Beverly Hills Little League

Code of Conduct

Last Updated 8/23/2022

The purposes of Little League are “to assist youth in developing qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being, with proper guidance and exemplary leadership.” The Beverly Hills Little League (“BHLL”) has instituted this Code of Conduct to ensure that the behavior and conduct of all participants in BHLL activities are consistent with and further these purposes.

Players, managers, coaches, parents, league officials, umpires, scorekeepers, announcers and spectators all share in the responsibility to display proper behavior at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct or disrespect for the game, league officials, opposing coaches and teams, the umpires and game officials, the scorekeepers and the spectators will not be tolerated in BHLL during any of its activities.

The President of the BHLL or the Board of Directors may take disciplinary action against any participant in the league, including players, coaches, parents, umpires, league officials, and spectators, whose conduct is detrimental to the operation and purpose of the BHLL. While this Code of Conduct enumerates certain conduct that would result in automatic disciplinary action, it is not exhaustive and other conduct not specifically identified in this Code could also result in disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action includes reprimands, game ejections, suspensions, or expulsion from the league.

Player Code of Conduct

The following is the Code of Conduct players are obligated to follow in BHLL, or at any BHLL activities (such as tournaments or games played in other Little Leagues). Violation of any rule may result in ejection, reprimand, suspension and/or expulsion from the BHLL.

The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs anywhere on or in the vicinity of the playing fields is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the league.

The following behavior will result in immediate ejection from the game or BHLL activity, a mandatory one-game suspension from the player’s next regularly scheduled game, and such other action as the BHLL deems appropriate:

  • arguing with umpires or other game officials;
  • engaging in offensive behavior;
  • trash-talking to opponents;
  • unsportsmanlike conduct;
  • abusive, harmful or unwarranted disruptions to the game;
  • throwing bats, helmets, gloves, or other equipment in anger;
  • using profane, obscene or vulgar language;
  • verbal disrespect directed towards an umpire, game official, league official, another player, manager, coach or spectator.

There shall be no fighting whatsoever at any BHLL activity. Any player who either suggests or threatens to fight, or initiates and/or participates in a fight before or during a game, or touches or threatens to touch anyone else in a violent or offensive manner, shall be immediately ejected from the game and suspended from the next three games. If the incident occurs after the completion of a game or at any other BHLL activity, that player(s) shall be suspended from the next four games.

It shall be mandatory for all players at the completion of their game to participate in a post-game cheer and handshake ceremony on the field of play. In addition, all players must thank the umpiring crew and any other game officials present.

Any player not participating (with the exception of injury) shall be suspended from the following game and will be subject to further suspension at the discretion of the President of the BHLL or the BHLL Board of Directors.

Players who are ejected from a game twice in any season shall be subject to a mandatory suspension for the remainder of the season. The player will automatically lose their eligibility to participate in any post-season tournaments. In addition, the player shall be subject to a permanent ban from the BHLL at the discretion of the BHLL.

A player ejected from a game may be allowed to remain in the dugout or asked to leave the proximity of the playing field at the discretion of the umpire.

The suspensions will begin immediately upon notification to the offending party by the President of the BHLL and take effect before the next scheduled game of the offending player.

Manager and Coach Code of Conduct

The following is the Code of Conduct all managers, coaches and other adult volunteers are obligated to follow in the BHLL, or at any BHLL activity (such as tournaments or games played in other Little Leagues). Violation of any rule may result in ejection, reprimand, suspension and/or expulsion.

The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs anywhere on or in the vicinity of the playing fields is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the league.

The following behavior will result in immediate ejection from the game or BHLL-approved activity, a mandatory two game suspension from the next regularly scheduled games, and such other action as the BHLL deems appropriate:

  • arguing with umpires or other game officials;
  • engaging in offensive behavior;
  • trash-talking to opponents;
  • unsportsmanlike conduct;
  • abusive, harmful or unwarranted disruptions to the game;
  • throwing bats, helmets, gloves, or other equipment in anger;
  • using profane, obscene or vulgar language;
  • verbal disrespect directed towards an umpire, game official, league official, another player, manager, coach or spectator.

Managers and coaches shall never threaten to or physically harm or abuse any player, umpire, game official, league official or spectator at any time for any reason. This type of behavior will result in immediate dismissal from the BHLL for the remainder of the season and subject that individual to a permanent ban from the BHLL.

It shall be mandatory for all managers and coaches at the completion of their game to participate in a post-game cheer and handshake ceremony with the opposing team on the field of play. In addition, all managers and coaches must thank the umpiring crew and any other game officials present. Any manager or coach not participating shall be suspended for the following two regularly scheduled games and be subject to further suspension at the discretion of the President or Board of Directors of the BHLL.

Any manager or coach who deliberately circumvents any of the BHLL rules or regulations, especially the mandatory playing rules, is subject to suspension or expulsion from the BHLL. The President or Board of Directors of the BHLL has the right and discretion to suspend any manager, coach, or player for any part of or for the entire season for any conduct violation which results in an ejection or is deemed by the Board of Directors to be detrimental to the operation and purpose of the Beverly Hills Little League.

Managers and coaches who are ejected from a game twice in any season are subject to a mandatory suspension for the remainder of the season. This individual will automatically lose their eligibility to participate in any post-season tournaments. In addition, the manager and/or coach shall be subject to a permanent expulsion from the BHLL at the discretions of the Board of Directors.

A manager or coach ejected from a game will not be allowed to remain in the dugout or the spectator area and must immediately vacate the proximity of the baseball field. Failure to do so in a timely manner without further argument or delay may result in forfeiture of the game.

The President of the BHLL shall promptly report the suspension of any player or coach to the Board of Directors, although there is no right to appeal of any discipline instituted under this provision. The suspensions will begin immediately upon notification to the offending party by the President of the BHLL and take effect before the next scheduled game of the offending player.

Spectator Code of Conduct

The following is the Code of Conduct all spectators are obligated to follow in the BHLL, or at any BHLL activity (such as tournaments or games played in other Little Leagues). Violation of any rule may result in disciplinary action.

Spectators shall not incite or participate in any form of unsportsmanlike conduct in the BHLL or at any BHLL activity.

Spectators shall not use abusive or profane language or gestures at any time at any game or other BHLL activity.

Spectators shall not criticize, belittle, antagonize, berate or otherwise incite any players, managers, coaches, adult volunteers, umpires, league officials or other spectators by word of mouth or by gesture.

Spectators shall accept all decisions of the umpires and game officials as being fair and judged to the best of their ability.

Any spectator exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct, disruptive, profane, rude and/or abusive behavior towards any player, manager, coach, umpire, game official, league official or other spectator shall be subject to removal from the spectator area and the immediate vicinity of the game by an umpire or league official.

Any spectator who fails to comply with this request in a timely manner, without further argument or delay, may subject the team to which they are affiliated to forfeiture of the game and must be reported to the Board of Directors.

The President or Board of Directors of the BHLL shall be empowered to suspend any spectator from attending any BHLL games or other BHLL approved events for engaging in conduct detrimental to the operation and purpose of the BHLL.