Yorkshire Basketball League Rules
1. GENERAL
a). Towards the end of each season, the League Administrator will send out League entry forms for the following season. This form will be accompanied by notification of the date of the AGM and the Fixture meeting, which immediately follows the AGM.
b). All clubs MUST have a representative at the AGM and Fixture Meeting. Otherwise will be subject to a fine as defined in the Constitution.
i). The representative must be able to make the next season's fixtures on behalf of their club.
ii). The representative must be aware of dates that their club is not available for fixtures (i.e. facility closed, Christmas and Easter vacations, exam periods, other fixture commitments).
c). Normally, all communications between the Club and the League will be conducted through the Club Secretary.
d). An entry fee of £65.00 shall be levied on all Clubs entering the League.
i). The amount due must be paid in full to the League Administrator in advance of the commencement of the season and as requested.
ii). No team may begin playing in a new season unless their registration fee and any outstanding debts are paid in full.
e). The assets of the League shall be vested in the names of the three trustees, the Honorary Chairman, League Administrator and the Treasurer, any two of whom shall be authorised to sign cheques. The financial year of the League will end on 30th April and a statement of accounts up to and including this date will be presented to the AGM and at any other time at the request of the Executive Committee.
f). All clubs must fully complete and submit a new league entry form each season. Failure to do so may result in the application being rejected.
i). Suitable written directions to home venues must accompany each application.
ii). A legible map showing directions to the home court should also accompany the application.
2. REGISTRATION
a). All club players and coaches are responsible for their own national registration with the England Basketball at the appropriate rate.
i). No player may play in a match organised by the League unless registered with England Basketball.
ii). All referees must be registered with England Basketball.
b). No player may play for more than one team during the season in the league unless:
i) Written clearance is obtained from the League Administrator and the player's former club.
ii) Where a club has more than one team in the League, first and second team players will be deemed registered with the team that they have played their first match with, which was arranged by the League. Contrary to this a player may be registered separately with the League prior to the club's first game of the season (League or Cup). Second team players may play up to four games for the first team, however, first team players MAY NOT play for the second team. Players may only play Cup matches for the team for which they were first registered.
c). No more than TWO CURRENT SENIOR National League players may play in any women's game organised by the League and NO CURRENT BBL players may play in any Men's game organised by the League.
d). Players may only play for one team in the post-season Invitation Cup and only players that have played at least one match in the group round may play in the knock-out stages.
3. GAME ADMINISTRATION
a). All games shall be administered in accordance with the rules adopted by F.I.B.A. and published in England by England Basketball.
b). All matches shall be played on a court not less than regulation size and correctly marked out as per the rules.
c).The home team shall provide a scorer, timekeeper, and where possible a 24 second operator. England Basketball approved scoresheets must be used for all matches. Table equipment MUST include a large game clock, personal foul markers and an audible signal. There must also be a visible scoreboard which both coaches and team players should all be able to see. (See League Rule 9a for violation penalties).
d). Teams must enter the England Basketball registration numbers on ALL scoresheets. (See League Rule 9a for violation penalties).
e).The home team shall ensure that after each match the following scoresheets are distributed as follows:
WHITE: Sent by the WINNING team to the League Administrator or, if appointed, the Results Secretary by 1st Class post within 48hrs of the completion of the fixture. (see League Rule 9a for violation penalties).
PINK: Retained by the winning team.
YELLOW: Retained by the losing team.
f). Two match points shall be awarded to the winning team and one point awarded to the losing team. The Committee expects every match in the League to be played between the dates given as the beginning and end of the season. The Committee will take action against any team not playing its full complement of fixtures by the stated end of the season.
g). All clubs shall ensure that after each match a Match Report sheet is fully completed and sent to the League Administrator by 1st class post within 48hrs of the completion of the fixture. (see League Rule 9a for violation penalties).
h). Teams who play unregistered players in a match will forfeit the game. (see League Rule 9a for violation penalties).
4. FIXTURES
a). Following the AGM, the League will hold its fixtures meeting when all fixtures for the following season will be made. Shortly after this meeting the League Administrator will send out a complete list to all Club Secretaries. After a short stated period, giving time for any errors to be corrected, the list will be reissued and uploaded to the league website.
b). If a team, for whatever reason, cannot fulfil a fixture on the arranged date, they will automatically:
i) Forfeit the match
ii) Be fined £25.00
iii) Be liable for any expenses incurred by the non-defaulting team.
A team may appeal against the above penalties (see Appeals below).
c). When unforeseen circumstances occur, immediately prior to the match, that prevents the match being played, the League Administrator should be informed no later than the next day.
Following this, teams should follow the procedure set in 4(a) above.
d). Whenever two clubs fail to reach agreement as to when a match shall be played, the League Administrator shall arbitrate and shall stipulate the date for the match and even, if necessary, the venue.
5. UNIFORMS
a). Each team shall register its playing colours on the League Application Form for inclusion in the Handbook.
b). Where there is a clash of colours, the VISITING TEAM SHALL CHANGE.
c). Teams must wear matching uniforms (vests & shorts) and referees may not allow players dressed otherwise to participate in the match.
d). If a player wears undershorts they must MATCH the MAIN colour of the team kit. All undershorts worn by the same team must be the same colour and shade.
e). ‘T'-shirts are not permitted.
f). The referee is the sole judge as to what is permitted dress for any match and their decision at the time of the match is final. Any team feeling aggrieved at a referee's decision should contact the League Administrator at the end of the match.
6. DISPUTES
Where a team thinks it has ground for complaint EITHER during or immediately following a match, it should address the complaint to the match officials. Should the match officials not be able to resolve the complaint, the team captain should adopt the following procedure:
a). A written description of the complaint should be received by the League Administrator within 72 hours.
b). The description must be accompanied with a deposit of £50 ( payable to Y.B.L. ). If the Executive Committee consider the claim to be valid, the deposit will be returned in full by the appeals procedure.
On receipt of a complaint, the League Administrator will send a copy of the complaint to the opposing team and match officials. All complaints will be considered by a Sub-Committee appointed by the Executive Committee to consider all cases of disciplinary action and to make appropriate decisions.
The Sub-Committee shall gather any relevant data needed and make its decision. The decision will be conveyed to the concerned parties by the League Administrator.
Where a complaint has been received against a person or Club, that person or Club has the right to respond.
It is anticipated that most cases requiring disciplinary action will arise out of League or Cup matches in which team members and / or coaches are disqualified. Where a disqualification occurs, the personnel involved are automatically suspended for the next match played by their club, and disciplinary action is automatically invoked. Wherever a player is under suspension for regional competitions, he/she is not permitted to play in any other regional, area or local competition.
Match officials shall report to the Committee within 48 hrs any incident that necessitates a disqualification. In the event of a report being submitted relating to misconduct not involving disqualification, the disciplinary process will occur.
If a player, coach, or team, having already been the subject of disciplinary action, either repeats the original misconduct or does something else which necessitates disciplinary action, each previous case of misconduct will be taken into account by the Committee when making its decision. Where a case of misconduct occurs, as well as suspension for one or more matches, the Committee may decide to apply any of the “penalties” under Rule 9 or arrive at a different penalty, depending on the nature of the misconduct.
7. APPEALS
a). There shall be the right of appeal to the Executive Committee by individuals and clubs against any decision made by an appointed Sub-Committee.
b). Only appeals received by the League Administrator by the date and time specified in the letter confirming the decision will be heard (no less than 7 days from the date of posting will be given). A deposit of £50 must accompany all appeals (payable to Y.B.L)) of which £50 will be refunded if the appeal is upheld.
c).The appeal will be heard by the Executive Committee but persons on the Sub-Committee who made the original decision will have no voting rights. The appellant, who may be accompanied by a representative from their club, may attend for the part of the Executive Committee meeting dealing with the appeal. If the appellant is a Club, two people may attend as representatives.
d). Following the consideration of the appeal, the decision of the Executive Committee will be final.
8. OFFICIALS
a). Each game must be officiated by two graded officials who will be appointed by the Referees Appointments Officer. Where the officer is unable to make appointments, it is the responsibility of the home team to appoint two graded officials whose names must not appear on the scoresheet as players or coaches. It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the HOME TEAM to CONFIRM fixtures with the Referees at least 7 days prior to the fixture.
b). Referees attending for a game which is not played will be entitled to their FULL travelling expenses PLUS their refereeing fee. (This may be claimed back using the complaint procedure under Rule 6 )
c). Each game must have at least 2 Table Officials, including at least one N.A.T.O. qualified official. Names of table officials must not appear on the scoresheet as players or coaches.
d). Match Officials shall be paid fees and expenses as follows (pending confirmation from England Basketball):
Grade 1 - £15.00
Grade 2 - £12.00
Grade 3 - £10.00
Expenses are 21p per mile (own car) 14p per mile (company car). Prior to the match, the home club will pay the officials.
e). Reports on the handling of the game by the Referee and Umpire must be sent by clubs to the League Administrator within 48hrs of each match they play. (see Rule 9a for violation penalties).
f). Referees whose appointments are not confirmed 7 days prior to a fixture are at liberty to find alternative commitments. It will then be the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to find a replacement Referee. (see League Rule 9a for violation penalties).
9. PENALTIES
a). Any player, coach, official or team not complying with the League Rules may be liable to a fine up to a maximum of £200, a possible forfeiture of any match played, a deduction of League points, legal action and may have their application for membership for any future season rejected.
10. LEAGUE STRUCTURE
a). At the end of the season the teams with the greatest number of match points will be declared League Champions. In the event of a tie in match points, the League positions will be decided as per current FIBA recommendations for breaking a tie.
b).The top team in each division will be promoted and the bottom team in each division will be relegated subject to the discretion of the Executive Committee.
c).Based on the number of entries to the League each year, the Committee will use its discretion as to the number of teams in each division, as well as to the number of divisions.
d).The selection of teams for representative matches of the League will be entrusted to the Executive Committee, who shall designate the Team Manager and Coach.
e). All clubs receiving League trophies do so on the understanding that:
i).The trophies cannot be won outright.
ii).Any club not returning a trophy by the due date requested by the League Administrator may be fined.
iii). In the event of a club losing a trophy or not being able to return it at all, the Treasurer will buy a replacement and the said club will have to settle the bill.
Should any incident occur which is not covered in the above rules, the Executive Committee shall have the right to deal with it in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Constitution.
LEAGUE RULES: JUNE 2005
