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TRI- STATE AREA PEE WEE
FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2006 BY-LAWS
Article I - Name
The name of this league shall be the "Tri-State Area Pee Wee Football League" - referred to hereafter as the League.
The Tri-State Area Pee Wee Football League Board of Directors is define as the Head Coach of each organization.
The League Executive Board is comprised of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Head Cheerleading Chairperson, WV at large member, MD at large member.
The Officials Committee of the League is comprised of: Seven certified head officials and the Vice President of the Tri State Area Pee Wee Football League.
Article II - Objectives
The Objectives of this league are to provide children of member teams an opportunity to participate in organized football, to develop leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and pride in themselves and the Tri State area. To this end, All children will be given the opportunity to participate with a no-cut policy, within the League's participation guidelines.
The best interests of children's health, education, emotional growth, citizenship and future athletic opportunities are, at all times, to be the primary consideration of coaches and parents involved in the League. Actions contrary to this objective will subject teams, coaches, parent and players to remedies as outlined in the League by-law's.
These objectives apply to players and cheerleaders.
Article III - Membership
Membership in the League currently includes the following organizations:
Cresaptown Eagles Northern Maddawgs
Hampshire Trojans Frankfort Colts Raiders Frostburg Cougars Ridgely Mini-Hawks Reds Saints Keyser Mini-Tornados Oakland Renegades Lavale Lions WestSide Hunters Oakland Vikings
Each Team is bound by the By-Laws of the Tri - State Area Pee Wee Football League. Each team is required to have a team policy, which cannot conflict with the By-Laws of the league. All team policies must be approved by the leagues executive board. All team policies and/or ammendments must be submitted at the May meeting at the start of each season.
New Franchising
Any person or organization wishing to enter a new team must do so in writing no less than 90 days before the start of the season.
Any new organization, by applying, agrees to the bylaws and Rules of Play approved by the League for the season in question and agrees, by beginning play, that all equipment and funds related to that team will remain the property of that team if and when leadership or League representation changes.
The new team must submit the name of three individuals interested in serving as Head Coach. The League Directors will select a Head Coach from those names. The League reserves the right to refuse any or all applicants for the Head Coaching position and may also preclude any applicant from serving in Assistant Coaching capacities.
All new teams must submit a pre-registration form with name, address, telephone, age and weight of all players with their admission application. The League will determine if sufficient interest exists to field a complete "A", "B" and "C" team. The League Directors must approve uniform colors and team names.
It is the responsibility of all teams to own and maintain safe, approved equipment, owned and maintained by that organization. The League Directors must approve all uniform designs.
A one time non-refundable entrance fee of $250.00 must be paid at the time of application. A reapplicatior fee of $125.00 will also be non-refundable. The Executive Board has the final decision to accept or overrule and admission to the League. Regular season Franchise Fees remitted to the League include $2.00 per player and cheerleader and a franchise fee of $20.00 due at the opening day weigh-in. There is a $75.00 Assigners Fee for the Assigning Official also due at Final Weigh-ins. There is an email address for anyone to voice suggestions or concerns. All suggestions or concerns must be in writing, signed and dated in order for the League to address. Any anonymous letters will not be addressed. At any request, a league P.O. Box address will be provided.
Any team that is unable to field a squad for a season due to the insufficient interest among players may reenter League play under their existing franchise for two seasons after their withdrawal.
"Financial Reporting"
To maintain membership on the Leagues Board of Directors each team is required to submit a Statement of Financial Condition to the League Executive Committee at the Final Weigh-ins, Board of Directors meeting. This statement must come from the Financial Institution from which the team does the banking. This detailed bank statement must determine the cash balance at the beginning of the upcoming season. This statement will remain confidential and is to be used only to assist League Executive Committee members in establishing a season opening balance in the event of a formal grievance filed with the league as outlined in these by-laws.
It is not the intent of the league or the Executive Committee to assume responsibility for the financial operation of member teams, nor is the league an arbitrator of internal financial disputes. It is recommended that each team make appropriate financial statements available to parents and volunteers at the beginning oi each season and hold regular financial review meetings with parents and team officers.
Article IV - League Meetings and Responsibilities
The President will schedule a meeting of the League Directors and Officers. All team representatives will be notified by telephone. Regularly scheduled meetings will be held on the Third Sunday of each month, time and place to be determined.
A. The League Board of Directors and the League Executive Board will meet six times annually, m
March to review the recommendations of the Executive Committee concerning new Head Coaches,
annual budget and schedule. Monthly meetings will be held in June, July, August, September, and
October, generally on the third Sunday of the month.
B. Team representatives are responsible for attendance at all scheduled meetings. Teams not represented
will be assessed a fine of $20.00, payable at the next scheduled meeting under penalty of lost voting
privileges. Considerations will be made for unforeseen circumstances at the discretion of the President
of the League. The first unexcused offense will result in a $20.00 fine and a verbal warning. The
second offense will result in a $20.00 fine and a one game suspension of the Head Coach. All
Cheerleading Advisors will adhere to the same penalties.
C. Each team is required to have the Head Coach at all League Director meetings. There will be one vote
per team to be verified by a role call at the start of each meeting.
VOTING RIGHTS:
There will be one designated voting member on the League Board of Directors for each member team. The Head Coach is the designated voting member. If a Head Coach is a member of the League Executive Board, He/She is prohibited from voting on the Board of Directors.
The Head Cheerleading Chairperson will be voted on by the League Executive Board and have one vote on the Executive Board for Cheerleading.
Article V — League Executive Board Officers
The following officers shall be elected annually at the first meeting of the year to be held in March: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Cheerleading Advisor.
Article VI - Duties of League Executive Board Officers
A. President: The President shall schedule and preside at all meetings of the League Directors, and shall
enforce the By-Laws of the League and conduct an annual pre-season meeting to allow coaches and
officials to review season outcomes and the need for new rules, policies or clarifications. The Presidem
shall create committees as necessary to establish, clarify and maintain League policy. The President
shall countersign all checks drawn by the Treasurer. In the event of a tie of any sort, the President shall
have the final vote.
B. Vice President: The Vice President shall act as an aide and advisor to the President and shall perform
the duties of the President in his or her absence, including the countersigning of League checks. The
Vice President shall assume the office of the President until the next regularly scheduled election. The
Vice President is the Assigner Of Officials and sits on the Officials Committee.
C. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of League meetings and conduct
formal League correspondence.
D. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and dispense all monies of the League and keep an accurate
record of the League's transactions and financial condition. The Treasurer shall represent the League
in sponsorship and contract negotiations for field use and media rights and will sign all checks and
banking receipts.
E. Head Cheerleading Chairperson: The Head Cheerleading Chairperson shall schedule and preside at
all meetings of the Cheerleading Advisors, and shall enforce the By-Laws of the League and conduct
regularly scheduled meetings. The Head Cheerleading Chairperson will sit on the League Executive
Board and have a vote on all Cheerleading issues .
F. At-Large Members: This is a position that is to represent each state Maryland and West Virginia and
these members will have a vote on league discussions concerning state representation. This position
will be appointed by the President, and voted on by the League of Directors. This will be done on a
annual basis.
Article VII - Officials Committee
A. Official Committee Duties : These officials will represent League By-Laws and rules of play during games.
Article VIII - Head Coaches
A. Duties: The Head Coach shall be responsible for equipment standards, field conditions, appointment of assistant coaches of the organization relating to league play.
B. Election: Head Coach, any other Head Coach in the League, a parent organization or the team
organization itself. A majority vote of the League Board Of Directors will determine acceptance with the existing head coach having the final vote if the votes are even. The League Board Of Directors reserve the right to refuse any Head Coach by a majority vote.
C. Removal: In the event the League President determines the League By-Laws have been violated. The League President shall suspend the coach and make the recommendation to the League Executive Committee regarding proper punishment. The League Executive Committee shall vote on the punishment.
Article IX - Team Executive Board
1. Each team is required to have an executive board. The Team Executive Board will consist of Head Coach , President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Cheerleading Advisor. President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually.
Duties Of Team Executive Board :
a. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the team and shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the nominating committee.
b. Vice President: The Vice President shall act as an aide to the President and shall perform the
duties of the President in the absence of that officer. The Vice President shall also oversee all
fund raising projects and concession stand activities.
c. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep accurate records of all meetings of the team and shall
perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President or Head Coach, including, but
not limited to rosters and collection of birth certificates.
d. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the team for deposit in the proper
accounts for the team and shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures. The Treasurer shall oresent a statement of account at every meeting of the team. Signature cards shall be obtained from the proper banking institution and registered with said bank after the election of officers. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial reporting to the team executive board and the league executive board. Each team is required to have (2) signatures on a team check. The head coach and treasurer are the two signatures required. Signatures cannot be made from the same family.
e. Cheerleading Advisor: The Cheerleading Advisor shall oversee all cheerleaders and the assistant advisors and will sit on the Teams Executive Board. The Cheerleading Advisor reports to the Head Coach. The Cheerleading Advisor is responsible to attend all League meetings or the fine and penalty as with a Head Coach will be enforced. 2. Each member of the teams executive board has a voting right within each organization.
In case of a tie, the Head Coach will have the deciding vote for all issues that are in the best
interest of the team.
Article IX - Player Eligibility
A. Age: Each player and cheerleader must be six years old on or before September 1st, but not have
reached his or her twelfth birthday prior to September 1. Weight Limits apply to Football
players only.
B. Maximum Weights For Football Players:
C Teams
Age: 6 and 7 Weight: 100 Ibs.
B Teams
Age: 8 and 9
Weight: 110 Ibs. (115 limit for 6/7 year olds)
A Teams
Age: 10 and 11
Weight: 120 Ibs. (120 limit for 8/9 year olds)
1. Opening Day: All players will be weighed in on the Saturday before the first game of the season. Each player is required to wear their game jersey , or they will not be weighed in . They will not be allowed to participate in the league, until weighed in. Players missing this League-wide weigh-in may attend a weigh-in to be scheduled for the Friday evening before Opening Day. Any player exceeding the weight limit by no more that five pounds will be carried on the team roster for 4th game week and will be allowed to attempt weigh-in through the beginning of the Week four game of the season. Any child weighed in at 5 lbs. or over at the League wide weigh-in is not allowed to participate in that day's scrimmage.
C. Debts and Obligations: As is the case with other local youth sports leagues, no player or cheerleader
may participate in the League activities if they owe a team or League outstanding monies or have un-
returned equipment.
D. Consent Forms: Each coach must obtain an Official League Consent Form, and Letter of
Sportsmanship signed by a parent, for each player before permitting the player to participate in
practices of games. Each team will be given a roster form. This must be completely filled out in order
for the player to be weighed in at the League wide weigh in. No other form will be accepted. A waiver
must be signed to have the child's picture taken.
E. Team Roster: Each team must submit sixteen copies of an Official Team Roster for "A", "B", and "C" teams, players and cheerleaders to the League Executive Board at the League final weigh ins. The roster shall delineate each player’s name, age, birthdate, street address, uniform number and weight, in numerical order by jersey number, on separate official forms for "A", "B", and "C" teams. Each roster shall include all waivers for out-of-district players. Cheerleaders weight and number are excluded from the roster.
1. Failure to provide these rosters will prevent teams from participating in League play. Any unexplained
discrepancy between official rosters and players in uniform on game day as determined by the League
Official assigned to that game will result in the following penalties: There is a $300.00 fine for any
team not having all rosters at the final weigh-ins.
Any Head Coach who is demonstrated to have broken player eligibility rules will be suspended one game for first offense, suspended for the season for second offense and suspended indefinitely for the third offense, pending League Executive Board reinstatement or ruling. Coaches suspensions for administrative violations concerning age and weight eligibility, team district waiver, game day conduct or financial misconduct will be defined as "not attending games or practices" in a coaching capacity for each season.
2. No team or player shall participate in a scrimmage ; practice or game plays with players
non-registered as League players. Any team that is demonstrated to have involved non-registered players in any of these will ineligible for post-season play and the Head Coach will be suspended for the remainder of the season. Players who participate in such activities will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
F. Rosters Additions:
1. Any player from a family that moves into the Cumberland area after the official registration day
may join the team in his district before the fourth game is played, provided other eligibility
requirement criteria are met and verified by the League President.
2. Any team with 43 players or less (excluding six and seven year olds) on the team roster on the
day of the team's first game may add players before the fourth game of the season is played.
3. No-cut Clause: If a Team would run out of equipment due to the number of children
registered, the parent then would be able to make the decision to go to another team if the
child wants to play for that team without using the one waiver option.
Team Districts: Team districts are open for review by request of any organization at the May meeting of the League Executive Board, any changes subject to majority of 5 votes of the Executive Board.
WAIVER RULE: In order for a player to play for a team outside of his or her district, he or she must have a written request for release from the Head Coach of the home district for approval by the League Executive Board. ONLY ONE WAIVER WILL BE GRANTED ANY PLAYER. If a player is playing out of the home district and requests a waiver, his home district must grant that waiver. If a current player changes home address into a new district, that player has a one-year option of playing in the new district or with the old team.
1. When any team exceeds four inbound waivers per season, all waivers will receive automatic review by the League Executive Board.
Article X - General Rules of Team Operation
A. Financial Reporting: Each team in the league must maintain detailed financial records for each
season beginning with the Statement of Financial submitted to the League Executive Committee.
B. Team Organization: Team Executive Boards must be elected, in place and reported to the
League's March meeting for approval.
1. A mandatory meeting will be held in May between the Leagues Executive Board and each
teams officers, to go over the by-laws.
C. Practices:
1. Every player shall participate in a 4 hour supervised practice session before wearing contacl
equipment to observe if minimum physical conditioning is met prior to contact practice.
2. A maximum of eight hours of practice per week is permitted prior to the first game of the season.
During the season, six hours of practice is the maximum allowed in any game week.
3. No Team shall practice Football or Cheerleading if ambient temperature reaches or receives
95 degrees.
4. Cheerleading squads may begin practice no earlier than July 15 for that season. No more
than 24 hours of practice are permitted prior to the first game of the season. Practice limitations
apply after the first game of the season. Any squads wishing to participate in post-season
activities must notify the league through the head coach. Post season Cheerleading activities are
limited to participants from the season preceding the activities.
5. Any Head Coach who is demonstrated to have broken practice rules will be suspended for one game.
D. Game Play:
1. Playing Time: Each "A", "B" and "C" player must play four plays per quarter, unless that player is
under some documented team discipline or health issue that prohibits game participation and the
Head Coach notifies the Head Official and the opposing Head Coach, of that action prior to game
time. Violation of this rule, as certified by the Head Official in attendance will result in
Administrative Misconduct and may result in disciplinary action by the League Executive Board if
the violating team wins the game.
2. Blow Out Rules: When a team leads by 21 points at halftime or thereafter, anyone who touched
the ball, or handed the ball to accumulate the 21 points cannot touch the ball on offense, until it is
under 21 points. When and if the lead decreases under 21 points, anyone who touched the ball, or
handed the ball to accumulate the 21 points can return. Clock will run continuously if one team is
ahead by 35 points.
3. Player and Adult Behavior and Misconduct During Games: Any Coach, Advisor , parent or spectator who abuses an official, an opposing coach or a child through profane language, intimidation or physical contact, before, during or after a League game shall be automatically indefinitely suspended from participating in all League activities, pending a investigation and decision by the league Executive Board. In the case of parental and/or fan misconduct, both the adult and the player with whom the parent is involved will have their participation determined by the decision of the League Executive Board. Video tapes of game day activities shall be reviewed by the League Executive Board to determine if the violation occurred and the penalty to be imposed.
3 A. Any verbal communication by Coaches or Statisticians to opposing players is prohibited, with verbal warning on the first incident. Second incident suspends Coach for remainder of game. Third violation suspends for next game. Fourth violation, Coach is suspended for the remainder of season.
Equipment: Safety of the player is the primary consideration in all equipment use. Any equipment used must meet Maryland requirements for high school play. Tennis shoes or cleats are both allowed, but no detachable cleats are permitted. Beginning in 2003 all league Teams must undertake approved reconditioning of helmet by a certified vendor and complete this process within three calendar years. Verification is due at the final weigh-ins.
Game Ball: Both teams will use a new home team ball. Game ball is an official junior size 1000 J. C-Team will play with a 1000K.
Playing Field: The field will be 80 yards line and of standard width. End zones will be ten yards deep. The home team will be responsible for all game day field equipment including field layout and lines, flags, yard markers, down marker, chains, chain operation and goal post padding.
7. Time of Games: All games will begin at 9:30 sharp. Times may be changed only by mutual
consent of the Head Coaches and the League Official assigned to that game.
8. Game Procedures:
a. The home team will compensate the Head Ref. $50.00 and the other three officials $50.00 per
games. There is no travel fee for officials
b. Each team will have two co-captains from the "A", "B" and "C" teams.
Head Coach and Statistician will accompany the captains for the coin toss.
9. Rules of Play
a. During League Play, a maximum of two coaches per team is permitted on the field. They shall be
five yards minimum behind the offense and defense. Both statisticians from each team will be
stationed together on the field behind the Head Official on the offensive side of the ball.
Statisticians will provide no verbal assistance with player or coaches. Statisticians communicate,
particularly if quotas are not met in the first half. Head Coaches will sign stat sheets at the end of
each game and submit to the League Official supervising the game.
b. There will be no verbal assistance to player after the offense comes to the line of scrimmage.
Coaches are not allowed to physically move a player into position without the request or approval
of the League Officials after players break the offensive huddle. The first violation will result in a
verbal warning. Subsequent violations will result in delay of game penalties. Repeated violations
determined by the League Official to be intended for unfair competitive advantage can result in a
one game suspension from League play.
c. Play begins on the 25-yard line.
d. "A" and "B" team's quarters will be 20 minutes in length. The clock will stop for all official high
school time-outs. The "C" team will play a thirty-minute half prior to the "A/B" game and a
thirty-minute half between the two "A/B" game halves. "C" game time will run continuously.
e. There will be a minimal time-out between quarters and 30 minutes at half time.
f. Each team will have 4 time-outs per half.
g. Teams will switch goals at half time.
h. All sidelines coaches and players will remain between the twenty-yard lines. All observers other than players and Cheerleaders will remain 10 yards from the sidelines and are expected to use bleacher seats whenever available. Each Head Coach is responsible for his or her team's sidelines.
i. Penalties will conform to Maryland High School rules except for the following adjustments: Five-yard penalties will be three-yards. Ten-yard penalties will be seven yards; fifteen-yard penalties will be twelve yards.
j. Clock will stop when coach notifies an official that a punt is forthcoming. The clock will be started when the ball is ready for play after the change of possession.
k. Teams are to be divided into two squads known as "A" teams for players ten and eleven years old as of September 1st and "B" teams for players eight and nine years old as of September 1st.
I. Incase of insufficient squad size, including that caused by injury during a game, the opposing
coach will notify the League Official of player moves; "C" players up to "B" and "B" players up
to "A"; and the Official will communicate these roster moves to the mutual understanding of all
parties. In cases other that the injury clause, players may not change squads during a game.
Players that move up during a game due to the injury clause must remain with the higher squad foi
the remainder of that game. The player must return to the lower squad for the next game or must
remain with the higher squad for the remainder of the season.
Any Head Coach who is demonstrated to have broken player squad assignment rules will be suspended one game each for the first two offenses, suspended for the season for the third offense.
10. OFFENSE
a. No kick-off or punt returns are allowed.
b. When punting, all players except the kick and two receivers will lie down. The offensive coach
will notify the officials of the intent to punt. The punter will punt the ball from behind the center.
c. Punts are not considered a down. ( Extra point will be considered a play)
d. When punting, the ball will be put in play where it rolls to a stop or out of bounds if not touched,
or at its farthest point of advance if touched by a receiver. If a punt goes into the zone, or on any
touchback, it will be put in play on the 20-yard line.
e. All plays start from a standard "T" formation.
f. Halfback can be no wider than the tackles.
g. All linemen must have a maximum of one full split between men with unbalanced lines not permitted.
h. All three backs must be in the same position.
i. Failure to abide with offensive rules constitutes illegal procedure.
j. Fumbles may be advanced.
II. DEFENSE
a. A standard 6-3-2 defense with no player opposite the center must be used.
b. Linebackers must be two yards from the line of scrimmage. Safeties must be four yards from
the line of scrimmage. Linebackers and safeties are not allowed to move toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap. Outside Linebackers must e no further inside than head up on offensive tackle. First violation is illegal procedure, second violation is unsportsmanlike, third violation sits coach for remainder of game.
c. Ends ONLY, can play on outside shoulder with the offense. Guards and Tackles heads up.
d. Failure to abide with defensive rules constitutes illegal procedure.
12. Scoring Rules
A. Touchdown: 6 points
B. All extra points: 1 point
C. Team scored upon being on the 25 after touchdowns
D. Safety 2 points
E. Team scoring the safety begins at mid field
F. All games ending in a regulation tie will be decided by the Kansas Tie-Breaker Rule. Ten yard
out, "B" then "A" teams, will have four plays each, until one side scores. Defensive teams cannot
score.
VRTICLE XI - POST SEASON PLAY i. CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
1. Play-offs seeding - League play-offs will pair across division, first vs. fourth and second vs. third
in order of regular season record.
2. Play-off Tie Breakers
a. Teams tied for first, second, third or fourth place will depend on head-to-head record to
decide seeding.
b. Teams tied for play-off spots based on regular season record and head-to-head will complete
in a play-in game for fourth place.
c. Teams tied for third or better will flip a coin if head-to-head records are equal.
3. Play-Off Schedule
First Wednesday After Regular Season Play-in Game
October C-Team Tournament
October Play-off First Round (Home)
October Play-off Semi-Finals (Stadium)
October Cheerleader Exhibition
October Super Bowl (Stadium)
4. Gifts and Prizes: It is the goal of the Pee Wee Football League to award trophies or appropriate gifts to winners in all post season Super Bowl and provide and award for all participants in the Cheerleading exhibition. Sponsorships and Fundraisers will be conducted throughout the season for this purpose.
ARTICLE XII - BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
At the March Board of Directors Meeting proposed by-laws changes will be presented by the League Executive Committee based on a review of previous season outcomes.
Roberts Rules of Order newly revised will cover any article with no specific reference in these by-laws. Amendments to by-laws and game rules will be voted in the March regular meeting of League Directors. majority vote among Directors is required to adopt changes.
The League has an email address to voice any concerns, suggestions, or complaints:
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