VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

iFELLOWSHIP iRECREATION iMISSION OUTREACH

Pastor Jason C. North – LRC Youth Director Amended September 2015

PURPOSE:

The Christian Fellowship League is a recreational program sponsored by the Lake Region Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists. Its primary purpose is to promote fellowship, encourage the service of mission outreach and give positive direction through athletic play. All members are encouraged to glorify God in mind, body and spirit. The official colors of the Christian Fellowship League are orange, black and white. The official logo is the basketball and volleyball with cross inset.

FEES:

A tournament fee shall be designated by the LRC Youth Director in consultation with the General Commissioner and Area Commissioners. This fee is for all three divisions, in support of the Sweet 16 tournament. The tournament fee is $1500 per division. (The division that is hosting the CFL championship will be required to submit only ½ the fee, which is $750). The tournament fees shall be turned into the Secretary for the Lake Region Conference Adventist Youth Department by the Area Commissioner no later than December 15th. ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO: LAKE REGION CONFERENCE A.Y. DEPARTMENT. Payment must be made by Church check, cashier's check or money order ONLY. No personal checks will be accepted.

DATES:

Basketball and Volleyball will commence in the fall and end regular play in early spring. Tournament play will begin at the end of regular season Divisional play and no later than the first week of March. Championship games will be played alternate years in the Western and Eastern Divisions. The Sweet 16 Tournament will be considered the First round of play and will always be held in the Central Division.

INSURANCE:

All roster members must show proof of personal insurance coverage at the time of registration and no later than the commencement of the roster member’s first scheduled CFL game. All Coaches, Scorekeepers, Timekeepers and Commissioners must also provide proof of personal insurance coverage by the completion of an insurance form. Insurance forms will be provided by the Christian Fellowship League and must be properly completed. The top and bottom portions of the form must be completely filled out, and all forms submitted to the Area Commissioner.

EXECUTIVE An Executive Committee shall be established. The COMMITTEE: Executive Committee shall consist of the LRC Youth Director, 2

the General Commissioner and the Area Commissioner from each division. The purpose of the Executive Committee shall be: to approve or reject all suggestions made by the Rules Committee; to implement and ensure compliance with all Rules of the Christian Fellowship League; and to organize and coordinate the Sweet Sixteen and Championship weekends with Commissioner divisional balance during the weekends.

RULES A Rules Committee shall be established. The Committee shall COMMITTEE: consist of the LRC Youth Director, the General Commissioner and two representatives from each Division, and a Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary position will have no voice and no vote. Absent a Recording Secretary, any member of the Rules Committee may serve as the recorder of the meetings. The purpose of the Rules Committee is to review the CFL Rules and Regulations for division-wide compliance and to update and/or alter as necessary. All proposals made by the Rules Committee shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. Area Commissioners are welcomed to attend the Rules Committee meeting, but will have no voting capacity. Divisional representatives shall be selected by the Area Commissioner for that Division for a period of three seasons. A representative may be subsequently retained at the expiration of his/her term by supplemental appointment by the Area Commissioner.

I.

ELIGIBILITY All the churches of the Lake Region Conference of Seventh Day Adventists are eligible to participate in the Christian Fellowship League, hereafter designated as- “Participating Church.” Any non-Lake Region Conference Adventist Church may be admitted as a Participating Church by initial vote of the Local commissioner board, who should enlist the opinion of the local coaches wherein play will occur, and will be eligible for inter-divisional tournament play. A.

Any non-Adventist Church and/or Organization may be admitted as a Non-Adventist Participating Team (“N/A Participating Team”) by initial vote of the Local commissioner board, who should enlist the opinion of the local coaches of that Division wherein play will occur. A N/A Participating team will not be eligible for inter-divisional tournament play. The number of non-Adventist teams allowed to participate per division, per section must be less by two (2) than the participating Adventist teams. Any non-Adventist team must be voted in yearly and must show understanding and willingness to adhere to every guideline contained herein. 3

B.

Any member (Commissioner, Coach, Player, Timekeeper, Scorekeeper, and Cheerleader) of the Christian Fellowship League must be a member of a Participating Church (as herein defined) AND must be in regular standing as explained in the official Church Manual. “In Regular Standing” shall have the same meaning as that designated in the Official Church Manual at pages 193-200: “All church members are considered to be in regular standing unless they are under church discipline.” 1. All roster members’ names must be approved by the Church Board and the A.Y. Council. All names must be approved by the A.Y. Council PRIOR to being sent to the Church Board for approval. For N/A Participating Team rosters, all names must be approved by a Church Board, and/or Pastor. N/A Participating Teams must have an organization, which must provide validation of the team’s roster with the proper signatures. A LRC Federation shall be permitted to sponsor one (1) N/A team per season, with whom they have established a relationship and ministry for participation in the CFL. They will not be eligible for inter-divisional tournament play. 2. Adventist Men and Women’s senior teams are limited to the use of two (2) players who do not have membership in any Seventh Day Adventist Church. The roster should clearly designate the NonAdventist player. Non-Adventist players are subject to all Lake Region Conference Christian Fellowship League Rules. Furthermore, Non-Adventist players should regularly attend church and A.Y. meetings. The Pastor and A.Y. Leader are responsible for determining the interest and intent of this player toward the teachings, purpose and hope of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 3. AGES: •

• • • • •

Senior Plus Men’s Basketball – 41 and older. Senior Men's Basketball – 18- 40 [Players 41 years and older, will no longer be eligible to play in this division, beginning 2 years from the effective date of these rules.] Senior Women's Basketball – 12 – 40 Junior Basketball – 14 to 17 years old* Intermediate Basketball – 10 to 13 years old* Small fry Basketball – 6 to 9* Volleyball – 12 and older

*A junior, intermediate or small fry basketball player may complete the season as a junior, intermediate or small fry 4

player if and only if his/her 18th, 14th or 10th birthday will occur AFTER September 1st. [Younger players in lower divisions are allowed to participate in the higher divisions. These players are allowed to play with both teams on the same day. When games for their teams are scheduled at the same time they must play with the team in their correct age bracket.] 4. In the interest of promoting a safe atmosphere of Christian fellowship for all members, pregnant members will not be allowed to play on any team in the CFL.

II.

THE A.Y. PROGRAM A.

A.Y. attendance is mandatory for all team members.

B.

The home team is to present the A.Y. Program. Teams are to cooperate with each other. Each A.Y. Leader and Coach should work closely in planning substantive A.Y. programs.

C.

Each participating church should develop a positive A.Y. program using all teams' roster members and cheerleaders.

D.

Failure of any team to be present for the A.Y. program is cause for an automatic forfeit of their game for that evening. Mandatory in A.Y. Program: 1. Song service, scripture reading, prayer 2. A.Y. aim, motto and pledge 3. Missionary project report 4. Focus activities (skit, special music, etc.).

E.

Roster members may not come to A.Y. meetings dressed in playing attire/gear (they are not to wear their team uniform to A.Y.) unless requested to do so for a specific purpose. Coaches, A.Y. Leaders, Pastors and Commissioners are responsible for monitoring implementation of this rule. Non-Compliance could mean a one game suspension, as determined by the Commissioner.

F.

Travel 1. When there is a severe weather problem or some other emergency, the Coach, A.Y. Leader, and/or Commissioner should contact the host church concerning late arrival or cancellation. Initial contact should be between Coach and Commissioner, who should thereafter contact all other necessary parties. 2. If a roster member is not present during team introductions, that member is ineligible to play in that evening’s game unless a verifiable excuse is given. Automobile accidents, automobile 5

breakdowns, and/or sudden illness are verifiable reasons for nonA.Y. attendance. Any exception to this rule must be approved by the Commissioner. 3. If a team fails to be present for A.Y. and/or the games without communicating a valid excuse, that team will share in half of the verified prepaid expenses incurred by the opposing team. Any team not complying with these guidelines will forfeit all scheduled games until all financial obligations have been met.

III.

IV.

CFL GIVES BACK PROGRAM A.

Participation by each team in the CFL Gives Back Program is mandatory. If a team fails to participate in the CFL Gives Back Program, that team will be ineligible for tournament play.

B.

Missionary Project Reports are due by the 25th of each month. Reports must be signed by the A.Y. Leader, Coach and Pastor or First Elder. Failure to report in writing by the 25th of the month is cause for issuance of a forfeit. As stated elsewhere herein, two (2) forfeits will result in elimination from tournament play. Reports should be sent to your Area Commissioner. A monthly final synopsis report on Program participation will be sent to the A. Y. Director by the designated Commissioner from each Division. NO EXCEPTIONS.

ROSTERS A.

Copies of all final rosters MUST be forwarded to the General Commissioner before December 1st of any year. The rosters are to be accompanied by an insurance waiver for each name on the roster, A valid roster shall consist of the player’s name, e-mail address (if appropriate), date of birth, submitted proof of age verification (if appropriate), and signatures for the A.Y. Leader, Church Clerk, and Pastor. Age verification shall be required for all small fry, intermediate and junior basketball player rosters. Acceptable forms of age verification are birth certificate, driver’s license, state identification or passport. Upon request, each coach shall be required to provide proof of a player’s age. No team may participate without a properly executed roster accompanied by the appropriate registration fee. [Roster playing positions must first be filled by eligible Adventist members. Any remaining playing positions on a roster may be filled by a non-Adventist player, but no more than two non-Adventist players may be on a roster.]

B.

Number of Players

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1.

The maximum number of players allowed on a basketball roster is 13. i

2.

The maximum number of players allowed on a volleyball roster is 13. i

C.

A basketball roster may carry, in addition to its 13 players, a head coach, two assistant coaches, one timekeeper and one scorekeeper.

A volleyball roster may carry, in addition to its 13 players, a head coach, an assistant coach and one scorekeeper. See Official Volleyball Rules.

3.

A roster that drops below eight (8) players may be restored to eight (8) players with the approval of the Area Commissioner. All requests must be in writing. [All roster change requests and subsequent changes must be submitted to the General Commissioner for a matter of record.] If an initial roster contains less than 8 players and drops below that number, players may be restored up to that initial number of players.

4.

Only those names appearing on the official roster are valid as official members of that team. All names appearing on the official roster (including coach, assistant coach (es), timekeeper, scorekeeper, etc.) must be approved by the A.Y. Council prior to submission to the Church Board. For a N/A Participating Church, all names appearing on the official roster (including coach, assistant coach (es), timekeeper, scorekeeper, etc.) must be approved by the Church Board or the appropriate person responsible for the Organization..

5.

If a person on a team chooses to hold another position on that team, his/her name must appear as a player in addition to the other held position. RECRUITING If a Participating Church does not have enough players to fill its roster, the coach may recruit players from another Participating Church under the following conditions: 1. A recruit has been properly released (by written statement) from his/her home church team due to number of players exceeding the maximum allotted number; or 2. If a recruit’s home church does not have a team. It is the responsibility of the recruiting team to verify the recruit’s standing. 7

Any violation of the foregoing recruitment process will result in suspension of the player(s) and coach for the remainder of the season. D.

Players are eligible for tournament play if and only if he/she has participated in at least half of the games played during the regular season. Added players must play half of the remaining games, a minimum of three (3). All written statements must be signed by the home church's board chairperson.

V.

PLAYING THE GAME All games will be played under the guidelines of the annually published national high school rules for Basketball and Volleyball except: A.

Every Senior and Junior basketball player on the roster, in uniform and on the court (“participating player”), must play at least two (2) minutes. The two minute requirement applies to regular and tournament basketball games. If a participating player does not play the full two minute minimum requirement, the result will be considered a forfeit of said game for that team on which the participating player is a member.

B.

Every volleyball player on the roster, in uniform and on the court, (“participating player”), must play at least two (2) volleys of the ball per match. If a participating player does not play the full two serves, the result will be considered a forfeit of said match for that team on which the participating player is a member.

C.

For a team to be considered for tournament play, every player listed on their roster (volleyball and basketball) must dress and participate in a minimum of three (3) games during regular season play. Nonparticipation of a roster member in the three (3) game minimum will subject that team to elimination from tournament play.

D.

Numbered and matching uniforms are mandatory for all team players. Numbers must appear on the front and the back of the top [jersey] of the uniform. Sheer, tight or revealing shorts are not to be worn. All other accessories to the uniform, excluding shoes and socks must not interfere with the official’s identification of the player. Any shirt worn beneath the jersey must be the color of the dominant color of uniform. If an infraction is noticed prior to the start of the game, the player will not be allowed to enter the game until he/she is brought into compliance. If the game has started, as soon as the infraction is noticed, at the very next stop play of the ball, the player must 8

immediately leave the floor and may not return until the player is in compliance. If the Coach and/or the team have been notified by the commissioner of an infraction and the non-complying player remains in play, the game will be considered a forfeit by the non-compliant player’s team. Written notification must be sent to the forfeiting team within 72 hours of their forfeit.

VI.

E.

All games are to start on time. A 15-minute grace period is allotted and will begin at the end of the stated start time. If a team is not ready to play by the end of this grace period, the game will be deemed a forfeit. EXTENUATING, VERIFIABLE EMERGENCIES APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER WILL BE THE ONLY EXCEPTION.

F.

A forfeiting team is responsible for payment of ½ the fees, including payment of the referees and may include payment for ½ of the timeslot related to the game. Said fees MUST be paid to a Commissioner BEFORE the forfeiting team may play its next scheduled game.

G.

If a game is to be postponed, it should be done (but not necessarily required) in writing stating the exact reason for said postponement. A suggested make-up date should be stated and the notification submitted by the Coach and/or A.Y. Leader. Said documentation should be submitted to the Area Commissioner immediately. Both teams must agree on the make-up date. Games not made up will result in a forfeit assessed to the postponing team.

H.

Refer to the Official Volleyball Rules for all other Rules governing volleyball only.

OFFICIALS A.

Officials of every game are to be qualified and sanctioned by the State (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and/or Michigan). Upon request, officials should be ready to present credentials to each coach before game time.

B.

When necessary, officials should be given a general explanation of the Christian Fellowship League Rules before the game starts. The home team should make a copy of the Rules available at all times during play of the games.

C.

OPTIONS FOR PLAY WHEN OFFICIALS ARE NOT PRESENT:

1. Play the game with a mutually agreed upon one to two persons present to officiate the game. The game will be considered official.

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2. Use option 6C-1 and play the game unofficially. The visiting team will win by forfeit. 3. Use option 6C-1 and play the game unofficially, but reschedule the game, sign the game result form and notify your Commissioner as soon as possible. 4. Do not play the game. Coaches agree to a rescheduled date. Coaches submit the game results form to the Commissioner. 5. Do not play the game. Visiting team gets the win by forfeit. Coaches submit the game results form to the Commissioner.

VII.

D.

Unless otherwise specified, payment for officials, gymnasium, etc., and adjacent facilities, is done by the home team/A.Y. Department/Church.

E.

Coaches should avoid using credentialed officials who are church members of the home team's church and/or relatives of team members. Visiting coaches have the option of playing under protest or not playing.

CONDUCT PROBATION AND SUSPENSION

ANY VIOLATION OF RULE VII HEREIN WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EJECTION FROM THE GAME AND ASSESSMENT OF SUBSEQUENT PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION. The following penalties are placed in the Rules to remind and encourage all involved to practice the principles of the Christian Fellowship League CHRISTIANITY. It is desired that none of the following will ever have to be applied to any member of the Christian Fellowship League. Coaches, players, A.Y. Leaders, Pastors, fans and/or Commissioners must conduct themselves as Christians at all times. A.

When a team, team member or team associate is involved in any misconduct, it is to be immediately reported by the Coach of the team involved. A.Y. Leaders and Pastors may also make such reports of misconduct. Reports may be in writing and should be submitted to the Area Commissioner within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident.

All reports are to have an explanation of the incident, any important, pertinent details, and names and numbers of the player(s) involved. If misconduct involves non-players, their names must be submitted in the report. B.

Area Commissioners will review all reports and render a decision within seventy-two (72 hours) of receipt of the report. Decisions may 10

be communicated by telephone. However, written follow-up must occur to all parties involved. All decisions may be appealed within seventy-two (72) hours of the Commissioner’s determination. Said appeals must be made in writing to the General Commissioner with a copy to the Area Commissioner and LRC Youth Director. The General Commissioner will render a final decision within seventy-two (72) hours of said appeal being received. C.

CAUSE FOR SUSPENSION AND EXCLUSION from League play (season schedule and tournament rounds) are as follows: 1. Cursing, obscene gestures, abusive language before, during or after the game. A TWO GAME SUSPENSION. A SECOND OCCURRENCE OF ANY ONE OF THESE ACTIONS WILL SUBJECT THE PLAYER TO SUSPENSION FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND ELIMINATION FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY. 3. Use of alcoholic beverages, drugs and tobacco on or off the court. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION FROM SEASON AND TOURNAMENT PLAY. (Must be reviewed by the A.Y. Director, General Commissioner and Commissioners prior to reinstatement). 4. The wearing of jewelry, including any jewelry in a body piercing, is absolutely prohibited by any player in attendance for play that evening from the moment that player enters a church for the purpose of attending a CFL A.Y. program or a gymnasium for the purpose of CFL play, and is subject to the scrutiny of the Commissioners. Wedding bands are an exception. ONE GAME SUSPENSION PER INFRACTION. For example, if a player will be playing a double header for the evening, the one game suspension will be assessed for the first game scheduled to be played. The player becomes eligible to play in the second scheduled game. In addition to the player receiving a one game suspension, the team is immediately placed on probation. Multiple infractions from one team will result in a ban from tournament eligibility. 5. The use of a roster member who is under local church censorship. SUSPENSION FOR DURATION OF CENSORSHIP AND TEAM PLACED ON PROBATION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.

THESE ARE TO BE MONITORED BY COACHES, A.Y. LEADERS, COMMISSIONERS AND PASTORS. 11

D.

Disciplinary Actions for Violation of Section 7C: This action is executed by the Area Commissioner, General Commissioner and/or A.Y. Director. 1. Except as stated elsewhere in these Rules, suspension of player or roster member enforced and the team is on probation for two games. 2. Roster member is suspended for the remainder of the season, including tournament play. The team forfeits the game in which the second offense of the roster member occurs.

E.

FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE. Any Player, Coach, Commissioner, or any member of an official roster who fights before, during or after a League game will be SUSPENDED FOR FOUR (4) GAMES (AND MAY SUBJECT THAT PERSON TO SUSPENSION FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND/OR ELIMINATION FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY). If the next four games are part of the tournament rounds, they become a part of the suspension time frame. Suspended roster members are not to go on the court or sit with the team during the suspension. Suspended Commissioners are not to appear at any gymnasium where CFL is participating in play. Coaches, A.Y. Leaders, Area Commissioners and Pastors are asked to monitor this situation. All persons will be notified in writing. A second action of fighting carries a suspension for the remainder of the season and tournament rounds, and the player will not be allowed to participate in the Christian Fellowship League during the following season.

F.

Every Commissioner has the authority to immediately dismiss any roster member from participation in the Christian Fellowship League for fighting, threatening of any kind before, during or after a game, or any other violation of Section VII.

G.

Commissioners may stop a game if a fight threatens the safety of those on or off the court. Commissioners may stop a game if threatrs are levied toward them, the referees or any roster member or spectator on the premises.

H.

Commissioners have the authority to suspend any team or roster member for flagrant violation of the Rules and the spirit of the rules that represent the Christian Fellowship League.

I.

Any roster member dismissed for any reason from the Christian Fellowship League must be reviewed by the Commissioners, local 12

A.Y. Leader, Pastor, General Commissioner and the LRC Youth Director in counsel together. This group will determine future participation as a roster member of a Participating Church. THE PASTOR AND A.Y. LEADER MUST BE FROM THE CHURCH OF MEMBERSHIP DURING THE TIME OF ACTION THAT CAUSED THE DISMISSAL FROM THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE. ALL AREA COMMISSIONER’S DECISIONS REGARDING SECTION VII MAY BE APPEALED. ALL APPEALS MUST BE IN WRITING TO THE GENERAL COMMISSIONER WITH A PHOTOCOPY TO THE AREA COMMISSIONER AND A.Y. DIRECTOR. A DECISION WILL BE RENDERED WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO (72) HOURS OF RECEIPT OF APPEALS.

VIII. A.Y. DIRECTOR AND COMMISSIONERS A.

The Adventist Youth Director for the Lake Region Conference is directly responsible for all League activities and has full authority in all areas of League operation.

B.

The General Commissioner is appointed by and reports directly to the LRC Youth Director. The General Commissioner is directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the League.

C.

Area Commissioners shall be appointed by the General Commissioner. There shall be three Area Commissioners – East Division Area Commissioner, West Division Area Commissioner and Central Division Area Commissioner. The Area Commissioner shall be responsible for the local day-to-day operations of their respective Division. Area Commissioners report directly to the General Commissioner.

D.

Local Commissioners shall be appointed by the Area Commissioner and must be approved by their local Church Board. The Area Commissioner should obtain said approval, and evidence of that approval submitted to the LRC Youth Director. Local Commissioners shall serve as directed by the Area Commissioner. Local Commissioners shall report directly to the Area Commissioner.

E.

All Commissioners are subject to the rules and guidelines of the Christian Fellowship League.

F.

Commissioners will serve as arbitrators of disputes, make decisions based on the rules and review all concerns of Players, Coaches, A.Y. Leaders and Pastors.

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1. The Area Commissioner will review all appeals and said decision shall be subject to further appeal directly to the General Commissioner. 2. Situations of extreme concern will be undertaken by the LRC Youth Director, General Commissioner and Area Commissioner. G.

Misconduct of General Commissioner When a General Commissioner is involved in any misconduct (as previously defined herein), it is to be reported immediately to the LRC Youth Director. A written report of the alleged misconduct shall be subsequently submitted to the LRC Youth Director within seventy-two (72) hours of its initial reporting, and must be signed by the complaining party (ies). The LRC Youth Director, in concert with any appropriate officials as determined by the LRC Youth Director, if necessary, shall review and investigate all details of the alleged misconduct and render a decision within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the written report. There is no appeal of the LRC Youth Director’s decision.

H.

Misconduct of Area Commissioner When an Area Commissioner is involved in any misconduct (as previously defined herein), it is to be reported, either orally or in writing, to the General Commissioner within twenty-four (24) hours of its occurrence. If an oral report is made, a written report of the alleged misconduct shall be subsequently submitted to the LRC Youth Director and General Commissioner, and must be done within seventytwo (72) hours of its initial reporting, and must be signed by the complaining party (ies). The General Commissioner shall review and investigate all details of the alleged misconduct and render a decision within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the written report. The General Commissioner shall notify the LRC Youth Director and the Area Commissioner of the decision. The General Commissioner’s decision may be made orally, but must be subsequently reduced to writing within seventy-two (72) hours of notice. All decisions may be appealed within seventy-two (72) hours of the General Commissioner’s determination. Said appeal must be made in writing to the LRC Youth Director with a copy to the General Commissioner. The LRC Youth Director shall render a final decision within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the appeal. There is no appeal of the LRC Youth Director’s decision.

I.

Misconduct of Local Commissioner When a Local Commissioner is involved in any misconduct (as previously defined herein), it is to be reported, either orally or in writing to the Area Commissioner within twenty-four (24) hours of its occurrence. The Area Commissioner shall within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of either the oral or written report, whichever occurs 14

first, report the allegations of misconduct to the General Commissioner. If an oral report is made, a written report of the alleged misconduct shall be subsequently submitted in writing to the Area Commissioner and General Commissioner within seventy-two (72) hours of its initial reporting, and must be signed by the complaining party-(ies). The Area Commissioner shall review and investigate all details of the alleged misconduct. The Area Commissioner will render a decision within fourteen (14) days of the initial report. The Area Commissioner shall notify the General Commissioner and the Local Commissioner of the decision. The Area Commissioner’s decision may be made orally, but must be subsequently reduced to writing within forty-eight (48) hours of notice. The Local Commissioner may appeal the Area Commissioner’s decision, which appeal must be made within seventytwo (72) hours of the Area Commissioner’s determination. Said appeal must be made in writing to the General Commissioner with a copy to the LRC Youth Director. The General Commissioner, in concert with the LRC Youth Director, shall render a final decision within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the appeal. The LRC Youth Director or General Commissioner may overturn any decision made by the Area Commissioner, regardless as to whether an appeal was filed, if said decision is contrary to the rules and fellowship of the CFL. There is no appeal of the LRC Youth Director’s decision. NOTE: ANY TEAM OR ROSTER MEMBER, OR COMMISSIONER BRINGING LEGAL COURT ACTION AGAINST THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED/EJECTED FROM ALL LEAGUE ACTIVITY.

IX.

COACHES A.

Coaches are subject to all the rules and guidelines of the Christian Fellowship League.

B.

All coaches are responsible for the behavior of his/her roster members. When players begin to show poor sportsmanship that may lead to extreme behavior (fighting, verbal abuse or crowd misconduct), the coach should bench that player for a period of time. Players must control their behavior and coaches must maintain control of its roster members. Coaches allowing poor behavior to be exhibited will be subject to suspension and dismissal for the season.

C.

If a coach knowingly allows an ineligible person to participate, the coach will be immediately suspended for the duration of the season. The coach will not sit with the team during the team’s remaining games. A forfeit will be assessed for every game in which the ineligible person participated. 15

X.

XI.

CHEERLEADERS A.

The Cheerleading squad must have an adult sponsor who is approved by the A.Y. Council and Church Board.

B.

Cheerleading squads are subject to all the Rules and guidelines of the Christian Fellowship League.

C.

Uniforms are to be modest in taste and fashion. There must be no over exposure of the upper thighs and bust during the performance of a routine. The League considers appropriate and sanctions attractive, loose-fitting sweat suits. If loose sweat shorts are worn, they are to be at knee length. PLEASE COOPERATE.

D.

Cheering routines should: 1. Incorporate a welcome cheer; 2. Not include “dance” steps and avoid all sexually suggestive moves; 3. Not use abusive language; and 4. be creative and fun.

TEAM CHAPLAIN This section shall govern if a team has a designated Team Chaplain.

XII.

A.

Chaplains are to be a playing roster member. They should be an active spiritual leader for the team.

B.

Chaplains are to lead out in team prayer/devotion during practice sessions.

C.

As each team participates in the Missionary Project, the Chaplain should be able to provide positive leadership. A report of the Missionary Project is to be made by the Chaplain each month and submitted to the Area Commissioner. The Chaplain is also to share the progress of the Missionary Project during the A.Y. Program at home and away.

D.

Before each game, the Chaplain of the home team is to call both teams together for prayer. The home team’s Pastor is to offer the opening prayer prior to the first serve or first tip-off. In the event the Pastor is not present, the visiting team Chaplain should offer the opening prayer.

TIMEKEEPERS & SCORERS 16

A.

Each team should have a timekeeper and a scorer, unless expressly provided by the Commissioners.

B.

If the home team's timekeeper and/or scorer are not present, the visiting Coach may use his/her timekeeper and/or scorer as the table officials for the game, or agree with the home coach to allow someone else to perform these functions.

XIII. TOURNAMENT ROUNDS A.

All teams that have paid their requisite fees, completed their Missionary Projects and reported them as required, and submitted all game results forms (if appropriate) and are not under League suspension or probation will be eligible for tournament play.

B.

The assessment of two (2) forfeits during regular season play and/or tournament play will result in immediate elimination from tournament play and/or further tournament play.

C.

During tournament play, scorekeepers and timekeepers should be selected from the Commissioners’ board.

ANY MATTERS NOT SPECIFICALLY DELINEATED HEREIN SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY TABLED AND A DETERMINATION MADE WITH RESPECT THERETO BY THE A.Y. DIRECTOR, GENERAL COMMISSIONER AND AREA COMMISSIONERS. A DECISION SHALL BE RENDERED WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS OF THE INCIDENT. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV)

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