How SPLL resolves disputes and disagreements
South Portland Little League is committed to providing a safe and fun experience for every player at every level. Disagreements and disputes arise from time to time, and the League has processes in place to try to ensure those matters are resolved fairly and effectively.
For issues arising on the field and in the dugout
STEP
1 |
Talk to your coach |
| If an issue arises on the field with your player's team, or the coach's handling of a situation, the first and most step you should take is talking to the coach directly to better understand the stiuation and explore remedies. |
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STEP
2 |
Talk to your Division Director |
If talking to the coach directly does not resolve the issue, you may choose to escalate the issue to your division director. The division director may choose to engage the coach directly, escalate the issue to the SPLL board, or recommend a novel course of action.
In our experience, 90 percent of disputes that arise during the course of the season can be resolved by talking with the coach and/or division director. |
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STEP
3 |
Talk to your Player Agent |
| If talking to the coach and division director does not resolve the issue, you may choose to escalate the issue to the player agent for your program. The player agent may choose to engage the coach directly, escalate the issue to the SPLL board, or recommend a novel course of action. |
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| Note: Decisions about playing time — especially in the Majors divisions — are entrusted with the coaches on the field. On such matters, the division director and player agent may choose to talk with the coach to better understand the situation, but each are unlikely to instruct a coach to manage their lineup differently. The Board of Directors is extremely unlikely to intervene on such disagreements. |
For issues related to umpiring
Our volunteer umpires are doing their best to ensure games are played safely and fairly. Concerns
about umpiring should be raised first with your player's coach, and potentially then the division director. If further escalation is necessary, you may choose to engage Umpire-in-Chief Andrew Paladino, as well.
For issues not specific to an experience on a team
Concerns about off-the-field matters pertaining to South Portland Little League should be brought to League President Jon Hartford.
If the matter is elevated to the SPLL board
In 2024, the board of South Portland Little League adopted a formal policy for the resolution of disputes it receives. That policy is below.
Any dispute, concern, or conflict involving SPLL that is not timely resolved should be reported to the appropriate League Head and the President of the Board of Directors. Likewise, if any manager, coach, player's parent/guardian, umpire, or Board member requests further attention to a dispute, concern, or conflict, that matter should also be reported.
The Board President will share the facts of the situation with the Executive Committee, typically by email, and arrange for a timely meeting of that committee to discuss the matter. Initial action can be taken by email or phone and participation in a meeting of the Executive Committee can be in person, by video, or by phone in order to allow for prompt attention.
The Executive Committee will investigate the matter as needed and then reach a resolution agreed to by a majority of the Committee. The resolution will be reported first to the Board of Directors and then to the individuals involved in a timely fashion.
If the Executive Committee recommends the suspension or termination of any manager or coach, that recommendation must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. Any manager or coach facing such a sanction shall be notified of the meeting, given a general overview of the matter, and be given the opportunity to appear at the meeting and address the Board prior to a vote.
If the Executive Committee recommends the suspension or termination of any player, the player’s manager and parent(s)/legal guardian(s) shall be given notice and the opportunity to address the Board prior to a vote. The Board can suspend or terminate the player’s participation in SPLL by a two-thirds vote.
No member of the Committee who is involved in a particular dispute will participate, as a member, in the investigation, related meetings, or the final vote.