Constitution of the National Premier Youth Lacrosse League

Updated 2/25/2010

Article I – Name

The name of the league is The National Premier Youth Lacrosse League (NPYLL).

Article II (A) – Object

The purpose of the NPYLL is to provide the participants with the highest level of competition available in the nation and to promote the sportsmanship and fraternity of the sport of lacrosse.

Article II (B) – Structure

The NPYLL will be comprised of conferences located in the natural hotspots of the sport. All future conferences will be modeled after the founding conferences (Baltimore and Capital) for league play and geographical location of clubs.

Article III – Membership

Any organized group who meets the requirements of the NPYLL may apply for membership. The requirements are:

1. The program must have a successful track record of fielding competitive tournament teams in the geographical area where they are located or must demonstrate that its youth program has an extensive lower division feeder system.

2. The program must have an organization of its own with officers and must be financially stable.

3. The program must be willing and able to travel for regional competition.

4. The program must have access to field locations for home games.

5. The program must field teams in both age divisions.

6. The program must request in writing to the NPYLL that they wish to join the league prior to 12/01 of the upcoming season. Two-thirds of the NPYLL members must approve the program’s acceptance into the NPYLL.

Article IV – Dues

Player dues are established annually. Each club shall pay its dues annually, prior to participation in league games. Player dues may also be paid by the participating clubs.

2010 dues are $250 per team, payable by the club prior to first game.

Article V – Representation

1. Each club shall be permitted one official delegate, who shall have one vote on any change to the rules of the game and league structure.

2. The name of each club’s delegate must be filed in writing with the league administrator.

3. It is the duty of the NPYLL members to act as a whole and to render decisions by majority vote, in all issues and controversies arising out of the interpretation or application of any rules and regulations governing league play.

Article VI – Meetings

1. The league will conduct a minimum of two annual meetings. If a member club does not attend, it will forfeit its vote on any and all items discussed. The meetings will be before and after each season.

2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the league administrator.

3. Notification of meetings must be done at least 7 days prior to the meeting date.

Article VII – Game Rules

The league will follow NCAA Lacrosse rules. Each year two voluntary club representatives will be responsible to submit to the member clubs any recommendations or proposed changes regarding game play and officiating changes or improvements.

Article VIII – Eligibility Rules

The purpose of the following eligibility rules is to insure to every player in a club which is a member of the NPYLL the privileges and benefits of participation in lacrosse and to protect that person from unfair competition therein. To be eligible to play on any team representing a program which is a member of the NPYLL a player must fall within the limits of all the following rules:

1. Meet the NPYLL age requirements for U11, U13 and U15, as established annually by the US Lacrosse Association.

2. May not be enrolled high school.

3. May not have been recruited from another program. Once a player has registered with one member club, the player cannot transfer to another club during the same season.

4. Should a player wish to transfer from one NPYLL club to another NPYLL club, he must wait until the following season.

5. A player may not register for two member clubs in one season.

6. A player must maintain a current membership with the US Lacrosse Association, not to expire prior to the end of the season.

Article IX – Forfeiture/Default of Contest

1. A member team may not forfeit a scheduled contest. Scheduled games must be played. Violation of this rule will make the team and its coaches ineligible for playoffs.

2. If a coach is ejected from a sanctioned game, he may appoint a representative as a replacement. If a representative is not available, the contest may be declared a default and result in a loss for the team. The referee has the power to suspend from a game, or send from the field, a player, coach, or fan found guilty of flagrant or repeated misconduct. Any coach that is dismissed from a game must report in writing to the league administrator about the incident prior to coaching in the next sanctioned game.

3. The league administrator can declare a default should it be deemed necessary due to the rule infractions by an offending team.

Article X – Observance of Rules

1. No program may waive any rule in favor of another and a mutual violation of any or all of these rules shall result in the contest in question being cast out altogether and replayed subject to the rules as specified.

2. The deliberate or continued violation of the NPYLL Rules shall be sufficient cause for suspension or expulsion of a member club from the NPYLL.

Article XI – Penalties

A violation must be brought to the attention of the NPYLL for any infraction of the NPYLL Constitution, or other regulations, at or before the next regular meeting following the infraction, or by notifying the league administrator of the violation in writing in a timely fashion.

Article XII – Administration of Rules

The interpretation and applications of these rules rest with the NPYLL league administrator. Decisions may be appealed in writing to the NPYLL sitting as Court of Review, and, by majority vote, may be approved or reversed.

Under no circumstances shall a decision rendered by a referee, umpire, or any other official in charge of the playing of a contest be the basis of a protest.

Article XIII – Certification of Players

The designated representative of each club is responsible for the eligibility certification of the club’s players. Birth Certificates are the standard form of age verification for the NPYLL.

Article XIV – Game Day

1. Rosters MUST BE AVAILABLE for exchange with opposing coaches prior to each game. It is the responsibility of the program to have rosters. A standardized league roster shall be used and should be signed by all coaches to verify the accuracy of the information. The roster should include each player’s name, birth date, age, school currently attending, and uniform number.

2. Failure to provide a roster at the start of the game will result in a one (1) minute non-releasable penalty.

3. The home field coach or program shall insure that the playing field is in proper condition (lined correctly). There should be a table, a horn, scorebook, a timekeeper, and two time clocks. The scorer’s table shall be staffed by no more than 2 people at one time.

4.  A first aid kit shall be provided by the home team for both teams’ use. Ice, either fresh or chemical cold packs shall be available for injured players.

5.  Should a field by unplayable, the home team must inform the opposing team and game officials two hours prior to the starting time. An effort to reschedule should occur at that time and all parties should be notified. If the home team cannot host, but the away team can host; i.e. the away team has access to turf fields, then the home team must travel so that the scheduled game can be played.

6.  No parent shall be allowed on the bench side of the field. Only coaches and players on the roster may be in the team area. One warning by the game official and then an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed to the offending team.

7.  The home team is responsible for providing a safe site on which to play the game. The safety of the site is not subject to compromise. The decision of the referee in this respect is final.

8.  Equipment - NCAA rules apply.

9.  Time of Play

a. U11 and U13:  8 minute regulation clock/subject to NCAA Rules  

b. U15:  10 minute regulation clock/subject to NCAA Rules

10. Game Referee Fees are to be split between each team and are due prior to the start of the game. If only one official is present, the fees are still split. If no official is present, the game may be rescheduled. However, if both teams agree an unofficial referee may preside over the game in order that the game may be played.

Article XV – Amendments

The NPYLL Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the NPYLL board members. Any proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the league administrator at least two weeks before a scheduled NPYLL meeting.