adult sports policies & procedures

Objective  

• To provide an opportunity for men and women to play sports in an organized manner.
• The leagues are designed with recreation in mind, stressing fair play and sportsmanship by giving adequate time and place to pursue leisurely activities

• Display good sportsmanship at all times. 
• Understand that skill & character development of all players is more important than winning.
• Act respectfully towards teammates, opponents, officials, equipment and facilities at all times.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship by showing positive support for everyone. 
• Understand that it is never okay to question or engage an official.
• Put the well being of all participants ahead of the desire for their team to win.
• Act respectfully towards participants, other spectators, officials, equipment and facilities at all times.

• Team fees must be paid by the registration deadline posted.  A $50.00 late fee will be assessed to the team if full registration fee is not received by the registration deadline and if there is space in the league.  Space in a league is non-reservable, first come, first served.
• If a team is waiting on a sponsor to pay the fees, fees must still be collected from the team manager for registration and Holland Parks & Recreation will reimburse the manager once sponsor payment is received. Sponsors can pay online by the registration deadline.
• No team will be scheduled until all team fees are paid in full. 
• If a team cancels by the registration deadline, 75% of the league fee will be refunded.  If a team is scheduled and cancels, 0% of the league fee will be reimbursed.  If Holland Recreation cancels the league or tournament, a full refund will be processed. 

Player Eligibility

• Players must be 16 years or older on or before the date of the team’s first scheduled game to participate in leagues.  A parent or guardian must sign the team waiver/roster before a player may participate in a game.
• If a team has players that are 16 or 17 years old, the manager must complete the online concussion certification and present Holland Recreation with a copy of the certificate before the minor participates.
• Only rostered players are able to play in league or tournament games.  Any player not on the roster participating in a scheduled game may be subjected to forfeit of the game by that team.  First and last names must be on the roster form.
• No player may play on more than one team on the same night.
• A player must participate in a minimum of three (3) scheduled regular-season games to be eligible for tournament play.
• Teams may protest a roster by taking these steps:
• Prior to the game start, make officials and Holland Recreation staff aware of the protest.
• If roster is present at the field/court, managers may view the roster.
• Identification may be requested of players in question. 
• Games may play under protest if a roster is not present.

• League scheduling will be done by the League Coordinator.
• Divisions may be combined if there are not enough teams to form separate division.  Minimum number of teams to form a division is four (4).
• Division 1 refers to the most competitive division, while Division 3 is the least competitive.

• ½ season of games (1st half / 2nd half); teams may be reorganized after 1st half, if needed, for 2nd half
• Separate divisions based on skill level will be formed if there are enough teams to do so
• Single Elimination Playoff Tournament

• Game cancellations will be posted by 4:30pm (weekdays); 8:00am (weekends) or 90 minutes prior to first game scheduled.
• Game cancellations during play will be decided by officials and staff.
• Cancellations will be posted online at www.hollandrecreation.com and emailed to team managers. 

• Teams may be removed from a league if they have forfeited two or more season games.
• A "No Show" is defined as a team not arriving for a scheduled game time with no notice given to league administrators. "No Shows" are unacceptable and poor team etiquette. Teams that "no show" will be contacted by the league coordinator and receive a warning. A second "no show" will result in removal from the league.

• A team/individual that has the best record in the league will be declared league champion.
• Tie-Breakers 
• Best league record
• Head to head game
• Point differential between the teams
• Point differential during the season
• Overall Record, including 1st half, if needed

• 1st half:  Team award (gift card, trophy, plaque, etc.) 2nd half:  t-shirts; Tournament:  t-shirts and team award (trophy, plaque, etc.)

• Holland Parks & Recreation sports leagues are designed solely for the recreational values derived by the players, managers, coaches, and spectators. Players will conduct themselves at all times according to the rules of the game.
• Any person(s) ejected from a game shall serve a minimum of one (1) game suspension. Suspensions may be extended based on the severity of the offense at the discretion of the league coordinator.  
  
• Any person(s) ejected from the game shall leave the facility and/or Park immediately. Failure to do so will warrant a forfeiture of the game by the official. The coach or manager shall be responsible for actions by his/her players and spectators and for informing them of all rules. Badgering or taunting of opponents, officials or spectators is prohibited.
• Striking an official before, during or after a game will result in a lifetime ban from any Holland Parks and Recreation sponsored program. 
• Any player or representative of a team that verbally or physically harasses an official or opposing team players before, during, or after a game receives a minimum of (1) one year probation.
• Any player or players who physically strikes another player (including a player who strikes back after being struck) will be penalized a minimum of one game (the next scheduled game).
• Game officials and staff has the authority to recommend longer suspensions should player or team actions clearly go beyond sportsmanlike conduct ethics.
• A player has the right to appeal the decision to Holland Parks and Recreation.
• Holland Parks and Recreation reserves the right to adjust penalties or disqualify any player, coach or team as the case may warrant.
• According to City of Holland ordinances, alcoholic beverages are not allowed in City Parks.
• Smoking and tobacco products are not allowed at any school facilities or any Parks and Recreation facilities, except in designed areas.  Signs posted at parks show where the designated areas are located.

Protests

• The only legal protest is one which involves an interpretation of playing rules or use of an ineligible player.
• A protest based on a play, which involves an official’s judgement, is not legal and officials are instructed not to accept protests of this nature, nor shall the Adults Sports League Coordinator.
• The protesting manager shall immediately notify the official. This shall be done before any succeeding play begins. The officials shall announce that the game is being played under protest, but failure of the official to make this announcement shall not affect validity of the protest. (Exception: the team manager must notify the official before completion of game when protesting player eligibility).
• If a team is using an ineligible player, the team will automatically forfeit the game in which the ineligible player participated.

• Team names must be appropriate (PG rated)
• Scores and standings will be posted within 24-48 hours after games have been played.
• Team & participant photos and videos may be used in promotional materials throughout the year.