As any sports enthusiast will tell you, the mantra “fair play” is paramount for good sportsmanship whether it is baseball, basketball, volleyball, or your local random sporting event. Denville Baseball is one of many youth baseball organizations that embody this fair play philosophy with their top-notch volunteer coaches and an unwavering commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for its players. Based in New Jersey, Denville Baseball is a community-based youth baseball program dedicated to educating children about the game of baseball – emphasizing respect and fair play. You can read all about the organization in its code of ethics, rules of conduct, and volunteer guidelines where it is clear – Denville Baseball coaches and organization members are expected to always lend a helping hand, create engagements that foster positive interactions, and above all things, play fair.

While many may not think of international employment law when they consider a youth sports teams’ obligations to fair and equitable management and engagement, the two approaches are similar in many ways. Denville Baseball, like many successful volunteer-based baseball teams, are often consistent in their approach to fair play, teamwork, and equitable engagement. This consistency can be a powerful tool when the organization is faced with global expansion or collaboration with international partners – two increasingly popular trends in youth sports.

When partnering with international organizations – whether for fundraising, events, player development, or any number of collaborative endeavors – the obligation to fair and equitable play does not cease. In order to prevent potential conflicts, there is an inherent duty for any organization, including youth sports programs, to be aware of laws and ethics of all areas they operate in. This means following United States labor laws and tax codes when required, but also integrating laws and regulations of the remaining world. For instance, when collaborating with international bodies, youth sports organizations should assess and possibly integrate the legal frameworks of Mexico into their interaction and approaches to labor. This may include but is not limited to: labor laws, tax credits, employment rights and benefits, liability waivers, sponsorship agreements, and other agreements related to contractor/employer relationships. The obligation to fair play extends to compliance with Mexican national and local statutes when managing events in or with Mexico based organizations. In the context of youth sports, failure to incorporate Mexican labor laws could lead to a myriad of consequences.

Some things to keep in mind when merging youth sports with an international partner are: When developing cross-border programs or growing your international baseball presence, collaboration among all stakeholders is key. Understanding Mexican employment laws can ensure that the relationship between the sports organizations and select individuals are worthwhile and mutually beneficial. When resorting to international partnerships to achieve revenue goals, proper and thorough assessment of existing Mexican employment laws will allow for the creation of successful community centered and sustainable collaborations.

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