Baseball Team Initiation

Well the first thing is try to figure out are they initiating or doing something against the rules or illegal.  Sadly the word "initiation" is used for both as a way to justify doing something against the rules or illegal.

If it's something bad that goes against rules / law it's hard to stop because of that cycle has been created.  The upperclassmen went through it as freshmen and now it's their turn to do it to others.  So when someone comes in wanting to stop it they feel cheated out of that chance to have these young guys prove they can take it and belong.  By no means am I saying this is right but that is the mentality.  I hate to say this but when I was in high school the thing the upperclassmen did to us in football was turn off the lights in the locker room and beat the **** out of us, give us wedgies until the underwear rip off or both.  I had it happen to me and while I didn't like it I didn't see it as a big deal because that is the way things were.  When I became a senior I did it to the younger guys too.  I didn't get it and nobody was telling me differently.  Now that I'm older and I'm a little smarter I see how and why this stuff is bad.  It shouldn't take place.

Now I do feel there is a place for making a younger / newer player "earn" his spot on the team but it needs to be done in a productive way.  For example when the NFL tapes a rookie to the goal post or they make him stand up in lunch and sing his alma mater fight song - those are harmless things IF they are followed up with actually allowing this person onto the team in terms of chemistry.  

I think you raise valid questions and have valid concerns concerning your son.  If it's something stupid like walk up to a hot girl on campus and cluck like a chicken let it go.  But if it's things against the rules / law then something needs to be done.  That atmosphere needs to be gutted from the team.

Our upperclassman threw some of the new guys into ice coolers one time.  I guess that was our "initiation".  Harmless and funny 

My son's program has a Christmas party where the freshmen have to wear their Jock straps and they give out a prize to the best decorated one. 

Shocking I know. 

I see no problem with it if it's good in nature and helps bond the team.  Some teams take it too far and the line is crossed.

As long as it didn't involve drugs, cross-dressing, anything illegal or immoral I wouldn't have a problem with it.

It is a good test for a young man to learn to make the right choices.

I agree.  I think the line is crossed when it gets mean-spirited.  That's when kids get hurt and laws are broken.

I agree.  I would not even want to know what happened unless it severely crossed the line. 

My son has never mentioned college initiations whether it's baseball or the frat he joined. I can just imagine the frat initiation. Mine was hell. My college baseball initiation involved an ice bucket surprise in the shower. Then being pinned down and covered with shaving cream.

I do know in high school my son had to cross dress like a cheerleader for a day when he made varsity soccer and baseball. My daughter had to dress like a hooker for a day in high school when she made her varsity sports. The kids always laughed it off as part of the process and a badge of honor making varsity. But the high school ended initiations when a parent refused to let his daughter dress like a hooker.

During my years as an upperclassman in college, we had the following rules:

1) Don't hurt anyone.

2) Don't get anyone in trouble.

3) Don't force anyone to do something they are uncomfortable doing.

There was no disputing these guidelines, and, as far as I know, there was no negative backlash from freshmen. Everyone enjoyed whatever it was that went on and considered it team bonding.

Interesting topic, with all of the recent headlines, regarding the NFL Miami Dolphins....as well with the recent initiatives (commercials, etc.) regarding bullying, hazing....as stated before the line to cross is razor thin at times.

As "JH" stated (these should be the guidelines followed):

1) Don't hurt anyone.

2) Don't get anyone in trouble.

3) Don't force anyone to do something they are uncomfortable doing.

Unfortunately, the above (3) caveats often don't apply.

My son is a 2017 Freshman, and a few weeks ago, this exact topic "hit the fan"...they some of the Freshman were told to put "Icy Hot" in their jock straps and keep them on all practice, and on a separate day they were told to smoke those vapor / electronic cigarettes....I am pretty active in the baseball community in our region, so I was informed by another parent, not my son (he would never tell me).

I asked how the school / and or HC handled it, and was told the kids (upperclassman) were disciplined....

My personal opinion, is those days are / should be pretty much over....a few bad apples routinely crossed the line too many times, and the public / schools are tired (as they should be) of "initiating" (a nice word for hazing / bullying) going too far, and causing serious harm.  I'm old enough to remember the scenes from "Brian's Song" where the NFL rookies were "initiated"....too much to risk these days, and schools / coaches should not tolerate it, or even allow "kids" decide what is appropriate or not.

I am all for Freshman earning their stripes, so make them carry the equipment bags, drag the field, carry the Igloo coolers filled with water / ice, etc....other than those types of things, I am not too fond of it.  I made it very clear to my son, what I expect / allow him to participate in.

At my son's high school the AD made sure all parents knew that making freshmen carry the equipment bags is not hazing. If we ever get that strict, it will be a sad state of affairs. They also made the underclassmen shag the foul balls during games. Big whoop.

PickedOff,

Young men do stupid things.   Your son's team better hope that the AD or Coach doesn't get wind of any initiations especially under today's sports news crazy world.   I became aware of a situation a few years ago that resulted in some serious team discipline after the coach found out about initiations.   I don't know if it reached the AD level.  These initiations were dangerous (no alcohol involved) and did make many players uncomfortable.  

Following that initiation incident a few years ago, there were no subsequent initiation rituals according to my friend.  Seriously, I would advise the freshmen to refuse & stick to together if they determine this initiation is out of bounds.  JMO. Good luck.   

Our state High School League takes "initiations" quite seriously.  For those who participate it can mean a 12 month suspension from all High School League activities (sports, debate, band, etc).  At the start of their HS years (first participation), students are required to read, initial, and sign that they've read and understand the states policies.  There is a 24/7/365 zero tolerance policy towards drugs and alcohol use and restrictions against hazing and other activities.  My state and local school districts are pretty good at enforcing this and it has cleanup up HS extracurricular activities quite a bit.  The section on hazing follows:

BYLAW 209.00 SEXUAL/RACIAL/RELIGIOUS HARASSMENT/VIOLENCE

AND HAZING IN LEAGUE-SPONSORED ATHLETIC AND FINE ARTS ACTIVITIES

Cross Reference: Bylaw 206 (Good Standing and General Eligibility Requirements)

1. A student shall not engage in sexual, racial or religious harassment or sexual, racial, religious violence or hazing during the

school year or any portion of an activity season which occurs prior to the start of the school year or after the close of the

school year.

2. Sexual , Racial, Religious Harassment and Hazing Violations

A. Penalty for Category I Activities:

1)

First Violation:

The student shall lose eligibility for the next

two consecutive interscholastic contests or two weeks, 14 calendar days, of

a season in which the student is a participant, whichever is greater.

2)

Second Violation:

The student shall lose eligibility for the next

six consecutive interscholastic contests or three weeks, 21 calendar days,

whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.

3)

Third or Subsequent Violations:

The student shall lose eligibility for the next

12 consecutive interscholastic contests or four weeks, 28 calendar days,

whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant.

4)

Progressive Penalties:

Penalties for sexual harassment violations shall be progressive beginning with the first violation and continuing

throughout the student’s high school career. Penalties shall be served consecutively.

B. Penalty for Category II Activities: Sexual, Racial, Religious Harassment and or Hazing Violations.

Each member school shall develop penalties which it will apply to the participants in these activities. A current copy of

the member school’s policy shall be kept on file in the member school.

3. Sexual, Racial, Religious Violence and or Hazing Violations:

Cross Reference: Bylaw 206 Good Standing and General Eligibility Requirements

Penalty for Category I and II Activities:

The student shall lose eligibility for the next 12 calendar months.

Definitions:

1. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by Section 703 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of

1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e, et seq., and Minnesota Statutes Sections 363A, the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

A. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical

conduct or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.

B. Sexual harassment may include but is not limited to:

1) verbal, written/graphic harassment or abuse;

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Minnesota State High School League Official Handbook

200.00 Bylaws: Student Eligibility

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2) subtle pressure for sexual activity;

3) inappropriate patting or pinching;

4) intentional brushing against the individual’s body;

5) demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual’s employment or

educational status;

6) demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt promises of preferential treatment with regard to an

individual’s employment or educational status;

7) any unwelcome touching of a sexual nature.

2. Sexual contact is a physical act committed with sexual or aggressive intent. Sexual contact involves the touching of another

person’s intimate parts or forcing another to touch one’s intimate parts, either above or below one’s clothing, and includes,

but is not limited to:

A. touching, patting, grabbing, or pinching another person’s intimate parts, either same sex or opposite sex;

B. coercing or forcing sexual contact on another;

C. coercing or forcing sexual penetration on another;

D. threatening to force sexual contact or penetration on another.

Intimate parts includes the primary genital area, groin, inner thigh, buttocks, or breast of a human being. Sexual penetration

means sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse, or any intrusion however slight into the genital or anal

openings of an individual’s body.

3. Racial harassment consists of physical or verbal conduct relating to an individual’s race when the conduct:

A. has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment;

B. has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance;

or

C. otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment or academic opportunities.

4. Racial violence is a physical act of aggression or assault upon another because of, or in a manner reasonably related to, race.

5. Religious harassment consists of physical or verbal conduct which is related to an individual’s religion when the conduct:

A. has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment;

B. has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance;

or

C. otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment or academic opportunities.

6. Religious violence is a physical act of aggression or assault upon another because of, or in a manner reasonably related to,

religion.

7. Hazing:

A. Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a

substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization,

or for any other purpose.

1) No student, teacher, administrator, coach, volunteer, official or employee of a school shall plan, direct, encourage, aid

or engage in hazing.

2) No teacher, administrator, coach, volunteer, official or employee of a school shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing.

3) Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.

4) This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours.

5) A person who engages in an act that violates League policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with a

student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.

6) The school district will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against

any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, official, or employee of the school district who is found to have violated

this policy.

B. Hazing may include but is not limited to:

1) Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking or placing a harmful

substance on the body;

2) Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area,

calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the

mental or physical health or safety of the student;

3) Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product or any other food, liquid, or

substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical

health of the student;

4) Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme mental stress,

embarrassment, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages

the student from remaining in school;

5) Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal law or of

school district policies or regulations.

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Continued from Page 42

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C. “Student organization” means a group, club or organization having students as its primary members or participants. It

includes grade levels, classes, teams, activities or particular school events. A student organization does not have to be an

official school organization to come within the terms of this definition.

D. Reporting Procedures

1) Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct

which may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district official

designated by this policy.

2) The building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level. Any person may

report hazing directly to a school district human rights officer or to the superintendent.

3) Teachers, administrators, officials, volunteers, and employees of the school district shall be particularly alert to

possible situations, circumstances or events which might include hazing. Any such person who receives a report of,

observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall inform the building principal

immediately.

4) Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future

employment, grades or work assignment.

E. Reprisal

The school district will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, coach,

official or employee of the school district who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged

hazing or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation, or against any person who testifies,

assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such hazing. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any

form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.

School Actions and Responsibilities

1.

Responsibilities under M.S. 121A.03, subd.2 Any person who believes that she or he has been the victim of sexual

harassment or sexual violence, or any third person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute sexual

harassment or sexual violence by a student participant in League-sponsored activities should report the alleged acts

immediately to a responsible school district official or directly to the Human Rights Officer designated by that district’s

policy.

2.

Investigation Process The School District Human Rights Officer, upon receipt of a report or complaint alleging sexual

harassment or sexual violence shall immediately authorize an investigation. The investigating party shall provide a written

report to the Superintendent of Schools and the District Human Rights Officer or other designated official within the time

frame required by the school district policies.

3.

School District Action and Consequences Any School District action taken pursuant to this policy will be consistent with

requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, Minnesota Statutes and School District policies.

A. Upon determination that the complaint is valid, the School District will take such disciplinary action as it deems

necessary and appropriate to end sexual harassment and sexual violence and prevent its recurrence.

B. The results of the investigation will be reported in writing to the complainant and the student(s) named in the complaint

by the School District. The report will document the disciplinary action taken as a result of the complaint, eligibility

affected by the disciplinary action and the date when the student will return to good standing and be eligible to participate

in League-sponsored activities.

C. The student(s), their parent/guardian will be informed of their due process for the loss of eligibility.

D. Complaints, investigations and resolutions will be handled as discreetly as possible, with information being shared with

those having a need to know and in accordance with the legal obligations of the member school.

Sounds like one parent had some sense although now days it's hard to differentiate girls dressing appropriate and girls dressing like hookers. 

I would say that particular initiation was immoral and one that I hope my son would never participate. 

Why is it immoral? To do it for a day and be the butt of jokes is just amusement. It's an initiation even rookies in pro ball experience. At least the high school kids are only in their schools. The MLBers have to travel that way for a day.

Regarding girl's normal day to day attire, I knew what season is was by the sweats my daughter wore to school. And her hair was always in a pony tail. When I saw her come downstairs on prom night in a gown and her hair down she was almost unrecognizable. Fortunately with three high school sports and travel softball she didn't have time for boyfriends.