Conduct of Members

Slo-Pitch National is committed to providing an environment in which all Members are treated fairly and with respect.

Players, coaches, and fans of teams who are members of Slo-Pitch National are considered Members of Slo-Pitch National and, through the terms of membership, agree to abide by the Code of Conduct outlined below. Slo-Pitch National reserves the right to refuse membership to any individual at its sole discretion.

Prohibited Conduct

No team member, tournament participant, umpire, or fan shall:

• Demonstrate behavior contrary to this Code of Conduct, both on and off the field.
• Engage in any form of personal abuse, including verbal, physical, or emotional abuse, toward athletes, officials, host personnel, spectators, or others.
• Refuse to abide by an official’s decision; threaten an official; make physical contact with an official or participant; or attempt to cause physical contact while disputing a decision.
• Make disparaging remarks or take actions toward athletes, officials, tournament personnel, Slo-Pitch National, spectators, or others.
• React violently to any incident or use profane, vulgar, obscene, or abusive language or gestures, whether directed at officials, opponents, teammates, tournament officials, Slo-Pitch National personnel, or spectators. Members are also responsible for ensuring their supporters do not engage in such behavior.
• Use intimidating or threatening behavior toward officials, opponents, teammates, tournament personnel, Slo-Pitch National personnel, or spectators, or permit others to harass, threaten, or verbally abuse them.
• Make objectionable demonstrations, including throwing bats, gloves, or other equipment in a forceful manner.
• Publicly discuss or criticize officials’ decisions or players in a derogatory or abusive manner.
• Cause damage or destruction to property belonging to others.
• Use intoxicating substances during a game or participate while appearing to be intoxicated.
• Harass, heckle, insult, jeer, or verbally embarrass any Slo-Pitch National representative, employee, or participant before, during, or after a game.
• Make derogatory, disdainful, or disparaging comments regarding any person or program connected to Slo-Pitch National on any social media or electronic platform.
• Use improper or unapproved equipment.
• Provide false or misleading information or fail to cooperate with a legitimate request from a Slo-Pitch National official in the performance of their duties.
• Refuse to assist a game official, when requested, in enforcing this Code of Conduct or controlling threatening behavior.
• Continue verbal abuse after being ejected from a game or make verbal threats of physical violence toward an official.

Duty to Intervene

All Members have a duty to intervene when teammates, players, coaches, or fans fail to abide by this Code of Conduct. Failure to intervene or willful indifference will be considered conduct inconsistent with Slo-Pitch National’s commitment to safe, fair, and enjoyable playing environments and may result in penalties as outlined in the STG & OR section of the Slo-Pitch National Rulebook.

Enforcement

Members who fail to adhere to this Code of Conduct may be subject to penalties and/or suspensions, which may be published in the STG & OR section of the current year’s Slo-Pitch National Rulebook.