ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION

(approved April 2000; last amended February 2008)

A representative electorate consisting of one representative from ALL accepted teams shall legislate the rules of the Rocky Mountain Football League (RMFL). That representative electorate shalll be herefore referred to as the "Managing Board". Teams shall gain acceptance into the league by a simple majority vote of the Managing Board. ANY RULE HEREIN MAY BE OVERRULED AT ANYTIME BY A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE OF THE FULL MEMBERSHIP. AN RMFL MEMBER WHO IS NOT ABLE TO VOTE OR REFUSES TO VOTE SHALL BE CONSIDERED AN "ABSTAINATION" VOTE. VOTING MAY BE DONE BY PROXY.
New teams will not have any voting rights on league issues until they are officially admitted into the league. New teams can request entrance into the league and their admittance will be accepted provided:
1. They agree to abide by all by-laws of the RMFL constitution.
2. They agree to play 11 man, full contact football during a season as specified by a majority vote of the Managing Board. Specific rule exclusions shall be voted on by the RMFL Managing Board prior to each season. The League Office shall produce and distribute all rule exclusions to each designated head of officials and the GM for each RMFL team.
3. The new team's admittance is accepted by majority vote of all existing RMFL teams.
4. The new team has paid in full their non-refundable RMFL League Fee.
No existing RMFL team may be suspended from the league unless they violate one of the existing RMFL by-laws. If there is a violation of one of the by-laws, all other teams will submit 1 vote and the violating team will be expelled only by a 2/3 majority vote of the full membership. Changes will not be made to the league's original rules (i.e. playing 11-man full contact football, etc.) that would prevent any existing team from being included in the league.
Teams must have paid their team fee in by the opening session of the RMFL Kick-Off meeting for the applicable season. Teams which have not paid their team fee in full by the deadline may not be put on the schedule and will not be involved in the league for the year. Special case exclusions may be approved by a majority vote of the managing board. League fees are NOT refundable.
Forfeits: FORFEITS IN THE RMFL WILL BE AVOIDED, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!

IN THE EVENT, FOR SOME CATESTROPHICAL REASON, A TEAM WILL BE UNABLE TO FIELD A FULL TEAM FOR A REGULAR SCHEDULED RMFL GAME. EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO CONTACT THE OPPOSING TEAM AND THE LEAGUE SCHEDULING AUTHORITY, VIA WRITTEN E-MAIL, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN A CATESTROPHIC EVENT, A FINE WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FORFEITING TEAM PER THE SCHEDULE BELOW, PAYABLE TO THE OFFENDED TEAM:

$250 First Instance
$250 Second Instance (Managing Board review for expulsion from the league)

If a team fails to "show up" or field the required number of legal roster players (11) OR if the offending team fails to give a minimum of 24 hours notice, the appropriate fine will be imposed AND, regardless of whether it is first or second instance, the Managing Board will hold and expulsion review. Officiating expenses shall also be paid by the offending team in addition to any fines.

All players must sign and turn in to the league registration forms and release waivers BEFORE playing or participating in any games, scrimmages, or other RMFL activities. Players shall not be allowed to participate in any game(s) or RMFL activities without first signing a release waiver.
Team rosters are limited to 70 players.

Players cannot be added to rosters after the 30 days prior to first scheduled playoff game (i.e. unless injured, a player who has not played in a game prior to 30 days before the regular season ending game, will be ineligible for the remainder of that season). If players have been added to a team since the initial roster was turned in (i.e. after 7 days before season start), an absolute final roster for that team should be turned in to the league before the 30-day requirement with a copy going to each team. This roster should include ALL players, even if they are injured.
Any team that allows a player to participate in a game without first signing a release waiver, or any team allowing a new player to play who has not been added to their roster and played in a game prior to the 30-day rule may will be fined by the RMFL per fines schedule in section 6.1. and be subject to further penalties as determined by the governing committee.

Players wishing to transfer from one RMFL team to another may do so without penalty or permission from his previous team under the following stipulations:

All team owned equipment (from previous team) is returned in satisfactory condition.
Player transfers officially require an e-mail announcing the intention sent directly to the RMFL League Office.
All Players are free to transfer as long as they meet stipulation #1, without penalty, between the final game of the RMFL season and September 30^th of that year.
All Players who are not listed on the previous teams voluntary 25-man “protected” list*, as long as they meet stipulation #1, are free to transfer without penalty after the last game of the RMFL season and February 28^th of the next year.

* Protected lists can be submitted by GM/Owners listing their primary 25 players from the previous season (NOT the 25 primary for the expected upcoming season), and would be required to be submitted to the RMLF League office no later than August 31^st after the completion of the season. The list would be subject to Commissioner validation (i.e. a review to ensure that the list is within the spirit of the rule). Once a list is submitted, it cannot be changed or retracted after August 31^st.

Players who are listed on their previous team’s 25-man, commissioner validated, “Protected List”, would incur no penalty if they announce their transfer before September 30^th. They would incur an automatic 1-game penalty if they announce between October 1^st and November 30^th. They would incur an automatic 2-game suspension if they announce between December 1^st and January 31^st. They would incur an automatic 3-game suspension if they announce after February 1^st, they would incur an automatic 3-game suspension.
All automatic suspensions would have to be served. There are no appeals.
In season (between March 1^st and final game of season) transfers would be governed by clause 10.

Any player(s) who wants to transfer to a different team after March 1^st (initial roster deadline), can do so as long as it is agreed upon by his previous team. Cannot transfer after the final roster add deadline for that season. If his previous team does not give permission for the transfer, the player may then petition the RMFL League Office for a waiver from his current team, stating his case for transfer. He must abide by the restrictions and penalties (if applicable) as determined by the league office. Once he has received waiver permission from the RMFL league office, he may then transfer to the new team.
PLAYERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE PLAYED IN A MINIMUM OF THREE REGULAR SEASON GAMES TO QUALIFY FOR THAT TEAMS LEGAL PLAYOFF ROSTER. EACH TEAM'S LEGAL PLAYOFF ROSTER SHALL BE SET BY THE LEAGUE OFFICE BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS BEGIN. THE ONLY ALLOWABLE EXCLUSION WOULD BE INJURED PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN AT LEAST ONE, BUT LESS THAN THREE GAMES AND SUSTAINED AN INJURY PREVENTING THAT PLAYER FROM COMPLETING THE REMAINING REQUIRED GAMES. THE INJURY MUST BE REPORTED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE AND THE PLAYER MUST CONTINUE TO ATTEND THE TEAM'S REMAINING HOME GAMES AS A "MEMBER OF THE TEAM" TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS.
Playoff seeding and division champions will be determined by overall record.

Teams will be seeded according to best overall record (won-loss percentage).
In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker used will be head to head competition. If the tie is 3-way or more, common record against the teams that are tied will be used to determine the highest seed, and then head to head competition.
If there is still a tie, the third tie-breaker (if applicable) will be the team that has the highest cumulative record of opponents played during the season, forming a "strength of schedule" determination. The team who's opponents yeilded the highest winning percentage wins the tie-breaker.
The third tiebreaker will be fewest points allowed during the regular season games, with the team allowing the fewest points getting the higher seed.
If there is still a tie, a coin toss will be used.
Teams which are seeded highest will be awarded home field advantage. Divisional rankings are not a seeding tie-breaker.
The championship game will be played at a neutral site as determined by the RMFL. In the event the RMFL does not designate and pay for a neutral site location before the start of the first regular season game, the championship game shall be played at the home field of the highest remaining seed. The payment for the officials, field, scoreboard operator, chain crew for these games will be split equally by all teams and the cost will be included in the team fees at the beginning of the season. If the highest seed for some reason cannot host the championship, the lower seed will gain the right to host this game.
Out of state/interleague and non-conference/preseason games may be counted towards overall record but will not be counted for purposes of determining playoff seeding between the RMFL's league teams.

Teams will be responsible for the scheduling and payment of their own home field, officials, scoreboard operator, chain gang, and any other expenses for any and all home games (i.e. Idaho Falls teams pay for their home field, scoreboard operator, chain gang, etc.; Blackfoot teams pay for their home field, scoreboard operator, chain gang; Pocatello teams pay for theirs, etc.). A visible, electronic scoreboard is required for all RMFL regular season and play-off games. Home teams shall be responsible for scheduling officials for their own home games and these officials must be state certified officials (high school or college). Payment of officials for playoff and all-star games will come out of team fees which will be set so that each team pays an equal share for officials and championship/all-star scoreboard operators and chain gangs. Once the home team has been determined for the playoff game, part or all of the remaining team deposit will be refunded to that home team. The home team is then responsible for payment of officials and any other expense for their home playoff game(s). The league office, however, may chose to pay officials directly for playoff games at the descretion of the league office.

Teams wishing to play home games must have confirmed a home field location plus a list of officials they plan to use for their home games (or at least a contact name, mailing address and telephone number) and turned this in to the league no later 60 days prior to scheduled season start date. If a field is not confirmed by this time, all games for that team may be scheduled as "away" games.
Teams SHALL have at least 5 officials plus qualified individuals prepared to run the scoreboard, clock, and chains for their home games at their scheduled game time. Failure to do so will result in potential league fines per fine schedule 6.1. and/or game forfeiture as Determined by the league committee.
Home teams must have a running clock available/visible on the field for all games. An exception will be made and time will be allowed to be kept by an official on the field only if for some reason the field clock malfunctions or is not available for that field.
Home teams are responsible for notifying visiting teams of their field rules and enforcing them. This includes no smoking, no alcohol, and any other rules. Visiting teams must comply with these rules. Failure to do so may result in fines as determined by the RMFL League Office.
ALL TEAMS MUST ATTEND EACH SCHEDULED GAME WITH NO LESS THAN 22 EQUIPPED, UNIFORMED AND AVAILABLE PLAYERS AT THE START OF EACH RMFL GAME. THESE PLAYERS MUST ALL BE LEGAL ROSTER PLAYERS PER THE ROSTER RULES OF THE RMFL CONSTITUTION AND RECOGNIZED AS SUCH BY THE RMFL LEAGUE OFFICE. FAILURE TO BEGIN A GAME WITH THE REQUIRED MINIMUM AMOUNT OF PLAYERS WILL RESULT IN A $100 FINE (FIRST INSTANCE), $200 FINE (SECOND INSTANCE) AND $500 FINE AND/OR MANAGING BOARD EXPULSION REVIEW (THIRD INSTANCE).

An official, professional or collegiate size game ball will be used by all teams for all league games. Teams will not be allowed to use any other ball. Each team should furnish all of their own game balls and these should be in good condition (i.e. no badly worn balls).
All teams should have home (dark) and away (white or lighter colored) jerseys with numbers. Players should also have matching uniforms. Shorts/sweat pants will not be allowed, but minor uniform differences (i.e. faded pants, different colored shoes, etc.) will be acceptable provided these differences are closely related to the colors and uniform design of the team. A fine will be imposed of $25 per instance, for ANY instance of a player of off-color jersey (numbers), pants or helmets. This fine may be imposed on any violations which extend beyond the second regular season game of any season. The Home team shall have the option of wearing dark or white/light jerseys, however, it will be assumed that the home team will wear their dark (colored) jerseys. If the home team decides to wear their light jerseys, they shall be required to notify both the league office and the visiting team via e-mail within 6 days of the game (i.e. by the end of Sunday) of their intentions. If a visiting team has special needs (i.e. needs to wear white or dark), they shall contact the home team (and notify the league)before the 6-day period. If an agreement cannt be reached, the home team has the final decision. In extreme situations (i.e. both teams wearing white or the same dark color), the league can be appealed to to prevent a problem.
Fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Any player involved in any fighting or acts of unsportsmanlike conduct (including but not limited to late hits, taunting, and swearing) may be subject to suspension from the league indefinitely. Specifically:

"Normal" Ejection: Personal foul against a player or unsportsmanlike conduct ejection. Penalty: Remainder of game to be NO LESS than 2 full quarters – possibly impacting the next game. 2nd such ejection gets league suspension pending a review by the league office, 3rd such ejection shall be an automatic league expulsion subject to an appeal to the league office as well as the next level of fines as described in section 6.1.
"Flagrant" Ejection: Willful and abusive action(s) against the authority of the officials OR further actions taken against players, coaches or spectators AFTER a "Normal" ejection has been assessed. Penalty: Immediate suspension from the league. League committee to decide before the next game the length of the suspension.

TEAM PENALTY FOR PLAYING A "SUSPENDED PLAYER" DUE TO EJECTION:

First Instance - $100 fine
Second Instance - $200 fine and forfeit of game if won
Further Instances – As determined by League Office
Fined teams will have 2 games after which to pay fine to league, otherwise, further disciplinary action may be taken as determined by the league office (i.e. playoff bound team may lose home field advantage, or further home games scheduled away, or further fines or team suspension)
GAME FILM MAY BE REQUIRED AS PROOF OF PARTICIPATION.
Honesty and integrity is the goal.

RMFL All-Star Game Selection and/or voting will be determined by the League Office. It will be up to the League Office to Coordinate.

A league championship trophy will be awarded to the RMFL champion, with a name plate citing the name of the team and the year they were champion put on the trophy at the end of each year. In addition, the RMFL shall present awards for an Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP of the league (may be separate AAA/AA). Winners shall be determined through a process determined by the RMFL League office at the annual kick-off meeting each season. Funding for the league championship trophies and all individual awards will be split equally by all teams and will be included in the team fees at the beginning of the season.
Game rules are to be followed per Managing Board vote as published by the League Office.

The RMFL Head of Officials and/or team managers will be responsible for making sure their officials have a copy of these game rules so that they can be enforced for all RMFL games.

All teams should have at least one representative at all league meetings. Teams which do not have a representative at a scheduled league meeting will give up their voting rights on anything decided at that league meeting. A $200 fine will be imposed against any team that is not in attendance at a regular league meeting. A $50 fine shall be assessed to any team that is more than 10 minutes late to a scheduled league meeting OR does not stay until the end of the full league meeting.

League meetings will be scheduled with concern for the member teams ability to attend. Location will be at a near mid-point site for all teams which have confirmed they will be able to attend the meeting.
Sideline participation during a regular season or playoff RMFL game by any member of another team is strictly prohibited. Penalty for violation of this sportsmanship rule shall be at the discretion of the RMFL Commissioner based on the nature of degree of the infraction.

TEAMS/PLAYERS WHO KNOWINGLY AND FLAGRANTLY VIOLATE ANY OF THE ARTICLES IN THIS CONSTITUTION ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE OF ANY AND ALL GAMES AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION FROM THE LEAGUE (by 2/3 majority vote by league committee).