Bakersfield Southwest Baseball

We believe that athletic competition of BSWB players should be fun and should also be a significant part of a sound educational program, embodying high standards of ethics and sportsmanship while developing good character and other important life skills. Those who coach are, first and foremost, teachers who have a duty to assure that their sports programs impart important life skills and promote the development of good character. Essential elements of character building are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character”). The highest potential of sports is achieved when coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model (T.E.A.M.) these values and are committed to the ideal of pursuing victory with honor. Sincere and good faith efforts to honor the words and spirit of this Code will improve the quality of our programs and the well-being of our players.

TRUSTWORTHINESS

• Be worthy of trust in all you do and teach the players the importance of integrity, honesty, reliability and loyalty.
• Model high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and always pursue victory with honor.
• Do the right thing even when it’s unpopular or personally costly.
• Don’t lie, cheat, steal or engage in or permit dishonest or unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Fulfill commitments. Do what you say you will do. Be on time to practices and games.
• Be loyal to your league and team. Put the team above personal glory. 

   

RESPECT

Treat all people with respect all the time and require the same of your players.

• Class – Live and play with class. Be a good sport. Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity. Help up fallen opponents, compliment extraordinary performances, and show sincere respect in pre- and post-game rituals.

• Disrespectful conduct – Don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.

• Respect for Officials – Treat game officials with respect.

  RESPONSIBILITY

• Life Skills — Always strive to enhance the physical, mental, social and moral development of your players. Teach them positive life skills that will help them become successful and socially responsible. Discuss ethical and sportsmanship issues in relation to actual and hypothetical situations occurring or likely to occur in practice or games.

• Advocacy of Education — Advocate the importance of education beyond athletic eligibility standards, and work with parents to help players set and achieve their goals.

• Role Modeling – Remember, participation in sports is a privilege, not a right, and that you are expected to represent your organization with honor, on and off the field.  
• Self-Control – Exercise self-control. Don’t fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration.

• Healthy Lifestyle – Safeguard your health. Don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances, including alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

• Integrity of the Game – Protect the integrity of the game.

  FAIRNESS

• Fairness and Openness – Be fair in competitive situations, team selection, discipline and all other matters. Be open- minded and willing to listen and learn.

  CARING

• Safe Competition — Put safety and health considerations above the desire to win. Never permit players to intentionally injure any other player or engage in reckless behavior that might cause injury to themselves or others.

• Caring Environment — Consistently demonstrate concern for all BSWB players as individuals and encourage them to look out  for one another and think and act as a  team.

  CITIZENSHIP

• Playing by the Rules – Have a thorough knowledge of and abide by all applicable game and competition rules.

• Spirit of Rules – Honor the spirit and the letter of rules. Avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship.