Lebanon Valley Midget Football League Constitution and By-Laws
LEBANON VALLEY MIDGET FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
LEBANON VALLEY MIDGET FOOTBALL LEAGUE
LVMFL
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
(PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OF MARCH, 2014)
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1 – Name and Objectives
1)The name of this organization shall be the Lebanon Valley Midget Football League and shall be abbreviated “LVMFL.”
2) The objectives of this league shall be to set up a program of supervised football for boys with the following objectives in mind:
a)To acquaint the boys with the fundamentals of the game,
b)To teach, through the game, the principles of Sportsmanship, and
c)To promote safe play by encouraging boys to play only in their own weight and
age division.
ARTICLE 2 – Membership
1)The Lebanon Valley Midget Football League shall consist of the following teams:
a)Annville
b)CQM
c)Ebenezer
d)Myerstown
e)Lebanon-Friendship
f)Palmyra
2)Four (4) affirmative votes are required to accept a new team; each team listed above is
entitled to one (1) vote.
3)New members must be presented at the regularly scheduled meeting PRIOR to the vote.
ARTICLE 3 – Officers
1)The Officers of the league shall consist of:
a) President
b)Vice-President
c)Secretary
d)Treasurer
2)Nominations shall be presented annually at the last meeting by the nominating committee at which time elections shall also take place.
3)Only head coaches (midget or pony), program coordinators, or their designee will be allowed to express the positions of their respective teams.
4)Elected officers take office January 1 of the ensuing year.
5)There is no limitation the number of terms for any officer.
ARTICLE 4 – Duties of Officers
1)President – It shall be his duty to call and preside at all meetings, appoint all committees
of which he shall be an ex officio member, cast the deciding vote in the cases of ties in balloting, and to preside at official weigh-ins of players. The President shall co-sign with the Treasurer all checks issued by the league.
2)Vice-President – It shall be his duty to assist the President in conducting the meetings and
carrying out his duties and to preside at meetings in the event of the President’s absence.
3)Secretary – It shall be his duty to record the minutes of all meetings, send out
communications and notices at the direction of the President and to keep and maintain the league standings.
4)Treasurer – It shall be his duty to collect and deposit all monies of the league in a special league account and to issue a report at all regular meetings. The Treasurer shall co-sign with the President all checks issued by the league. Additionally, he shall cause to happen a yearly audit to take place within sixty (60) days of the close of the season.
a)For his own protection, the Treasurer shall be bonded for $200 with the bonding cost to be paid by the league.
ARTICLE 5 – Meetings
1)The league shall hold regular meetings on the last Wednesday in July and the first Wednesday in September and November.
2)At a regular or special meeting, the President or Vice-President and four (4) member teams shall constitute a quorum to transact the business of the league.
3)President or Vice-President may not be included as a member team.
4)Other meetings will be held at the call of the President.
5)Meetings shall be conducted in the following order of business:
a)Call to order, Roll Call of teams;
b)Reading and approval of minutes;
c)Treasurer’s report and approval;
d)Committee Reports;
e)Communications;
f)Old business;
g)New business; and
h)Adjournment.
ARTICLE 6 – Committees
1)The President shall appoint the following committees:
a)Grievance Committee – It shall consist of all disinterested head coaches or program administrators; the duties of this committee shall be to arbitrate all league disputes which cannot be solved by majority vote at a regularly scheduled or specially called meeting.
b)Weigh-In Committee – The duties of the committee shall be:
i)To check weights, birth certificates, parental consent forms and proof of physical examination of each player.
ii)If a Doctor’s signature is on roster, it must note the number of boys examined.
iii)Acceptable forms for proof of birth shall be: Birth Certificate, Registration of Birth, Certificate of Birth, or Hospital Certificate with seal. Any other manner of proof shall be presented to the Committee for approval on a case by case basis.
c)Schedule Committee
d)Trophy Committee
e)By-law Committee
f)Insurance Committee
g)Nominating Committee
h)Publicity Committee
i)Auditing Committee
ARTICLE 7 – Amendments
1)Any article of the Constitution and By-Laws may be amended or repealed or a new article adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment or repeal shall have been given at the previous meeting of the league. An article or by-law can only be brought up for a vote once a year. Members shall be notified of proposed amendments, repeals or new articles. No more than one meeting can be held on any called meeting night.
ARTICLE 8 – Effective Date
1)This Constitution and By-Laws shall be effective immediately upon its adoption by the league and will supersede any other league rules.
2)(REVISED 3/12/14)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1 – Players
1)Players to be eligible to compete in the Lebanon Valley Midget Football League must meet the following standards:
a)Age
i)Between the ages of seven (7) and twelve (12). The ages shall be determined as of August 31st. Example, a boy can become 13 on September 1st and be eligible.
b)Weight
i)Weigh not more than 145 pounds stripped at Weigh-In. Teams to be weighed-in at suitable place before the start of the season on a scale approved by Weigh-In Committee. All boys 130 pounds or more shall be reweighed on the Thursday following the fifth (5th) week and shall be allowed to weigh no more than 145 pounds. If a player exceeds 145 pounds at mid-season weigh-in, they shall be eliminated for the remainder of the season. Any player between 145 pounds and 150 pounds for Midgets and 125 pounds and 130 pounds for Ponies, and 105 pounds and 110 pounds for Pee Wee can reweigh on week 3 (the week following the first 2 games of the season) and again on week 6 (following the first 5 games of the season) to see if they are eligible.
c)Parental Consent
i)Have written consent of his or her parent or guardian to play. This form should be brought with the player to weigh-ins. In the event that it is not, said form shall be provided to the President prior to the player’s participation in any scrimmage or game as a member of the Lebanon Valley Midget Football League.
d)Physical Examination
i)Have proof of passing a physical examination by a certified physician. This form should be brought with the player to weigh-ins. In the event that it is not, said form shall be provided to the President prior to the player’s participation in any scrimmage or game as a member of the Lebanon Valley Midget Football League.
e)Insurance
i)Proof of insurance must be presented by each team at weigh-in and one copy of said proof must be provided to the league.
f)Record of Birth
i)All players must present a Birth Certificate, Registration of Birth,
Certificate of Birth, or Hospital Certificate with seal. Any other manner of proof shall be presented to the Committee for approval on a case by case basis.
ARTICLE 2 – Weigh-In
1)Only the head coach and one assistant will be allowed in the weigh-in building with their team.
2)Players will not be subject to any abnormal procedures during weigh-in to lose weight.
3)No unauthorized personnel will be allowed in the building during weigh-in.
4)Only one team will be allowed in the building at a time. One team will consist of a Midget team and a Pony team. The head coach and assistant will make sure that their team enters and leaves the building in an orderly and quiet manner.
5)The head coach is responsible for having his team at the weigh-in site on time.
6)Uniforms for weigh-in will be game shirt (if available) and shorts or sweat pants.
7)Players will only be weighed one time.
8)A team failing to show up for weigh-in at the assigned time or the assigned night will be fined $50 and will be weighed-in the following night and the weight will be three (3) pounds under the original setting.
9)The weigh-in for all Midget teams will be Wednesday before the first scheduled league game. Ponies and Pee Wees Tuesday before the first scheduled league game.
10)Each team will be allotted 15 minutes for weigh-ins.
11)Scales should be calibrated before use and approved by the weigh-in committee.
12)Scales will be set for the proper weight and not deviated. Any player failing to make the designated weight will be ineligible to participate in the league.
13)In the event that a player fails to attend weigh-in, a discussion will be held and a vote of all the head coaches at the meeting following weigh-ins will be taken as to the player’s eligibility. Each player will be discussed and voted on separately.
14)Any player not having the proper certificate or parental consent form will present that form to the head coach of the opposing team before the start of the first league game.
15)Second weigh-in will be Wednesday after the third (3rd) league game. At that time the scale will be set at 145 pounds. Any player failing this weight will be ineligible for the rest of the season.
ARTICLE 3 – Rosters
1)Fifteen copies of each team roster will be presented at the weigh-in. There will be a separate roster for Midget , Pony, Pee Wee teams.
2)Rosters must contain the following:
a)Name;
b)Address;
c)Age;
d)Date of Birth; and
e)Jersey number or numbers.
3)Players absent from weigh-in due to illness or other causes will be handled in the same manner as Article 2, Section 13.
4)Rosters shall consist of no less than 18 and no more than 45 players.
5)Division of players is to be as follows:
a)12 year olds, maximum 21 players
i)All 12 year olds over the 21 player limit must be cut by the Friday before weigh-ins.
b)And 24 players 11 years old and younger.
6)The league shall not be held liable for any player participating on any league team who is not on that team roster. Only players on each team roster shall be permitted to dress for league games and scrimmages.
ARTICLE 4 – Equipment
1)The following equipment must be provided for each player. All equipment must be NOCSAE approved.
a)Helmet with face guard (NOCSAE approved);
b)Jersey with number;
c)Football pants with proper hip and thigh pads;
d)Shoulder pads;
e)Footwear of canvas or leather top with cleats (turf shoes with plastic or molded
rubber are acceptable). No metal detachable cleats (amended 7/15/13). To be provided by player; and
f)Mouthpiece (to be provided by player).
2)Football.
a) The Midget ball shall be a Wilson TDY and shall be a leather ball. A composite ball may be permitted for game play only upon agreement of the head coaches and presentation to the head official for the game.
b)The Pony and Pee Wee ball shall be a Wilson K-2 and shall be a leather ball. A composite ball may be permitted for game play only upon agreement of the head coaches and presentation to the head official for the game.
ARTICLE 5 – Eligibility
1)Any player for one team will be ineligible to play for another team during the same season.
2)Any player changing teams between the end of one season and the beginning of another must secure written permission from the head coach and sponsor of his original team, and present it to the head coach of his new team before the first suited practice. This written permission must also be shown at weigh-in.
3)Any player not on a team roster from the previous season will be classified as a new eligible player.
4)All new player from the Lebanon School District must play for the Lebanon-Friendship Chiefs, unless released by them.
ARTICLE 6 – Fields
1)Size
a) 80 yards by 40 yards with 10 yard end zones at each end of the field. Yard markers must be provided.
b)Those teams which use a 100 yard by 53.3 yard field (regulation high school field) may do so without reducing the size to the dimensions indicated in Article 6, section 1(a) above.
2)Goal Posts
a)Maximum of 20 feet, minimum of 7 feet high, width to be between 12’6” and 15’6” (optional).
3)Field Markings
a)Field should be lined with at least 10 yard markings.
b)The 35 yard lines shall also be provide or marked for kickoffs.
c)Inbound marks shall also be 15 yards from the sidelines.
d)The 15 yard line and the 5 yard line shall be marked.
4)Sideline Markings
a)Must be kept 5 yards away from sidelines.
5)Spectators must be kept at a minimum of 1 yard away from the Sideline Markings. A rope of chain running the length of the Field must be provided for this purpose.
6)Any discrepancies in this article must be brought to the attention of the home team coach thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the game. All these requirements must be met or the game will be forfeited thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled kickoff time.
ARTICLE 7 – Game Rules
1)Length of Game
a)Shall be 32 minutes, divided into four periods of 8 minutes each with a 1 minute break between the 1st and 2nd periods and between the 3rd and 4th periods.
b)Half-time intermission shall be 15 minutes unless changed by mutual agreement.
2) Officials
a)At least 4 PIAA officials or local chapter approved substitutes must be provided for each game.
b)Payment of the officials is the responsibility of the home team.
3) Penalties
a)15 yard and 5 yard penalties shall be reduced to 10 yards and 5 yards.
4)Kick-off
a)A kick-off going out of bounds will be placed on the 25 yard line, and into the end zone it will be placed on the 15 yard line.
5)Point After Touchdown (PAT)
a) Ball is to be placed on the 2 yard line and a successful conversion shall count 1 point.
b)For a 2 point conversion, the ball is to be placed on the 5 yard line.
6)All other rules shall follow PIAA playing rules, except for yearly renewal of NOCSAE Seal on helmets.
7)All helmets purchased in the future for use in the LVMFL must be NOCSAE approved at the time of purchase.
ARTICLE 8 – Finances
1)Annual Dues shall be $30.00 per team as a league fee and $50.00 per team as an All-Star Fee to cover T-Shirts.
2)A Character Bond of $25.00 must be deposited with the Treasurer before the opening of the season. Bond to be returned upon withdrawal of team from the league after any assessment of fines has been deducted. Bond must be kept at $25 level.
3)Transportation, meals, and medical expenses are to be the responsibility of the individual teams.
4)All teams shall carry a minimum of $5,000 Medical and $2,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.
ARTICLE 9 – Schedule
1)Regular season to begin on the Sunday following Labor Day.
2)Practice may start on a date agreed upon by majority vote.
3)Standings to be determined on a point system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss, indefinite postponement, or cancelled game.
4)Each team will be given a total of 250 schedules. Additional schedules may be purchased for $20 for each 250.
5)Rotating schedule changing yearly by moving up numbers drawn in.
a) Team numbers are as follows:
i)CQM
ii)Annville
iii)Palmyra
iv)Ebenezer
v)Lebanon-Friendship
vi)Myerstown
6)East/West game shall be limited to 12 year old players and 11 year olds where necessary.
ARTICLE 10 – Fines, Assessments and Penalties
1)A team dropping from the league during the season shall forfeit its $525.00 bond.
a)A team that is forced to drop from the league due to player turn out shall be reinstated the following year with no penalty from the league.
2)All teams shall be prohibited from participating in games or practices with any team which has not fulfilled its schedule commitments in the regular season. This ban is to last for a period of five (5) years.
3)Teams not represented at 80% of the league meetings shall forfeit $10.00 of the original bond.
4) Coaches or officials accused of unsportsmanlike conduct shall be reported to the league and, if found guilty, will be penalized according to league recommendations. Unsportsmanlike conduct shall consist of, but not necessarily be limited to: profanity or divisive remarks to officials, attempting to agitate spectators or creating disturbance at games, or fighting among themselves, opponents, or spectators before, during or after games.
5)Any coach, player, or league official who abuses or threatens to abuse game officials shall be barred for a period of one (1) year minimum for the first offense. A re-evaluation by the head coaches and board will take place at the start of each year. A second offense will result in the individual being barred for a period of no less than five (5) years from the league and a re-evaluation at the start of each year and their team shall forfeit its $25.00 bond in both cases.
6)Use of ineligible players shall result in forfeiture of all games played.
7)Home team shall be responsible for submitting score sheet to the Lebanon Daily News in legible writing. Any team failing to do so shall be fined $5.00 per game.
8)Any team not present at a scheduled meeting shall be fined $10.00, payable at the next scheduled meeting.
ARTICLE 11 – Pony Regulations
1)Age
a)Pony teams shall consist of players 10 years of age and under. Age shall be determined as of August 31st (same as Midgets).
2)Weight
a)Shall be in accordance with Article 1, Section 1(b) of these By-Laws.
b)Pony weight limit is 125 pounds. Re-weigh 115 to 125 pounds, 2nd weigh-in 125
pounds.
3)Rosters:
a)Rosters must contain the following:
i)Name;
ii)Address;
iii)Age;
iv)Date of Birth; and
v)Jersey number or numbers.
b)The size of the roster shall be unlimited.
c)For players added after the start of the season, the weight limit is 100 pounds.
4)Game time
a)All Pony games shall be played immediately following the Midget game.Schedule reversed on Saturday nights.
5)Length of Game
a)Games shall be 24 minutes long, divided into four 8 minute quarters.