Got a meeting. What to ask?
August 10, 2013 4:57 PM Subscribe
This is a followup to my previous question on bad softball sportsmanship. I have been told that they will be taking up the sportsmanship issue during the board meeting on Wednesday. I'm not sure what to ask for now.
I had a managers' meeting with other managers and some board members where I presented a list of incidents that were a problem and asked them to look at it. The letter I wrote was very strong, except for the recommendations. I've identified 3 points where bad sportsmanship is not being stopped: coaches aren't reining in their players, umps are not enforcing the code of conduct, and the board of directors is not stepping in when the first two don't happen. I'd like to present a set of recommendations at the board.
To give you all the idea of the sorts of things that have been occurring, here's part of my letter with the team names redacted:
Physical assault: In the Team X vs. Team Y playoff game, an Team Y player slid into home place, in the process knocking down a Team X coach, who was playing catcher. The coach responded by throwing his mitt at the player, striking him directly in the face and then swearing loudly at the Team Y player, directly in front of the umpire and several board members.
Physical/verbal threats toward umpires: Immediately after the aforementioned incident in the Team X vs. Team Y game, a Team Y coach walked toward the umpire in a threatening manner and began screaming obscenities at the umpire and the coach playing catcher.
During the Team Y vs. Team Z game, a Team Y player became angry over an umpire call. He began screaming and swearing at the umpire. He appeared ready to assault the umpire and had to be physically restrained by other Team Y players.
Unsportsmanlike conduct/verbal abuse: Throughout the Q division tournament playoffs, a league player was sitting in the stands heckling players on the field using an amplified bullhorn. It was clearly audible to umpires, players, and spectators.
After league games with both Team Q and Team R, there were several players who refused to shake hands with members of Team Y, instead pulling their hands away as they walked by.
My draft recommendations are:
1. Ensure that umpires are aware of and willing to enforce the code of conduct. Any umpires that are unwilling or unable to enforce the code during games should be replaced.
2. Create a procedure for reporting code of conduct violations to the league board of directors and inform all managers and coaches of the procedure so it can be passed on to players.
3. Board members, managers and coaches should make it clear that these actions will not be tolerated in the future. Managers and coaches should remove players from the game who engage in poor behavior, and the Board should be ready and willing to step in in cases where appropriate action has not been taken.
I am not very satisfied with these recommendations but I'm having trouble identifying what exactly is not right with them. I'd really appreciate a bit more help.
I had a managers' meeting with other managers and some board members where I presented a list of incidents that were a problem and asked them to look at it. The letter I wrote was very strong, except for the recommendations. I've identified 3 points where bad sportsmanship is not being stopped: coaches aren't reining in their players, umps are not enforcing the code of conduct, and the board of directors is not stepping in when the first two don't happen. I'd like to present a set of recommendations at the board.
To give you all the idea of the sorts of things that have been occurring, here's part of my letter with the team names redacted:
Physical assault: In the Team X vs. Team Y playoff game, an Team Y player slid into home place, in the process knocking down a Team X coach, who was playing catcher. The coach responded by throwing his mitt at the player, striking him directly in the face and then swearing loudly at the Team Y player, directly in front of the umpire and several board members.
Physical/verbal threats toward umpires: Immediately after the aforementioned incident in the Team X vs. Team Y game, a Team Y coach walked toward the umpire in a threatening manner and began screaming obscenities at the umpire and the coach playing catcher.
During the Team Y vs. Team Z game, a Team Y player became angry over an umpire call. He began screaming and swearing at the umpire. He appeared ready to assault the umpire and had to be physically restrained by other Team Y players.
Unsportsmanlike conduct/verbal abuse: Throughout the Q division tournament playoffs, a league player was sitting in the stands heckling players on the field using an amplified bullhorn. It was clearly audible to umpires, players, and spectators.
After league games with both Team Q and Team R, there were several players who refused to shake hands with members of Team Y, instead pulling their hands away as they walked by.
My draft recommendations are:
1. Ensure that umpires are aware of and willing to enforce the code of conduct. Any umpires that are unwilling or unable to enforce the code during games should be replaced.
2. Create a procedure for reporting code of conduct violations to the league board of directors and inform all managers and coaches of the procedure so it can be passed on to players.
3. Board members, managers and coaches should make it clear that these actions will not be tolerated in the future. Managers and coaches should remove players from the game who engage in poor behavior, and the Board should be ready and willing to step in in cases where appropriate action has not been taken.
I am not very satisfied with these recommendations but I'm having trouble identifying what exactly is not right with them. I'd really appreciate a bit more help.
My hockey league has zero tolerance and those players would have been expelled from the league for at least the season, possibly forever. We all sign a copy of the rules each season that lays out the consequences, no signed copy, no playing.
posted by fshgrl at 5:34 PM on August 10, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 5:34 PM on August 10, 2013 [5 favorites]
I was going to ask about current consequences too. Because if in the past umpires have reported unacceptable behaviour - especially against themselves by a coach - and nothing has been done, the umpires learn reporting only has negative consequences for themselves.
Also, beyond the "sign a copy of the rules" there should maybe be on-going mandatory workshops/training on positive sportsmanship.
posted by saucysault at 5:39 PM on August 10, 2013
Also, beyond the "sign a copy of the rules" there should maybe be on-going mandatory workshops/training on positive sportsmanship.
posted by saucysault at 5:39 PM on August 10, 2013
Really, this issue starts and ends at the umpires, and you're correct to identify that uncooperative umpires need to be replaced. This can be very simple: violate the code of conduct, get ejected from the game; one warning allowed. If the player's manager does not assist the umpire in the ejection, that team forfeits the game. If a player is ejected more than X number of times a season, he is banned from the league.
Boards tend to be averse to adding procedures, especially ones they feel are cumbersome, and ultimately this comes down to the umps dealing with it then and there. Pressure the board to pressure the umps to enforce the code of conduct. From your end, line up players and teams who are prepared to confront an umpire and ask "are you going to enforce the existing code of conduct?" If the umpire won't, walk out of the game. If a significant number of the rest of players are united, it will quickly become apparent to the league that they need to enforce their own rules, lest all the games end up falling apart halfway through with "that team".
When you attend the meeting, it's very helpful if you can phrase it as "we have these rules, we have umpires, we have issues. We have all the tools we need right now to handle this issue, without adding paperwork or a larger time commitment from everyone."
posted by fatbird at 5:43 PM on August 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
Boards tend to be averse to adding procedures, especially ones they feel are cumbersome, and ultimately this comes down to the umps dealing with it then and there. Pressure the board to pressure the umps to enforce the code of conduct. From your end, line up players and teams who are prepared to confront an umpire and ask "are you going to enforce the existing code of conduct?" If the umpire won't, walk out of the game. If a significant number of the rest of players are united, it will quickly become apparent to the league that they need to enforce their own rules, lest all the games end up falling apart halfway through with "that team".
When you attend the meeting, it's very helpful if you can phrase it as "we have these rules, we have umpires, we have issues. We have all the tools we need right now to handle this issue, without adding paperwork or a larger time commitment from everyone."
posted by fatbird at 5:43 PM on August 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
Cursing at an ump, out of the game.
Assault another player when the ball is out of play, out of the fuckin' league.
posted by notsnot at 7:00 PM on August 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
Assault another player when the ball is out of play, out of the fuckin' league.
posted by notsnot at 7:00 PM on August 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
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1. You want a procedure for reporting violations, but there seem to be no consequences. What about a flag system like in soccer, where a certain number of flags of a certain color means you're out for the game, or the season? What are the tangible consequences right now if someone has multiple conduct violations, and could that be improved?
2. You want things to change, but who will change them? If there is a reporting system, will it be online, via email, or in writing? Who will keep these reports? Who will read them? Who will take care of collecting them? Who will make the decisions to act on them? If you want to propose something with overhead like this, be specific, and even volunteer some specific proposals ("I propose System A and System B, but really anything could work. What do you think?" then -- important -- volunteer to do all the legwork in getting it set up.
I think that a flag system, where umpires give flags, might be a good system. However, I don't really know if that's done in softball. Any softball experts here? How do the big leagues manage this?
More tips...
Protip #1: I think you should manage your expectations and prepare to be patient and occasionally disappointed. The system might not get changed right away. Prepare for more meetings, changes next season rather than this season, slow changes, partial changes, etc. If you propose some good systems and everyone says no, you might have to organize groups of players and petitions, etc., to get things to change.
Protip #2: Keep it positive. When you are frustrated, it can be tempting to get angry and spill vitriol. It's more effective to frame things positively and keep your cool, and just keep applying firm, consistent, positive pressure.
I really feel for you, because I know from personal experience how hard it is to get institutional change sometimes, and to stand up against people who are misusing their power, don't care, aren't seeing it, etc. I know how especially frustrating it can be in an institution you deeply care about. You can look at my posting history where I've mused about leaving a group I really enjoyed because of some assholes, and everyone said, "Just quit." That was so hard to hear.
In my personal case, I did "just quit," in that I am not going to the event this year, at least until it can be less emotionally draining and unsafe. BUT I did speak with some higher ups, and will continue to organize in whatever way doesn't disrupt my life, to try to make the world, and an organization I care about, that much better, safer and more functional.
I think your struggles are almost universal in organizations, and it's good of you to step up. You're doing a great job. But don't get too drained by it. Keep it positive and keep some limits for yourself.
posted by htid at 5:19 PM on August 10, 2013 [2 favorites]