PBLA Zero Tolerance Policy-Ensuring a Respectful Environment

The PBLA (Philadelphia Box Lacrosse Association) is committed to creating a safe and fair environment for all participants and spectators. Respect for the game, the opponents, coaches and officials is a critical part of the environment that is created. This Zero Tolerance Policy summarizes required actions to be taken when violations occur.

All players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators are required to maintain a sportsmanlike atmosphere before, during and after all PBLA sanctioned games and events. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all PBLA participants and spectators:

As per the 2022 USA Lacrosse Box Lacrosse Rules 83 and 84 concerning sportsmanship and conduct, the PBLA needs to emphasize its zero tolerance of the following:

• 83.3 Discriminatory Language - Any player or non-playing personnel who uses discriminatory language based on race, sexuality, age, color, religion, disability, national origin, or gender/gender identity.
  • Players and Teams will be subject to:
    • Minor Penalty - The referee, at their discretion, may assess a minor penalty based on the use of profane language or obscene gestures by a player.
    • Major Penalty - - The referee, at their discretion, may assess a major penalty based on the use of profane language or obscene gestures by non-playing personnel.
    • Match Penalty - The referee, at their discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in their judgment, a player or non-playing personnel uses discriminatory language.
• Additional action:  The Ralph Rizzo Rink is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia.  Therefore, the City of Philadelphia policies concerning discriminatory language and actions will always hold supreme over PBLA and USA Lacrosse rules and policies when concerned with discriminatory actions or acts of hate.  As per their policy, all offenders will automatically be ejected from the facility and banned. Violators may face additional consequences under the City of Philadelphia Code.   Any PBLA game penalties assessed to an ejected player must be then served by the team. Teams may also be held responsible and penalized for their spectators/fans actions.

The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/ spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/ spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body.

This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:

• As per City of Philadelphia policy, all alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, and illegal drugs are not allowed on the premises.
• Use of obscene, profane, discriminatory, or abusive language to anyone at any time.  This includes actions outside of a PBLA event such as on social media.  
• Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators/fans by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.  
• Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.