Our Commitment

Maitland Little League is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing a safe, positive, and enriching experience for every child who participates. The behavior of parents, guardians, and spectators has a direct and lasting impact on that experience — both for our own children and for every child on every team.

By registering a player, every family agrees to uphold the standards in this Code of Conduct. This applies at all league events including games, practices, tryouts, fundraisers, and any other official league activity — as well as in all communications related to the league, whether in person, by phone, email, or on social media.

Section 1: Conduct at League Events

I Will:

• Encourage and cheer positively for all players — on my child's team and the opposing team.
• Respect all umpires, coaches, volunteers, board members, and fellow spectators.
• Model the sportsmanship I want my child to develop.
• Remain in designated spectator areas and stay off the field and out of dugouts unless serving in an official capacity.
• Accept officials' decisions with grace. Umpire calls are final on the field.
• Leave the facility clean and support a welcoming environment for all families.
• Notify my child's coach of any physical condition or injury that may affect their participation or safety.

I Will Not:

• Use profanity, offensive language, or gestures at any time.
• Yell at, criticize, taunt, or boo any player, coach, umpire, volunteer, or spectator.
• Approach or address an umpire directly during or after a game. Concerns about officiating should be directed to a board member or coach at an appropriate time.
• Coach my child or other players from the stands during a game unless I am a designated coach.
• Approach a coach immediately before or immediately after a game. Conversations should be scheduled at a mutually agreed time.
• Use or be under the influence of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs at any league event or facility.
• Engage in or threaten any physical confrontation.
• Engage in conduct that demeans, embarrasses, or endangers any player, volunteer, or family.

Section 2: Off-Field & Digital Conduct

The Code of Conduct extends beyond the physical field. Parents and guardians are expected to uphold these standards in all league-related communications including email, text, social media, group chats, and public forums.

I Will:

• Communicate concerns respectfully and through appropriate channels (see Section 3).
• Speak positively of the league, its volunteers, coaches, and board members in public forums and on social media.
• Direct any dissatisfaction about league operations to the appropriate board member — not to other parents, on social media, or in public settings.

I Will Not:

• Post negative, defamatory, or misleading statements about players, coaches, volunteers, or board members on social media or in any public forum.
• Attempt to organize or recruit other parents to file complaints or petitions outside of the established grievance process.
• Submit complaints anonymously. All formal concerns must be submitted in writing with the parent's full name attached. Anonymous submissions will not be acted upon.
• Circumvent the league's grievance process by escalating directly to district, regional, or state levels without first completing the league's internal process.
• Make repeated complaints about the same resolved matter. Once a grievance has been reviewed and a final decision issued by the board, the matter is considered closed at the league level.

Section 3: Grievance & Complaint Process

We take concerns seriously and want every family to feel heard. The following process exists to ensure that complaints are handled fairly, consistently, and with appropriate documentation.

Step 1: Direct Communication

When possible, address concerns directly with the coach or volunteer involved — at a scheduled time, away from players. Many issues can be resolved at this level.

Step 2: Written Complaint to the Board

If the issue is not resolved, submit a written complaint to the Board of Directors with your full name, date, and a clear description of the concern. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted or acted upon.

Step 3: Board Review

The board will review the complaint, gather relevant information, and issue a written response. Both parties will be given an opportunity to be heard. The board's decision is final at the league level.

Step 4: External Escalation

External escalation to the district or regional level is only appropriate after the league's internal process has been completed in full. Bypassing the internal process or re-escalating resolved matters may be considered a conduct violation.

Section 4: Enforcement & Disciplinary Consequences

The Board of Directors is responsible for enforcing this Code of Conduct. Violations will be addressed consistently and documented. The board reserves the right to determine appropriate consequences based on the nature and frequency of the behavior.

Note on Repeated or Bad-Faith Complaints: 

A pattern of submitting repeated complaints about resolved matters, organizing other parents against league volunteers, or deliberately circumventing the established grievance process may be treated as a conduct violation subject to the disciplinary process above, regardless of whether the underlying complaint was submitted in good faith.

Section 5: Respect for Volunteers

Maitland Little League operates entirely on the time and dedication of unpaid volunteers — coaches, board members, umpires, concession workers, and more. These individuals give their personal time to create a positive experience for every child in our community.

We ask all families to recognize that:

• Volunteers make mistakes, just as players do. Constructive feedback delivered through appropriate channels is always welcome. Public criticism, harassment, or personal attacks against volunteers are never acceptable.
• Decisions made by coaches regarding lineups, playing time, and positions are at the discretion of the coaching staff and are not subject to parent override or grievance outside of safety-related concerns.
• The board president and board members act in the best interest of the entire league — not any single player or family. Their decisions are made with the whole program in mind.
• Volunteers who feel harassed, threatened, or targeted may step down, which directly harms every child in the league. Protecting our volunteers protects our program.

Section 6: Registration & Future Participation

Participation in Maitland Little League is a privilege, not a right. Families who have demonstrated a pattern of conduct that is detrimental to the league, its volunteers, or its players may be subject to a board review prior to registration for future seasons.

In accordance with Little League International's constitution, the Board of Directors has the authority to discipline, suspend, or terminate the membership of any member whose conduct is inconsistent with the values of Little League and detrimental to the best interests of its players and program. Any such action will follow proper due process including written notice and the opportunity to appear before the board.

Thank you for being part of Maitland Little League.

Our volunteers, coaches, and board are here because they love this community and these kids.

Let's make every season one worth remembering.