Sportsmanship Statement

BAYS Travel Pre-Game Sportsmanship Statement

BEFORE ALL TRAVEL GAME, THE HOME COACH MUST READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT 

"Mass Youth Soccer and BAYS League share a mission to provide a safe, fun and inclusive soccer experience for all participants.   All participants deserve the right to play in an environment free from hostile and distracting behavior.   Please do your part to create a positive soccer experience for all.  Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated, and sanctions may be applied for violations of policy or codes of conduct.    It is the referee's discretion to terminate the game if any threatening or discriminatory statements are made or for anyone entering the field of play without permission."

Process:  Sportsmanship Statement Reading & Handshake

Starting Spring 2025 -- All players and coaches must join together to read the Sportsman Ship Statement.

After pre-game warmups are complete, both teams and the referee crew will line up at the Halfway Line of the Coaches Sideline.  Led by officials, all players and coaches will walk across the field and line up facing spectators, 5 yard from the sideline. The Sportsmanship Statement will be read by a representative of the Home team (i.e. the head coach) to all coaches, players and spectators.  Following the reading of the script, players will perform a pre-game handshake. After the pre-game handshake, all players and coaches will return to benches and starting players will assume positions on the field of play.  

Below is the full procedure and sportsmanship statement along with a short video demonstrating this new process. To see a full list of the rules and process please see the BAYS website -- Rules Section 8: https://bays.org/book/bays-match-rule-8-%E2%80%93-reschedule-gamesplaying-schedule