Game conduct, decorum, and protocols

Tomball Kings baseball games are public events made possible by the participation of our players, coaches, game officials, families, opponents, and facility managers.

As a Christian baseball organization, our games also provide an opportunity for all of us to serve as a light for others. This holds true not only for those on the field of play but also for our family members who provide support and encouragement from the stands.

To ensure that every game is as beneficial as possible for all concerned, we ask that all of our players, coaches, families, and guests observe the highest standards of conduct and decorum at all times and follow game protocols as set forth below.

The importance of playing the games

High school and college rosters are built to withstand player losses to injury, academic misadventure, and the like. Youth rosters are not. If your son will ever be late for or miss a game or games, please notify your coach immediately—as soon as you know. We keep youth rosters as close to nine players as possible to ensure maximal playing time for each boy. The unexpected absence or withdrawal of even a single player can cause a forfeit or even prematurely end a season for a lot of boys. Please do what is necessary to get your sons to all of their games.

No “leaving early”

Generally, no player who is entered into the batting lineup may leave early, other than for injury or illness. An early, unexcused departure is recorded as an automatic out for our team, when the departed player’s turn at bat arises.

Dress protocols for players

Players should always arrive fully dressed and depart in the same way, in full compliance with our uniform standards. In Kings baseball we do not dress or undress in the dugout or any public areas. We always wear athletic or baseball shoes, to and from the field. Except for items containing medical information, we do not wear jewelry of any kind. Our hair is always its natural color.

A player arriving out of uniform or without necessary equipment will not play that day. Teaching younger athletes to take stock of their uniforms and baseball bags will help prepare them for a years down the road.

Spectators

When our own sons are at bat, pitching, or catching, silence from their parents is best while in the act of play. Exhortations, etc. only add to what is already considerable pressure on the athlete. Cheers from other parents are strongly encouraged, of course.

No player should be coached during a game by anyone other than his coaches. This means we do not, among other things, tell them when to run or go back, where to stand, how to swing, to choke up, where to stand in the batter’s box, or where to position themselves in the field. Please leave the coaching to the wonderful coaches we have.

We never have negative interactions with opposing players, coaches, or spectators. Game officials or facility managers will take care of any rude or obnoxious behavior that takes place at the field.

We bring neither dogs nor any other pets to any Tomball Kings event, irrespective of venue.

Respect for the dugout

No food, gum, or seeds will be permitted in the dugout at any time. Players may have water or sports drinks only. They should arrive with enough liquids to last the entire game and not need to be replenished during the game. For high school games where no time limit applies, the head high school coach may in his discretion make an exception for fruit or comparable nourishment for energy purposes.

No player in the dugout should be approached by anyone other than his coaches or fellow players, or a game official. If a parent needs to communicate with a player who is in the dugout, that communication should be relayed through a coach and not directly to the player.

Player distress and injuries

If a parent observes that a player seems to be in distress, please bring that to the attention of a coach or the “dugout parent” — we will have a parent in the dugout at every game.

If a player is injured, let coaches tend to him. They will call for a parent, if needed.

Game officials

Umpires have a tough job and deserve nothing but our respect, encouragement, and support at all times. The only communications that should ever come from our spectators or guests to a game official are expressions of greeting or gratitude. No one other than the designated game manager—typically, the head coach—may question the call of a game official. Under no circumstances should any Tomball Kings player, spectator, or guest question or display or voice dissatisfaction with any call made by any game official, whether by words or otherwise.

Interactions with the scorekeeper

Please do not ask the scorekeeper for the game score or other statistics during a game. The scorekeeper’s job requires concentration and split-second attention to detail and is vital to the operation of the team. Please respect the difficulty of the role.

Post-game meeting

The coaches will normally gather the players together off the field for a post-game meeting, followed by a prayer. Please let them have this time to themselves.

Organizational matters

Head coaches determine playing time, field positions, and batting order in all age divisions.

In the high school division, the head coach exercises sole discretion as to playing time, field positions, and batting order. Whether at the varsity or subvarsity levels, no player has any guarantee of playing time.

In the younger age divisions (15U, 12U, 10U, and 8U), no player will sit for more than one inning at a time and all players will bat, by rule. Subject to that limitation, however, head coaches for those rosters will exercise sole discretion as to playing time, field positions, and batting order. We introduce the concepts of competition even at the youngest ages, and coaches will assign playing time, fielding positions, and batting order in accordance with their judgments as to team competitiveness, player performance, and player development needs.

Please bring any concerns about injuries or illnesses to the immediate attention of a coach. Outside of those safety-related matters, for discussions of any other concerns, please schedule time with the coach or team official closest to the problem, ideally before or after a practice rather than on game day.