ROSTERS

            Each team shall be limited to 32 players at any one time.

Rosters are to be submitted on the official roster form.  Each player's full name, signature, address, home and work phone numbers should appear on this form.  Incomplete rosters will not be accepted.

The team manager shall submit to the Department before the second game of the season a roster of all of the players on their team.  Failure to turn in a roster before the second game will result in forfeiture of every game until the roster is on file with the League.  Referees will not be assigned to any game in which a team does not have a roster on file with the League Office.

Any additions or deletions must be put in writing (use ADD/DROP form) and submitted to the League Office before the player is eligible to play.  Additions must include the player's full name, signature, address, and home and work phone numbers.

The team manager shall officially release a player in writing before he/she may sign with another team.  (See Section - Player Eligibility below)

            Players cannot be added to the roster after the sixth game of League play.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

            All players must be at least 18 years of age unless approved by the league director.

Players under the age of 18 must be submitted by Manager on 18-Under Waiver Form. Request for this form shall be made to the League Office. Form must be submitted to League Office before player is eligible for roster.

Any team using an ineligible player shall automatically forfeit each game in which the player participated.  If a team uses a player under an assumed name, that team shall automatically be dropped from the League. Each game played with that player and all scheduled games not played shall be forfeited to the opponents.

            Protests

Protests as to the use of an ineligible player must be made within 48 hours of game time and a $25 protest fee is required.  The protest must be submitted in writing to the Department.

GAME DAY PROCEDURES

Playing Rules

            Unless modified by this set of rules, all games will be played in accordance with ALL Club rules.

            15-minute quarters (running time).  The clock will only stop during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.

            All substitutions will be made on the fly.

            Each team will receive two (2) 30-second time outs per half.

            Five (5) Long-poles permitted

In the event of a tie, there will be a four (4) minute sudden death overtime period.  There will not be any time outs in the sudden death overtime. For games played in the regular season, overtime will be limited to one period of sudden death. Games that are tied at the end of this sudden death period will remain as a tie. For games played in the playoffs, sudden death periods of four (4) minutes will be played until a winner is determined.

            If a game cannot start because a team has fewer than 10 dressed players, the game shall be declared a forfeit, and the team without necessary personnel shall loose the game by a score of 1-0.

            After the forfeit has been declared, both teams may agree to play a “game” with the winning team loaning players to the losing team. 

            Inclement Weather

            In case of inclement weather on the day of the game, call the Recreation Departments recorded message at Rockburn Park/ Waterloo, (410) 313-4455, Cedar Lane, (410) 313-4453 or Western Regional Park, (410) 313-4372 after 3 p.m. on weekdays.

            Team Managers from both the winning and loosing teams must call or text or email the score of the game by 2pm the next day to Patrick McGinnis at (410) 313-1689(w) or (443) 542-8212(c) or pmcginnis@howardcountymd.gov. Failure to do so will result in forfeit.

PLAYER CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties by the same player will result in a one-year suspension from league play.  The League Commissioner has the authority to extend the disqualification of said player if deemed necessary.

If the game officials hear any player(s) using foul language on or off the field during the game, the player(s) will be given a 1 minute to 3 minute full time penalty.  This penalty would be for basic foul language.  NOTE:  The "F" rule is in effect!  Any player who uses the "F" word and is heard by the game official will be given a 3-minute full time penalty and expelled from the playing area.

Game officials will not tolerate any form of taunting by players.  Anyone who strikes, shoves, pushes, bumps or otherwise physically threatens an official or a member of his/her team or any other team shall automatically be suspended from all Department sponsored activities for at least 1 year from the date of the incident. All suspensions will be reported to the Mid-Atlantic Recreation & Sports Alliance.

Substance abuse by player personnel during the game shall be subject to ejection by game officials and/or disciplinary action to be taken by the League Director.

MISCELLANEOUS

            Franchise fee shall be the amount to cover all officials’ fees, field reservation fee, light fees, awards and administrative costs.

            Awards will be given to the league champions.

Questions? If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michael Milani at 410-313-4706, mmilani@howardcountymd.gov, or Patrick McGinnis at (410) 313-1689, pmcginnis@ howardcountymd.gov.

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks through the League Director reserves the right to amend the rules and schedules as conditions may warrant. Any and all decisions made by League Director are final.