Article 7 – Sportsmanship & Acts of Disbarment Interpretation Guide

Part 1: Expected behavior, warnings, removals, ejections, forfeits, and manager responsibility.

Purpose of This Guide

Article 7 establishes conduct expectations for players, coaches, managers, parents, fans, and team followers. These rules protect player safety, umpire authority, sportsmanship, and the integrity of STLWEST competition.

Section 7.01 – Sportsmanlike Behavior

Official Rule:
All players and coaches are expected to always behave in a sportsmanlike manner.

Meaning:
STLWEST expects respectful, appropriate, and fair behavior at all times.

Practical Implications:
Coaches and players are expected to model good conduct before, during, and after games.

Simplified Wording:
Be respectful and act appropriately.

Governance Purpose:
Sets the foundation for all discipline and conduct enforcement.

Bottom Line:
Sportsmanship is not optional.

Section 7.02 – Abusive or Unbecoming Conduct

Official Rule:
Any player, coach, parent, or fan whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive may be warned and may be removed from the playing field and/or stands at the discretion of park administrators, tournament officials, and/or umpires. A team may be forced to forfeit if necessary.

Meaning:
Poor conduct by anyone connected to a team can result in warning, removal, or even team consequence.

Practical Implications:
Parents and fans are included, not just coaches and players.

Simplified Wording:
Bad behavior can get people removed and may cost the team the game.

Governance Purpose:
Gives officials authority to maintain order and safety.

Best Practice:
Managers should address parent/fan behavior early before it escalates.

Bottom Line:
Team behavior includes everyone associated with the team.

Section 7.03 – Foul or Abusive Language

Official Rule:
Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Meaning:
Profanity, abusive comments, insults, threats, or degrading language are prohibited.

Simplified Wording:
Abusive language is not allowed.

Governance Purpose:
Protects players, umpires, coaches, and families from hostile behavior.

Bottom Line:
Language matters and can result in discipline.

Section 7.04 – Automatic Ejection Conduct

Official Rule:
Cursing, throwing equipment, and coaches making a call prior to an umpire’s call will be an automatic ejection.

Meaning:
Certain conduct is serious enough to require immediate ejection.

Practical Implications:
Coaches cannot loudly pre-call plays before umpires make calls, and equipment throwing or cursing triggers automatic removal.

Simplified Wording:
Cursing, throwing equipment, or making calls before the umpire equals automatic ejection.

Governance Purpose:
Protects umpire authority and prevents escalation.

Bottom Line:
These actions do not require a warning first.

Section 7.05 – Coach Ejection Penalty

Official Rule:
If a coach is ejected, they must sit out the remainder of that game and leave the field area. Ejected coaches must also sit out one additional game, served during the following game.

Meaning:
A coach ejection carries an automatic next-game suspension.

Practical Implications:
Coaches cannot return later in the same game or coach the next game.

Simplified Wording:
Coach ejection means out for that game and the next game.

Governance Purpose:
Creates meaningful consequences for adult misconduct.

Bottom Line:
Coach ejections automatically affect the following game.

Section 7.06 – Player Ejection Penalty

Official Rule:
A player ejected must sit out the remainder of that game.

Meaning:
A player who is ejected cannot return to that game.

Simplified Wording:
Player ejection means done for that game.

Governance Purpose:
Removes unsafe or inappropriate behavior from the game.

Bottom Line:
Ejected players cannot re-enter that game.

Section 7.07 – Last-Play or Post-Game Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Official Rule:
If unsportsmanlike conduct occurs during the last play of the game or after the game by any coach, player, or spectator, the coach, player, or spectator will be ejected from the current game and must sit out the next league game.

Meaning:
Conduct after the final play still counts and can carry into the next game.

Practical Implications:
Teams cannot avoid discipline just because the game is ending or already completed.

Simplified Wording:
Bad behavior after the game still counts.

Governance Purpose:
Prevents end-of-game blowups and post-game confrontations.

Bottom Line:
Sportsmanship rules apply after the final out too.

Section 7.08 – Removal from Park

Official Rule:
Anyone ejected may be asked to leave the park at the discretion of the umpire or park administrator.

Meaning:
Ejection may include removal from the entire facility, not just the field.

Practical Implications:
An ejected person may not be allowed to remain nearby, continue arguing, or watch from another area.

Simplified Wording:
Ejected people may be required to leave the park.

Governance Purpose:
Protects safety and prevents continued disruption.

Bottom Line:
Ejection can mean leaving the whole park.

Section 7.09 – Manager Responsibility for Team Conduct

Official Rule:
The manager is responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches, and followers. Failure to control or maintain proper conduct may result in manager ejection. A second ejection of any player or coach will result in the Umpire-in-Chief declaring a forfeit.

Meaning:
Managers are responsible for the behavior of the entire team environment, including spectators connected to the team.

Practical Implications:
If a team’s behavior repeatedly escalates, the manager may be ejected and the team may forfeit.

Simplified Wording:
Managers are responsible for controlling their team and followers.

Governance Purpose:
Gives one adult leader responsibility for maintaining order.

Best Practice:
Managers should address parents, coaches, and players early before officials have to intervene.

Bottom Line:
Poor team conduct can become a manager problem and may result in forfeit.

Important Note: This is Part 1 of Article 7. The official STLWEST rulebook remains the controlling authority for all sportsmanship, ejection, suspension, and disbarment decisions.