League Structure

The Colonie Senior Basketball was born in the Fall of 1989. Two friends and long-time sports buffs, George Garlock and Dick Umholtz, placed an ad in a local newspaper asking for players 50 years old and over who would be interested in forming a basketball league. They expected not more than 10 or so replies, but when dozens responded, the league was up and running.

The first season began with 4 teams playing a 10 game schedule. Interest was so high that a second round was set up for the Spring of 1992. Applications continued to pour in and two more teams were added.

The first games were played at the Colonie Sports and Fitness Center. The league soon moved to a larger gym at the College of St. Rose, in Albany. College officials, while happy to provide facilities for the “senior” players, were worried about medical emergencies that could occur with an older group. Thus, they required a certified trainer to be present at all games. However, most of the their work was treating strains, pulls and scrapes that occur at all age levels.

After briefly returning to the Colonie Sports and Fitness Center, the league moved to Colonie High School. In the Fall of 1994 a permanent home was found at Colonie’s Lisha Kill Middle School.

The league is administered by a Board of Directors. During the season the board meets monthly to insure that league business runs smoothly. The leagues’ top executive is that of Commissioner.

Welcome to the CSBL’s 2018-2019 season!

CSBL members, welcome to the 30th Season of the CSBL and my first as your new Commissioner. The CSBL was founded in 1989 on the principles of competition, equality and fraternity. Our founders wanted to form an association of like-minded members who desired a competitive basketball experience that was grounded in equality regardless of skill or age and steeped with mutual respect and camaraderie.

As we embark on this new season I do so with reverence and renewed enthusiasm, remembering and honoring our past as we set our sights on the future. What our league, under the leadership of our former commissioners, has built here in Albany over the past three decades is arguably one of the finest Over 50 Full Court Basketball Leagues in the Eastern US. We sometimes take it for granted but are reminded of just how special our league is when we meet players from other states at the various 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 tournaments that some of our members participate in throughout the year. Our success was not by accident and we owe much gratitude to my predecessors in the Commissioners chair: Dan DiGiacomo, Dan Quinn and Jim Thompson, and the others who paved the way for us. Whatever our current board and I can visualize and accomplish in the years to come is only possible because we will have, to borrow a phrase from Newton and Chartres, stood on the shoulders of giants.

This year we will again feature two divisions of play – the Colonie and Albany Divisions – with seven teams of eight players in each division. We will again play an 18 game, balanced schedule with a single elimination, post-season tournament in each division. At our year-end banquet we will acknowledge and award Regular Season and Tournament Champions in each division. Our Board has been hard at work this off season setting an agenda, creating sub-committees, engaging more of our members in league-related activities and gathering feedback from our membership regarding league operations. We will effort to be transparent and responsive to our members and in this spirit, I ask that you feel free to reach out to me or any of our board members if you have a question, concern or comment about our league. See you on the hardwood!

Best Regards,

Andy Kramarchyk

COLONIE SENIOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Constitution

And

By-laws

Ratification August 28, 2001

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1: NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1:The name of the organization shall be the Colonie Senior Basketball League, hereinafter referred to as “CSBL”.

SECTION 2:  MISSION STATEMENT:  The Colonie Senior Basketball League is dedicated to the word “fun.”  It’s purpose is to provide weekly physical activity in the spirit of friendship, team play, and safe, healthy competition.  The major emphasis is on participation and all members, regardless of ability, will be allowed to play.  While competition is part of the design, winning at all costs, is not.  The league is based on ideals which reflect fair play, respect for rules and officials, self control, cooperation, and teamwork.  (Proposed Addendum)-The league’s priority is to foster parity, balance, and fairness among teams and within divisions with emphasis on what’s best for the group rather than the individual player, team, or specific interest.

ARTICLE 2:  MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1:  Any person who attains at least gift (50) years of age during the calendar year shall be eligible.

NOTE:  CSBL reserves the right to challenge the eligibility of any applicant who may create an unhealthy situation for himself or other players by participating in CSBL games

SECTION 2:  Each candidate shall complete an application for membership and an injury waiver prior to the tryouts and transmit the forms to the Secretary

SECTION 3:  Eligibility for the draft shall be in this order:  Permanent members from the previous year in order of seniority.  Former members who have not been inactive for more than two seasons.  Candidates from the waiting list.  These players will be selected for eligibility until the number of players drafted is equal to the draft openings.  

SECTION 4:  The annual membership fee shall be established by the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) and one-half must be paid by check or money order (payable to CSBL) and transmitted to the Treasurer before the draft.  Failure to comply will result in the rejection of the applicant for membership.  The remaining half of the fee must be paid by the date set by the Board.  Exceptions to section 3 will be made on an individual basis by the Board

ARTICLE 3:  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1:  The officers of the CSBL Board shall be the Commissioner, two (2) Player Agents, Statistician, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Captain Representatives

NOTE:  The official year shall be may 1 to April 30

SECTION 2:  Procedure to Replace Directors:

1.  If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors during the official year, the Commissioner will appoint a temporary replacement from the league membership to sit for the remainder of the official year, with Board approval

2.  At the January meeting the Commissioner will appoint a Chairman of the Nominating Committee.  The Chairman of the Nominating Committee will present the list of candidates to the Board at the March meeting.

3.  At the end of the official year at least one (1) Director will be replaced.  This Director (or these Directors) will be determined as follows:

(1)  Vacancies which have occurred during the official year as       stated in 3.2.1 above

(2)  Voluntary retirements to become effective at the end of the official year.

If this results in one or more Directors to be replaced this will establish the number of candidates to be elected.

Otherwise the most senior Director will be replaced.  In case of ties the selection will be made by lot

4.  At the March Board of Directors meeting the Directors will elect the new Board member(s) from the list submitted by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee

5.  The newly elected Director(s) will be installed at the may Board of Directors meeting

6.  The Commissioner’s term will be two (2) years.  If the past year’s Commissioner has served two or more years, the first order of business will be to elect a Board member to be Commissioner for the next year.  The past year’s Commissioner will chair the meeting until the new Commissioner is elected.  The Board may elect the past year’s Commissioner to continue as Commissioner for the next year.  If a new Commissioner is elected, he will immediately assume the chair and conduct the rest fo the meeting. The Commissioner will assign functions to the Directors before the June Board fo Directors meeting.  If the outgoing Commissioner is leaving the Board, he will be an ex officio member of the Board of Directors for the next year.

ARTICLE 4:  MEETINGS

SECTION 1:  Meetings of the Board shall be held monthly from August to May.

SECTION 2:  The Commissioner may call a special meeting of the Board, provided at least forty-eight (48) hours notice is given to each Board member

SECTION 3:  The Commissioner is required to call a special meeting of the Board upon the petition of the majority of the Board.  The forty-eight hour notice proviso applies.

SECTION 4:  Meetings will be open to members except for Executive sessions as space allows.

SECTION 5:  Members may request of any Board member the opportunity to make a presentation to the Board.  The presentation must be limited to five (5) minutes. Up to three (3) such presentations may be made at each Board meeting.  such presentations will be included in the agenda of the meeting.

ARTICLE 5:  BY-LAWS

No by-law shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of the Board

ARTICLE 6:  AMEMDMENTS

SECTION 1: Any member of the board may propose an amendment to the Constitution or by-laws.  This will be treated as any other motion except for voting.

SECTION 2:  A vote of two-thirds of the Board shall be required for adoption of an amendment to the Constitution or By-laws.

ARTICLE 7:  EXCEPTIONS

All situations not covered by the Constitution or the By-laws will be subject to rule by the Board of Directors

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1:  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. Provides general supervision of the affairs of the CSBL>

2. Votes on the recommendations of all committees with a majority vote required for approval.

3.  Provides rules for situations not covered by the Constitution or By-Laws with a majority vote required for approval.

ARTICLE 2:  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1:  Commissioner

1.  Presides at all meetings

2. Appoints all committee chairmen

3. Serves as an ex-officio member of all committees

4.  Casts the deciding vote in case of a tie at a Board meeting

5.  Notifies all new Board members fo their appointment

SECTION 2:  Player Agents

1. Maintain a waiting list of all applicants in order of contact

2.  Supervise a replacement of players during the season

3.  Attempt to resolve player problems if not resolved by the team captain

4.  Supervise tryouts of new players

5.  Supervise the draft

SECTION 3:  Statistician

1. Arranges for statistics for each game and league standings to be     published weekly

2.  Arranges for league statistics to be computed and published yearly

3.  Arranges for scoring of games

4.  Arranges for custody of scoring equipment

SECTION 4:  Secretary

1.  Keeps accurate minutes of all meetings

2.  Maintains a log of all Board resolutions including amendments to the      Constitution and By-Laws.  This log will be made available for perusal      at all meetings

3.  Maintains the correspondence of CSBL

SECTION 5: Treasurer

1.  Receives annual fees from all members

2.  Maintains an accurate list of those members who have paid fees

3.  Provides to each captain a list of fee-delinquent players at least one     (1) week before they are due

4.  Provides custody of all money belonging to CSBL

5.  Deposits CSBL money in a local bank designated by the Board

6.  Disburses funds only by check

7.  Maintains accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements

8.  Submits the CSBL financial condition at each board meeting

SECTION 6: Captain Representatives

1.  Act as the liaison for team captains as assigned by the Commissioner

2.  Provide communication from the Board to team captains

3.  Establish an atmosphere wherein captains may communicate with the     Board

ARTICLE 3:  DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

NOTE:  Committee chairmen will be appointed by the Commissioner.  Chairmen will choose the remaining member(s) of the committee, if any.  The Commissioner is an ex-officio member of every committee

All purchases must be approved by the Board

SECTION 1:  Playoff

1.  Recommends the playoff format to the Board

2.  Creates the playoff schedule and notifies the affected teams of their      starting time and opponent one week before each round

3. Creates a graphic which indicates each teams possible path     throughout the playoffs.  Graphic must be prominently displayed     throughout the playoffs.

4.Updates each team’s progress on the graphic display

SECTION 2: Rules

1.  Maintains those Board approved local rules which vary from high      school variety rules

2.  Recommends to the Board revisions or additions to local rules

3.  Provides copies of the local rules to all members

4.  Serves as  reference for playing rules controversies regarding the local rules

SECTION 3:  Equipment

1.  Purchases team shirts for each season in readily distinguishable colored

2.  Purchases basketballs as needed

3.  Purchases other equipment as needed

4.  Submits receipts for all purchases to the Treasure

SECTION 4:  Court(s)

1.  Makes arrangements for use of court(s)

2.  Acts as liaison between CSBL and organization(s) providing use of courts

SECTION 5:  Schedule

1.  Develops annual game schedule providing for equitable team assignment to starting times

2. Provide copies of the schedule to all members

SECTION 6:  Medical

1. Maintain a first aid kit

2. Assure that the first aid kit is at all games and open gyms

3. Provides custody for the first aid kit

4. Makes sure a telephone is readily accessible and the procedure for calling 911 is known to all Board members

5. Submits receipts for all purchases to the Treasurer

SECTION 7: Social

1. Makes recommendations to the Board concerning Christmas and end-of-season parties

2. Supervises all activities necessary to execute the decisions of the Board concerning these parties

3.  Obtains restaurant/store receipts and submits them to the Treasurer

SECTION 8: Award

1. Supervises the purchase of awards (jackets, trophies, plaques, etc) as decided by the Board

2. Submits receipts for these purchases to the Treasurer

SECTION 9: Nomination

1. Seeks candidates for the Board

2. Evaluates candidates for the Board

3. Presents a slate of all interested candidates to the Board with evaluations

SECTION 10:  Assigner of Officials

1.  Forms a pool of qualified referees sufficient in number to service all CSBL games

2. Assigns these referees as needed

CSBL Bylaws

Revised and Approved August, 2022

Mission Statement

Colonie Senior Basketball League

The Colonie Senior Basketball League is dedicated to the word “fun.”  It’s purpose is to provide weekly physical activity in the spirit of friendship, team play, and safe, healthy competition for individuals age 50+.  The major emphasis is on participation and all members, regardless of age or ability, will be allowed to play with priority given to seniority within the league. While competition is part of the design, winning at all costs, is not.  The league is based on ideals which reflect fair play, respect for rules and officials, self control, cooperation, and teamwork.  The league’s priority is to foster parity, balance, and fairness among teams and within divisions with emphasis on what’s best for the group rather than the individual player, team, or specific interest.

Article 1: Player Registration

1. A player must register in writing to become a member of the CSBL.  The registration process will be determined by the Board. A player may initiate the registration process and be rated at anytime during the calendar year of their 50th birthday but they will not be eligible to play until they turn 50.   {Adopted 7/22}
2.   Seniority Date

Seniority date shall be defined as the earlier of: 

1. For new players, if they register before their 50th birthday their seniority date will be the birthdate when they turn 50.  If they register anytime after their 50th birthday the seniority date is the date of registration. {Adopted7/22}
2. For current and past players, the seniority date shall be the date that the player contacted the player agent to request placement on the League waiting list and completed the written registration.  Where a player’s seniority dates back to a period of time for which the League does not have records for a contact date, the seniority order for such players shall be determined by age, with the oldest player being the most senior.

(c) Player Eligibility; seniority date

Eligibility for play in the League in each season shall be based solely on a player’s seniority date, and shall NOT be affected by a season-ending injury or illness or skill level.  A player who has been selected in a draft and has played in a season in which he has been selected shall have priority in a subsequent draft over any person with an earlier seniority date who has never been selected in a draft, and who has not complied with the requirements for draft eligibility. The Board may decline to apply this proviso if it determines that such non-compliance was due to injury or illness. For the purposes of this proviso, a person shall not have complied with the requirements for draft eligibility if he does not attend a tryout, does not pay the required fee or fails to comply with other requirements set forth by the Board).  

(d) Player Eligibility, age  

A player who turns 50 during a season will be eligible to be a replacement player during that season after completing all criteria of the registration process.  A player must be 50 years old on or before draft day and have completed the registration process and tryouts to be eligible for the draft. {Adopted 7/22}

(e) Player Evaluations and Classification of Players

New players entering the league shall be evaluated and ranked by league personnel. Evaluations shall be based on knowledgeable assessments of a player’s ability, at tryouts, or otherwise.  Players are ranked for their skill level based on their draft position or evaluation by league representatives for the purpose of parity and fairness.  The ranks are Colonie division 1-7 or Albany division 1-7. A player’s rank may change based on his league performance following the tryout evaluation or each year based on when the player is selected in the draft. No player is excluded from participation in the league based on skill level. {Adopted 7/22}

Article 2: Draft
(a) Draft Procedures

The league will conduct a draft or drafts prior to the beginning of each season. The goal will be to assemble teams that have parity. During the season the Board may, with the advice and consent of the Captains, attempt to obtain parity through trade and/or exchanges. This will only be done in extreme situations. Eligibility for the draft shall be determined by seniority. Seniority shall be determined by seniority date, and shall run uninterrupted from such date so long as a player 1) has not been inactive for more than two consecutive seasons, or 2) has not voluntarily withdrawn from the League. If a player is inactive for more than two consecutive seasons or voluntarily withdraws from the League, his seniority date shall be the date that he reapplies to the League. As the League lacks contact dates for some long term members, the seniority order for such long term members for drafting and replacement purposes shall be determined by age, with the oldest member being the most senior. Each player eligible for the draft shall notify the Commissioner by email, or other written communication, of any games that the player anticipates he will miss due to travel, vacation, work or otherwise. 

 { If a player anticipates a prolonged absence during the season he should make this known to the Commissioner prior to the draft so that this information is available to the captains at the draft

Prior to the draft the Commissioner or his delegate shall prepare a list of all players eligible for that season’s draft based on seniority, payment of fees, and league policy.  This list will be provided to team captains prior to the draft. A player who is 60 years of age or older and who is ranked in the Colonie division 5-7 may submit a request to the Commissioner asking to only be considered for draft in the Albany division.  A player who is 60 years of age or older and ranked Colonie division 1-4 and wishes to play in the Albany division must submit a request to the Commissioner and the request must be reviewed and approved by the Board.  Such request will only be granted for special circumstances related to health or injury and will be decided based on parity and fairness and what is in the best interest of the league and the division.  

Unless a player has made prior arrangements with the Commissioner, he may not refuse to play in the division or on the team for which he is drafted.  Refusal to play will result in forfeit of his league seniority status and placement on the bottom of the Wait List in his designated rank. } {Adopted 7/22}

(b) Order of Draft – Ranking Captains

Colonie division:  A committee selected by the Commissioner, which may be the division captains, will determine the ranking of the Captains for the draft. The draft will start with the Captain having the lowest ranking and proceed up to the highest ranking Captain and then revert back to the Captain who drafted 1st on each subsequent round. The goal of this draft process will be to achieve parity and balance. {The draft process may be modified with approval of the Board} {Adopted 7/22}

The Colonie captains will draft first and select players in the designated draft order until all roster positions are filled.  Any players not selected in the Colonie draft will then be available for the Albany division draft.  

Albany divison:  The Albany division selects captains who are of approximately equal ability. The draft order will be determined by a blind  draw.  The draft order in the first round shall be #1-7 then in the second round be #7-1.  Subsequent rounds will repeat in this alternating pattern until all roster positions are filled. Some Albany captains may submit a request to the Commissioner to be designated as “non-playing captains”.  If approved, their team shall be granted an additional roster position to be selected in the draft in a manner designated by the Commissioner.  {Adopted 7/22}

Article 3:  League Structure and Game Rules

(a) Number of Teams and Divisions

The number of teams, the number of players per team, the number of divisions, the makeup of those divisions and the fee for each year shall be determined by the Board prior to the start of each League season. {Games are played at Lishakill Middle School in Colonie or at a venue determined by the Board in special circumstances.} {Adopted 7/22}

(b) League Dues and Payments

The Board sets player fees each season. Payment for the first half season is due on the day of the draft and payment for the second half is due in December by a date set by the Board around the date of the first game of the second half of the regular season (for example, if the League plays an eighteen game regular season payment is due by the tenth game). Payment is to be made in a manner established by the Board. Team captains who are not Board members shall pay one-half (1/2) of the league fee.  Board members shall pay no league playing fees.  {Players who engage in a winter re-location will pay a per game fee for any games they play in the 2nd half of the season. A player will not be permitted to play in a game if his league fee has not been paid.} {Adopted 7/22}

(c) {If a rostered player misses more than 6 consecutive games due to a valid medical or personal reason he can request to be reimbursed for the missed games on a pro rata basis.} {Adopted 7/22}   An injured/ill non-Board member captain shall be refunded one-half the pro rata amount rounded up to the next whole dollar per game up to one-half the amount of the League fee for the season, and an injured/ill Board member shall receive no refund.

(d) Game Duration

Games will consist of four 10 minute stop time quarters with one minute between quarters and five minutes between halves. Overtime periods shall be five (5) minutes. Any remaining full-time outs will carryover into overtime and each team is awarded 1 additional full time out each overtime period

(e) Uniforms

Official league shirts must be worn at all times by all players. The League scorekeeper shall keep extra shirts for players who forget their shirts. Captains will collect shirts from replaced players to give to their replacements. 

(f) Game Rosters; Players Required for Official Game
Official games will consist of roster players only. Teams must have at least 4 players to start an official game.(High school rules require a team to have 5 players to start a game but CSBL rules allow for a team to start and play with 4 players-the opposing team must still play with 5 players).  A roster player shall be defined as a player assigned to a team by the League, whether by draft, replacement, or otherwise. A team shall forfeit the game if any non-eligible player is allowed to play.  If a captain knows in advance that his team will have 4 or fewer players he may appeal to the Board for emergency 1 game replacement player(s) to bring the roster to 5 players to avoid a forfeit.  See Article 7 {Adopted 7/22}

(g) In-Game Rules; Time Outs  

Each team will have 4 one minute time outs per game and one 30 second time out per half, with no carryover for an unused 30 second time out from the first half.

There will be an additional 1 minute time out per each overtime. Any remaining full time outs will carryover to the overtime.  

Teams starting with 5 or fewer players will be allowed 2 additional 1 minute time outs  In the event a 6th player arrives, the team will revert back to the official time out rule.

 {In order to protect the health of individuals who may have medical issues, if a team starts a game with more than 5 players, and during the course of the game is reduced to 5 or fewer players due to injuries, foul-outs, technical fouls or otherwise, such team will be permitted 2 additional time outs. }  {Adopted 7/22} 

 A team may start a game and play the game with 4 players.  If the team is reduced to 3 players by injuries or fouls, the game will be suspended at that point and be considered an official game.

 
(h) In-Game Rules; Personal Fouls

Each player is allowed (5) personal fouls per game.  

Technical fouls will be included in the total of an individual’s personal fouls. 

The first technical foul will require a mandatory removal from the game of 3 minutes of game clock time. 

A second technical foul, in the same game, mandates ejection from the game and playing area. 

Use of profane language will be called a technical foul {Previously adopted :formally included in by-laws 7/22}

Two ejections in the season will mandate a review by the Board of Directors with possible disciplinary action up to and including suspension from the league. Any suspensions not completed during the current season or playoffs will carry over to the following season.  The Board may ban any player from the league for behavior that is considered dangerous or not in the spirit of the league. 

(i) In-Game Rules; Fighting

If a player is involved in fighting, the incident must be reviewed by the Board of Directors. 

The player(s) involved may face disciplinary action up to and including suspension from the league. 

Upon suspension, a player must apply to the Board of Directors for a review of his altercation and reinstatement to the league. 


Article 4: Wait List and Replacement Players

a. Captains must report a known 3(Albany division) or 2 (Colonie division) or more consecutive game absence by one of their players to the Wait List manager and a sub must be assigned so that players on the Wait List have a fair opportunity to play in games.  A captain MAY NOT choose to not report a long term player absence to the Wait List Manager and elect to play games with a reduced roster.  This is a Board decision and not in the spirit of the league in order to give Wait List players an opportunity to play in the league.  The seniority rule applies when selecting replacement players.  The Wait List manager will contact the player with the highest seniority at that ranking first.  If that player declines it will proceed down the seniority list until a replacement is available. No player with a lower seniority ranking may be contacted until players above them on the list have declined or do not respond in a timely manner. The Wait List Manager assigns the replacement player and the selection is not made or negotiated by the captain. If a lower ranked replacement is assigned that sub must play the required minimum number of games and cannot be removed early if a higher ranked replacement should become available.  That team cannot place a “hold” on the newly available higher ranked player during that period as the replacement player will be assigned to the first available matching opening.    The Wait List is available to team captains and may be posted on the website so replacement players know their status. The replacement player is not told his team assignment until after he accepts the assignment. A replacement player may not decline or terminate an assignment because “he does not like” that particular team.  To do so may result in loss of seniority.  {Adopted 7/22}

b.  if a replacement player does not respond to contacts or declines to accept a position for 2 consecutive requests, he will be moved to the bottom of the seniority list for the remainder of the season.  If he declines a 3rd request to play he may be removed from the league’s registration and lose his seniority  and be required to initiate a new registration and tryout evaluation to re-enter the league.  This policy may be waived if the replacement player is injured or has medical issue that prevents play or in emergency situations such as have occurred during the COVID pandemic.  {Adopted 7/22}

c. when a replacement player finishes his assignment he is returned to his previous position on the seniority wait list.  This method does favor players with greater seniority in that they could conceivably get multiple subbing opportunities over the course of a season while a player at the bottom of the seniority list in the same classification gets no calls during the same season. {Adopted 7/22}

d.  a replacement player must be given the option to play in a minimum of 3 games (2 games for the Colonie division). This does not count team byes or league off -weeks. The sub remains active for 3(2) consecutive team games. If a forfeit or weather cancellation occurs during this minimum game span, the roster player will be eligible to return on his expected date and the replacement player will be given a refund for the one game he is unable to play. {Adopted 7/22}

e.  Players are ranked by their draft position or evaluation by league representatives for the purpose of parity and fairness.  The ranks are Colonie division 1-7 or Albany division 1-7.  If a replacement player is not available at the same rank as the roster player a replacement can be made from a lower ranked player but not by a higher ranked player. 

f. If a sub is assigned at a designated rank and during his playing time it becomes evident that he was “mis-ranked” either higher or lower, he can be removed after the minimum game assignment and replaced with a correctly ranked player.  The sub who was withdrawn will then be re-ranked and placed into the wait list at the corrected rank while keeping his seniority.  {Adopted 7/22}

g. a player who registers for the league during the season will be evaluated and ranked and placed on the Wait List but must then wait for 2 weeks of scheduled league games (holiday weeks, league off -weeks are not counted) before being eligible for assignment . This rule may be waived in emergency situations when no subs are available and if approved by the Board. {Adopted 7/22} 

h.  to be eligible for the playoffs a newly assigned sub must be on that team’s roster to end the season and play for a minimum of the final 3 consecutive games of the regular season.  If that team has a bye within the last 3 weeks of the season the bye will be counted as an active game for the sub to determine playoff eligibility.  If that player has been a sub with that team continuously for more than 3 games to end the season he may miss a game during the final 3 weeks and remain eligible. Games played by that sub for that team in a separate placement earlier in the season do not provide playoff eligibility.  The intent of this rule is to provide fairness to ensure that a sub is not brought in as a “ringer” at the end of the season solely to strengthen a team for the playoffs. The Board shall interpret and decide on any issues related to playoff eligibility.  {Adopted 7/22} 

i. to qualify for a league award, a replacement player must play in 5 games during the season for that team

j. if a team picks up a sub for the final 3 games of the season and that sub becomes injured and cannot play the team can get a replacement to finish the season but that replacement player would not be eligible for the playoffs {Adopted 7/22}

(k) The Board of Directors will have the prerogative of making decisions for using replacement players for situations not covered by this rule.  The operative criteria will be what is fairest and most equitable for the league.

(l) Replacement Player – per game Dues

Replacement players shall tender to the team captain payment for either 3 games or the number of games that the replaced player has notified the captain that he will miss. The amount of the per game fee shall be set by the Board each season on a pro rata basis rounded up to the next whole dollar amount. The fee for the 2021-22 season is $15 per game.  

If such payment is not tendered, the replacement player shall not be allowed to play. In that event he shall be returned to the wait list and an alternate replacement player selected. {Adopted 7/22}

Payments collected by the captain shall be delivered  to the scorer’s table. 

In the event that the replacement player remains with a team for the number of games that have been prepaid, and the replaced player does not return, it shall be the obligation of the captain to secure additional payment for games that it is anticipated that the replacement player will continue to play. 

If any players are in arrears for periods prior to the adoption of this Rule, or if they are in arrears after the adoption of this Rule due to failure to enforce it, they will not be allowed to play until payment is tendered.

(m) Drafted Player Returning to Roster

A replaced roster player must notify his captain when he is ready to return to play, and should do so at least three days prior to his team’s next scheduled game.  

A player’s statement that he is physically able to play shall be presumptive evidence that he is able to return. A captain or Board member may request in writing (in a form prescribed by the Board) that the League require a player to produce written medical clearance. In the event of serious injury or medical issues the Commissioner shall have discretion to require a written medical release and decide when the player is cleared to return to play. A player whose basketball skills have diminished after injury or illness shall not be deemed physically unable to play based solely on such diminished skills.

The player agent shall notify the captain, and shall also notify the replacement player.  [D1]

(m) The player agent may delegate his duties under this Rule to a member(s) of a committee designated by the player agent to assist him in evaluating player ability.

Article 5:  Replacement Player Special Circumstances

(a) Extended Absence – Drafted Player (Joe Bierman Rule)
In addition to the rules authorizing the use of replacement players set forth in Article 4, a captain shall request a replacement for a player who 1. misses 2 consecutive games without notifying his captain and who fails to respond to an inquiry to ascertain his status and intentions for future games, or 2. notifies his captain that he will miss 3 or more consecutive regular season games. The player agent shall grant the request if he determines that a replacement player is in the best interest of the competitive balance of the league.   

A player replaced pursuant to clause 1 shall be ineligible to play during the remainder of the season in which he is replaced. A player replaced pursuant to clause 2, other than a player who gives notice that he will miss 3 or more games due to a voluntary absence not involving hardship, such as winter relocation, shall be eligible to return to play with his team at the end of the period for which he gave notification. 

A player who is replaced  due to involuntary absence or non-compliance shall not be eligible for return to his team, but shall be eligible to return to play for any team as a replacement player in accordance with League rules governing seniority and ratings. 

Article 6: Playoff Eligibility

1. Eligibility of roster players for the playoffs:                                                   a.  a non-injured player must play in a minimum of 9 games {Adopted 7/22}

b.  a player who has a long term injury or medical issue may count the games on the injured list towards active time.  Games missed for personal reasons or travel are not counted.  The total number of games on the injured list will be subtracted from the team’s total number of games for the season.  The player must play in 1/2  of the balance of his team’s games with a minimum of 3 games played to be eligible for the playoffs.  This must be actual games played and cannot count byes, league off -weeks, weather cancellations, etc.  For example, in an 18 game season if a player misses 9 games due to injury or medical issues (18-9=9) he must play in 5 of his team’s remaining games.  If he misses 14 games (18-14=4) he must play in the minimum of 3 games.  Any disputes about a player’s eligibility will be resolved by the Board. {Adopted 7/22}

c.  the roster player cannot bump his sub to return to active status to gain playoff eligibility before the sub has completed his minimum of 3 (2) games {Adopted 7/22}

d) to be eligible for the playoffs a sub must play for a minimum of 3 games for that team and must be on that team’s roster for the final 3 consecutive games of the regular season.  If that team has a bye within the last 3 weeks of the season the bye will be counted as an active game for the sub to determine playoff eligibility.  {Adopted 7/22}

3.  Playoff Roster-a team’s roster is locked once the playoffs begin.  No substitutions are allowed during the playoffs.  An injured player cannot be replaced.  A roster player cannot return once the playoffs begin-he would have to be on the team’s active roster for their game 1 of the playoffs to be eligible.  {Adopted 7/22}

5.  Playoff Seeding -if teams are tied at the end of the regular season the tie will be broken and playoff seeding determined by  the regular season head to head competition between those teams.  If the tie is for 1st place the head to head tie breaker will determine both playoff seeding and the granting of awards.  Multiple team ties will be broken by the season head to head competition among those teams.  Each team will be ranked according to its total cumulative wins against the other teams involved in the multiple team tie using this formula:   if 3 or more teams are tied at the end of the regular season the tie will be broken by calculating the total number of wins of each team against each of the other teams involved in the multiple team tie.  For example, if in a 3 way tie team A has a recored of 3-0 vs team B and a record of 1-2 vs team C they would be awarded 4 points.  The involved teams would then be seeded according to their win totals.  If a tie then exists between 2 teams based on this formula, that tie will be broken by their regular season head to head competition.   {Adopted 7/22}

Article 7: Forfeits:  Emergency Forfeit Avoidance Procedure (EFAP)  Forfeits produce a negative image for the league, result in dead time during the day and paying referees for a non-game, and a lost game to players who are prepared to play.  Forfeits should be avoided if possible. The goal is to avoid a forfeit, not to give the forfeiting team a competitive advantage. See Article 3.g.-a team may play with 4 players.  A team will forfeit if they have 3 or few players except as provided in this Article. 

1. if a team has only 4 players on game day without previous knowledge that this would occur, the team may play the game with 4 players.  If additional players arrive later they may join the game.  The opposing team must play with 5 players if available.  
2. if a captain knows in advance that he will have 4 or fewer players for a game he will send a group text message to the opposing captain, the Commissioner, and his division’s Wait List Manager to inform them of the situation.  The text must include the names and draft rank of the players that will be missing.  The Commissioner may authorize emergency one(1) game replacement players if appropriate.  
3. the Wait List manager will attempt to secure emergency one game replacements from the Wait List.  He will start with 7th ranked subs  and work up and assign players as appropriate, assigning the lowest ranked players who are available.  A player may not be assigned if he has a higher rank that the highest ranked absent player.  Team captains will not be involved negotiating for the best available players. The forfeiting team will be brought up to a maximum of 5 players if possible.  The team will play the game with 4 players if they are unable to get to a 5 player roster.  The goal is to avoid a forfeit but not to give the forfeiting team a competitive advantage.  
4. if replacement players cannot be secured from the Wait List, the Wait List manager can attempt to find replacements using players from the team within that division that has a Bye that week using the same procedure of seeking players of the lowest available rank.  The Wait List manager will notify the Commissioner and the captain of the Bye team that he is recruiting players from the Bye team. 
5. once the Emergency Procedure has been activated and replacement players are assigned, the roster players who declared their absence will not be eligible to play in that game.  An emergency replacement player may not be bumped by a declared absent roster player who later wishes to play or to increase the game roster above the emergency number of 5 players. 
6. under no circumstances can a team pickup an unapproved, non-roster player to avoid a forfeit.  Using such a player will constitute a forfeit.                                                                                                                                             

The EFAP was approved on 8/19/22 for a 1 year trial by a vote of 6-2.  It will be reviewed by the Board following the completion 2022-23 season

Article 8: 
(a) Game Cancellations, by School District

Cancellation of games due to weather or other emergency circumstances will be decided by 8:00A.M. on Saturday and for games played at Lishakill School will be subject to the decision of the South Colonie School District. Captains will be contacted and will call their respective players. If possible, cancelled games will be made up by adjusting the schedule. 

The Board of Directors will determine the best course of action for adjusting cancelled games due to weather or other conditions. If the games scheduled to be played on any day are cancelled due to snow, unavailability of the school or any other reason, such games are cancelled but will be re-scheduled on a makeup day if practical. Provided, however, the Board may exercise its discretion to have any cancelled game(s) played if such game(s) could have an impact on which team finishes in first place in its division. When possible and available the Board may reserve a gym such as MD Sports Hall for dates when Lishakill School is unavailable to be used either for regular season games or as a makeup date for cancelled games. 

Article 9:  Captain’s duties:

1. (a) captains will be appointed by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board.  They are required to manage their team within the philosophy and policies of the league as determined by the Board. Captains are expected to be familiar with league by-laws and league policies.  Captains may be replaced if they consistently fail to manage within the league philosophy and league guidelines. {Adopted 7/22}
2. (b) captains will participate in the draft to select roster players for their team
3. (c) captains will collect player dues in accordance with Board policy
4. (d) captains will communicate league information and policies to their players, communicate with the Wait List manager regarding replacement players, and communicate with the Commissioner regarding all team/player issues 
5. (e) captains will ensure that each active player on their roster receives an appropriate amount of playing time in each game according to league guidelines {Adopted 7/22}
6. to ensure fairness and parity, each playing captain must play at least 2 minutes per quarter in the first 3 quarters of each game for a total of at least 6 minutes per game unless he is unable due to illness or injury. If he is unable to play for multiple consecutive games he must secure a replacement player for himself.  If the captain is unwilling to play in games he must notify the Commissioner and request to be designated as a “non-playing captain” and his team will be assigned an additional roster player according to league guidelines.  {Adopted 7/22}
7. (g) a captain who is unable to play regularly due to age, illness or injury may request to be designated as a “non-playing captain.”  During the draft that captain will select an additional roster player at his personal rank to be his personal replacement.  A non-playing captain may still play occasionally. {Adopted 7/22}
8. (h) Uniform Shirts – chain of custody; Captain Responsibilities

Captains will be provided with team shirts with each original roster player receiving a shirt. Captain will distribute shirts at the start of the season and collect all shirts at the end of the season

Replacement players will receive a shirt for the team they are temporarily placed on. 

When the replacement player’s tenure on a team is completed, he must return the shirt to the Captain. This is required because a player may possibly play on more than one team during the season and also because a team may possibly have more than one replacement player during the season. 

Use of shirts other than the shirts being assigned for the current season will not be allowed in any game without specific approval by a member of the Board of Directors. 

Players will not be allowed to exchange shirts during a game. 

Article 10:  Management of By-laws {Included & Adopted from the Constitution 7/22}

1. By-laws shall be managed by the Board of Directors in the manner specified in the league Constitution
2. A By-law shall only be added, deleted, or modified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the  full Board as outlined in the Constitution (seven (7) votes on a 10 member Board or six (6) votes on a 9 member Board). 
3. The most current edition of the By-laws shall be posted on the league’s website and be available to members to read {Adopted 7/22}
4.   All changes to the By-laws shall be recorded in writing on the By-laws document and include the date of amendment.  The revised edition shall be posted on the website.  Older editions of the By-laws shall remain posted in archives on the website for future reference. {Adopted 7/22}