The behaviour of coaches plays a significant role in setting the tone for the game and also reflects on the league. As a coach, your primary responsibility is to teach and encourage your team members while remaining responsive and fair to your players, their parents, the opposing team, and the other coaches. Coaching provides a great opportunity to become a positive role model in a child's life.

Brantford Minor Softball takes these rules seriously and will enforce them to ensure a positive experience for all participants - players, parents, and coaches alike. If any coach's conduct fails to meet the standards outlined here, they may be relieved and replaced at the discretion of the Brantford Minor Softball Executive Board of Directors.

Coaches must not be making calls prior to the umpire making a call.
This conduct is unsportsmanlike and has the potential to influence the calls of younger umpires. 

Coaches must not argue calls or publicly criticize calls.
Questions to clarify a call or ruling are permitted if done courteously and professionally in between innings.

Be positive toward your players with respect to their
performance.
Comments such as "How many times have I told you to stay in front of the ball?" are not acceptable. Instead, you can say, "Try to remember to get your body in front of the ball," or "Nice try - next time, stay in front of the ball." These alternative comments serve the same purpose but in a more positive and constructive manner.

Coaches must not engage in negative cheering or criticism of the performance or abilities of opposing players.
Comments such as "Just throw strikes; don't worry about what happens if she hits it" or "She can't hit the ball, just throw strikes" are unacceptable.

The use of any alcohol or tobacco products at practices or games is strictly prohibited.

As a Select coach participating in Brantford Minor Softball programs, you are expected to:

1. Complete a police check and required training as required by Brantford Minor Softball and coach a house league team.

2. Model good sportsmanship by treating everyone fairly, with respect and dignity, including players, parents, coaches, and officials.

3. Avoid the use of profanity, violent behaviour, bullying, unsportsmanlike conduct, and abuse of any kind towards other parents, athletes, coaches or officials.

4. Teach all players the skills of the game, the values of teamwork and the meaning of good sportsmanship.

5. Encourage and give players positive direction, remembering that athletes play to have fun.

6. Uphold the Brantford Minor Softball Program's rules, regulations, and policies.

7. Provide a safe playing environment for the athletes.

8. Ensure that all athletes get equitable instruction, opportunity, support and playing time.

9. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

10. Ensure the activities being undertaken suit the age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the players I coach.

11. I will work to resolve all parent-coach or athlete-coach conflicts related to playing time, in-game decisions, coaching methodologies, personality conflicts or otherwise. Coaches are encouraged to wait 24 hours from the time of the event or activity before contacting a parent or athlete for discussion.

12. Maintain, for my team, an environment that is free from drugs (including cannabis), tobacco, and alcohol. Refrain from their use or being under the influence of these substances at all BMSA games and practices.