The primary description of acceptable behavior for coaches is given in the Coaches' Ethics Statement distributed to all coaches at the beginning of the year. Generally, we have few or no problems with coaches behaving in a manner contradictory to that which is described in the Code of Ethics. However, occasionally a situation does arise where the behavior of a coach becomes unacceptable. This policy is intended to describe the procedure that the Madison Babe Ruth Baseball Association Board of Directors will follow to address such instances.

An occurrence of misbehavior must be documented before the Board will address the matter. Documentation consist of one of two forms: 1) a Board member personally witnesses the misbehavior and brings the matter before the Board, or 2) an eyewitness has observed the misbehavior and submits a written complaint to a Board member within 1 week of the misbehavior. Within 3 days of having received the documentation of the incident, the Board will appoint a Review Committee made up of the President, the Vice president, and the Commissioner of the League to which the offending coach belongs. The Review Committee will interview those filing the complaint, seek to interview others present who witnessed the behavior, and interview the coach and or coaches whose actions are in question.

The Review Committee may determine that the event was not a serious violation of the behavior code, or that circumstances dictate that the event be ignored. If such is the case, the matter will be dropped and all participating parties will be notified.

The Review Committee may determine that the violation was serious and calls for punitive action by the Board. The first step in such action is for the Board to issue a letter of warning to the coach indicating the Board's disapproval of the indicated behavior, and to advise the coach that he or she is being placed on probation for the remainder of the season. The warning letter will also advise the coach that subsequent occurrences will result in further disciplinary action including but not limited to the suspension of the coach from a part of or all of the remaining season. The letter will be signed by the three members of the Review Committee and delivered to the offending coach for his acknowledgment and signature. A copy will be given to the coach, and the League Commissioner from the Review Committee will present the action and a copy of the letter to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Those filing the complaint will also be notified of the actions taken by the Board.

If a coach behaves in such a manner as to create a second event of misbehavior during his or her probationary period the Board will react to implement further disciplinary action. The Review Committee will investigate the incident and report its findings and recommendation to the Board. The Review Committee will recommend suspending the coach for any or all of the remainder of the season. Written notification of the suspension will be presented to the offending coach. If it is necessary that the coach be suspended for the remainder of the season. The Board will appoint a replacement coach and the Review Committee will meet with the parents and players of the team to advise them of the Board's actions.

Any coach that is suspended for the year will not be allowed to take a head coaching position the following year.

It is our hope that these procedures will never have to be used, but as our league grows so does the possibility that someone will abuse the privilege of being a coach. Because our main concern is for the enjoyment and recreation of the hundreds of parents, coaches, and children who are out to enjoy team and family time together, we will not be tolerant of continued violations of the Coaches' Code of Ethics.