Little League International Zero Tolerance Policy
Little League Alberta District 3 abides by the Little League International Child Protection Policy.
Little League has zero tolerance for any type of abuse against a minor, including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental, and emotional abuse (as well as any type of bullying, hazing, or harassment).
Any individual with an offense involving or against a minor (refer to Volunteer Application), will not be permitted to participate in any Little League programs or activities.
Local Little League programs who fail to enforce this zero-tolerance policy will face potential revocation or termination of their little league charter.
Alberta District 3 - Zero Tolerance Abuse Policy
The District 3 Disciplinary Action Policy & Procedure Guidelines and Zero Tolerance Abuse Policy apply to PLAYERS, COACHES, PARENTS, SPECTATORS & LITTLE LEAGUE OFFICIALS:
| Behaviour | Defined As | Penalty | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSAULT | Intentional physical force or contact (or threat of physical force or contact). Including but not limited to bumping, shoving, striking, poking, spitting or other threatening behaviour | Minimum (1) one calendar year suspension. Maximum lifetime suspension. | Meeting with the Disciplinary Hearing Committee (as outlined in Policy 2.2) with a letter of reinstatement required. |
| ABUSE / SAFETY | Including but not limited to Throwing Equipment, Name Calling, Discriminatory Slurs, Obscene Gestures | Minimum (3) three consecutive games. Maximum (1) one calendar year suspension. If ejected from a game, this will count as the first game of the suspension. | |
| EJECTION | Based on the Umpires Discretion. Not covered in above | Suspended (2) two games. (Game ejected plus (1) one additional game.) | |
| EMOTIONAL ABUSE | Emotional abuse falls under Psychological Maltreatment section of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) as provided by the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner https://sportintegritycommissioner.ca/uccms Some examples are: Emotional Abuse, Berating, Excessive Screaming, Profanity | 1st Offence - Minimum two (2) game suspension2nd Offence - Minimum five (5) game suspension3rd Offence - One (1) full year suspension4th Offence - Lifetime Suspension | 1st and 2nd Offence - Successful completion of a PCA* Course as assigned by the Disciplinary Committee3rd Offence - Reinstated only after meeting with the Disciplinary Committee and a letter of reinstatement. |
Repeat offenders may receive suspensions that exceed the penalties listed above.
The purpose of this policy is to address the conduct of every Little League participant fairly and consistently. The decision of the District Divisional Commissioner shall be final. The District 3 Disciplinary Hearing Committee will consider the Appeals of decisions outlined in the District 3 Disciplinary Action Policy Procedures Guideline.
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) information can be found here - https://positivecoach.org/ . Any requirement to take a PCA Course will be solely at the Coaches cost.
Little League Alberta - District 3 Disciplinary Action Policy Procedures Guidelines
Updated January 2025
The Little League Alberta District 3 Disciplinary Policy and Procedure Guidelines applies to all PLAYERS, COACHES, PARENTS, SPECTATORS and LITTLE LEAGUE OFFICIALS. All incidents must be reported to the District 3 UIC and District 3 District Administrator via email or via the District 3 Incident Report within 24 hours of any incident. Any incident involving an ejection from a game shall be initially dealt with by your League UIC, or District UIC as appropriate. Any incident which does not involve an ejection shall be dealt with by either a League President or the District Administrator as appropriate. Investigation into incidents should be completed within 72 hours by either the League UIC and League President or the District UIC and District Administrator as appropriate.
The District 3 Hearing Committee shall be convened on receipt of an appeal by any party that has been suspended by either a District 3 Divisional Commissioner (in the instance of a Division Interlock game) or by a League President (on any event outside of a Division Interlock). The appeal must be received in writing by the District 3 District Administrator (da@albertadistrict3.com), District 3 Umpire in Chief (UIC) (adamsmith@albertadistrict3.com) and the District Secretary (secretary@albertadistrict3.com) within 48 hours of the District 3 Commissioners or League Presidents Ruling.
The District 3 Hearing Committee shall consist of the following members, or in their absence, a designated representative. All action shall be decided by a majority of this Committee:
- District 3 District Administrator
- District 3 Umpire in Chief (UIC) / Tournament Umpire in Chief
- District or League Division Director / Tournament Director
- 2 League Presidents independent of the League(s) involved in the hearing. (League Presidents will be assigned to the Committee on a rotational basis when possible)
The District 3 or League Hearing Committee must be held within 7 Calendar days of the written Appeal. The hearing may be held either in a physical location or virtually via an online meeting service. In the scenario where the hearing will be held virtually, each of the parties invited to the Hearing shall provide both an email and a phone number to be contacted at during the hearing. A more immediate time frame will be used to decide incidents that occur during Tournaments.
The following parties shall be entitled to attend the Disciplinary Hearing to answer questions from the Hearing Committee and provide additional information for the Committees’ consideration when deciding action to be taken.
- District Administrator
- District Umpire in Chief / Tournament Umpire in Chief
- Director of League or Division Director / Tournament Director
- League President or Designated League Representative of Leagues involved
- All parties involved in the incident under review
- In the event that a player is under review - one parent should attend with the player.
The Disciplinary Hearing shall be conducted in the following manner. Each party shall be notified of the scheduled hearing time and location. Each party shall meet with the Hearing Committee separately. Each party is to remain outside of the Hearing Room or outside of the Virtual Meeting room until all parties have been interviewed and shall only be in the Hearing when invited. This will enable the Committee to verify any additional and/or conflicting information received during the interviews. Parties shall remain available for the duration of the entire hearing in case the Committee wishes to have them return to the hearing for clarifying questions. All parties will be informed when the hearing is concluded.
Each party directly involved shall have five (5) minutes to present their views of the incident then answer questions from the Hearing Committee.
The League President shall have five (5) minutes to express their views following their members presentation.
The District 3 Hearing Committee decision shall be final and binding. Appeals will not be accepted or entertained. Each party has the opportunity to present their views and pertinent information at the Hearing. In the event that any party is unable to attend the scheduled Hearing, they have the right to be represented by a designated representative on their behalf or submit their views in writing for the Committees’ consideration. The Committee must release their decision in writing within 48 hours of the conclusion of the hearing. Additionally the Committee may verbally share their decision at the conclusion of their hearing, especially in situations where time is of the essence.
The District 3 Hearing Committee decision shall not be waived or disciplinary action reduced by any party. In the event that additional information becomes available after the Committee has met, the Hearing Committee may reopen with a majority vote of the Committee members present at the original hearing.