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ARPA RECREATIONAL SPORTS MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARPA State Competitions - 2008 ........................................................................................................……................… 4
Recreational Sports Committee Members ...............................................................………........................................… 5
Recreational Sports Committee
Organization .......................................................................................................................….........................…….. 6
Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................…….. 6
Responsibilities/Functions .................................................................................................................................….... 6-7
Bid Process & Responsibility of Host City ..................................................................................................................… 7
2008 Rule Changes....................................................................................................................................................…… 8
Rule I: PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Article I Eligibility of Affiliates.......................................................................................................................... 9
Article II Eligibility of Individuals and Teams ...................……........................................................................ 9-10
Article III Official Rosters and Acceptable Birth Records ..........……..............................................................… 11-12
Article IV ARPA Tournaments and Play-Offs ..................................…….............................................……….. 12-14
Rule II: REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Article I Violations ........................................................................................................................................…. 14-15
Article II Awards .......................................................................................................................................…….. 15-16
Article III Age Control Dates and Roster Limits....................................................................................………… 16
Article IV Officials for ARPA Competition .............................................................................………....…….… 16-17
Article V Type & Number of Required Officials and Personnel ...........................................................………. 17
Rule III: YOUTH BASKETBALL
Article I Eligibility .........…................................................................................................................................ 18
Article II Regulations ...................................................................................................................................…… 18-19
Article III Equipment ............................................................................................................................……….… 19
Article IV Games and Awards.................................................................................................................…….….. 19
Article V Officials and Participants ... 20
Article VI Protest and Appeals ...............................................................................................................……..…. 20
Article VII Fees......................................................................................................................................……..…… 20
Rule IV: FAST PITCH SOFTBALL
Article I Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Article II Regulations .....................................................................................................................................….. 21-23
Article III Equipment .................................................................................................................................……... 23 Article IV Games and Awards ...................................................................................................................……... 23-24
Article V Officials and Participants ...........................................................................................................…….. 24
Article VI Protest and Appeals ..................................................................................................................……… 24
Article VII Fees ...........................................................................................................................................……... 24-25
Rule V: YOUTH SWIMMING AND DIVING
Article I Eligibility.......................................................................................................................................…... 25-26
Article II Regulations.................................................................................................................................….…. 26-27
Article III Equipment and Timing.....................................................................................................……………. 27-28 Article IV Meets and Awards ................................................................................................................………… 28
Article V Disqualifying and Protests ..................................................................................................…………. 28
RULE VI: SOCCER
Article I Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................…. 29
Article II Regulations ...................................................................................................................................…… 29-30
Article III Equipment ............................................................................................................................………… 30
Article IV Games and Awards ...............................................................................................................………… 30-31
Article V Officials and Participants .......................................................................................................……….. 31
Article VI Protest and Appeals .........................................................................................………………….…… 31
Article VII Fees ......................................................................................................................................…………. 31
RULE VII SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL On file at ARPA State Office
RULE VIII TENNIS On file at ARPA State Office
RULE IX TABLE TENNIS On file at ARPA State Office
RULE X VOLLEYBALL On file at ARPA State Office
RULE XI TRAIL OF CHAMPIONS BASEBALL On file at ARPA State Office
RULE XII TRAIL OF CHAMPIONS ADULT SOFTBALL On file at ARPA State Office
APPENDICES
Appendix A BID SHEET ......................................................................................................................................… 32
Appendix B TEAM SPORTS OFFICIAL ROSTER............................................................................................... 33
Appendix C STATE SWIMMING MEET QUALIFYING TIMES .....................................................................… 34
Appendix D STATE SWIMMING ENTRY FORMS
D-1 1. Entry Fee Form ...................................................................................................................….. 35
D-2 2. Age Group Entry Form ........................................................................................................…. 36
D-3 3. Medley Relay Entry Form ........................................................................................................ 37
D-4 4. Free Relay Entry Form ……………………………………………………………………… 38
Appendix E-1 STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKETS .......................……………………………. 39 1. Nine (9) Team Tournament
Appendix E-2 POOL PLAY BREAKDOWN BY TEAM FOR SOCCER ....................................................………. 40
Appendix F-1 SOCCER FIELD DIMENSIONS (9 and Under) ...................................................................……..… 41
Appendix F-2 SOCCER FIELD DIMENSIONS (11,13,15 and 18 & under) ...............................................……..… 42
Appendix G RECREATIONAL SPORTS RULES SUGGESTION FORM ......................................................….. 43
Appendix H ARPA TOURNAMENT REPORT FORM ......................................................................................… 44
Appendix I PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION & MEDICAL RELEASE FORM ................................................. 45
Appendix J ARPA TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN SHEET ..................................................................................... 46
Appendix
K ARPA FACILITY SAFETY CHECK LIST ………………………………………..………………... 47
2008
ARPA STATE COMPETITIONS
EVENT LOCATION BID FEE ENTRY FEE DATE
8 & Under Boys Basketball Albertville $7,000.00 $100.00 March 14-16
10 & Under Boys Basketball Albertville $100.00 March 14-16
12 & Under Boys Basketball Albertville for All $100.00 March 14-16
14 & Under Boys Basketball Albertville Boys $100.00 March 14-16
18 & Under Boys Basketball Albertville $100.00 March 14-16
8 & Under Girls Basketball Albertville $100.00 March 14-16
10 & Under Girls Basketball Albertville for All $100.00 March 14-16
12 & Under Girls Basketball Albertville Girls $100.00 March 14-16
All Ages Girls Fastpitch Softball Jasper $3,000.00 $110.00 July11-13
Swimming and Diving Scottsboro $4,301.00 See Manual July 24-26
9 & Under Soccer Dothan $6,500.00 $100.00 Nov. 14-16
11 & Under Soccer Dothan for All $100.00 Nov. 14-16
13 & Under Soccer Dothan Ages $100.00 Nov. 14-16
15 & Under Soccer Dothan Boys & $100.00 Nov. 14-16
18 & Under Soccer Dothan Girls $100.00 Nov. 14-16
NOTE: The reason to leave the third weekend in July open is because the Recreational Sports Committee would like to suggest that all districts have their District Swimming and Diving on these dates.
ALABAMA RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION
RECREATIONAL SPORTS COMMITTEE
2008 MEETING DATES
DATE DAY TIME LOCATION
February 6 Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Montgomery
April 9 Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Montgomery
May 7 Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Montgomery
July 16 Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Montgomery
September TBA TBA TBA
* All RULE CHANGES DUE BY MAY 2, 2008
* All BIDS TO BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 27, 2008
2008 RECREATIONAL SPORTS COMMITTEE
POSITION MEMBER ADDRESS TELEPHONE, FAX & E-MAIL
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Chairperson |
Summer Ammons |
Prattville Department of Leisure Services 101 West Main St. Prattville, AL. 36067-3052 |
Ph: Fax: |
(334) 365-1145 (334) 361-8318 summer.ammons@prattville.com |
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Vice-Chair |
Kenny Thompson |
Dothan Leisure Services P.O. Box 2128 Dothan, AL. 36302 |
Ph: Fax: |
(334) 673-4803 (334) 673-0110 kthompson@dothan.org |
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District I |
Chad Vining
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Athens Parks & Rec. Dept. P.O. Box 1089 Athens, AL 35612-1089 |
Ph: Fax: |
(256) 233-8740 (256) 233-8742 cvining@athensal.us. |
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District I At-Large |
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Ph: Fax: |
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District II |
David Wood |
Guntersville Parks & Rec. Dept. 1500 Sunset Drive Guntersville, AL 35976-1631 |
Ph: Fax: |
(256) 571-7590 (256) 571-7592 dawshore@charter.net |
|
District II At-Large |
Roger Ingle |
Fort Payne Parks & Rec. Dept. 4220 Godfrey Ave. NE Fort Payne, AL 35967-4082 |
Ph: Fax: |
(256) 844-6571 (256) 844-6569 ringle@fortpayne.org |
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District III |
Stacey Ewing |
Hoover Parks & Rec. Dept. 600 Municipal Drive Hoover, AL. 35216-5514 |
Ph: Fax: |
(205) 444-7751 (205) 444-7758 ewings@ci.hoover.al.us |
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District III At-Large |
Nick Norman |
Center Point Parks & Rec. Dept. 2209 Center Point Parkway Center Point, AL 35215-4609 |
Ph: Fax: |
(205) 356-8279 (205) 854-4814 MR.NICKNORMAN@yahoo.com |
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District IV |
John Swafford |
Heflin Parks & Rec. Dept. P.O. Box 128 Heflin, AL. 36264-0128 |
Ph: Fax: |
(256) 463-5434 (256) 463-5669 jswafford@heflin.pard.com |
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District IV At-Large |
Courtney Walker |
Gadsden Parks & Rec. Dept. 919 Wilson Street Gadsden, AL 35903 |
Ph: Fax: |
(256) 549-4658 (256) 549-4730 cwref2@yahoo.com |
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District V |
Stevie Creel |
Prattville Dept. of Leisure Services 101 West Main Street Prattville, AL 36067-3052 |
Ph: Fax: |
(334) 361-3640 (334) 361-3694 stevie.creel@prattville.com |
|
District V At-Large |
Elliot Collins |
Alexander City Parks & Rec. Dept. P.O. Box 552 Alexander City, AL 35011-0552 |
Ph: Fax: |
(256) 329-6736 ext. 24 (256) 329-6738 alexcityathletics@hotmail.com |
|
District VI |
Kenny Thompson |
Dothan Leisure Services P.O. Box 2128 Dothan, AL. 36302 |
Ph: Fax: |
(334) 673-4803 (334) 673-0110 kthompson@dothan.org |
|
District VI At-Large |
Hal Carrington |
Enterprise Parks & Rec. Dept. P.O. Box 311000 Enterprise, AL 36311-1000 |
Ph: Fax: |
(334) 348-2681 (334) 347-1436 EDLS@entercomp.com |
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District VII |
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Ph: Fax: |
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District VII At-Large |
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Ph: Fax: |
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State At-Large |
Chad Dopson |
Prattville Dept. of Leisure Services 101 West Main Street Prattville, AL 36067-3052 |
Ph: Fax: |
(334) 361-3640 (334) 361-3694 chad.dopson@prattville.com |
ARPA RECREATIONAL SPORTS COMMITTEE
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the ARPA Recreational Sports Committee is to expand recreational athletic activities throughout Alabama. This purpose is met through the establishment, administration and enforcement of standardized rules and guidelines for recreational athletic activities and the promotion of these activities and guidelines throughout the membership of ARPA and communities statewide.
ORGANIZATION
A. The Recreational Sports Committee shall consist of one member from each of the seven Association districts. (ARPA Bylaws, Article XI, Section 3).
B. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the President of the Association. (ARPA By-Laws, Article XI, Section 2).
C. Additional and temporary committee members shall be appointed and utilized as deemed necessary by the President of the Association in
cooperation with the committee chairperson. (ARPA By-Laws, Article XI, Section 6).
PURPOSE
A. To promote interest and participation in the various individual and team sports of all organizations in the state which are affiliated with Alabama Recreation and Parks Association, Inc.
B. To promote the development of physical activities and encourage the standardization of rules dealing with all amateur athletics, games, and
competitions.
C. To provide Recreational activities on the Recreational level in areas where varsity sports are insufficient.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS
A. The Statewide Recreational Sports Committee shall unite into one organization all recreational athletics conducted by agencies belonging to the ARPA (all activities, which are not presently franchised or otherwise, organized).
B. The committee shall organize and conduct athletic events on a statewide Recreational level for the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association. The committee shall standardize athletic programs throughout the state with reference to type of activities and qualifications for participation of membership agencies where feasible.
C. The committee shall develop and continuously update operational procedures necessary to most effectively carry out the objectives of the Statewide Recreational Sports Committee. (Said procedures should be incorporated into the ARPA Policy and Procedures Manual.)
D. The committee shall promote and maintain higher standards of athletic competition and sportsmanship in Alabama, promote recognition of Recreational sports, improve and expand athletic participation among all ages and both sexes, and provide fellowship through athletics and recreation.
E. The committee shall promote and provide better training and guidance for athletic coaches and game officials through development of educational materials, workshops, etc.
F. The committee shall assist in any practical way to improve athletic competition throughout the state, as well as promote and regulate state championship where desirable and practical.
G. The committee shall seek the approval of the Board of Directors regarding any statewide function conducted in the name of the Association.
H. The committee shall function in such a manner that will further the interests of athletic competition and promote the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association.
I. The committee shall continuously evaluate and improve the Rules and Regulations for conducting statewide recreational sports as initiated in 1955 and the Statewide Recreational Sports Manual as initiated in 1969.
1. Amendments to these rules may be made at any meeting by a 2/3 majority of the voting members present, providing that (1) a majority of the committee is present and (2) said amendment is first presented to each committee member to review 15 days prior to voting.
2. A ballot specifying the proposed amendment shall be mailed to each voting member and each District chairperson at least 15 days prior to the date ballots are to tabulated.
3. All changes to existing rules shall become effective January 1, following its passage and cannot be changed (3-year minimum) unless the national organizations restructure specific rulings.
4. All new sections (rules concerning additional events) shall become effective following passage by the Recreational Sports Committee.
5. Anyone wishing to suggest rule changes should use the rule change form available in the Appendix of the Recreational Sports Manual.
6. Suggested rule changes should be mailed to the chairperson of the Recreational Sports Committee so that they can:
a. Mail out copies to voting members and District Chairpersons.
b. Place rule change suggestions on the agenda of scheduled meeting.
J. The Recreational Sports Committee shall develop and implement a process of evaluating both District and State Tournament hosts to determine their compliance with Article IV, Section C of the ARPA Recreational Sports Manual.
The outgoing Chairperson shall submit to the incoming Chairperson files, recommendations and other pertinent information compiled by the committee at the conclusion of the operational year.
BID PROCESS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOST CITY
BID PROCESS:
1. Bid sheets are available from the District representative, the Chairperson of the ARPA Recreational Sports Committee, and in the appendix of the Recreational Sports Manual.
2. Starting with the 1984 Recreational Sports Events, any host wishing to charge an entry fee not specifically spelled out in the Recreational Sports Manual must include the proposed fees on the Bid Sheet.
3. All bids for state events are due no later than June 27th, 2008.
3. Starting January 2006 the minimum bid fee an affiliate can bid on any ARPA State Tournament is set at $100.
SELECTION:
1. The host city will be selected by the ARPA Recreational Sports Committee on bid basis as well as on other factors which include: adequate athletic facilities, community accommodations, and location and upon approval of an ARPA Professional member to serve as Tournament Director.
2. The District representative or Chairperson shall notify, in writing, the city selected to host the event and shall mail a copy of the notice to the ARPA state office.
3. The ARPA office shall provide the host city with a packet which will include a list of affiliate cities and rules governing the meet.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
For responsibilities refer to Rule 1, Article IV, Section C, Paragraph 2 on Page 13.
RULE CHANGES AND BID DATES
Rule Changes will be due to the Recreational Sports Committee Chairperson by May 2nd, 2008
State Bids shall be received by the Recreational Sports Committee Chairperson no later than
June 27th, 2008
2008 Rule Changes
Rule Change #1:
(Changes: Rule 3, Article II: Section C, Paragraph: 9 Pg. 19) 8 & Under Basketball: During the last (1) one minute of the fourth quarter & overtime, the clock will stop on every made basket until the ball crosses half-court. Also, the clock will not start until the ball crosses half-court following a dead ball.
Rule Change #2:
(Changes: Rule VI, Article I: Section C, Paragraph 16 (new) Pg.25) Participants must compete at
District in an individual event in order to compete at the State Meet in that same individual event. Relay
time will not be used for qualifying individual events.
DISCLAIMER OF ENDORSEMENT
RULE I - PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
ARTICLE I - ELIGIBILITY OF AFFILIATES
SECTION A - ARPA MEMBERSHIP
(1) Affiliates must be members in good standing with the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association, Inc., to participate in the functions of its athletic programs.
(2) An affiliate is defined as any municipal or county governmental subdivision or military MRW division organized for the purpose of providing recreation and parks services for a particular community and aligning its aims and objectives consistent with those of ARPA, Inc.
(3) To become members of ARPA, affiliates must make application to the ARPA State Office and be approved by the ARPA Board of Directors. Annual membership dues are required and must be paid to the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association, Inc., P.O. Box 230579, Montgomery, AL 36123-0579. Further information may be obtained by calling 334-279-9160.
(4) An affiliate shall be eligible to participate in ARPA athletics upon the receipt of approved membership from the ARPA State Office. (NOTE: Each ARPA District establishes its own entry deadline for ARPA athletic activities on a District level. Therefore, to be eligible for athletic participation, new affiliates must be approved for membership and request entry for athletic playoffs 60 days prior to the District entry deadline. Requests for entry are to be made to the respective District Chairperson).
SECTION B - ATHLETIC FEES
(1) Affiliates are required to pay athletic fees, in addition to the annual affiliate membership fee to join the ARPA, to be eligible to participate in any ARPA athletic activity.
(2) Fees for state competition will be set by the Recreational Sports Committee by activity and spelled out in the bylaws of that activity.
(3) Districts may, at their own discretion, establish District athletic fees and/or allow District tournament hosts to charge entry fees. These fees are apart from the ARPA annual affiliate membership fees and state athletic fees. State tournament hosts shall not charge fees, other than those outlined in the Recreational Sports Manual.
SECTION C - FEE PAYMENT PROCEDURE
(1) The District Recreational Sports Representative of each District is charged with the responsibility of collecting state athletic fees within their district. The method of collecting such fees is left to their discretion.
(2) Team fees and/or individual sports fees are to be paid by affiliates to their district/state tournament host before being allowed to participate. Such fees are paid upon the presentation of the Official Roster of the Affiliate team for approval in an athletic activity.
(3) The District/State tournament host shall forward all fees, rosters, financial report, and completed tournament bracket to the District Recreational Sports Representative. See Article IV, Section C, Paragraph 2.
(4) District Recreational Sports Representative shall forward all fees and a financial report to the State Office, with a copy of the financial reports being sent to the Recreational Sports Chairperson.
ARTICLE II - ELIGIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS
SECTION A - LOCAL PARTICIPATION
(1) Teams and individuals participating in the athletic functions of ARPA must be an integral part of an affiliate’s local program before they are eligible to represent that affiliate in ARPA competition.
(a) An “integral part of an affiliate’s local program” is defined as individuals who participated at some time during the current season in the activity in question and under staff supervision of that agency.
(b) Affiliates shall not recruit players for the sole purpose of competing in ARPA athletic functions.
(c) Any all-star team must be composed of players from teams who are an integral part of an affiliate’s local program.
(2) Eligibility involving local participation is left to the integrity of the affiliate’s director or superintendent. They should be prepared to make available substantial proof of local participation through such means as scorebooks, registration material, agency records, news releases, or such other evidence requested by the State Recreational Sports Committee Chairperson or the District Representative from the affiliate’s district.
SECTION B - PARTICIPATION BOUNDARIES
(1) All players must reside or attend school full-time within the boundaries of the District in which they participate if they are to be eligible for ARPA athletic functions.
(2) All players residing in a city that offers a recreation program must participate with that program if offered.
(3) Any exceptions must be approved by the Recreational Sports Committee on an individual basis.
SECTION C - PROFESSIONAL AND SEMIPROFESSIONAL ATHLETES
(1) Professional and semiprofessional athletes are not eligible to compete in ARPA functions in the same sport and during the current season in which they are termed “professional” or “semiprofessional.”
(2) A professional or semiprofessional athlete is “one who is receiving compensation for playing a sport.”
SECTION D - INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETES
(1) Students who participate on a college or university’s varsity, junior varsity, or freshman team, which competes with other colleges or universities, are not eligible for ARPA competition in the same sport during the current season.
(2) Regardless of intercollegiate participation during the normal school year, a college or university student is eligible for summer athletic functions sponsored by ARPA provided that the student is not currently representing a college or university in competition among other such schools and provided he or she meets all other ARPA eligibility requirements.
SECTION E - SCHOOL TEAM PARTICIPATION
(1) No boy or girl in elementary school, middle school, junior high school, or senior high school may participate in the same sport of ARPA competition and interscholastic athletic activity during the same periods of time. This restriction applies to both public and private schools.
(a) An “interscholastic athletic activity” is defined as a program, which provides competition between schools.
(b) “Periods of time” shall be interpreted to mean from the time school starts (approximately September 1) until that school year ends
(Approximately May 31). Exception - a student is eligible for summer athletic (girls softball) functions sponsored by ARPA provided that the student is not currently representing a school in competition (example: high school softball) and he or she meet all other ARPA eligibility requirements.
(c) A participant in question is determined to have participated with a school team if he or she represents a school as a player or team member at a game with another school.
(d) A boy or girl shall be allowed to participate in a school team’s immediate pre-season tryouts (provided the school has announced such
pre-practices and provided the school team is to be selected from a reasonable number of students trying out and if “cut” along with other candidates from the sessions when the school team is announced). He or she may then participate with a recreation affiliate and if all other eligibility requirements are met may also compete in ARPA functions provided that during these immediate pre-season tryout sessions, the participant in question did not represent his or her school as a team member in a game with another school.
(2) When a recreation affiliate and a school jointly cosponsor an athletic program by sharing the expenses for such a program, through the use of one another’s facilities, or by registering participants at community schools or community recreation centers, the participants in such a program shall be eligible for ARPA competition only if the following stipulations are in actual effect:
(a) If the athletic activity is intramural in nature (involving only students from one school) and there is absolutely no competition with another school, the participants are eligible for ARPA competition provided (1) they have not competed against students from other schools, (2) recreation personnel implemented the program through actual supervision and leadership, (3) the participants met all other ARPA eligibility requirements, and (4) just cause cannot be shown to indicate the recreation affiliate to be guilty of using school program to grant unfair advantage of other ARPA affiliates.
(b) If the athletic activity is a community-wide program involving more than one school within the same community (city or county) and there is absolutely no competition for school awards nor competition with a school not an active member of the program, the participants of such a program are eligible for ARPA competition provided they meet the same requirements as stated in paragraph (a) of this section.
NOTE: Since any such situation as the aforementioned one would in essence be a borderline case involving eligibility, recreation affiliates conducting such a program should obtain approval from the State Recreational Sports Committee Chairperson and the District Representative prior to initiating such a jointly co-sponsored school affiliate program if the participants are to be allowed to compete in ARPA functions.
(c) Recreation teams may not participate in any kind of game or scrimmage with a school team. A team that plays or scrimmages a school team will not be eligible for ARPA competition.
(3) When a school team’s current athletic program season is completed (all state playoffs in that particular sport are completed), an individual shall be allowed to participate in an ARPA function involving that same sport provided the participant meets all other ARPA eligibility requirements.
NOTE: Once the normal school year ends after the spring semester, a player may represent an affiliate during the summer months in the same sport in which he or she represented a school during the school year, provided that participant has not yet begun participating in a school-sponsored athletic event e.g. football pre-season drills in August effective as of dates established by the affiliate High School Association. (Examples: Baseball or Softball in July or August and Swimming in August.)
ARTICLE III - OFFICIAL ROSTERS AND ACCEPTABLE BIRTH RECORDS
SECTION A - OFFICIAL ROSTERS
(1) Official Rosters from ARPA are made available to affiliates by each District Representative (member of the State Recreational Sports Committee) and/or the District Chairperson. These rosters shall be completed in accordance with the appropriate information requested on the Official Roster, shall be certified by the affiliate Director and other special persons required, and shall be presented with acceptable birth records (and team fees, if any) to the Tournament Director, or any State Recreational Sports Committee members, or the District Chairperson at the District and/or state competitions for verification. This shall occur prior to the first activity of that affiliate in ARPA competition. SUCH OFFICIAL ROSTERS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN ARPA ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS, AND MUST BE PRESENTED AT ALL LEVELS OF ARPA COMPETITIONS THREE (3) DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST GAME OF SAID TOURNAMENT.
(a) In the absence of an affiliate director, the next highest ranking recreation staff person who is a current ARPA professional member may certify his or her affiliate team’s Official ARPA Roster, and in doing so assumes the same responsibility as the affiliate director in certifying that the players whose names appear on the Official Roster meet all ARPA eligibility requirements and that there is no fraudulent attempt to play persons who are otherwise ineligible. Regardless of the staff person who certifies the Official Roster, the affiliate Director shall remain fully responsible for the eligibility of the players on his affiliate’s team.
(2) The Tournament Director, State Recreational Sports Committee member, or District Chairperson shall personally examine each team’s Official Roster and acceptable birth records of every player to be approved. They shall verify the Official Roster by affixing their signature and the date.
(a) The verified or approved Official Roster shall be acceptable and official throughout all levels of ARPA competition and after the initial verification of acceptable birth records shall be the only required record for a team to present during ARPA competition. Teams must present their signed ARPA Official Roster and birth certificates to the Tournament Director three (3) days prior to the first game of the ARPA competition.
(b) At the request of an ARPA Tournament Director at any level of competition, at the request of a State Recreational Sports Committee member at any level of competition, or at the request of a participating affiliate District Chairperson or the staff member accompanying the affiliate’s team, the affiliate director shall make available, prior to game time, his own affiliate copy of the team’s official Roster.
(c) Teams whose official rosters & birth certificates have not been checked because there were no District Tournament (or for any other reason) must have them reviewed by the Tournament Director no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday prior to the start of the State Tournament. Penalty - Team ineligible to participate.
(3) No players name shall appear on more than one ARPA Official Roster for any one sport during any one season.
(4) There should be three (3) copies of the Official Roster and copies are to be distributed by the person who verifies the Roster and affixes his or her name by the District Tournament Director as follows:
(a) First copy presented to the state host.
(b) Second copy presented to the affiliate’s representative.
(c) Third copy presented to the person in charge of the team, following verification and before the team begins to play. This copy should be presented at all levels of competition before a team plays their first game.
SECTION B - ACCEPTABLE BIRTH RECORDS
(1) Birth certificates, certified abstracts of birth, hospital records, notification of birth, notification of registration, certificate of registration and regulation military identification cards, government ID from U. S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization, Passports or clearly processed and readable copies of such shall be considered and referred to as acceptable birth records for ARPA competition.
(a) Driver’s Licenses and Learner’s Permits from any state shall be acceptable birth records for participants of the ages 15 and over, as long as the date of birth appears on the Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit.
(b) If a name change is involved which is different from the acceptable birth record, a copy of the court order granting the name change must also be presented. An official written statement notarized by a notary public and approved by signature from a parent or guardian may be substituted if a copy of the court order cannot be obtained. Such a court order copy or an official notarized statement shall not be considered as acceptable birth records, but only as evidence that the acceptable birth record presented is the true and accurate birth certificate, certified abstract of birth, hospital record, military identification, etc., or copy of such.
(2) The Tournament Director, State Recreational Sports Committee member, or District Chairperson shall personally examine each team’s Official Roster and acceptable birth records of every player to be approved, and he or she shall verify the Official Roster and acceptable birth records of every player to be approved, and her or she shall verify the Official Roster by affixing his or her signature and date.
(a) After the official Roster is verified by the signature, it cannot be changed under any circumstance, and no additional names may be added.
(b) The third copy of the Official Roster shall be returned to the person in charge whose name appears on the Roster or to his assigned representative, along with all acceptable birth records. This shall be done immediately after verification. Only the affiliate team’s copy of the Official Roster shall be necessary for ARPA competition at all levels following the initial verification. Acceptable birth records are required only at the initial verification of the Official Roster. (Ref: Article III, Sec. A, 2 (b).
(3) All procedures involving verification of ARPA Official Rosters and acceptable birth records shall be completed prior to an affiliate team’s first appearance in ARPA competition. Any special requests to verify rosters at a later time shall NOT be granted by the Tournament Director, State Recreational Sports Committee member or District Chairperson.
SECTION C - PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION AND MEDICAL RELEASE
(1) Any team entering ARPA District and State Competitions must have a Parental Authorization and Medical Release Form signed by the Parent or Guardian prior to a team’s first game.
(2) The completed Parental Authorization and Medical Release Form should be attached to the certified birth certificates and/or acceptable proofs of age and checked with the official roster of teams participating in District or State competition.
ARTICLE IV - ARPA TOURNAMENTS AND PLAYOFFS
SECTION A - TEAM COMMITMENT
(1) Any team entering ARPA competition shall be committed to all levels of play if directed to advance.
(a) Teams entering District level competition are committed to state level play should they win their district. (Exception: there must be a minimum of four teams entered in any state tournament in order to have the tournament. If there will be less than four teams, then affiliates will not be penalized for not participating.)
(b) Teams representing a District by default (because of no other competition or by directive of the District Chairperson or State Recreational Sports Committee) are committed to State Playoffs should they be declared their District representative. These teams must also pay the one time District fee to the state for representing their District in state competition.
(2) Any affiliate team which intentionally withdraws from ARPA competition during any level of competition shall cause that affiliate to be placed on an automatic, one year minimum suspension in that age division’s athletic activity. The State Recreational Sports Committee shall determine maximum suspensions.
(3) One team per affiliate in ARPA competition must be accompanied to tournaments or playoffs by at least one adult recreation staff person
(preferably a full-time, salaried professional who is a Professional member of ARPA.) Any additional teams may be accompanied by a responsible adult other than the coach who is personally appointed by the affiliate director, approved in advance by the District Recreational Sports Representative and who is at least an Associate Member of ARPA. This person is to attend the game in which his affiliate team is participating and will make themselves available to the Tournament Director as the responsible person-in-charge of his or her affiliate’s team, and is the only person who can formally file a protest to the Recreational Sports Committee. Non- compliance will be considered a rule violation.
SECTION B - TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION
(