What is unsportsmanlike conduct?

[Elliesmom]

A poster asked what I take to be unsportsmanlike conduct.

There are many videos on YouTube showing excellent examples:
1- video of a catcher waiting for a throw home to stop runners whom she obviously elbows with such force as to knock them down. Not just once but twice;
2- video of a game where apparently one team does not like the plate umpire's calls....pitcher throws a pitch high, the catcher steps out of the way and the ball hits the ump in the head;
3- a player or team that accuses another team of having "hot bats" because they are being outscored;
4- a player who curses or swears (you've heard them);
5- a close play at home plate and the catcher visibly pushes the opposing teams runner off the bag.

I think we've all seen what we would call unsportsmanlike conduct at some point. I do have a difficult time reconciling that these actions are tolerated be it child or adult. No unsportsmanlike conduct should be disguised as "being competitive" or "just part of the game" and allowed to continue.

 

[GS194]

What SCHSL has to say on the subject;

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT


Unsportsmanlike acts that take place at the site of an interscholastic contest are League


matters. All ejections must be reported by the school to the League office by noon of the

following day. The League shall discipline violators of the following items:

1. An athlete who is ejected for using abusive language, flagrantly or maliciously

contacting another person, making obscene gestures to opponents or spectators, shall

be ineligible for a minimum of the next contest to the maximum of one year depending

on the seriousness of the violation.

2. Any ejection that warrants game(s) suspension will require the removal of the athlete’s

eligibility until the suspension has been served at the level of the ejection.

Suspensions carry over from sport to sport and/or year to year. Until suspension is

served, the student athlete is not eligible for scrimmages and jamborees.

3. Ejections that subject a player to next game(s) suspension may result in a minimum of

two games for all sports except football, cheer, swim and lacrosse depending on the

nature of the ejection.

4. Any attempt to verbally abuse, make obscene gesture to, threaten or strike an official

or member of the opposing coaching staff, shall be considered a serious violation

making the athlete ineligible for a minimum of the next two contests to the maximum

of one year. Any action that warrants a maximum penalty will also require that the

school be placed on immediate probation in that sport. The League Office will review

any other action(s) that result in an ejection with the possibility of additional penalties.

5. Any athlete who leaves the bench area to become involved in an altercation, either

physical or verbal, will be disqualified from that game and will be subject to a minimum

of a next game suspension depending on his or her involvement. A school whose

athletes violate this bench policy will be subject to League discipline.

6. An athlete who is ejected for the second time in the same sport will have his or her

athletic eligibility removed for a minimum of two weeks. An athlete who has been

ejected from three contests during a school year (all sports) shall become ineligible for

the remainder of the school year. Game officials must report all player ejections so

that the League Office can officially notify the school of each violation. When an

athlete is ejected for the second time in the same sport, the school is required to

immediately begin the above prescribed penalty.

7. Any post game unsportsmanlike activities that involves athletes, coaches and/or other

school personnel while at the playing area.

8. A coach will be in violation of the standards for good sportsmanship established by the

League for:

a. making degrading/critical remarks about officials during or after a contest either

on the field of play, from the bench or through any public news media;

b. arguing with officials or going through motions indicating dislike/disdain for a

decision;

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c. detaining the official following the contest to request a ruling or explanation of

actions taken by the official; or

d. being ejected from any contest.

9. A coach's action that leads to an ejection will be considered as serious

unsportsmanlike conduct. The minimum penalty will be a next game suspension (Must

be served at the level of ejection before resuming coaching duties at games) and a

$300.00 fine. The minimum penalty for a second offense will be two games

suspension and a $500.00 fine. A suspended coach may not attend the contest. If a

coach is ejected from the final game of the season, the minimum penalty will be a

$500.00 fine assessed to the school.

10. A school must control its spectators. In cases where spectators physically assault an

official, coach, or athlete, the school shall be given one of two options: (1) To take

legal action against the offender(s) that is acceptable to the League or (2) be

disciplined by the League.

11. A school shall not allow vulgar chants by its supporters.

12. Violation of any of the above policies will warrant League discipline for the school or

individual.