Constitution & Bylaws

Transcription

1 Constitution & Bylaws OF THE INDEPENDENT AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE Effective - November 22, 2017 IAFL

2 NAME AND OFFICE The name of this association shall be Independent American Football League, hereinafter called League. The word League herein shall refer to the Independent American Football League (IAFL), unless otherwise specified. The League office is located at 78A Fieldstone Village Drive, Rock Spring, GA The League office is for the purpose to do and perform functions as may be necessary for the League. All League Team Owners are welcome to visit by appointment only as the office hours vary. IAFL League Office PURPOSES AND OBJECTS The purpose and objects for which the League is organized are: 1. To serve the Team Owners to create a professional environment in order to carry out promoting and fostering semi-pro football. 2. To do and perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and objects of the League. MEMBERSHIP The League is open to any semi-pro team approved by the League Owner/Commissioner, (Tracey Rico), and the eight member Board of Directors. Any team may be turned down according to their location as the League will function in Regions set in 2018 preseason; however, will be open to new Regions in IAFL

3 There is no Team League fee for 2018; however, each individual Team Player must register with the League at a cost of $10 per player. All players must be registered to play in ANY League event of ANY kind. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY A Team Player that registers with a League Team must only play with that team unless the Owner of that Team grants a release. Upon that release a Player may register with another Team. No refunds will be issued and the Player must pay an additional $10 League fee to register with a new Team. Players will receive an official IAFL League I.D. card which will also allow that Player free admission to the IAFL All-Star Championship game on June 16, 2018 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, TN. If a Player looses his IAFL League card he will need to register again and pay an additional $10 fee. The IAFL League I.D. card will NOT grant a Player free or discounted admission to Team games unless the Team owner grants it. Home Teams will determine any discounts on admissions. Teams are NOT required by the League to offer any discounts on admissions if they choose not to. Players MUST show his IAFL I.D. card at every home and away game to be eligible to compete in the scheduled event. VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL Any Team in the League that wishes to stop playing during a season will forfeit ALL games prior and after. ALL Players would NOT be eligible to participate in the League until 2019 and the Team would not be allowed back in the League unless under a different ownership and approval from the League Board of Directors. No refunds on Player registrations will be granted. GAME CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER Games cancelled due to weather can be made up two ways: 3. Sunday game if both owners agree. IAFL

4 4. Week 9 matchup if both teams find it needed for League Playoff implications. FORFEITS If an IAFL League Team does not show up for a game, unless agreed upon by the opposing team, that Team will forfeit that game and will pay the League a $250 penalty that will be granted to the opposing team. If the forfeiting Team does not submit the $250 League penalty for forfeiting, that Team will automatically forfeit the remainder of the 2018 League season and ALL Players registered with this Team will be ineligible to compete for the rest of the season. TEAMS HOSTING (HOME TEAMS) Home Team is required to provide an operating score board, at least four officials and a three person chain crew. Home Team must provide water for the visiting team as well as at least one bag of ice. The Home field should be painted if at all possible. If a dressing area is not provided by the Home Team for the Visiting Team, then the Visiting Team shall be permitted to use the Home Team dressing area with the Home Team absent while they dress. (TAKE TURNS.) Home Team must provide restrooms for Visiting Teams and fans. Home Team MUST have at least one (1) police officer or licensed security personnel attending their game(s). If there is NOT at least one (1) security person present at a game and the police have to be called to the game, BOTH Teams will be subject to forfeiting the game pending review by the League Board of Directors. (The League Owner would prefer one (1) less referee in order to have at least one (1) security person present.) VISITING TEAMS Visiting Teams need to attend away games with no fewer than twenty (20) Players unless agreed upon AND approved by the League no later than the Thursday before that weeks game. Visiting Teams need to have their own water coolers, towels, tape, etc. IAFL

5 Visiting Teams will need to remove ALL trash and Team items from the visiting sideline after the game. (CLEAN UP YOUR MESS.) Visiting Teams will need to be respectful of the Home Team facilities, officials and fans. UNIFORMS IAFL League Teams must wear matching Jerseys and pants to participate in League games. IAFL League Teams must wear matching helmets. Helmet color and decals MUST match. Visors, wrist bands, head bands, etc are allowed. Socks should match if at all possible. Home Team should be able to pick solid or white; however, IF one team carries only one color, the Home Team is required to work with the opposing Team. CONDUCT OF REGULAR SEASON GAMES ALL Team Players, Coaches and Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Team Players, Coaches and Staff are not to use inappropriate language toward the other Team, Players, Coaches or Fans. Officials will be advised to throw a penalty flag anytime a Player, Coach or Staff uses foul language. The F word, the N word and referring to a Players mother in an inappropriate way are to be reported to the League. Any Player ejected in a game may be subject to League suspension. If a Player or Players are engaged in any fighting during or after a game, a minimum of a two game League suspension will be enforced. If a Player receives three (3) or more unsportsmanlike penalties in a season, he will become ineligible to participate in the League All-Star game or League Championship game. PLAYING RULES The League will follow the NFL Rules for the 2018 Season, EXCEPT for Overtime. Overtime will be Sudden Death. There will be a coin toss, the winning coin toss Team will take possession of the ball. The first Team to score a touch down, field goal, or safety will be declared the game winner. IAFL

6 GAME BALLS Teams need to communicate each week on what game balls are used. Each Team may use any regulation College or NFL ball they wish to use. If any Visiting Team fails to bring their own balls then they will use the same one the Home Team uses. I advise all Teams to use your preferred ball. TEAM STAFF Coaches and Trainers MUST all be registered to enter an away game FREE of charge. ALL participants that will be on sidelines MUST be 18 years or older and be registered with the IAFL League. Players or Coaches wives are NOT permitted FREE admission to away games. Cheerleaders, water boys or water girls, etc. are NOT permitted FREE admission to away games. The Visiting Team Owner shall be admitted FREE of charge to away games. IAFL BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF IAFL Board Members and IAFL Staff will be registered and will be attending various League games. They, IAFL Board Members and Staff, are not policing your games; however, they are there to observe to gather information and ideas that will serve the League in growth and improvement for the future of the League. If they can help with advice or to solve a problem, they will be happy to help. PLAYOFFS & ROSTER ALL Team Rosters MUST be complete and frozen by the Monday before week six of the 2018 IAFL Regular Season. Players added MUST be registered to be eligible to play in a game AND MUST play in at least one (1) IAFL Regular Season game to compete in IAFL League Playoff or Championship game(s). IAFL

7 DIVISION & REGION PLAY A power ranking will be released by Week Four to show standing and division rankings so teams can see where they are. Sixteen (16) Teams will be selected for the League Playoffs with three (3) rounds leading to the Final, two (2) to play on June 16, 2018 at Finley Stadium located in Chattanooga, TN. Records, division play and strength of schedule will play into any tie breaker issues. The League Board of Directors will oversee and determine the tie breaker. ALL-STAR SELECTION All-Star Players will be selected by a combination of Coaches and Owner recommendation, stats and position need. Players playing in the IAFL Phantom Horse Championship Title game are NOT eligible to play in the All-Star game; however, may be named an All-Star. Any Player with three (3) or more unsportsmanlike penalties will NOT be eligible for the All-Star game OR the IAFL Phantom Horse Championship Title game. Deadline for Coaches to submit All-Star recommendations is Week Six (6) of the IAFL Regular Season. LEAGUE LOGO Teams are welcome to add the Official League Logo to their Team Uniforms; however, NO other use of the League Logo is granted. Any violation will result in termination from the League and if deemed needed, prosecuted. Official League apparel may be purchased ONLY through the IAFL office. LEAGUE INSURANCE ALL Teams MUST provide the League with proof of Liability Insurance for the 2018 IAFL Season. IAFL