Here are the essential resources you need to help you stay informed throughout the season. Access your game schedules and standings or check field status updates for weather-related changes. Additionally, be sure to familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct to ensure a positive and respectful experience for all players, parents, and coaches.
Whether you’re a returning player or new to the league, we are excited to have you on the field this season!
Find out where your favorite PCBS team is taking the field.
Palatine Community Baseball & Softball Code of Conduct
Let’s all remember to behave and set a good example for our kids to have fun! Please consider joining the positive coaching alliance (it’s not just for coaches). Parents, coaches, and players should talk calmly to reverse the trend of Youth sports decline.
Palatine Community Baseball & Softball (PCBS) follows a Code of Conduct adopted by the Palatine Park District. Since 2019, all players, parents, and coaches must adhere to this for proper sportsmanship. The PCBS board is responsible for handling violations of this code and taking necessary action. The three codes of conduct apply to parents, participants, and managers/coaches.
If a violation of the Code of Conduct occurs, PCBS may take the following actions:
All persons involved have the opportunity to address any issues with the PCBS Board. Post-game handshakes are encouraged to promote sportsmanship and character-building.
Managers and coaches are selected by the league commissioner and must follow PCBS and Palatine Park District rules. The Manager is accountable for team behavior and spectators. The Board can revoke appointments at any time for rule violations.
Rules apply to all players, coaches, parents, and spectators. Managers are responsible for their team’s behavior. Examples of prohibited conduct:
No section of the rules may be waived for Board members unless a majority of the Board approves.
Violations are categorized as Major or Minor, depending on severity. The Board must assess penalties according to the type of infraction, including written warnings, suspensions, or season bans.
INFRACTION |
SEVERITY |
PENALTY |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Minimum | Written Warning and copies to the Board and opposing manager. |
| Maximum | One-game suspension and copies to the Board and opposing manager. | |
| 2nd | Minimum | One-game suspension and copies to the Board and opposing manager. |
| Maximum | Three-game suspensions and copies to the Board and opposing manager. | |
| 3rd | Minimum | Two-game suspension and copies to the Board and opposing manager. |
| Maximum | Season suspension and copies to the Board and opposing manager. |
INFRACTION |
SEVERITY |
PENALTY |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Minimum | Verbal Warning, the Board is advised at next scheduled Board meeting. |
| Maximum | Written warning and copies to the Board and opposing manager. | |
| 2nd | Minimum | Verbal Warning, the Board is advised at next scheduled Board meeting. |
| Maximum | One-game suspension and copies to the Board and opposing manager. | |
| 3rd | Minimum | Written Warning and copies to the Board and opposing manager. |
| Maximum | One-game suspension and copies to Board and opposing manager. | |
| 4th | N/A | Treated as a Major Infraction. See Major Infraction section IV A. |
All parents, players, spectators, coaches, and managers are expected to comply with the outcome of any disciplinary action rendered by the Board. A team whose parents, players, spectators, coaches, or managers ignores a suspension penalty imposed by an umpire or the Board will forfeit each game the offender ignores the suspension.
2019 was the inaugural season of PCBS. Whether you are playing Palatine ball for the first time or you are back for another season on the diamond, we’d like to take this opportunity to review our code of conduct with you. The PCBS Code of Conduct establishes what is expected of you as a participant in our program and is the bedrock of our supportive, developmental culture. Please take a few minutes to review the specific expectations outlined below. This document does not represent our Code in its entirety; additional details can be found at pcbs.fun.
Having read these expectations, please take a moment to discuss them as a family and/or team. Please commit to following these expectations at every practice, game or team event. Also, understand that violating this code of conduct could result in being forbidden from attending games or practices.
Treatment of Officials
If you’ve attended a sporting event recently, you have undoubtedly seen and heard that when play stops, the yelling at and berating of officials begins. This behavior has no place at any level, especially in youth sports.
Angry parents are often cited as one of the top reasons kids drop out of sports. This also affects officials. The total number of sports officials across the country has been shrinking, and new entrants to the field are becoming less and less.
A recent survey was conducted by the organization Officially Human. The survey, which attracted nearly 19,000 responses from youth and high school sports officials, indicates that the problem is only worsening. The men, women, and teenagers who officiate do so due to their love of sport, and they want to give back to their community. Unfortunately, the increasing abuse they receive is diminishing their love of the sport to the point that they no longer want to work the games.
In communities across the country, games are being canceled due to the shortage of officials. It is at the point that all constituents bear the responsibility of fixing this problem, and it starts with everyone becoming, or being held, accountable for their own behavior. The time is now for all of us to realize that officials are human, and their existence and hard work at sporting events allows all of us to enjoy the games that we love.
So next time you feel like saying something. How about thanking your official for being at the field so your son/daughter could have their game? Focus on the positives, as you should do with your own athlete, and in life.
Thank you,
The PCBS board
Equipment Guide
Shoes—If your child is new to baseball and playing at the T-ball & Rookies level (PreK & K), the majority of players will be fine with regular gym shoes. We recommend buying a separate pair for the field, as there will be days when these shoes will get covered in mud or grass. For Future Stars, Pinto, Stallion and Mustang (1st – 4th), you can use gym shoes, but we recommend buying cleats from your favorite sporting goods store. From 5th grade and up, you will want to purchase cleats to use while playing.
* If purchasing cleats, either softball or baseball cleats are fine, there is no difference, but try to avoid soccer/lacrosse/football/track styles as they have different tread patterns. Do not buy metal cleats; they are not permitted.
Pants—We will supply baseball pants for all levels except our high school league. These are intended for use during games. Note we supply standard size gray pants (XS–XL). If your child requires special accommodations, you will need to purchase your own from your favorite sporting goods store. You will need to supply athletic pants (warm-ups / sweat pants) as appropriate for practice conditions.
Jersey / Shirt—We will supply a single team jersey, which should be worn during games. You’ll need to supply a T-shirt or similar to wear as appropriate for practice conditions.
Bat—We do not supply a bat, though we do have bats, which we make available to coaches if they request one for a player. We recommend purchasing a used bat to start. Please visit our bat rules page for information about legal bats. A good way to determine if the bat is right for your child is to have them hold the bat in their dominant arm out at arm’s length. If they can keep the bat level and steady for 10 seconds they will be OK to control it when swinging.
Glove—You will need to purchase a glove for your child. We recommend new players check used options first. Glove size should be what your child is comfortable wearing and is able to squeeze closed with their hand. Glove size recommendations by age 3-6 (8.5″-10″); 7-12 (10.25″-12″); 12+ (11.25″- 13″).
Baseballs—While we supply all the balls for practice and games, we highly recommend you purchase a few baseballs so you and your child can play catch at home. Safety balls are used for T-ball and Rookies. A regular ball for Future Stars and older. Additionally, whiffle balls make for great batting practice at home, with less risk of causing damage to siding, windows, etc.
If you have any additional questions, please send your questions to your league’s VP. They should be listed as a contact under your league homepage.
Shoes—If your daughter is new to softball and playing at the Juniors level (1 & 2nd grade), the majority of players will be fine with regular gym shoes. We recommend buying a separate pair for the field, as there will be days when these shoes will get covered in mud or grass. For a new player at Minors (3 & 4th grade), we recommend buying cleats from your favorite sporting goods store, but gym shoes can still be worn. From 5th grade and up, you will want to purchase cleats to use while playing.
* If purchasing cleats, either softball or baseball cleats are fine, there is no difference, but try to avoid soccer/lacrosse/football/track styles as they have different tread patterns. Do not buy metal cleats; they are not permitted.
Pants—We will supply softball pants for all levels except our high school women’s league. These are intended for use during games. Note we supply standard size gray pants (XS–XL). If your daughter requires special accommodations, you will need to purchase your own from your favorite sporting goods store. You will need to supply athletic pants (warm-ups/sweat pants/leggings) as appropriate for practice conditions.
Jersey/Shirt—We will supply a single team jersey, which should be worn during games. You’ll need to supply a T-shirt or similar to wear as appropriate for practice conditions.
Bat—We do not supply a bat, though we do have bats, which we make available to coaches if they request one for a player. We recommend purchasing a used bat to start. Please visit our bat rules page for information about legal bats. Bat size recommendations by age 5-7 (24″-26″); 8-9 (26″-28″); 10 (28″-29″); 11-12 (30″-31″); 13-14 (31″-32″); 15-16 (32″-33″). A good way to determine if the bat is right for your child is to have them hold the bat in their dominant arm out at arm’s length. If they can keep the bat level and steady for 10 seconds they will be OK to control it when swinging.
Glove—You will need to purchase a glove for your daughter. As a new player, we recommend checking used options first. The glove size should be what your daughter is comfortable wearing and is able to squeeze closed with her hand. Glove size recommendations are by age under 8 (9″-11.5″), 9-13 (10″-11.5”), and 13+ (11.5”-13″).
Fielder’s Mask—Each player is required to wear a fielder’s mask when playing defense on the field. As a new player, we recommend checking for used masks; if not, they can be purchased from your favorite sporting goods store.
Softballs—While we supply all the softballs for practice and games, we highly recommend you purchase a few softballs so you and your daughter can play catch at home. A 10″ safety ball is used for Juniors, an 11″ safety ball for Minors, an 11″ regular softball for Majors, and a 12″ softball for Varsity and older. Additionally, whiffle balls make for great batting practice at home, with less risk of causing damage to siding, windows, etc.
