Addressing parents

It certainly is appropriate---without a doubt

I hope you have a contract the players and parents sign to handle disputes. One section should be expected parental behavior along with consequences. With a preteen team part of your job is teaching kids how to play baseball. Another part is teaching adults how to be parents of athletes.

Yup...you need a SIGNED, PRINTED Code of Conduct for PLAYERS and PARENTS.

One Warning then lay the consequences out in PRINT. So everyone knows what will happen. Same same.

My buddy had a 13U Majors team with 2 crazy parents (great kids though)...they did the Codes of Conduct.

After the 1st warning, punishment for the Parent violating was that parent's kid SITTING an entire game. He said it took ONE time for that to happen and he never heard so much as a chirp again.

While conduct is an important part of the contract, the most important section is the financial. What happens financially if the player quits? What happens to the uniform if the player quits?

quote:

I hope you have a contract the players and parents sign to handle disputes.

the above shows you how crazy things have become. kids played parents watched and coached. Now?

quote:

Originally posted by Will:

quote:

I hope you have a contract the players and parents sign to handle disputes.

the above shows you how crazy things have become. kids played parents watched and coached. Now?

The difference is it was $25 when we played. At $750 for a season if the kid quits you need an agreement on whether or not there's a refund. Otherwise you'll end up paying for an open roster spot out of your pocket if you can't fill it.

I got lucky last year. I did not have the "financial" in writing. We dealt with the kid that quit by prorating the amount, and only issuing a refund if we could fill the roster spot (which we did). So I was able to bring a better kid into the program at less than full fee, and payoff my headache to take a hike. Even better than two aspirin!! BTW...no refund on customized uniform...sorry charlie!!

the financial aspect in my experience has been a non-issue. Of course I haven't had a player leave during a season in 3 years.

But we charge a small amount for dues every month. Parents pay for the exact cost of uniforms out of their pocket. Once it's bought, it's their property. I keep two spare sets on hand.

We do a Fall and early Spring Fundraiser, along with VERY cheap monthly dues, gets us through the year just fine.

Hope it stays that way.

I give this to my parents and then read it to them as well.

1. Remember that there are four groups necessary for a sports event to occur: Fans, Players, Coaches, and Officials. Your role as a fan is a vital part of the sports event. If all four groups are present and acting in their roles, the event will run smoothly. Problems occur when one group attempts to take on the role of another group. If the Umpires were to start acting like the Players, or Fans, clearly there would be problems. Likewise, when Fans act as Umpires, Coaches, or (heaven forbid) Players, nothing good results.

That is gold!!! Pure gold!!!

(Mind if I use it?:-)

You can borrow it. I did.

I agree that a preseason code of conduct is important. Sometimes you do need to remind the parents during the season about their conduct and email is the easiest. However, if it is the same parents every game then address them directly. An email addressed to only the offending parent is much more effective then a blanket email to all the parents.

Simple Concept

Players.......... Play
Coaches.......... Coach
Parents.......... Praise

If everybody would just stick to these three simple rules it would be a better world.

quote:

Originally posted by dad43:
Simple Concept

Players.......... Play
Coaches.......... Coach
Parents.......... Praise

If everybody would just stick to these three simple rules it would be a better world.

Players.......... Play
Coaches.......... Coach
Parents.......... Praise
Umpires.......... Umpire

Love it....agree 100%