Code of Conduct
Revised August 21, 2025
1. Overview
Stonewall Sports Indianapolis is committed to the ideals of diversity and inclusion. We believe that every person has the right to feel safe and comfortable being themselves while engaged in organized athletics. As such, we are committed to providing an experience that affirms the dignity and value of all individuals without regard to age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, physical or mental abilities, size, appearance, or any other basis for exclusion.
That commitment is enshrined in the following policies which comprise Stonewall Sports Indianapolis’ Code of Conduct. Violation of any of these policies will subject the violating member to potential disciplinary action. Disciplinary action can include verbal warnings, written warnings, suspensions, and, if the violation is repetitive or particularly egregious, expulsion from the league. If expelled, a member will not be refunded any registration fees. The application of specific disciplinary action will be determined by the Board of Stonewall Sports Indianapolis based on the facts of each specific situation.
2. Sportsmanship Policy
Ensuring participant safety and providing a positive atmosphere is important to Stonewall Sports Indianapolis, both on and off the field. At Stonewall, the atmosphere should remain good-natured at all times. Players are expected to promote a welcoming environment and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Stonewall Indianapolis will exercise zero tolerance when addressing unsportsmanlike situations.
Specific comments (made either directly OR indirectly) or acts of aggression towards any referee, umpire, line judge, volunteer or member of the Stonewall Sports organization will be addressed by league leadership and or Stonewall Sports board. We require that all participants, volunteers, league leadership and Stonewall Sports Board members respect one another.
Preventing or even discouraging other players from playing (benching) other than for medical reasons is not allowed. All players will be given equal opportunity to play in accordance with the approved sports league rules.
Taunting, demeaning or derogatory language must not be used toward the opposing teams, your own team, or league officials, including written communications via email, direct messages, or social media. Acts of physical aggression will not be tolerated.
2.1 Reporting of Poor Sportsmanship
Incidents with regards to sportsmanship will be handled in real-time by league officials given the methods allowed by the league (yellow/red cards, etc). Any league participant that feels unfairly treated or observes a fellow team member being treated unfairly is encouraged to file a complaint using the leagues incident reporting process outlined in the Complaints & Disciplinary Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) below.
3. Anti-Harassment Policy
Stonewall Sports Indianapolis is committed in all areas to providing a sports and social environment that is free from harassment. Harassment is any behavior, motivated by discriminatory animus, that is unwelcome and offensive to the person or persons towards whom it is targeted. Such behavior is expressly forbidden by this policy. All members of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis community are expected and required to abide by this policy. No person will be adversely affected in terms of their association with Stonewall Sports Indianapolis as a result of bringing forward complaints of harassment.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and offensive to the person or persons it is targeted toward. Examples of harassing behavior may include unwanted physical contact, foul language of an offensive sexual nature, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures. Sexual harassment of other members of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis community is expressly forbidden. Additionally, the harassment of non-members attending Stonewall Sports Indianapolis events including volunteers and spectators is also prohibited.
3.1 Reporting of Harassment
If any member of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis community feels harassed on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, ethnic background, or any other personal characteristic, should immediately report the matter to a member of the Board of Directors of the organization. Once the matter has been reported it will be promptly investigated and any necessary corrective action will be taken where appropriate. All complaints of harassment will be handled in as discreet and confidential a manner as is possible under the circumstances.
4. Anti-Bullying Policy
Stonewall Sports Indianapolis considers bullying unacceptable and will not tolerate it under any circumstances. This policy shall apply to all members of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis community in all interactions, whether in-person at events or online through SSI-operated or affiliated platforms including servers, social media groups, and other digital spaces. Additionally, the bullying of non-members attending Stonewall Sports Indianapolis events and participating in virtual formats, including volunteers and spectators, is also prohibited. Any community members found in violation of this policy will be disciplined, up to and including expulsion from the league.
Stonewall Sports Indianapolis defines bullying as persistent, malicious, unwelcome, severe and pervasive mistreatment that harms, intimidates, offends, degrades or humiliates a member, whether verbal, physical, virtually, or otherwise, at league-sponsored events and forums. The Organization promotes a safe athletic and social culture where all members are able to join in an environment free of bullying behavior.
Stonewall Sports Indianapolis encourages all of its members to report any instance of bullying behavior to a member of the Board of Directors of the organization. Any reports of this type will be treated seriously, investigated promptly and impartially, and necessary corrective or disciplinary action will be taken. The Organization will protect any member who reports bullying conduct from retaliation or reprisal.
Stonewall Sports Indianapolis considers the following types of behavior to constitute bullying. Please note, this list is not meant to be exhaustive and is only offered by way of example:
- Staring, glaring or other nonverbal demonstrations of hostility
- Exclusion or social isolation
- Personal attacks (angry outbursts, excessive profanity, or name-calling)
- Encouragement of others to turn against the targeted member
- Stalking
- Punching, kicking, slapping or any other unwanted physical contact
- Harassment through direct messages, posts, or comments on digital platforms
- Sharing private information without consent
- Creating hostile environments in-person or in voice, video, or text channels
- Coordinated online attacks or brigading
- Persistent unwanted contact through digital means
As a volunteer organization, Stonewall Sports Indianapolis relies on members of the community to volunteer in various roles. As such, the board considers bullying of its volunteers to be particularly egregious. Any attempt to intimidate umpires or referees will result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the league.
4.1 Reporting of Bullying
If any member of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis community feels bullied should immediately report the matter to a member of the Board of Directors of the organization. Once the matter has been reported it will be promptly investigated and any necessary corrective action will be taken where appropriate. All complaints of bullying will be handled in as discreet and confidential a manner as is possible under the circumstances.
5. Excessive Drunkenness & Drug Use
As a member of our collective community, no one should be excessively drunk or participate in any illegal drug activities while at league functions, wearing our league shirt, or operating in any capacity where you are seen as a member of the league. Our league strives to provide a safe, inclusive space for all members.
6. Penalty Cards
Any registered Player not upholding the standards of the code of conduct is subject to a Penalty Card.
6.1 Yellow Cards
Yellow Cards can be issued as a direct consequence of and serve as an official warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
6.2 Red Cards
Red Cards can be issued as a direct consequence of either a second violation by an individual player during a specific game or any severe or flagrant violation.
6.2.1 EJECTION: Players receiving a Red Card are immediately ejected from the game and are required to leave the venue. Any team whose player fails to adhere to this rule is subject to a game forfeit.
6.2.2 DELIBERATION: In the case of issuance of a Red Card, the offending Player, Team Captain(s), Head Umpire, and/or League Commissioner(s) may meet to discuss the violation and appropriate course of action.
6.2.3 APPLICABILITY TO FUTURE GAMES: Players receiving a Red Card may also be barred from playing in subsequent scheduled games.
6.2.4 SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION: Red Cards are cumulative and any Player receiving two (2) red cards during the course of a season is subject to temporary suspension or permanent expulsion from the league as a whole.
Note: Some sports may have additional violations that could result in a yellow or red card. Consult your league’s rules for additional information.
7. Complaints & Disciplinary Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Disciplinary Action is defined as warnings or suspensions given to any member who violates the Code of Conduct.
Players who experience or witness an incident violating the code of conduct are encouraged to address it with their captain or umpire in real time. If a resolution cannot be reached, the League Commissioner or a Board Member should be made aware in real time to begin addressing the issue. A formal report of any incident(s) can be reported in two ways:
1. Participant or Bystander Initiated: Any participant can initiate a complaint against a team or another member of the league by filing a Participant Incident Report Form located on the Resources page of Stonewall Sports Indianapolis. The complaint should include the player’s name, details of the event, and any witnesses present.
2. Board Initiated: Upon witnessing an incident, or notification by an affected party of an incident, board members are required to submit an incident report. Board members should also notify the League Commissioner or Director(s) of Leagues to make the individual aware of the incident so the investigative process can begin.
7.1 Complaints Will Be Handled in the Following Manner:
Initial Response
Within 48 hours of the receipt of the complaint, the Director of Membership Engagement or League Commissioner will respond to the complainant informing them of its receipt. If you do not receive a response, please email indy.engagement@stonewallsports.org. The investigation shall be completed within seven days and will provide a written and/or verbal response to involved parties and complainant.
Incident Committee
The Director of Membership Engagement, respective Director of Leagues overseeing the league, and League Commissioner (or Co-Commissioner) shall be brought together to review the incident. Updates will be provided throughout the process.
Notification
The incident committee will notify all parties involved that the complaint has been received. The full complaint will be shared with all parties involved.
Statements
All members involved (both the incident reporter and participant(s) named in the report) along with any witnesses may be requested to submit a personal statement of the events to the Incident Committee for their review. This will be submitted via email to the Director of Membership Engagement (indy.engagement@stonewallsports.org).
Interviews/Discussions
The Incident Committee may request interviews with various parties to better understand the circumstances of the incident. The Incident Committee may also request both parties attend a mediation meeting with the Director(s) of Leagues and League Commissioner(s) to resolve the incident or gather additional information.
Review
The Incident Committee will review all evidence collected and evaluate whether or not disciplinary actions are necessary. The committee will present their decision to the full Board of Directors for review. The presentation will include a detailed summary of the incident(s) as well as any suggested disciplinary action(s) levied upon those found to be at fault.
Action
Once a final decision is made, all parties will be notified via email (provided through registration or found on the Incident Report Form) of the decision and any disciplinary actions taken. The team captain of those found at fault, and Board of Directors will be provided access to this information. The Board may use their discretion to inform others of the decision and actions taken. If disciplinary action is taken, it should be enforced as described below. The Incident Committee and Board of Directors reserve the right to escalate matters further if an offense is particularly egregious.