Physical & Verbal Abuse Policy
The St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Department strives to promote the ideals of teamwork, physical conditioning, sportsmanship and acceptable social behavior at all sporting related events. It is imperative that participants and spectators alike ensure an environment that will provide these ideals. Therefore, any unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, fighting, verbal abuse or racial and gender epithets involving fans, coaches, players will not be tolerated.
A LEADER is a coach, parent volunteer, staff or any person the control and care of children
A PARTICIPANT includes athletes, parents and spectators
FIGHTING
A hostile encounter with another party or parties, resulting in a physical struggle or contact, will be defined as a “fight”. Fighting will not be tolerated on the part of any participant or spectator associated with the St. Mary’s County Recreation Division sporting activity or sporting related event.
Leaders
It is the goal of the St. Mary’s County Recreation Division to provide an environment where our participants can grow, not only physically, but also mentally & emotionally. It is the responsibility of our leaders to provide an example of self-control and integrity in the hopes that others follow their example. A leader is an individual who holds any supervisory position, including but not limited to, program coaches, assistant coaches, program officials and program supervisors. Any leader who disrupts a game or challenges an official or supervisor after a game will be subject to the following measures. Any “leader” involved in a fight will be subject to the following disciplinary action:
A. First Offense: A minimum of 2 years suspension as a leader or participant in St. Mary’s County Recreation Division sporting activities and sports-related events from the date of incident. Note: Sporting activities and sports-related events sponsored by the department include, but not limited to, Basketball, Soccer, Indoor Sports and adult leagues. (i.e., if one is suspended from basketball, they are also suspended from any other sport).
B. Second Offense: Lifetime suspension
Participants
A participant is an individual, other than a leader or a fan/spectator, who takes an active part in the sporting activity or sporting related event that the department sponsors. Any participant involved in a fight will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:
A. First Offense – (Adult: 18 & Over)
A minimum of 2 years suspension, from the date of offense, as a leader or participant in the department’s sporting activities and sporting related events.
B. First Offense – (Youth: 17 & Under)
A 1-year suspension from the date of the offense, as a leader from the department’s sporting activities and sporting related event from the date of incident.
C. Second Offense – (Youth: 17 & Under)
A 2 years minimum suspension, from the date of the offense, as a leader participant from all St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks sporting activities and sporting related events until the suspension has ended.
FANS & SPECTATORS
A fan/spectator is an individual who participates in a sporting activity or sporting related event by
demonstrating support without taking a leadership or participant role in that particular event. Any
spectator who is involved in a fight with an official, supervisor or fan after a game will be subject to the
following measures:
A. First Offense: A minimum of 2 years suspension as a fan/spectator and participant from the St.
Mary’s County Recreation & Parks sporting activities and sporting related events from the date
of the incident. A 2 years suspension from a leadership role in the department’s sporting
activities and sporting related events.
B. Second Offense – Lifetime suspension as a fan/sponsor, participant and leader from all related
department sporting activities and sporting related events from the date of incident.
Verbal Abuse
The St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Department strives to create an environment that teaches
individuals the art of good sportsmanship. Verbal abuse is defined as the intentional act of insulting
another individual through oral measures with the aim of offending. If any abusive language or behavior
including, but not limited to the use of the phrase “you (that, etc.) suck(s)” in any form is directed at
others, those confrontational parties will be subject to the following disciplinary action:
A. Leaders and/or Participants – (Adults: 18 & Over)
a. First Offense: A 4-game suspension as a leader, participant or fan/spectator from the
department’s sporting activities and related sporting events from the date of the
incident.
b. Second Offense: A minimum of 2 years suspension as a leader and/or participant for the
department’s sporting activities and related sporting events. A minimum of 2 years
suspension as a fan of the department’s sporting activities and related sporting events
from date of incident.
B. Leaders and/or Participants – (Youth: 17 & Under)
a. First Offense: An immediate ejection and suspension for the next 4 games as a leader,
participant and /or fan/spectator.
b. Second Offense: One (1) year suspension as a leader, participant and/or spectator from
the department’s sporting activities and related sporting events from the date of
incident.
c. Third Offense: Two (2) years suspension as a leader and/or participant from the
department’s sporting activities and related sporting events. One (1) year suspension as
a fan in the St. Mary’s County Recreation & Park’s sporting activities and sporting
related events from date of incident.
Harassing Fans/Spectators
Harassment is defined as, but not limited to, abusive language, tormenting of participants, and the
baiting of individuals. The following set of actions will be implemented against harassing
fans/spectators:
A. First Offense: Immediate ejection and next 4 games suspension.
B. Second Offense: One (1) year suspension as a participant and/or spectator from date of
incident from the department’s sporting activities and related sporting events. Lifetime
prohibition from a leadership role in the department’s sporting activities and sporting related
events.
C. Third Offense: A 2-year suspension as a leader, participant, and/or fan/spectator.
Use of Racial and/or Gender Epithets
The St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks department has zero-tolerance for any use of racial and/or
gender epithets used in reference to an individual’s race, color, gender, or sexual orientation. Any
person(s) found to have used such epithets will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:
A. Leaders
a. First Offense: A 1- year suspension as a leader and/or participant from the
department’s sporting activities and related sporting events. One (1) year suspension as
a fan/spectator in the department’s sporting activities and sporting related events from
date of incident.
B. Participants
a. First Offense – (Adults: 18 & Over): A 4 games suspension as a leader, participant
and/or spectator from date of incident from the department’s sporting activities and
related sporting events.
b. Second Offense – (Adult: 18 & Over): Lifetime suspension as a leader and/or participant
from all related department sporting activities and sporting related events. One (1) year
suspension as a fan in the department’s sporting activities and sporting related events
from date of incident.
c. First Offense – (Youth: 17 & Under): A Two (2) games suspension, from date of incident
from the department’s sporting activities and related sporting events.
d. Second Offense – (Youth: 17 & Under): A 4 games suspension as a leader, participant
and/or fan/spectator from date of incident from the department’s sporting related
activities and events.
e. Third Offense – (Youth: 17 & Under): A one (1) year suspension as a leader, participant
and/or fan/spectator from the department’s sporting activities and related sporting
events until the age of eighteen (18) or for one (1) year, whichever is greater.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Sportsmanship is defined as conduct becoming to a sportsman, such as fairness, courteous relations and
acceptance of results. The St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks department is promoting these ideals in
its sporting activities, programs and sports-related events. The items listed in the above sections
constitute conduct, justifying the noted penalty and representing unsportsmanlike conduct. Should any
unsportsmanlike conduct occur, not specifically addressed in its discretion, may institute penalties for
such behavior consistent with this policy. In determining whether an incident or unsportsmanlike
conduct has occurred, the rules of that particular sport may be considered.
Procedures Following Incident
When a person engages in unsportsmanlike behavior within the St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks
department sporting activities and related sports events, recreation supervisors, recreation leaders,
league supervisors and/or league officials will have the individuals involved in the disruption, will be
removed from the park or facility at which the event is occurring. During such time, the sporting event
or program will be stopped until those involved have left the park or facility property.
• If a person(s) refused to leave the premises, the law enforcement will be contacted and asked to
enforce the ruling of the officials. Individuals removed from the park or facility will be sent a
notification letter by e-mail or phone call stating their violation of the altercation policy. The
individual will then have seven (7) days from the receipt date of the registered mail or phone call to
respond with a written statement, explaining or defending their involvement and setting out their
perception of the altercation as it occurred.
• The response must be received by the office of the Director of Recreation & Parks on or before the
seventh day from the receipt date of the email or phone call. NO written statement will be
considered in the investigation after the seven (7) days.
• After the statements are received an investigation will be conducted and the St. Mary’s County
Recreation & Parks department will render judgment of the altercation within ten (10) working days
from the statement deadline. A panel consisting of the Gym Supervisor, Sports Coordinator, Game
Official, Recreation Division Manager of that particular program in which the altercation occurred;
will conduct the investigation. During this investigation, the individual(s) accused will be suspended
from all sporting activities and/or sports related events. Those found in violation of this policy, or
who are not content with the panel’s decision may file an appeal with the Athletic Coordinator as
noted above. In filing an appeal, an individual(s) will have five (5) business days to respond in writing
from notification of the decision and said appeal shall be received in the director’s office, on or
before the fifth day after notification of the decision.
• Individuals may be asked to appear before the appeal review committee. All appeal decisions are
final and are not subject to review.
• If the St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks department deems a physical or verbal altercation as a
flagrant and deliberate act of violence, the division reserves the right to enforce a more severe
punishment within this established disciplinary code.
Updated 11.18.19