Article 7 – Sportsmanship & Acts of Disbarment Interpretation Guide
Part 2: Major misconduct, suspensions, prohibited bench conduct, jewelry, and acts of disbarment.
Purpose of This Section
Sections 7.10 through 7.16 explain serious conduct violations, suspension consequences, prohibited actions, jewelry rules, and acts that may result in disbarment or removal from STLWEST participation.
Section 7.10 – Dishonorable or Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Official Rule:
Dishonorable, unsportsmanlike, and unbecoming conduct is condemned. Intoxicants, profane or vulgar language by players, managers, coaches, or league officials are strictly prohibited near the field, bench, or field of play.
Meaning:
STLWEST prohibits behavior that damages the integrity, safety, or family-friendly environment of the league.
Practical Implications:
Alcohol, drugs, vulgar language, and inappropriate behavior near the field may result in removal, ejection, suspension, or further discipline.
Simplified Wording:
Keep conduct respectful, sober, and appropriate around the field.
Governance Purpose:
Protects players, families, officials, and the reputation of STLWEST.
Best Practice:
Associations should address inappropriate conduct immediately before it escalates.
Bottom Line:
STLWEST expects a respectful and family-appropriate game environment.
Section 7.11 – Removal, Probation, or Suspension for Serious Conduct
Official Rule:
Any player, manager, coach, or team guilty of conduct described in Section 7.10 shall be removed from the game and surrounding area at the discretion of the Umpire-in-Chief and may be subject to probation or suspension by their Member Association. The Umpire-in-Chief submits a written report within 72 hours.
Meaning:
Serious misconduct can result in immediate removal and further association discipline.
Practical Implications:
Discipline does not end at ejection. The association may add probation or suspension after reviewing the report.
Simplified Wording:
Serious conduct can lead to removal and additional discipline.
Governance Purpose:
Creates a documented process for escalating serious behavior beyond the field.
Important Note:
The written incident report must be submitted within 72 hours.
Best Practice:
UIC reports should include facts, witnesses, timing, exact conduct, and action taken.
Bottom Line:
Serious misconduct can result in both immediate and follow-up discipline.
Section 7.12 – Contact with an Umpire
Official Rule:
Any manager, coach, or player making contact with an umpire, whether intentional or not, is suspended immediately for the remainder of the current game and the next two games. If contact is intentional, the person receives a one-year suspension.
Meaning:
Any physical contact with an umpire is treated as a serious violation.
Practical Implications:
Even accidental contact carries an immediate suspension. Intentional contact carries a major one-year suspension.
Simplified Wording:
Do not make physical contact with umpires.
Governance Purpose:
Protects umpires and reinforces zero tolerance for physical escalation.
Important Note:
The Umpire-in-Chief must submit a written report within 72 hours for review.
Best Practice:
Coaches should maintain physical distance during discussions with umpires.
Bottom Line:
Contact with an umpire triggers immediate suspension and may result in a one-year suspension.
Section 7.13 – Multiple Coach or Manager Ejections
Official Rule:
Any manager or coach ejected from two STLWEST sanctioned league or tournament games during the season receives a two-game suspension immediately following the second ejection. A third ejection in the same season results in a one-year suspension. Suspensions may continue into the next season.
Meaning:
Repeated ejections create escalating discipline.
Practical Implications:
A coach or manager with multiple ejections faces longer suspensions and may carry consequences into the next season.
Simplified Wording:
Multiple ejections lead to bigger suspensions.
Governance Purpose:
Discourages repeated misconduct by adult leaders.
Best Practice:
Associations should track ejections carefully across league and tournament play.
Bottom Line:
Repeated ejections can result in season-impacting or year-long discipline.
Section 7.14 – Prohibited Bench and Field Conduct
Official Rule:
Managers, coaches, players, substitutes, attendants, and bench personnel may not throw equipment, attempt to cause a balk, incite spectators, enter prohibited areas, use artificial noisemakers, play inappropriate or distracting music, maliciously run into fielders, fake tags without the ball, possess unauthorized objects in the coach’s box, or leave the dugout/bullpen area without proper reason.
Meaning:
STLWEST lists specific behaviors that are prohibited because they are unsafe, disruptive, deceptive, or unsportsmanlike.
Practical Implications:
Some violations may result in warning first if minor, while others may result in immediate removal, disqualification, or forfeiture.
Simplified Wording:
Do not create unsafe, deceptive, disruptive, or unsportsmanlike situations.
Governance Purpose:
Protects game safety, umpire authority, sportsmanship, and fair play.
Important Note:
Music is allowed only when appropriate and not distracting. It cannot be played during live action or when a pitcher is preparing to pitch.
Best Practice:
Coaches should review prohibited bench conduct with players and assistants before the season.
Bottom Line:
Bench behavior and game environment are part of sportsmanship enforcement.
Section 7.15 – Jewelry Rule
Official Rule:
Players may wear jewelry, except pitchers may not wear jewelry, wristbands, bracelets, or items the umpire deems distracting or deceiving to the batter. Pitchers may wear sunglasses unless the umpire determines they distract the hitter. High school has removed the jewelry rule and players may now wear jewelry.
Meaning:
Jewelry is generally allowed, but pitchers have additional restrictions if the item distracts or deceives the batter.
Practical Implications:
Umpires may require pitchers to remove distracting items.
Simplified Wording:
Jewelry is allowed unless it distracts the batter, especially on pitchers.
Governance Purpose:
Balances player personal expression with batter safety and fair visibility.
Best Practice:
Pitchers should avoid shiny, reflective, or distracting items on throwing hand, wrist, or visible areas.
Bottom Line:
Jewelry is generally allowed, but distracting pitcher items may be removed by umpire judgment.
Section 7.16 – Acts of Disbarment
Official Rule:
Acts of disbarment include physical attacks, threats, fighting, abusive tactics, knowingly competing with illegal or suspended players, fraud, withholding association funds, competing under an assumed name, bad checks, false information intended to harm the association, illegal player violations, and suspended participants acting in any capacity during suspension.
Meaning:
Disbarment applies to the most serious conduct and integrity violations.
Practical Implications:
These actions may remove a person from STLWEST participation and can affect players, coaches, managers, officers, sponsors, umpires, or other participants.
Simplified Wording:
Serious misconduct, fraud, threats, violence, or illegal participation can lead to disbarment.
Governance Purpose:
Protects the league from unsafe people, dishonest actions, financial misconduct, and eligibility fraud.
Important Note:
Suspended individuals may not participate in any capacity until their suspension is lifted.
Best Practice:
Associations should document serious misconduct thoroughly and report it quickly through the proper channels.
Bottom Line:
Acts of disbarment are the most serious STLWEST violations and may remove individuals from league participation.
Important Note: This is Part 2 of Article 7. The official STLWEST rulebook remains the controlling authority for all conduct, ejection, suspension, probation, and disbarment decisions.