Pee Wee Nazareth Little Blue Eagles

1. NAME: The organization shall be known as the EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote and supervise competition among league members.

3. OFFICERS: The organization shall consist of the following elected officers, who will also comprise the EXECUTIVE BOARD: President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer.
A. Officer nominations shall occur at the October league meeting.
B. Elections for new officers will take place at the first meeting after October.
C. Officer terms shall be two years in length. The President and Secretary terms shall run through odd-numbered years, while the 2 Vice-President and Treasurer terms shall run through even-numbered years.
D. No officer may act as a voting league representative for any member organization.

4. MEMBERS
A. Any organization desiring membership in the league must, upon acceptance, submit a non-refundable entry fee set per league Operating Rules.
B. Each year, each organization already in the league, shall submit a non-refundable entry fee at the January meeting set per league Operating Rules.
C. If the league entrance fee is not paid at the January meeting, it increases fifty dollars ($50.00) per month until paid.
D. All members must participate in league functions as provided for in the by-laws. Failure to do so subjects a team to revocation of membership.
E. Any new organization desiring membership must be voted on by the league membership and will be decided by a simple majority.
1. All new teams will be on probation for:
a. 1 year – No vote in any league matters.
b. 2 years – Cannot host a playoff game.
2. New teams must field all competitive levels of play from Pee Wee up to and including Varsity teams.
3. Probation period may be waived by a majority vote of member organization (ie: Merger Situations).
F. If any violation of the by-laws occurs during a probationary period, the offending organization is subject to a fine and/or removal from the League, and/or probation extension.
1. Fine may be in the amount of $50-$250, as determined by the Advisory Committee.
G. All organizations are responsible for the actions of all players, coaches, and fans of their Organization. Any team or organization acting in an unruly or unsportsmanlike manner may be placed on probation for a period of time designated by the membership.
H. All complaints will be directed to the Advisory Committee for investigation. Findings and recommendations will then be presented to the Executive Board for a final decision. Any appeal of the ruling must be submitted within twenty-four hours and will be heard by the Executive Board within forty-eight hours.
I. Each organization’s president and league representative must sign the Organizational Code of Conduct and Expectations form on a yearly basis. This signed form is due by the July meeting.
J. All organizations within the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Football League must provide an EMT, physician, nurse or certified trainer at every home game. The League Rep or an Organizational Officer must point out this person to the referees prior to the start of the day’s first tackle game. There will be a $200 fine for each game day that an organization fails to comply with this by-law.
1. Coaches are not to remove any injured players from the field without approval of the medical person. The medical person has final decision on when and if the injured player can return to the game.
K. There will be a $50-$250 fine, as determined by the Advisory Committee, for any by-law or operating rule violation that otherwise does not specify a monetary amount. These fines will be per instance of the violation.
L. In the event a team is pulled of the field during the game, that organization will be fined the cost of the three referee fees for that game. This fine must be paid to the League at the next monthly meeting. In addition, this matter will be brought before the Advisory Committee for further review and possible disciplinary action, including additional fines between $50-$250.

5. OPERATING RULES
A. These Bylaws have a section at the end labeled as “Operating Rules”. The Operating Rules are intended to govern the day to day operations of the league, via the league executive board, and as such do not require an official league board vote to make adjustments to their content. The executive board, however, shall seek input and communicate potential changes during regular league meetings or via email to all team representatives.
1. Anything added to the Operating Rules must first be voted on by the entire membership and will be allowed with a simple majority vote.

6. MEETINGS
A. The first meeting of the year will be held the fourth Wednesday in January (weather permitting). All other meetings will follow the schedule that is determined by the Executive Board and communicated at the January meeting.
B. The league secretary shall contact the league representatives of the date, time, and location of the next meeting at least five (5) days prior to the date of each league meeting. Meetings will usually start at 8:30PM, but the Executive Board can change monthly meeting dates or start times.
C. A fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be assessed to any member organization that misses a league meeting. The fine shall be increased to seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for any missed voting meeting. If this fine is not paid at or before the next regularly scheduled meeting, the organization will lose its right to vote on all league business until such fines are paid.
1. All fines will be communicated to the membership via the minutes, website, email, etc. on a monthly basis.
D. To be considered present for a league meeting, the organizational representative must be there for roll call and stay until the meeting is complete.
E. Any organization missing two (2) consecutive meetings shall be automatically dropped from the league.
1. When any organization has missed a meeting, the league secretary shall promptly forward a letter to the listed team representative and to the president of the teams sponsoring organization advising them, that if they are not present at the next league meeting (on date, time, place), they may face further disciplinary action.
F. The League President shall be in charge of the league meetings at all times. In the President's absence, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President.
1. Only the organization representative will have the power to make a motion or to vote.
2. The President shall have the tie breaking vote.
G. A fifty percent (50%) quorum of the sponsoring organizations is required to transact business at all league meetings.
H. Team information sheets for each organization in the league shall be submitted to the league secretary at the League Picnic meeting of the current year. Failure to do so will result in the organization’s rosters not being approved.
I. Any fine must be paid at the next month’s league meeting. The fine will be doubled each month until paid in full.
J. Amendments or additions to the by-laws must be submitted to the Executive Board no later than the end of the year banquet. The Executive Board will deliver the requests to the By-law Committee for review, who will then make recommendations to the full membership for a vote at the first meeting of the new year.
1. Any proposal made by an organization not present at the by-law committee meeting will be discarded.

7. ELIGIBILITY
A. No player competing in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Football League may play for a middle school team or any other football team. No player in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Football League may be a current high school student.
B. All Organizations must first field a team at the lowest competitive level before fielding a team at the instructional level.
C. Players must make weight during one of the first three weeks of the season in order to be eligible to play for the remainder of that season.
1. There will be no exchanging of players that do no meet the designated weight. Should this issue become known, it will be investigated by the Advisory Committee.
2. The league representative must fax weigh-in sheets (must be on the downloaded form from the website) to the League President by the Wednesday after the third game. The weigh-in sheets must be signed by the first three weeks’ opposing coaches, who are required to write the numbers of the overweight or absent players next to his signature.
3. During the first three weeks of the season, any player who is overweight must have their actual weight, in the minimal amount of clothing allowable (underwear), recorded on the weigh-in sheet.
D. If a player does not make weight, he/she must remove their shoulder pads immediately and throughout the game. If that player is put into the game, it will result in an automatic forfeit of the game. The Advisory Committee will then meet to determine a suspension for the coach of that team.
E. No more than two (2) sanctioned league games may be played in one seven (7) day period under any circumstances.
F. A copy of each player’s birth certificate must be maintained at the league level. Birth certificates copies must be available if needed. Only one (1) copy should be needed for the player’s duration in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Football League. All Birth Certificates are due by the August meeting. No player may play until the birth certificate is turned into the League President. 'Pending' players cannot play in any games.

8. WEIGH-INS
A. Every player must weigh in before each game, EXCEPT, if a player makes weight to play at a lower level and is double rostered. The coaches should make a note of those players at the time of weigh-ins. The home team shall supply a balanced scale for weigh-ins. The visiting team may bring a scale along for comparison. If there is a great difference then a neutral scale will be used.
B. Each team shall have only two (2) representatives at the weigh-ins. The home team shall provide a suitable and enclosed building to have the weigh-ins.
C. A player may only undress down to their underwear.
D. In the case of a FEMALE player having to strip, a woman representative should be the only person, other than the parent or guardian, to be allowed in the weigh-in room.
E. At NO TIME should a female and a male player be undressing in a weigh-in area at the same time.
F. All weigh-ins must occur on the day of the game, beginning one hour before the first scheduled game.
1. Representatives from both organizations (League Rep, Head or Assistant Coach) must attend any early weigh-in and initial the weigh-in sheet.
2. Players weighing in early must have their picture card and official roster for this weigh-in to be official.
3. Weigh-ins, including early weigh-ins, will only occur at the designated time for each level (Example: Prior to JPW, PW, JV, V games).
4. All players for weigh in early must still be present for their teams’ weigh-in for verification.
5. If a game is postponed, official weigh-ins will take place on the re-scheduled date.
G. All players must present an ID card complete with a current picture at each weigh-in.
H. Picture cards will be displayed in a photo album and put in numerical order (from lowest to highest) - the way the players will be weighed. Any team not having the picture cards at the time of weigh-in will forfeit that game. The game can still be played but it will not count. Any individual not having a picture card will not be allowed to play in that game.
I. All organizations must have a commercial level digital scale for weigh-ins, which must be calibrated each year. Sticker and/or paperwork must be on display at the scale and a copy of paperwork or picture of sticker must be turned into the league prior to the first official game of the season. Failure to turn in information to the league will result in a forfeit of all home games until the paperwork is turned in.
J. Overweight players – see Section 7, Eligibility.

9. ROSTERS
A. All Teams must have rosters signed by the opposing coach for the first three (3) games of the season to verify which players made weight and which did not. Any player that is not there at weigh in will be considered overweight. Each roster will be marked to verify which players were present. Any player that is injured must weigh in at one of the first three (3) games in order to be eligible to play later that year.
B. Players must be rostered for the Flag, Junior Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Junior Varsity or Varsity team in order to be eligible to play.
C. Every approved tackle player is also eligible to play on the next higher weight class team (double-rostering). These players do not need to be listed on the higher level roster. As a condition of this rule, the following must occur:
1. The head coach of the higher level team must notify the opposing head coach of these specific players during weigh-ins.
2. The picture book and weigh-in sheet of the lower level team must be available to verify these players are game day eligible if requested.
3. If the game day order is not Junior Pee Wee-Pee Wee-Junior Varsity-Varsity, then these players must weigh in prior to each game.
D. All rosters must be entered into the website prior to the cutoff date set by the League.
E. Every player must sign a team contract form or agreement to play with a team. He/she must secure a written release from that team’s League Representative and President to play on another team that same season. A duplicate copy of the release must be presented to the League President before that player is eligible. If an organization refuses to release a player, this matter can be appealed to the League Executive Board for a final decision.
F. All organizations are encouraged to have a team at the flag level and must commit to having a team at each of the competitive weight levels (Pee Wee, Junior Varsity, Varsity). Failure to field a competitive level team will result in the following:
1. First Season – Warning
2. Second Season – Loss of organization vote for one year
3. Third Season – Possible expulsion from the League

10. GAME TIMES
A. Each organization can decide the game order for their home games. All competitive level games must be played one after another. The Junior Pee Wee game must start or end the day when that day’s regular opponent does not have a Junior Pee Wee team. Each game starts no earlier than its’ scheduled time.
B. As per P.I.A.A. rules, all game times will consist of four eight-minute quarters with a ten minute break at half time. (Please note – current PIAA timing rules will be implemented - - - the clock will stop on all change of possessions)
C. The first tackle game must start at the designated time. If it is not started on time the Officials will start the game clock and penalize the home team for delay of game.
D. If the Flag game is the first game of the day, no less than one hour and fifteen minutes must be allotted for that game.

11. FIELD CONDITIONS AND POSTPONEMENTS
A. Field conditions are up to the home team. Home team coaches must advise visiting teams coaches at least two hours before the game in regards to postponements. If the visiting team is not so advised, they shall assume the game is to be played. The home team shall also advise the officials accordingly. Make-up games must be rescheduled within a two (2) week period.
B. The Executive Board will have the sole discretion for postponements of playoff games due to weather conditions.

12. AGE & WEIGHT STRUCTURE
A. Team weight classifications and specific regulations:
1. Flag, Junior Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Junior Varsity, Varsity (The Junior Pee Wee team is optional)
2. The Flag and Junior Pee Wee teams will be known as instructional level play.
3. The Pee Wee, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams will be known as competitive level play.
B. All players must make weight at the designated starting level by the third game of the regular season or move up to the next higher weight class. Each player will receive a one (1) pound per week weight allowance starting in Week 4 with a maximum of five (5) pound total increase by the end of the regular season. There will be no weight allowance for any player who qualifies under the Older but Lighter rule.
1. There will be no exchanging of players that do no meet the designated weekly weight. Should this issue becomes known, it will be investigated by the Advisory Committee.
2. Opposing coaches at all levels will be responsible for reporting players that did not make weight so that honesty can be maintained throughout the league.
C. No Player at the flag level may attain his 8th birthday prior to August 1st of that year.
D. No Player on the Junior Pee Wee team may attain his 9th birthday prior to August 1st of that year. The player must weigh 80lbs. or less to play at this level.
E. No Player on the Pee Wee team may attain his 10th birthday prior to August 1st of that year. The player must weigh 100lbs. or less to play at this level.
F. No Player on the Junior Varsity team may attain his 11th birthday prior to August 1st of that year. The player must weigh 120lbs. or less to play at this level with the listed age in the first sentence of letter F.
1. A player who turns age eleven (11) years between August 1st of the previous year and July 31st of the current year is eligible to play on the Junior Varsity level team as long as he/she weighs 85lbs. or less.
G. No Player on the Varsity team may attain his 13th birthday prior to January 1st of that year. The player must weigh 140lbs. or less to play at this level.
1. Any person who turns age 14 years from January 1st through December 31st of the current year is ineligible to play as they are too old for this league.
H. Any by-law changes to the age and weight structure must remain in effect for a minimum of two years.

13. RULES FOR THE VARSITY AND JUNIOR VARSITY DIVISIONS
A. P.I.A.A. rules will apply for all these games with the exception of:
1. A kicking PAT will count as two points. A running or passing PAT will result in one point.

14. RULES FOR THE PEE WEE DIVISION
A. During the Pee Wee game, the following will apply:
1. For the first four (4) weeks of the season one offensive coach will be allowed on the field. For the remainder of the season they will coach from the sidelines.
2. The "on field" coaches must be at least five (5) yards behind the deepest player.
3. Pee Wee Defense Rules:
a. Allowable defenses are 3-4, 4-3, 5-2 and 6-1.
b. Linebackers must be at least three yards behind the line of scrimmage.
c. Two cornerbacks are required in every defense. They must line up outside the defensive ends and linebackers. They must be at least three yards off the line of scrimmage.
d. Two safeties are required in every defense and they must be at least six yards off the line of scrimmage.
e. Blitzing is not permitted. Blitzing is moving forward toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.
4. Inside the 10 yard line, a goal line defense can be used but there is still no blitzing.
5. Punting will occur in the Pee Wee game. If the offensive team chooses to punt on 4th down, the offensive and defensive teams will not be allowed to cross the line of scrimmage until the football is punted. If either team crosses the line of scrimmage it will result in a 5 yard penalty. The offensive team can then re-choose the option of punting. A fumbled snap will be punted from the point of recovery. If the snap goes past the punter it shall also be punted from the point of recovery, with no crossing of the line of scrimmage by either team. Defenses must maintain an allowable defensive formation on punt plays. There will be no fake punts allowed. If the punt does not go past the line of scrimmage, then it is an automatic dead ball situation. The football will be placed at the original line of scrimmage and will become the defensive (receiving) team’s possession. The offensive and defensive teams cannot move out of their aligned formation until the football is punted.
6. During the Pee Wee game, any team that blitzes will be penalized (5) five yards for illegal procedure. This penalty will be from the line of scrimmage.
7. During the Pee Wee game, a 45 second play clock will be utilized in order to keep the game moving.
8. Overtime for the Pee Wee games will be only one overtime period. If both teams fail to score or score and make or miss the point after try, the game will end in a tie.
9. A two-point kicking conversion may be attempted during the Pee Wee game. For this level and under, a holder and kicker will go onto the field and a free kick will occur from the eight (8) yard line. A kicking block must be used for this kick.

15. RULES FOR THE JUNIOR PEE WEE DIVISION
A. The Junior Pee Wee games will have the same rules as Pee Wee games except for the following:
1. Two coaches from each team are allowed on the field at all times for the entire season.
2. On-Side kicks will not be permitted. The ball will belong to the receiving team regardless of who recovers the kick. Once possession is gained by the receiving team, a fumble can occur during the return.
3. The offensive team will have the option, on 4th down, to have the official advance the line of scrimmage 20 yards and turn the possession of the ball over to the other team, except when possession is inside the 30 yard line. In that situation, the ball will be advanced only HALF the distance to the goal.
4. Since the Junior Pee Wee division is instructional in purpose, no score is to be kept and therefore no overtime period shall be allowed.

16. FLAG RULES
A. Use PIAA rules except as modified below.
B. As an important safety factor it is mandatory for flag players to wear a soft shell (karate type) head gear for their own protection.
C. KICK-OFF: The will be no kick-offs at the flag level. The offensive team will begin their possession at the 30 yard line to start each half and after each score.
D. FUMBLE: QB/ Center exchange; if the QB can recover quickly, there is no fumble. If not, loss of down. All other fumbles are loss of down and the ball is spotted at the point of fumble.
E. If a ball carriers flag falls off at anytime, the play is dead. The ball is then spotted at the point where the flag fell.
F. Penalty - No distance, no loss of down, except; Blatant off sides is 5 yards. Unnecessary roughness; tackling, leaving feet on the block, forearming, stiff arming, blocks below the waist, etc. is 5 yards.
G. No slapping the hands from defenders by the ball carrier, no pushing out of bounds, must be attempting to grab the flags, one warning per half per team. A second violation will result in penalty as follows:
Upon Defense - 1st down at the point of infraction.
Upon Offense - loss of down and loss of yardage on that play.
H. PUNT: Automatic punt at the option of the coach - 30 yards from the line of scrimmage. If the line of scrimmage is at or inside the 40 yard line, then the automatic punt is half the distance to the goal.
I. CLOCK: Two 20 minute halves per game with continuous running clock, except each team shall be allowed one time-out each half. The clock will be stopped for a downed injured player and after every score. The clock will restart when the ball is set for play. There will be a 10 minute break at half-time.
J. SCORING: Touchdowns are seven (7) points with no P.A.T. attempt. A safety is two (2) points. After a score, the opposing team will take possession on their own thirty (30) yard line.
K. DEFENSES:
1. Allowable defenses are 3-4, 4-3, 5-2 and 6-1.
2. Linebackers must be at least three yards behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Two cornerbacks are required in every defense. They must line up outside the defensive ends and linebackers. They must be at least three yards off the line of scrimmage.
4. Two safeties are required in every defense and they must be at least six yards off the line of scrimmage.
5. Blitzing is not permitted. Blitzing is moving forward toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.
L. Inside the 10 yard line you can use a goal line defense but still no blitzing.
M. No player that plays on a tackle team of any weight class may play on the flag team.
N. EQUIPMENT: All Flags shall be at least 14 inches long and be of a bright color that is contrasting to the pants that the player is wearing. The flag will be unobstructed from view and touch, and be attached by velcro only. Leg pads may be worn by all flag players. All jerseys in excess of waist length must be tucked into the pants.
O. COACHES/REFS: Not more than 2 coaches from each team shall be on the field at any time during the game. At least 1 coach must remain with the bench at all times. The head coach shall appoint a third coach to act as a referee during the game if a ref is not available. The ref/coaches shall agree on all infractions. The coaches and ref/coaches shall remain at least 10 yards away from the players in all directions and shall move away from the ball as the play progresses.
P. In order to maintain parity, the team that is ahead at any point in the game cannot allow a player who has already scored to carry or catch the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. These players will also not be permitted to return kick-offs. If such a player does carry the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, the team will be penalized the yardage gained and will suffer loss of down.
Q. There will be a mandatory flag head coach meeting at the conclusion of the League Picnic. If an organization’s head flag coach is not present for this meeting, then the organization will have no league scheduled flag games for that season.
R. All interceptions are handled by P.I.A.A. rules – they are live and can be returned for a touchdown.

17. PROTESTS
A. If any violation of the league by-laws is suspected, a protest may be submitted to the League President, along with a ten dollar ($10.00) protest fee to be refunded if the protest is upheld. This protest must be submitted in writing within seventy-two (72) hours of the infraction by the league representative or the head coach. In addition, the following penalties shall be imposed...
1. For violation which affects a single game, loss of the game.
2. For violation which affects more than one game, loss of each game in which the violation occurred. For example: ineligible players, incomplete rosters, etc.

18. TROPHIES
A. Trophies will be given to division champions.
B. Trophies will be presented at the League Banquet.
C. Trophies and medals for league champions and runner-ups will be presented at the conclusion of the championship game.

19. NOTES
A. Any rules not covered by these by-laws shall be played according to P.I.A.A. playing rules.
B. The Mercy Rule, as it is known by the PIAA, in this league will take effect when there is a 30 point difference in the score, everything else will follow the PIAA guidelines. Once a game is in the Mercy Rule it cannot come out of it. The clock will run for the entirety of the game, starting in the second half, except following a score, for an injured player or a timeout.
C. All players must wear colored mouth pieces to play in the games.
D. Jersey color will be coordinated between the teams prior to each game day.
E. P.A.T. Conversion Change - Two (2) points will be awarded to the team kicking a P.A.T. Running or passing for the conversion will still result in a one (1) point score.
F. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any game by any team.
G. Any rules not covered here will be ruled upon by the Executive Board.
H. Team personnel consists of the head coach and his assistants listed on that team’s roster and/or anyone the head coach permits.
I. Goal Posts must be padded according to P.I.A.A. requirements.
J. The Monday closest to August 1st is designated as the first day any organization may start practicing with any type of equipment (cleats are not considered equipment). The first three days of football practice (July 31, August 1 & 2 for 2017) will follow the P.I.A.A. Heat Acclimation Rule and shall be non-Physical Contact. Players may wear helmets, shoulder pads, and football shoes: however, all other contact pads are PROHIBITED during these first three days of practice.
K. For 2017, August 3rd is the first day an organization can practice in full equipment and have contact as long as they have completed all three days of the Heat Acclimation Rule. If an organization is caught violating this by-law, then it will be brought to the Advisory Committee to determine the punishment. This punishment can be up to and including having all of the competitive level teams of that organization be ineligible for post-season games or awards with every competitive level game of that organization for the entire season will be officially recorded as a forfeit (6-0).
L. Starting with the 2016 Season, every organization must have and use an operational scoreboard with a running clock at their field.

20. SPORTSMANSHIP
A. If a coach is given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game, he/she is ejected from the game and must immediately leave the field. Failure of the ejected coach to immediately leave the field can result in the stoppage of the game and a forfeit declared on the offending team.
B. If a player is given a taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, the player must sit out the next five plays in the game.
C. Any player, coach or assistant coach being ejected from a game for any reason will result in their removal from that game plus the next two scheduled games.
D. All players and coaches should meet in the middle of the field to shake hands at the conclusion of the game to show good sportsmanship.

21. GAME OFFICIALS
A. The league shall appoint an assignor, who shall assign three (3) P.I.A.A. officials to all tackle level games. At least two (2) officials must be present before a game can start. No other officials are allowed.
B. The league assignor shall assign four (4) officials for all Elimination and Play-off games.
C. Referee fees for the playoffs will be added into the yearly membership fee. This exact amount will be determined at the March meeting and must be paid by the August meeting. If this is not paid by the August meeting, the fee increases fifty dollars ($50.00) per month until paid. This means referee fees for the playoffs will be paid by the league. The Treasurer will give the required money to each playoff host team at the October league meeting.
D. In the case of an official showing up to work a game and the game being canceled and he not be notified in time, the said official will get paid half of the regular pay. If this is the case of a no show and/or forfeit by one of the teams, then that team will have to pay the officials. This will be done either through the host team or the league.

22. FIELD MARKINGS AND SHOES
A. A regulation football field shall be used, with goal line flags at each goal line. Goal line flags must have flexible shafts. Yards are marked every five (5) yards. Goal posts must be installed at each end of the playing field for field goal attempts. Lining of the field is the responsibility of the home team.
B. The playing field on both sides should be roped off from goal line to goal line, ten (10) yards from the sidelines. The exception being any school or other field having the perimeter of the playing field enclosed. Only team personnel are allowed within this confined area.
C. A restricted area (coaches' box) must be painted from the 25 yard line to the 25 yard line on each side of the field. This restricted area should be a minimum of two (2) yards in depth.
1. Only three coaches are allowed in the restricted area to communicate with players and substitutes during dead-ball situations. These three coaches must move into the team box before the ball becomes live.
D. All cheerleaders must be a minimum of five (5) yards away from the sideline while the game is being played.
E. No metal tip cleats are allowed. Coaches are responsible to check all cleats prior to weigh ins.
F. The chains must be kept on the home team’s side of the field.

23. DISBANDMENT
A. Should the league ever disband, all money and property accumulated by the league, until that time, shall be held for a period of one year. If the league is not reorganized, this money and property shall be divided among the member organizations during the last year of operation.

Operating Rules

1. ENTRY FEES:
A. Entry Fees - will be set by the Executive Board on an annual basis. For the 2016 season the fee is three hundred and fifty dollars ($350.00).
B. Assignor Fees – league assignor will be paid a scheduling fee of $50.00 per organization by the League at the League Picnic.
C. Referee Fees - for 2016 will be $50.00 per game per official.

2. COMMITTEES:
A. PLAY-OFF COMMITTEE. All teams shall be members. Failure to do so subjects a team to loss of its forfeit bond and/or revocation of membership.
1. A schedule of team’s responsibilities will be prepared by the executive board, and these teams are expected to be present. Failure to do so will result in loss of fine forfeit bond and/or revocation of membership.
B. BY-LAW COMMITTEE. A committee shall be appointed by the President as needed to review the proposed by-law changes prior to the January meeting. Any new by-law change proposals must be presented to the Executive Board or a by-law committee member at the November meeting. Proposed bylaw changes should be submitted by teams and read to the whole body prior to submission as set forth herein.
C. SCHEDULING COMMITTEE. If needed, a committee can be appointed by the President at the March meeting. If needed, they would be responsible to submit a schedule by the May meeting.
1. Schedules shall be prepared on a home and away basis whenever possible. For example, the team you played at home this year you will play away next year.
D. AUDITING COMMITTEE. A committee shall be appointed by the President at the November meeting. This committee shall meet for the sole purpose of auditing the treasurer’s books and give a final report at the March meeting.
F. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. This committee shall be appointed by the Executive Board in a time of need. This committee shall be made up of five (5) people whom the Executive Board feels will take the best interest of the league and the youth into consideration when making a decision. These members can be for example, past coaches, past officers, teachers, or other people in the community who are interested and involved with the youth in some way.

3. REGULATION FOOTBALLS
A. Pee wee style footballs can be used for the Flag and Junior Pee Wee games – must be the same dimensions as the Wilson K-2 football.
B. Junior style footballs can be used for the Pee Wee and Junior Varsity games – must be the same dimensions as the Wilson TDJ football.
C. Youth style footballs can be used for the Varsity game – must be the same dimensions as the Wilson TDY football.

4. COACHES
A. Every head coach must be certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association or USA Football. Assistant coaches are encouraged to be certified. There will be a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fine for each head coach in an organization that is not certified.
1. A photocopy of the certification card (or a print out of the online verification) for each head coach of the organization must be turned in at the August league meeting. The head coach’s certification must run through the entire football season. Failure to provide this verification for each head coach will result in a fine of $25.00 as described in Letter A above.
B. All organizations must follow any applicable State Laws regarding background checks.

5. POST SEASON INFORMATION
A. Eight teams will make the playoffs for each competitive level. The first and second place team in each division, based on division record, will be included. The third place teams in the Red and White Divisions, based on division record, will also be included.
Tie-Breaker Criteria:
1. Head to Head winner
2. Overall Record
3. Number of wins of the teams they played that season.
4. A one game playoff would be the last option. This would only occur if three teams are tied and the third place team would not qualify.
B. Each of the eight teams will be seeded from #1 to #8.
1. The Red and White division winners will be seeded #1 and #2. The Blue division winner will be seeded #4.
2. The Red and White division runner-ups will be seeded #3 and #5. The Blue division runner-up will be seeded #6.
3. The Red and White division third place teams will be #7 and #8.
4. The Red and White division playoff teams will then be seeded based upon their overall record.
a. If teams in any of the three classifications are still tied, head-to-head would be the first tiebreaker criteria. The second tiebreaker would be the total number of wins of the teams they played that season. Should a tie still exist, the league representative of each organization would pick a number out of a hat.
C. For the first round, the games will be as follows: 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, and 4-5.
D. For the semi-finals, the highest remaining seed will play the lowest remaining seed in one semi-final and the middle remaining two seeds will play in the other semi-final.
E. Playoff host teams are eligible to play a playoff game on their home field as long as they are the higher seeded team in that match-up.
F. As much as possible, the playoff committee will have the highest seeded team play at the closest host field.
G. Playoff sites will be determined by the following list and will be rotated every year (first four teams host first round, next two teams host semi-finals, the last team hosts championship games):
2017: Forks, Northampton, North Parkland, South Parkland, Raiders, Emmaus, Palmer
2018: E.S.Y.C., L.C.Y.A., Lower Macungie, Nazareth, Hokey, Easton, Steelers
H. Overtime / Sudden Death Rules
1. In the event that a regular season, elimination, play-off, or championship game should end in a tie, the tie will be resolved by a method approved by the state high school association. This method is known as the 10 yard line over-time procedure. This by-law applies to the competitive levels only.
2. All elimination and playoff games must have a winner and cannot end in a tie.
I. No organization may host playoff games if they do not have an operational scoreboard with a running clock at their field.
J. No organization may charge admission to a playoff game. An organization may leave out a donation “can”, but cannot require a donation to be admitted into the game. Penalty for violation of this rule will result in the offending organization paying for all official fees for the day.

6. OTHER
A. Organizations are limited to six days of off season workouts. The league president must be notified of the dates of these workouts at least two weeks before they are scheduled to occur.
1. Definition of a workout: a workout is any activity, of any number of players, that is supervised or run by an organization’s coach or officer, or an affiliated parent, adult or teenager.
2. An organization’s football camp is considered a workout.
3. A football camp run by a high school or college program is not a workout.
4. Violations of this Operating Rule are subject to punishment as described in By-Law Section 18 (Notes).