Bylaws
Last Updated: 09/01/04

The goal of our league is to promote unity in the GLBT community through the sport of basketball.

1 - Eligibility

The league is open to any adult 18 years and older. Our primary concerns are absenteeism, the assignment of replacement players and misconduct. The executive committee will review applications for league membership. The executive committee may deny membership to any applicant who has a past history of repeated absenteeism, disruptive behavior, or joining the league and quitting in mid season.

1.1 Absenteeism

If a player misses 3 games they are eligible for replacement. The decision to replace a player is at the discretion of that player’s coach. The coach will inform the executive committee of the decision to replace a player and the executive committee will determine the matter of replacement. Leaving the final decision of whether or not to replace a player at the discretion of the coaches allows the coaches flexibility in dealing with team attendance, especially for team players with unusual circumstances and excusable absenteeism.

1.2 Replacement Players

Replacement players are defined as players submitting their registration fee after the registration deadline. Replacement players will be added to team rosters when and if needed. The executive committee based on team need and strength will decide the assignment of replacement players to teams. No replacement players will be added to teams until after the second week of regular season play. The overall guiding principle in assigning players will be to maintain competitive balance and fairness within the league. Coaches on the executive committee are ineligible to vote on player assignment.

1.3 Misconduct

All technical fouls will be documented by the referee who gave the foul on the Unity Basketball League's incident report. Any player who receives a technical foul will be given a warning. If the player receives a 2nd technical foul during the same season, they will be suspended the remainder of that game and the following game. If the player receives a 3rd technical foul, they will be suspended for the remainder of the season. If the player requests to participate in the league in future years, their admittance to the league is subject to review by the Executive Committee.

Any physical violence against Players, Coaches, Referees, Fans or others will result in automatic expulsion from the league. Any verbal abuse against Players, Coaches, Referees, Fans or others will result in suspension or expulsion from the league as determined by the Executive Committee and coaches. There will be no refund of registration fees for any reason.

2 - Game Rules

Referees will use current Minnesota State High School Rules with the following modifications.

2.1 Timing of Games
      1. Consist of two 22-minute periods.
      2. 3 minute intermission between periods
      3. There will be one 3-minute overtime period. If the overtime results in a tie, a jump ball with the first team to score will determine the winner in sudden death.
      4. 5 minutes between games
      5. Games will be continuous running time, except for:
        1. Time outs called by either team or by referees
        2. Stoppage of play due to injury
        3. The final two minutes of the second half or overtime, if a team is winning by 15 points or less

2.2 Last Two Minutes of 2nd half or overtime
      1. Anytime the score drops to 15 points or less during the last 2 minutes, clock will be stopped upon a whistle.
      2. If a team is winning by more than 15 points, the clock shall not stop.
      3. Clock will restart upon the dropping of referees arm or when the player touches the ball on pass in or ball hits the rim on a free throw attempt.

2.3 Time Outs
      1. Each team will be allocated, per game, a total of two full time outs per period.
      2. Time outs will consist of one minute.
      3. Time outs not used may not be carried over into any overtime period.
      4. In each overtime period, each team is granted one full time out.

2.4 Horn

The horn will be used for the following reasons:
      1. Used when substitution is made
      2. Used to contact Referee after a Whistle or to stop clock
      3. Player fouling out (5 fouls)
      4. Auto at the end of period
      5. Team fouls limit – Score keeper to signal 7 and 10 if not displayed on score board

 2.5 Miscellaneous
      1. A team, which does not field at least four players at the scheduled game start time, will forfeit with an official game score of 2-0.
      2. Any player receiving 5 fouls (including technical fouls) will be eliminated from the game unless it causes their team to have only 4 players remaining. All subsequent fouls by that player will be a technical foul. A player on the bench who has fouled out may NOT return to the game for any reason. For example, if a team has 6 players and 1 player fouls out, the team is left with 5. If a 2nd player fouls out, only that player is allowed to remain in the game. The 1st player to foul out must stay on the bench. If a remaining player is injured the team must finish the game with 4 players.
      3. Only coaches may discuss rule's interpretations with referees. The League Commissioner (or his/her representative) will have, in consultation with referees, final say on rules interpretations.

3 - Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is comprised of volunteers of current or past players and may from time to time amend the by-laws.

 

3.1 League Commissioner

Shall be chief administrator, representative, and spokesperson for the League, and as such, shall be responsible for the efficient conduct of all league business including:
      1. Collecting registration forms/fees and communicating to the treasurer the amount collected for the season.
      2. Return and communicate all telephone calls/emails by or to registered players and potential players.
      3. Document and communicate who is eligible to enter the draft.
      4. Setting up scoreboard and bleachers for every game.
      5. Responsible for balls/equipment.
      6. Communicate with person responsible for supervising community center with any problems or concerns with the facility.
      7. Maintain contact with referees.
      8. Shall preside at all Executive Committee meetings.
      9. Shall set agendas for the Executive Committee meetings at least one week in advance.
      10. Shall settle disputes concerning by-laws and the rules subject to the review of the Executive Committee.

 3.2 Treasurer(s)

There will be two treasurers in charge of finances. No board member can carry out a dual role in regard to being a commissioner and a treasurer at the same time. Responsibilities of the treasurers include:
      1. Payment to referees, gym rental, uniforms, and other league expenses.
      2. Keep accurate records of all Unity Basketball League Revenue and Expenditures.
      3. Make records available for inspection by any Executive Committee member upon request.
      4. Custody of all League funds shall be maintained separately in the name of "The Unity Basketball League".
      5. Sign all Unity Basketball League checks.
      6. Submit an annual financial report.
      7. Prepare and present a budget for Executive Committee meetings.
      8. Act as the purchasing agent for the Unity Basketball League.
      9. Submit an itemized Treasurer's report at least once every two months.
      10. Communicate information with the commissioner on checks that are returned for non-sufficient funds.

3.3 Executive Committee Members

Assist Commissioner in yearly draft party, collecting sponsorships, fundraisers, socials, year-end awards, and general league operations.

4 - League Operation

4.1 Draft\Supplemental Draft
      1. The Unity Basketball League will conduct a draft each year. Players registering prior to a designated registration date, as determined by the Executive Committee, up to a predetermined limit, will be included in the draft. As a result, new teams will be formed annually. The League Commissioner will decide procedures for the draft (i.e. order of selection) each year.
      2. The executive committee will select the coaches from past Unity Basketball League players who are interested in coaching and drafting a team.
      3. It is anticipated that coaches will, in choosing their teams attempt to accommodate as much as possible known wishes and interests of players. However it is recognized that such accommodation is not always possible.
      4. The Unity Basketball League will conduct a supplemental draft each year for the purpose of selection of players who are interested in playing in the League but who register after the designated registration date. Players who are entered into the supplemental draft are not guaranteed a spot in the League.  

4.2 Coaches Commitment
      1. Pay their registration fee in full at time of draft.
      2. Attend the draft or have a designated person (approved by the executive committee) draft for them.
      3. Ensure all players have adequate playing time during the season, as well as playoffs. Players must play at least once per half with a minimum of 5 minutes per half.
      4. Ensure there is a consistent balance of male and female players on the court and their team at all times.
      5. Contact each player drafted before the practice/scrimmage or first game of the season.
      6. Notify all players of the schedule and changes to the schedule.
      7. Have ALL players sign a Conduct Statement/Waiver Release prior to playing in league. Players that have not completed the Conduct Statement/Waiver Release are not eligible to play.
      8. Pick a team name.
      9. Ensure every player on their team has a unique uniform number.
      10. Ensure the score book is kept for the FOLLOWING game when they are home team.

4.3 Uniforms

The executive committee will determine use of uniforms at the beginning of the season. The following requirements will be considered regarding uniforms:
      1. All players on a team must wear uniform shirts that are alike in color and style.
      2. Uniforms must possess visible and unique numbers.
      3. Up to two numbers are allowed.
      4. No individual number will exceed 5 (e.g. 55 is acceptable, 56 is not) to facilitate the hand signaling of fouls by referees.

4.4 Playoffs\Post-Season Playoff Bracket Construction

The Executive Committee shall determine the team eligibility and format for the playoffs. If two teams have identical regular season records, the two teams’ won-loss records in head to head competition will be used to determine their playoff seeding. If the two teams split their regular season games then the point differentials in head to head competition will be used. If the point differentials in the two games are equal then the playoff seeding will be determined by a coin toss.

 5 - Finances

5.1 Registration Fees\Sponsorhip

The Executive Committee will establish the yearly draft registration fee. There will be no refund of registration fee for any reason. Sponsorships (if any) will be established by the Executive Committee. 

5.2 Expenditures

The Executive Committee must approve all Unity Basketball League expenses. Expenditures for the following will be paid by the treasurer:
      1. Gym fees.
      2. Referee fees.
      3. Uniform expenses will be determined prior to the draft party.
      4. End of Year League awards will be given at the Awards Party after the Championship Game include:

        5. A. League Champion Shirts determined by Playoffs.
        B. Plaques as determined by the Executive Committee
        C. "Certificates Suitable framing" for:

        Bested Dressed
        "I never met a shot I didn't like"
        Trash Talker
        New comer of the year
        Coach of the year
        Fan of the year
        Dick Hoffman Award
        Best actor/actress in a dramatic role
        Sportsmanship
        Others as decided by Executive Committee

      5. Administrative expenses as outlined in the League budget.

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