SoftballVictoriaIncorporated

Zero Tolerance Policy

This Policyis madeundertheSoftball Victoria Board’spowerin theConstitutionand contain various requirementswhich are,wherethecontextsoindicates,mandatory,butwhich arenotof a general naturewhich justifiesinclusionin themain bodyoftheConstitution.Definitionsand interpretationsof thisPolicyshall bein accordancewiththeConstitution.

1.ZEROTOLERANCE

1.1 GENERAL

Softball Victoria (Association) recognises theimportance of providing asafeand enjoyable environmentforall who participate in or supportsoftball in Victoria.

TheAssociation recognises that on and off –diamond behaviour reflectsnot only on individuals,butalso the team,club, association and particularly thegame of softball. TheAssociation shall not tolerateunsportsmanlike behaviourin any of its forms.

1.2 CODES of BEHAVIOUR

TheAssociation hasadopted Softball Australia’s Codes of Behaviour (General, Player, Coach, Official, Administrator, Parent/Guardian and Spectator). These Codes shall be read and applied, where applicable, in conjunction with this Regulation.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of Zero Toleranceare to:

i) Assistin theremoval of personal abuse and unsportsmanlikebehaviourfrom all aspects of the

game of softball in Victoria

ii) Protect all participants from exposure to unsportsmanlike behaviour.

iii) Provide aconsistentapproach to penaltiesimposedforbreaches of theCodes of

Conduct

iv) Reducetheresourcesand overheads associated with dealing with minor breaches of theCodes

of Conduct

1.4APPLICATION

Zero Tolerance shall apply to:

i)Administratorsof softball in Victoria,

ii) Registered participants (Players, Coaches, Managers,Scorers,Umpires) in games, activitiesand eventsheld undertheauspices of Softball Victoria, as well as members representing SV (Softball Victoria) in national or international competitions

iii) Parents/guardians,spectatorsand volunteers involved in games,activitiesand eventsheld under theauspices of Softball Victoria, as well as members representing SV in national or international competitions.

2. UNSPORTSMANLIKEBEHAVIOUR

Unsportsmanlike behaviour maybring the gameof softball intodisreputeand individualsas defined in clauseA1cshallbe expectedtoabideby theCodesof Conductand notinvolve themselves inunsportsmanlikebehaviour.

Unsportsmanlike behaviour,applicabletoboththeinstigationofandresponsetoanyincident,shall include,butnotbelimitedto:

i.Verbal abuseand threats

ii.Physicalabuseand/orassault iii. Discrimination

iv. Harassment

v.Derogatorystatementsorgestures vi. Cheating

vii. Visibledissentionof adecision ofan umpireorofficial viii.EquipmentAbuse

2.1 CATEGORIESOFOFFENCEPENALTY

Unsportsmanlike behaviourhasbeenseparated intoa numberof categoriesofviolation. The following tabledetailstheviolation andtheappropriatepenaltytobeapplied forbreachesof theCodeof Conductaslisted.Thelistedviolationsand relativepenaltiesshall bereviewedon a regularbasisand amendedasdeemed necessary.

Special provisionsapplyinrelationtooffenceswhere umpires,Level2orbelow,which includestraineeorclub umpires,and juniorand /ortraineeofficials(e.g.coaches,scorers)are involved.

Thepenaltiesprescribed for offencesinCategories2-6aredoubled and the penaltyforanoffencein categoryP1isejection and oneweek.

CATEGORIESofOFFENCESandPENALTIES

Category of Offence / Incident / Penalties
1st
Offence / 2nd
Offence / 3rd
Offence
P1 / •Useof audible(refernote5)foul language
•Disputing judgmentordecisionof an umpire
•Answering backan umpire
•Refusalof acoachorotherparticipanttoassist an umpiretocontrol behaviour or todefusea situationwhen requested(refernote4)
•Intimidating an umpireorotherparticipant
•Minorequipmentabuse
•Frivolouscomplaints
•Barging
•Meleeand/orbench clearing (refernote1) / Warning and or Ejection / Ejection / Ejection & Tribunal Hearing
Category of Offence / Incident / Penalties
1st
Offence / 2nd
Offence / 3rd
Offence
P2 / •Undulyrough play, pushing etc
•Actionsintended tocauseinjury
•Displaysof inappropriateaggressive behaviour
•Disparaging orinsulting remarksand/orthe use of foul languagedirected toward another player/team official/umpire/official/spectator.
•Ongoing abuseof anumpireafter ejection for behaviourin P1category
•Answering backan umpireonmultiple occasions
•Majorequipmentabusewherethereispotential toinjure participantsand/orspectators
•Provoking afightbut nofurtherinvolvement
•Verballyabusing an umpireorofficial
•Incidentsthathappeninvolving an umpireafter thegameisfinished. / Ejection &
1week suspension / Ejection &
2weeks suspension / Ejection &
4weeks suspension
Thefollowing categoriesMUSTbereferredtoaTribunal. Penaltiesshown arerecommendationsonly.
P3 / •Deliberatelycausing injury
•Displaysofexcessiveaggressive behaviour
•Majorequipmentabusewherethereisinjuryto participantsand/orspectators / Ejection &
2weeks suspension / Ejection &
4weeks suspension / Ejection &
8weeks suspension
P4 / •Involvementinphysicalviolence / Ejection &
3weeks suspension / Ejection &
6weeks suspension / Ejection &
12weeks suspension
P5 / •Physicallyorverballythreatening an umpireor official / Ejection &
6weeks suspension / Ejection &
52weeks suspension / Ejection & Hearing
P6 / •Physicallyattacking anumpire, official,playeror spectator / Ejection & Tribunal Hearing / Ejection & Tribunal Hearing / Ejection & Tribunal Hearing

Note1:Meleeorbenchclearingismultipleplayersand/orofficialsfromoneorbothteamsinvolved in an incident

Note2:All violationsin categoriesP2–P6invokean automatic ejectionfrom thegame

Note3:Allpenaltiesshallbeinweeksbydefaultbutshallbeconvertedtogamesiftheindividual’s nextinvolvementshallbe atournament/competitionwherepenaltiesaredeterminedin games.

Note4:SeniorTeam members(iecoaches,managers, andcaptains)

Anumpiremaychoosetouseseniorteam members tocontrol ordefusesituations,ifthese individuals refuse to assist or antagonise the situation they may also incur the relative penalty

Note5:‘Audible’ meansableto beclearlyheard byspectators.

b) AUTOMATICPENALTIES

Whereaperson isreported foranoffenceundertheCategoriesof Offence P1and P2:

i)Thepersonmayaccepttheautomaticpenalty(asprescribed within theCategories ofOffencesand Penaltiestable) withoutahearingorappeal.

ii)Thepersonmayelectnottoaccepttheautomatic penaltyand ifsomaylodgeanappeal. ReferClauseH (Appeal).

c) PENALTIESDETERMINEDBYTRIBUNAL

Whereaperson isreported foranoffenceundertheCategoriesof Offence P3toP6inclusivehe/she shall attend atribunal hearing. ReferClauseB(Tribunal).

d) SERVINGofPENALTIES

i.Penaltiesapplytothenextweek(s)orgame(s)whichthe offenderwouldotherwise normallyhaveparticipatedin regardlessof level of competition.Levelsof competition applytoclub,affiliated association,region,stateand ornational and include anygradewithintheselevelsof competition.

ii. Penaltiesnotcompleted bythe endofthecurrentseason shall carry overtothe next and if necessary,toasubsequentseason.

iii.The countofP1P2CategoryOffences(forthepurpose ofdetermining repeat offences)shall beexpunged 12 monthsafterreceiving thepenalty.

iv.Thehistoryforall categories ofoffences/penalties(P1-P6)shall beperpetually retained.

e) TRANSFEROFPENALTIES

A penalised person,while undersuspension,shallnot begranted aclearanceorpermitto anotherclub/association.

Oncethepenalty/suspension isserved aclearanceorpermitshall beconsideredasper

Regulation–ClearancesPermits.

Thepenalisedperson’shistoryofoffencesand penaltiesimposed shall beforwarded with the approvedclearance/permit documenttothereceivingaffiliated association/state.

i.Wherea memberclears or permits toanotheraffiliated associationthat association shall ensurethe member’s history of offences penaltiesshall beadopted and betaken intofuture considerations when dealing with further offences—shouldthey occur.

ii. Wherea memberclears or permits toanother state/countrythat state or countryshall determineif record of offencesand penaltiesshall betaken intofuture considerations.

3. PROCESSES

3.1. OnField(TheGame)Incidents

i.Umpiresareresponsiblefordetermining thecategoryofoffence(s)and shall applythe automaticpenalty prescribed in thetable’Categoriesof Offencesand Penalties’

ii.All ejectionsMUST bereported verballytotheUIC(Umpire-in-Chief) bytheUmpireconcerned, immediatelyon completion of thegame.

iii. On completionofthegame eachUmpireon the gameshall complete,in full detail,a separate 'Ejection Report' (seeattachmentA)and submittotheUIC.

iv. Umpires,Level 2and below,including traineeorclubumpiresmayseek guidancein writing reportsand determining thecategoryof offencesand subsequentpenalties. Guidance maybesoughtfrom aseniorumpire(Level3orabove),umpire’scoordinator orcommitteememberwhoshall notinfluencetheumpireunderanycircumstance.

v.Whereautomaticpenaltiesapply,theindividualand his/herteamshall beadvised eitherduring orimmediatelyfollowing thegame bytheumpireimposing thepenaltyortheUIC.

When circumstancesdonotpermittheindividual andteamtobeadvised immediately following agame,theUICatSVeventsorumpire’scoordinatororexecutivecommittee memberataffiliated association/regionshall beresponsibletoensuretheoffenderand his/herclub areinformed.

vi. Ejection Report(s)must belodged with theSVofficeassoon asispracticableafterthe offence,butbynolaterthan fortyeight(48)hours.

vii. SVofficeshallmaintain aregisterof allEjectionReportsreceived,detailing the offender,offencecategory,incident,penaltyimposed,and offencenumber.

viii. on receiptof anyEjection Report theSVofficeshallconfirminwriting detailsaslisted in clause3a(vii)to:

thereportedindividual,

thereportedindividual’saffiliated associationand,ifapplicable,the region thereporting individual, and

theVictorianDirectorof Umpiring

ix. wherethe offencehasoccurredatanaffiliatedassociationorregioneventandistobe referredtoaTribunalHearingtherelativeaffiliatedassociationorregionshallconvene thetribunal.

Wheretheoffencehasoccurred ataSV eventand istobereferredtoaTribunal

Hearing theSVofficeshall convenethetribunal.

ReferClausesB(Tribunal)C(Hearings),D(Tribunal Decisions),E(PenaltiesImposed) and F (Communication).

3.2 Off Field (Non-Game) Incidents Involving Registered Members:

i.Any person witnessing oraggrieved by an unsportsmanlikeact or alleged breach of a code(s)of Conductby aregistered member shall reporttheincidentto theAssociation representative

ii.If considered appropriate, the Association representative shall request the concernedindividual to completein full detail and submitthe'IncidentReport' (see attachmentC)

iii. On receiptof the Incident Report aTribunal shall beconvened to investigatethe report,and report outcomestogether with any recommendationsand/orpenalties to be applied.

3.3 Off Field (Non Game) Incidents Involving Non Registered Members:

i)Spectators: Any person witnessing oraggrieved by an unsportsmanlikeact orallegedbreach tothecode(s)ofConduct,byanyspectatormay reporttheincidenttotheAssociation representative immediatelyuponwitnessingtheincident.

ii)If considered appropriate,theAssociation representativeshallrequesttheconcernedindividual tocompletein full detail and submitthe'IncidentReport' (seeattachmentC)

iii) TheAssociation Representativeshall investigatethecomplaintimmediatelyandreport outcomestogetherwith anyrecommendations.

4TRIBUNAL

4.1.A Tribunal consisting of three(3)independentpersonsshall deal with,by means of a hearing,any infringement arising from breaches oftheCode of Conductasdetailed in clauseA Zero Tolerance 2a.

TheAssociation shall maintain apool of people, which shall includeat least theState Director of Umpiring or hisrepresentative, who shall beavailablefor appointment to a Tribunal to hearreportsand/or appealsasrequired.

4.2.Hearingsshall beconducted by aTribunal thatshall comprisethe DisputesCommittee appointed to thecompetition, orby apanel appointed by the Association.

In cases where oneof the Disputes Committee or Tribunal panel havebeen involved with the infringement/incident, creating aconflict of interest, then thatperson shall stand down and theremaining members of the DisputesCommittee/Tribunal shall seek an alternative independentperson.

4.3.TheTribunal shall electits own Chairperson and MinuteSecretary from its membership,the secretary shall beresponsiblefor therecording of the hearing,along with the outcome of such hearing. Thesecretary shall also fill in all documentsand send formsto relevantparties asperClauseF. Section 1.

5HEARINGS

5.1.Thereportedperson,theirrepresentative,if any,andthereporting person(s)shall attendthe hearing.

5.2.Reported personsshallbeallowed tohaveone(1)person asarepresentativeatanyhearing convened bytheTribunal.Such representativeshall havethesamerightsasthereported person.

5.3.No person,including Tribunal members,shall not have therightto legal representation at any hearing.

5.4.Personsunder theage of eighteen (18) years musthaveaparent/guardian oradult representativein attendance

5.5.Should thereported and/orreporting person beunableto orfail to attend thehearing,this shall notbegroundsfordeferring thehearing,unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal,there arecircumstances which warrantadeferment. Thedecision to defer shall beat thesole discretion of the Tribunal.

5.6.Hearing Procedures

1.TheTribunal shall assemblepriortothearrivalofall parties.

2.TheChairperson explainstheproceduresof thehearing:

i)The report shall be read out by the chair person and the reported person shall be asked if the written report is true and correct(other umpires report(s) referred to only if needed and only by the tribunal members).

ii)In the case of an ejection the ejecting umpire’s report shall be read out.Other umpires report(s) may be referred to only by the tribunal members if needed.

iii)If the report is accepted then the reporting person(s) is/are required to leave the roombut await for a possible recall.

iv)If the report is not accepted the reported person shall explain their side of events and further discussion under the control of the Chairperson shall take place.

v) After each party has been heard, they shall have no further input, unless the Tribunal seeks clarification of any point. They shall leave the room but wait for a possiblerecall.

vi)The Tribunal shall hold a private meeting to consider the report and all matters raisedduring the hearing. The Tribunal shall make a decision on the report and impose a penalty if deemed necessary. (see appendix 1 & 2)

vii)Thereported person shall berecalled to theTribunal and informed of theoutcome and the penalty imposed if applicable. The penalised person shall also be advised of their right of appeal under the Association Constitution, and counselling may be offered, if appropriate.

6TRIBUNALDECISIONS

6.1.Tribunal decisionsshallbebasedon:-

a) the written reportasprovided bythereporting person

b) verbal presentationsmadebyattendeesatthehearing c) answersto questionsputbyTribunalmembers

6.2.Anypreviousrecord of conviction shall beconsideredwhen setting penalties.

7PENALTIESIMPOSED

7.1.TheTribunal shall imposesuch penaltiesasit is deemed necessary,and such penaltiesshall be effectivefromthe dateof the hearing.

7.2.Suspensionsfrom participation,applied bytheTribunal,shall beeffective onanyand all competitiongames, e.g.atlocal association,regional,stateornational levels.

7.3.Should anypenaltyimposed relatetothesuspensionof amember,SV shall immediately circulatethename,club and associationoftheoffender,together with thesuspension imposed toall Affiliated Associations/Regions,otherStateAssociationsand Softball Australia.

Anymembersuspendedshallnotbepermittedtoparticipateinanycompetitiongameof softballforthetermofthesuspensioni.e.atclub,localassociation,regional,stateor nationallevel.

8COMMUNICATION

TheAssociation shallkeeparegisteronall investigationsand tribunalsconvened,the outcomesand anysubsequentappeals.

8.1TheTribunal Secretaryshall completein full detail the'Tribunal Report'(see attachmentB)and forward totheSVoffice whoshall ensuretheresultof the hearing isforwardedto:

thereportedpersonthereportedperson’saffiliated association

thereporting person

theChair of the Umpires Committee.

TheAssociation representativeshall forward totheSVofficethecompleted IncidentReporttogetherwith outcomesand anyrecommendations. TheSV shall takeappropriateactions.

9STATEREGISTER

9.1.SV shall maintainaregister ofalloffencesand penaltiesimposed,detailing nameof offender,infringement,category,breach,penaltyimposed andoffencenumber.

9.2.SV shall receiveacopyofall Ejection reportsand detailsfromtheseshall beincluded in the

StateRegister

9.3.SV shall receivefromAffiliated AssociationsandRegionsacopyofall Tribunal reportsand detailsfrom theseshall beincluded in theStateRegister.

10APPEAL

10.1 Thepenalised person shall havea right of appeal. Appeal shall beconducted in accordance with the Association Constitution.With the exception that thereshall beno appeal againstany Tribunal decision madeat Victorian Championshipsorcompetitions conducted undertheauspice of the Association. Unlessthepenalty imposed extendsbeyond theduration of the eventat which such penalty is applied.

10.2 A fee of $100.00 shall belodged atthe SVoffice with the written appeal. Thefeeshall bereimbursed if theappeal isupheld.

10.3 Thepenalised person shall havea furtherright of appeal to Softball Australia.

Appendices1,23-Reporting forms