Norwich-Otterville Minor Baseball Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians [ROWAN'S LAW] (for athletes under 18 year of age)

I will help prevent concussions by:  

• Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly. 

• Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability.

• Respecting the rules of my sport or activity. 

• My commitment to fair play and respect for all* (respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers and officials).

I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and I understand that: 

• A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects. 

• A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull may cause a concussion. 

• I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion.

• I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when and individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion.* (Meaning: If I think I might have a concussion I should stop participating in further training, practice or competition immediately, or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion). 

• Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases my risk of other injuries. 

I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and others.

• I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust if I experience any symptoms of concussion. 

• If someone else tells me about concussion symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust so they can help.

• I understand that if I have a suspected concussion, I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training, practice or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition.  

• I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent information regarding incidents of removal from sport with the athlete’s school and any other sport organization with which the athlete has registered* (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand that letting all of my other coaches and teachers know about my injury will help them support me while I recover.)

I will take the time I need to recover because it is important for my health. 

• I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process.

• I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice, or competition.

• I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, health-care professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding my health and safety. 

TOURNAMENT AND ORSA/OASA PLAY

The organization acknowledges that regular league play and year end league tournament is meant for every player to participate and be a part of play and have the opportunity to learn and improve.  We support that our coaches have decision making both on and off the field and there may be times during this league play or year-end tournament time where a coach may change his/her line up or on field playing positions in certain circumstances, but overall play time will be kept as fair as possible outside these special circumstances.  Please note that “fair playing time does not always mean equal playing time”.  This may also change if there are multiple teams in a division and it is decided there will be tryouts for a rep team.

The Norwich-Otterville Minor Ball organization has the intention each year to have as many of their teams participate in outside tournaments and Ontario Rural Softball Association (ORSA) playoffs. This is a unique opportunity outside of the regular season schedule to play other Ontario teams our size in competition.  ***Not all players may be chosen to play in the ORSA or special tournament teams, this is at the discretion of the coaches on how they wish to participate in these games and which players they wish to choose to play in this more competitive play.  This may mean that a separate team may be chosen or each game(s) may only allow a certain number of children to participate in playing and these players chosen may vary from game or game or series to series.  

Our Otters organization believes that this philosophy allows all players to be a part of a team and be able to learn and improve no matter what skill level or talent but also gives teams the opportunity to play at a competitive level for those who wish for more competition.  It is also imperative that throughout the season your child is committed to the team.  We realize that vacations are part of the summer but it is important to let coaches know when your child will be available and avoid ORSA time and playoffs whenever possible.  Norwich-Otterville Minor Ball organization supports the coaching staff decisions that are made based on the philosophy.