Codes of Conduct

Our organization puts forth the best effort to make our Hit-Men the best they can be.  It is an effort that requires all of us to do our best.  You, as athletes, parents and coaches are required to do your part in this success.  These are the guidelines we will hold you to.

LIVE BY THE CODE

PLAYERS

As a player, you will...

  • Stretch every day, throw when you can and show up at your scheduled pitching sessions, swing the bat 20 times a day – carefully, and do 100 Push-Ups per day.
  • Listen.
  • Hustle.
  • Play the position you are assigned.
  • Present exemplary behavior during all Hit-Men baseball related activities.
  • Display and encourage sportsmanship at all times.
  • Demonstrate respect to Managers, Coaches, Umpires and other players.
  • Stay in the dugout at all times during games unless given permission by a coach to leave.
  • Bring no food in dugouts – drinks only.
  • Try as hard as possible to not cry during a game (unless in case of injury).
  • Understand that playing time is earned, but you will appear in every game when eligible.
  • Not be allowed to play on another travel team other than city league all-star teams.
  • Not throw or kick bats, gloves, helmets or any other items in anger.
  • Not argue with umpires. Judgment calls are not subject to discussion or comment. Balls and strikes, safe or out, and fair or foul.
  • Not make calls prior to the umpire or attempt to influence the umpire's calls.
  • Not taunt or humiliate any other player.
  • Understand that there are penalties for missing practice, games & tournaments.

 

Registration to participate in a Mattoon Summer Baseball League is required for every player in the Hitmen Organization, unless said player does not reside in Mattoon and participates in a summer baseball league in his local community. If no league available, required to play in Mattoon.

If you, as a player, fail to meet the expectations put forth by the Hit-Men organization you can be removed from the program.

PARENTS

 
As a parent, you will...
  • Present exemplary behavior during all Hit-men baseball related activities, remembering that all Managers, Coaches and Board Members are volunteers.
  • Display and encourage sportsmanship at all times.
  • Demonstrate respect to Managers, Coaches, Umpires and players.
  • Help maintain a clean and safe playing environment.
  • Will not use tobacco, drugs or alcohol while involved in any Hit-men baseball related activities.
  • Encourage your son to practice at home with family and friends.
  • Will not allow your child to play on another travel team other than city league all-star teams. 

    If you have an issue with a coach or coach’s decision, you ask to speak to coach in private (away from all players) and conduct your discussion in a professional manner.

    If during the above discussion, your conflict is not settled, you may bring your complaint to the board President. This also must be done in a professional manner.

    If you, as a parent, fail to meet the expectations put forth by the Hit-Men organization you and your child can be removed from the program.

COACHES

As a coach, you will...

  • Refrain from using abusive or profane language in or around the playing field or the sports complex in which the field is located.
  • Refuse to permit a player to participate in a practice or game when in doubt as to the player's health or physical condition.
  • Abide by a doctor's decision in all matters relating to a player's health and physical ability to participate.
  • Provide equal opportunities for all players regardless of race, color, ethnic background, religion, or age, if otherwise qualified.
  • Refrain from accepting or offering any gift, gratuity, or favor that might influence your judgment, or with the intent of obtaining special privileges, and from exploiting
  • Refrain from any relationship with a player for your personal gain or other advantage.
  • Strive to promote good mental and physical health in all aspects of participation and refrain from any type of verbal or physical abuse of any players.
  • Constantly display and demand good sportsmanship in practice and in games, including, but not limited to, accepting decisions of game officials in a professional manner.
  • Refrain from criticizing opposing coaches, players, and fans; congratulate opposing players and coaches following a game; refrain from teaching unsportsmanlike strategies; and refrain from "running up the score" rather than providing more players with opportunities to participate.
  • Consistently act in a manner which is in keeping with the positive image and high standards of personal conduct which each program should strive to teach and to foster.
  • Conduct yourself in accordance with all rules, regulations, and determinations of the particular league or program in which you are participating.
  • Make any criticism "constructive" in nature and reserve it for private moments.
  • Hold a pre-season parents' meeting, and maintain open communications with parents relating to all aspects of participation, including conduct of both parents and players.
  • Consistently act in the best interests of the players and the particular program in which you are participating so as to provide a positive experience for each player and to promote a positive image of the program.
  • Not allow a member of your team to play on another travel team other than city league all-star teams.
  • Maintain a required percentage of Mattoon Players: 8U, 9U, 10U = 75% (9/12), 11U, 12U = 67% (8/12), 13U, 14U = 50% (6/12). For age groups with multiple teams, the board shall decide if this minimum percentage will be reduced in order to field multiple teams and to maximize the number of Mattoon players.
  • Each Player must appear in every game, if player is eligible to participate.

If you, as a coach, fail to meet the expectations put forth by the Hit-Men organization you can be removed from the program.

Be sure to read all of the information under the Parent | Player Information tab.  This will provide you all of the information you will need to about our organization as a whole.  From our board to coaches, to parents, to players – we will strive to be the best baseball organization around.

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