A letter from the Parks & Rec Director

FYS participant expectations

Umpires, coaches, players, and fans,

Umpires/ referees: Umpires and referees manage the games by interpreting the rules of the game or the rules that they have been given. Each league has a different set of rules. Will they make mistakes sometimes? Yes. When they do, should you engage with them and tell them about it? No. No matter who you are. Umpires have the final say. Period.

Coaches: Coaches are usually parents who have volunteered to give up 6-8 hours per week or more to make sure that your player has a place to play in a relatively inexpensive and safe sports program in the summer or fall and lug around 60 – 70 lbs. of equipment. The coaches play the players how and when they see fit and deserve the respect that comes along with their role. Please allow them to do the job they have volunteered for. Being a volunteer coach does not give them the right to display unsportsmanlike conduct to the umpires or referees, their players, other coaches, opposing players, or fans. They are held to a higher standard and must lead by example and show good sportsmanlike conduct at all times.

Players: Our priority is always the players and their experience. Some are very good, some are still trying to find their groove. They should always show their coach(s), teammates, opposing coaches and players, and umpires respect. Players who use profanity or show unsportsmanlike conduct should be removed from the game and facility immediately. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Fans: Fans have the hardest expectations of all. The fan is expected to encourage the other participants. You are not expected to umpire the game (however if you would like to umpire we pay pretty well); you are not expected to coach your player or anyone else during the game (if you would like to coach let us know, we always need coaches); by all means, you cannot play in the game. All you are expected to do is cheer the participants on and enjoy the game. If you can’t help yourself and feel you must interject yourself into the game, move as far away from the action as you can. If you display unsportsmanlike conduct or use profanity in any way you will be removed from the game and facility immediately.

NO participant will use profanity or display any unsportsmanlike conduct. If they display unsportsmanlike behavior or use profanity in any way, the umpire or Parks & Rec Director may eject said participant from the game and or facility. These are the plain and simple expectations of all participants in the program.

With all of the current personal electronics with cameras and video capability, participants can show up on social media at any time. Make sure you are on there for the right reasons.

Recreational youth sports are designed to teach the athlete much more than how to play a game. They are designed to provide lessons that they will take well into adulthood. Our responsibility, all of us, is to make sure that happens.

Joe