Slo-Pitch Ontario and Slo-Pitch National (Ontario Region) are committed to providing an environment in which all Members are treated fairly and with respect.
All slo-pitch participants, in any capacity whatsoever, including, but not limited to player, coach, team contact, scorekeeper, volunteer, spectator, supporter, fan, or friend (a “Participant”), whether or not they are a registered Member in the current season, are expected, at all times, to display respect for the rights, dignity and worth of all athletes, coaches, officials, other volunteers and Participants, and treat everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or ability.
Participants who fail to abide by this Code of Conduct are subject to penalties and disciplinary action, which may include revocation of member benefits, cancellation of insurance, and suspension from all sanctioned activities, programs, and events. All Members will hold a duty to intervene when players, coaches, teammates or fans fail to abide by this Code. Failure to do so and willful indifference will be considered conduct that does not support our commitment to safe, fair and fun playing environments, and will also be subject to penalties and disciplinary action.
Play Slo-Pitch reserves the right to refuse membership to individuals at its sole discretion.
- No Participant will demonstrate behaviour or conduct contrary to this Code, nor encourage, provoke, give rise to, ignore or condone such behaviour or conduct, both on and off the field.
- No Participant will cause any form of personal abuse, including verbal, physical and emotional abuse, towards other athletes, officials, host personnel, spectators or other Participants.
- No Participant will refuse to abide by an official's decision, threaten an official or other Participant, cause or attempt to cause physical contact when disputing a decision, or at any other time touch, push, shove, strike, or make any incidental or inappropriate physical contact with the body, or kick dirt or other matter on an official or other Participant.
- No Participant will make any disparaging remarks or actions towards other athletes, officials, host personnel, spectators or other Participants.
- No Participant will react in a violent manner to any incident, use any form of profane, vulgar, obscene or abusive language or gesture, whether it is directed at an official, opponent, teammate, team official, tournament official, spectator or other Participant, nor tolerate profane, vulgar, obscene or abusive language or gestures from any supporter or other Participant.
- No Participant will use intimidating or threatening behaviour towards officials, opponents, teammates, team officials, tournament personnel, spectators or other Participants, nor permit others to openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass, or threaten an official.
- No Participant will make objectionable demonstrations by throwing bats, gloves or other equipment in a forceful manner.
- No Participant will discuss publicly with other Participants and spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any decision by the officials or any opinions of players.
- No Participant will cause the destruction of property belonging to others.
- No Participant will use any intoxicating substances during the course of the game, or appear to be in an intoxicated or impaired condition.
- No Participant will harass, heckle, insult, jeer, or use verbal tactics to embarrass, or insult an association representative, employee or other Participant at any site before, during or after a game.
- No Participant will make derogatory, disdainful or disparaging comments or remarks regarding personnel or any sanctioned program, event or tournament in any public forum, or on any message board, social media platform or electronic platform.
- No Participant will use any improper and unapproved or altered equipment.
- No Participant will give false or misleading information, or fail to cooperate with a legitimate request from an official in the discharge of his/her/their official duties.
- No Participant will refuse when requested by a game official to assist them in their enforcement of this Code of Conduct and the control of any player making threats.
- No Participant will engage in a continuous verbal attack upon an official, spectator, or other Participant after they have been ejected from a game, or make a verbal threat of physical violence upon an official.