The Mississippi High School Activities Association has released a code of conduct for baseball and softball.
An article on the MHSAA website states: “The MHSAA expects student-athletes, coaches, and game officials to conduct themselves respectfully and courteously. Disrespectful behavior in the playing area or the sidelines can result in an ejection. As has been the case in the past, profanity directed at players or officials is a penalty and an ejection as well.”
Officials are empowered to step up enforcement surrounding bad behavior and language, and coaches are asked to relay the message about behavioral expectations to their assistant coaches, players and fans.
The code of conduct outlines what baseball and softball coaches are not allowed to do, and the consequences if there are violations.
There will be an automatic ejection for inappropriate language or profanity and assistant coaches contesting calls while on the field.
No coach may come onto the field or the home plate area to contest a call. If the coach comes onto the field of play (between the foul lines) or immediately towards home plate, there will be an automatic ejection
The head coach may come to the foul line in front of his or her dugout to confer with the crew chief or a base umpire to appeal a call.
The appeal must be made professionally. When a ruling is given, the appealing coach must return to the dugout. If the call is overturned, the opposing coach may come out to the foul line in front his or her dugout for an explanation without penalty.
Only head coaches may discuss plays with umpires.
