Is It Time for Your "Battery" to Create a Code of Conduct?

Teams have rules called "Codes of Conduct" to help them work well together. These rules show what behavior is expected, like using the right language and being respectful.

You can find these rules for many teams online. It's interesting to see what different teams think is important. I did a basic Google search to look for examples of different organizations' codes of conduct. I liked this softball team’s list because of its simplicity and applicability to the negativity I hear in lessons. Here is USA Hockey’s code of conduct. I like them because they separate administrator, parent, official, and player codes. Note the one bullet point, “Never argue with an official’s calls.”

Knowing a team's rules can tell you a lot about their values. But just like setting goals, these values only matter if people follow them. Good teams make sure their members act according to these rules because it keeps the team culture healthy. When everyone feels confident and clear about how to conduct themselves and how teammates should, it’s easy to refer back to or coach people back to good behavior.

I thought this idea should be brought into the parent/pitcher relationship. When I was younger, my dad and I did not get along when he caught for me. There were no expectations on how much we would practice together, how we would talk to each other, or how we’d resolve conflict. If I was in a bad mood about something else, I’d take it out on him when we’d practice. Maybe if we had an agreement ahead of time it would have been more productive.

Create your own Code of Conduct with your daughter. I’d start with focusing on your pitching sessions together, but this can also be applied to how you both show up to games and team practices. Sports psychologist , Aaron Weintraub, says to ask your daughter, “How do you want me to be?” in reference to intensity level or amount of feedback given. Working on a code of conduct is a methodical way to work through your optimal relationship together.

Once you and your daughter create, reads and agrees to the code, it’s easy to refer back to it when one of you is behaving badly and point out that you both agreed to this. You won’t have to, for example, re-explain why it’s bad to talk back to the ump every time it happens. Just refer back to the agreement.

If you stick to these rules, you might find yourself practicing more often. It’s great because that means more progress in pitching. Most importantly, the more you enjoy your time together the stronger your relationship will grow!