Kangaroo Court - As Informal Proceedings in Sports

As Informal Proceedings in Sports

The term is sometimes used without any negative connotation. For example, many Major League Baseball teams have a kangaroo court to punish players for errors and other mistakes on the field, as well as for being late for a game or practice, not wearing proper attire to road games, or having a messy locker in the clubhouse. Fines are allotted, and at the end of the year, the money collected is given to charity. The organization may also use the money for a team party at the end of the season.

In the sport of Rugby kangaroo court is held while rugby clubs are on tour to discipline players for actions committed both on and off the playing field. Fines and charges utilise alcohol and required acts as stated by the Judge presiding over the court. The player being charged has the ability to either utilize a court appointed defense or defend themselves but it rarely helps.

In 1975, the Cleveland Indians of the American League held a kangaroo court where players were fined one dollar for silly offenses, and the New York Yankees players have held several such mock "courts" in their clubhouse throughout the team's history.