Background Check
SAMBA requires background screening (also known as a Criminal Record Check) of individuals involved in baseball who hold positions of trust. The policy is designed with the safety of all participants in mind. It specifically applies to coaches, team managers, umpires, team trainers and medical personnel, and chefs de mission. This includes these roles in teams in age categories up to and including the Junior (22U) age category. It may apply to other individuals as determined by Baseball Alberta or a Member Association based on an assessment of their role with children or youth and the nature of the situations where they interact with these individuals.
All individuals mentioned above who are 18 years or older as of May 1st of the current season, are required to complete Criminal Record Checks. Failure to complete the criminal record check by the start of the season may result in ineligibility of the individual for the full season.
A new Criminal Record Check is required every three seasons. In addition, each individual in a position of trust must complete an application declaration form in years 2 and 3 of their background check to confirm nothing from the original check has changed.
The cost for the service is $25.00
THE PROCESS
In order to make this process as accessible and efficient as possible, Baseball Alberta has partnered with Sterling Talent Solutions. The benefits are:
- A process that is completed online
- Forgery-proof results returned within 1-2 business days
- Results you can share with other organizations for free, at the click of a button
How Sterling Talent Solutions works:
- Go to Baseball Alberta’s landing page: https://pages.sterlingbackcheck.ca/landing-pages/b/baseball-alberta/
- Create your account, securely provide your information, and verify your ID online. In some cases, you may be unsuccessful in verifying your ID online. If that happens, please print and complete the ID verification and visit any Canada Post office with valid government-issued identification. In total, the process usually takes about 5-10 minutes.
Results will be returned to your account, and to Baseball Alberta, within 1-2 business days.
Baseball Alberta will contact you if follow-up is required.
A POSITIVE CHECK
When a positive check appears on a criminal record, a Baseball Alberta representative will contact the official to seek additional information.
Relevant Offences
For the purposes of this Policy, a ‘relevant offence’ revealed through a CRC is any of the following:
a) If imposed in the last five calendar years:
i. Any offence involving the use of a motor vehicle, including but not limited to impaired driving.
ii. Any violation for trafficking and/or possession of drugs and/or narcotics.
iii. Any offence involving conduct against public morals.
b) If imposed in the last ten calendar years:
i. Any offence of violence including but not limited to, all forms of assault.
ii. Any offence involving a minor or minors.
c) If imposed at any time:
i. Any offence involving the possession, distribution, or sale of any child-related pornography.
ii. Any sexual offence involving a minor or minors.
iii. Any offence involving theft or fraud.
Applicants charged with certain offences above may not be permitted to obtain or remain in positions of trust.
APPEALS
Members who wish to appeal a decision shall have 7 days from the date on which they received notice of the decision, to submit written notice of their intention to appeal, along with detailed reasons for the appeal, to the President of Baseball Alberta.
Any party wishing to initiate an appeal beyond the 7 day period must provide a written request stating reasons for an exemption to this requirement. The decision to allow, or not allow an appeal outside the 7 day period shall be at the sole discretion of the Discipline Committee Chairperson.
