately leave the Hobgood Park Complex (or other park complex) and may not return until his suspension has been served in full.**

When a player has not been ejected from a softball game, but has otherwise displayed inappropriate conduct, the player will receive a verbal warning for the first incident, a letter of warning for the second incident, and dismissal from the CSSA upon the third incident. Such actions will be carried out in a manner determined by the BOD upon review of each incident. In the event the misconduct warrants quick or more severe action in the sole opinion of a majority of the BOD, the BOD reserves the right to determine and carry out appropriate disciplinary action regarding that player.

Infractions of The Code of Conduct shall include, but are not limited to the following:

1. No player or manager shall, at any time, lay a hand upon in anger, shove, strike or threaten an official, player, spectator, or supervisor. Officials are required to suspend players immediately from further play and report such players or manager to any member of the Board of Directors. Such players shall remain suspended until the BOD has considered his/her case.

1. No player or manager shall refuse to abide by the official decision. Officials are required to suspend the player or manager immediately from further play and report such player to any member of the BOD.

1. No player or manager shall be guilty of obscene gestures or objectionable demonstration of dissent of official or supervisor’s decision.

1. No player or manager shall be guilty of using unnecessary rough tactics in the play of the game against the body and person of an opposing player. Furthermore, no player should throw a bat or any other equipment intentionally, in anger. Officials are required to suspend them immediately from further play and report such person to any member of the BOD.

1. No player shall be guilty of an abusive verbal attack upon any player, official, spectator, or supervisor. Officials are required to suspend the player immediately from further play and report such player to any member of the BOD. Such player or manager shall remain suspended until his/her case is considered by the BOD.

1. No player or manager shall appear on CSSA property, in possession of, or under the
  influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

1. No player or manager shall smoke or chew tobacco on any contest area.

1. Only the designated team manager shall discuss, in a polite manner, any call or ruling with an official. Only clarifications will be discussed.

1. Discussions, disputes, or issues with the score or scorekeeper should be addressed
  through the plate umpire, and not directly to the scorekeeper.

1. Spectators, who in the opinion of the official or any member of the BOD, are detrimental to the purpose of the game, will be asked to leave the facility property. Grounds for such action include, but are not limited to, obscene gestures, profanity, fighting, inciting opposing players to fight, possession or consumption of alcohol and/or drugs, and verbal abuse of officials. If a connection is established between a spectator and one of the teams in the game, then the team will be held responsible for that spectator’s action.**

CSSA Anti-Harassment Statement

CSSA is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment of any kind, including based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We will not tolerate any form of discriminatory or harassing behavior and encourage all CSSA members to report any concerns immediately to a BOD member.

CSSA will promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaint, information, or knowledge of harassment as confidentially as possible. The BOD may take any interim actions necessary to protect complainants from further acts of harassment or retaliation during the investigation. CSSA, upon completion of the investigation, will take the appropriate disciplinary actions in compliance with the CSSA Code of Conduct.

Finally, CSSA will notify the Complainant of the outcome of the investigation, however, they may decline to reveal specific disciplinary actions taken where there are confidentiality issues with such disclosures. ** Any player, manager or spectator that is ejected shall promptly remove themselves from the facility property. If they fail to do so, the game will be forfeited to the opponents.