BEFF By-Laws
ARTICLE I – NAME AND PRINCIPLE OFFICE
Section 1. – The name of the organization shall be the Big North East Football Federation (B.E.F.F.).
- a.) BEFF is a not-for-profit corporation.
- b.) The official league office is established as being at P.O. Box 335, Hawthorne, New York 10532.
- c.)The Commissioner of the BEFF is Mr. Dexter M. Girven.
Section 2. – The names of the Divisions for league play (if any) shall be determined by the Commissioner.
- a.) Divisions will be set up in a manner that is cost-effective to the majority of the members.
- b.) Traditional and geographic rivalries will be kept in place where possible.
- c.) All teams will play every team in their division during the regular session.
- d.) Divisional winners will receive home fields for opening round playoff games.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the Big North East Football Federation is to promote and foster Semi-Professional Football.
- a.) To offer a professional atmosphere in which to develop playing and coaching skills.
- b.) This shall include players who have graduated from high school, or reached their 18th birthday by September 1st of the current year.
- c.) To do and perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the BEFF.
- d.) To obtain local and national sponsors, radio and television contracts to promote the BEFF.
- e.) To promote and foster players for opportunities in professional leagues such as the NFL, CFL, AFL and International Leagues.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. – The BEFF shall consist of all current members and any new teams which the Commissioner has deemed appropriate to accept admission requirements for the current season.
- a.) Any person, association, partnership, corporation or any other entity of good repute organized for the purpose of operating a BEFF football club shall be eligible for membership.
- b.) Each application for membership shall be in writing to the BEFF.
- c.) It is up to the individual team, current and new, to provide satisfactory information to the Commissioner proving that the team is (still) worthy to complete in the BEFF and uphold the league constitution.
- d.) The BEFF will consider the application of new teams within 25 miles of existing teams designated “home” place of operation if there is a unanimous agreement among all BEFF members in good standing. This will not apply to applicants who have established their “home” and play their home games within the boroughs of New York City.
- e.) All teams (current and new) will have paid their league fee ($600) in full as of July 30, 2007 or they will not be considered in good standing and not be scheduled for the 2007 season. League fees are not refundable after July 30st.
[Good standing shall mean that a team has fulfilled its financial obligation to the league, has not forfeited (outlined in Article VI) any games for the current season and has not committed any willful acts against the BEFF as determined by this constitution or by decision of the Commissioner. Teams missing a league meeting without the consent of the Commissioner are considered to not be in good standings.]
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- f.) The Commissioner shall make the final determination if a team has satisfied the member club requirements of this constitution.
Section 2. – All new teams in good standing are on a one-year probationary period, and are entitled to vote on non-bylaw issues. Probationary teams will be voted on after one-year.
Section 3. – All league members will conduct their operation in a manner which is conducive to the betterment of the league, or face expulsion.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1. – The BEFF shall consist of a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Secretary.
Section 2. – The Commissioner is the head of the league. Should the Commissioner become unable, unwilling or incapacitated to carry out the duties of the position, the Deputy Commissioner shall become the head decision-making entity where the BEFF constitution does not apply. It is the Commissioner’s duty to preside over all BEFF meetings and have general supervision over the affairs of the BEFF. The Deputy Commissioner will assist the Commissioner fulfill his obligations.
Section 3. – The BEFF Commissioner and Secretary shall hold office for one (2) year term or until successors are named and agreed to by ¾ or more of the current member teams. Persons not affiliated with any team in the league shall fill both positions.
Section 4. – The BEFF will have one league officer at all playoff games to insure that the BEFF constitution is being upheld to the fullest extent.
ARTICLE V – LEAGUE MEETINGS
Section 1. – The BEFF will hold official league meetings once per month in May, June, and August. Other meetings may be held as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner.
Section 2. – Meeting attendance shall be required by at least one (1) of two (2) representatives designated in writing to the BEFF Secretary. They shall be the only persons from that team to be recognized by the BEFF officers to correspond with the BEFF. Meeting attendance is to be defined as attending and staying for the entire length of the league meeting. Leaving early must be approved by the Commissioner. Any team that is one-half (1/2) hour late will be considered absent, pending review of the circumstances by the Commissioner. Teams absent will not be considered in good standing as covered in Article III, Section 1., paragraph e.
Section 3. – The second BEFF meeting (May) within the calendar year shall be known as the Annual Meeting.
Section 4. – The BEFF shall have at least two (2) other meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting. One of the meetings will be the Monday before the start of the BEFF opening game and the other will be the Monday after the final BEFF regular season game. NOTE: While all meetings are very important, the meeting in August is “mandatory”.
ARTICLE VI – ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. – The presence of the majority of the BEFF team representatives shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of BEFF business.
Section 2. – Any team not represented at a BEFF league meeting may lose their capacity to vote on any particular issues put forth at that meeting.
ARTICLE VII – FORFEITS
Section 1. – A team shall be considered not in good standing if it has forfeited a game or if, in the judgment of the Commissioner has acted in willful violation of the BEFF Constitution. A forfeited game is defined as a game not played or not completed because:
- a.) One of the teams failed to show up.
- b.) The home team changed the game time, day or location without proper notification to the Commissioner’s office and the other team by 9 p.m. the Thursday before the schedule contest.
- c.) The game was called by the BEFF Referee Official. A full review of the situation causing the referee to call the game will take place and one of both teams may be assessed a forfeit loss.
- d.) One of the teams used an ineligible player. An ineligible player is defined as a player who is not part of a team’s active roster. If a team allows their opponent to use an ineligible player, both teams lose all recourse for protests and accept the results as reported by the Referee Official.
- e.) The home team did not provide an adequate playing field. Adequate is defines at properly lined in accordance with NFL specification for dimensions and with goal posts. If the teams agree to play a game on a field that does not meet the minimum BEFF standards, both team lose all recourse for protests and accept the results as reported by the Referee Official.
ARTICLE VIII – SCHEDULE PREPARATION
Section 1 – The preparation of the schedule shall be the responsibility of the BEFF Commissioner. The Commissioner will try to accommodate all teams as best as possible taking into consideration venue needs, without impairing the structure of league play or creating a hardship for any team.
Section 2. – All games will be played as scheduled: there will be no postponements.
ARTICLE IX – CONDUCT AND REGULATION OF TEAM UNIT:
- 1.) Each of the BEFF teams shall furnish the BEFF Commissioner with a full and complete roster listing the full names, addresses and telephone numbers of all officers of his team. Also, a photograph of each player is required with the identification as well as the player’s signature.
- 2.) A team’s game day roster shall be no more than 45 players. Changes to the roster must be confirmed and received by the Thursday night before the schedule contest by the Commissioner and the opposing team. Any team discovered to have used a non-roster player will forfeit that game without discussion.
- 3.) Rosters should be sufficient quantity to provide one copy for each member team and one copy for the BEFF files and should be provided to the BEFF Commissioner by August 15, 2007.
- 4.) After the BEFF has officially completed its season, all players are declared free agents and are permitted to change from one team to another without consent. If any player has an outstanding financial arrangement with his team, an owner may block the players joining another team until the financial obligation is resolved.
- 5.) A player may be released only at the team’s discretion. From the completion of the sixth (6th) game to the end of the BEFF season, player movement is not allowed.
- 6.) A team may make five (5) roster changes during the season. In order to be eligible to play in the playoffs, players must have played in at least two (2) of the first five (5) games of the season. Reminder, a team may not have on its roster more than 45 players for any game.
- 7.) Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any team, team official or any individual player shall be dealt with by the Commissioner within 48 hours. If a league official is present they will have the authority to deal with the situation on the spot. The offending person or persons may be subject to suspension. Each team shall be held responsible for the conduct of its players.
- 8.) If a team is not prepared to start a game at its prescribed start time, the referee will assess a 15 yard penalty for the kickoff. If both teams are late in preparation to start a game, the referee will be instructed to run time off the game clock.
- 9.) If a team has not appeared, ready to play within fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled time for the commencement of the game, that team has forfeited the game. The results will not count in the BEFF standings even if both teams agree to play the game.
- 10.) Each team will confirm its uniform colors with the Commissioner prior to each season. Any changes to team colors will need approval by the Commissioner.
- 11.) Each visiting team must contact the home team by Thursday prior to the playing date to fax their roster and confirm playing field. All roster changes must be provided to the opposing team at this time. Failure to disclose any roster changes will result in the team forfeiting the game.
- 12.) No player or coach shall be paid for participation in any BEFF game.
- 13.) All BEFF games shall be scheduled for Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. All other playing dates/times must be mutually agreed upon by the participating teams.
- 14.) There are no “player-coaches” in the BEFF. A team may have as many coaches as it deem necessary. Only players and coaches will occupy the sideline during the game. The referee may assess a penalty to a team for having non-team personnel on the sidelines.
- 15.) The home team will email the results of the game to the league webmaster @ GOTBEFF07@aol.com.
GAME PROCEDURES:
- 1.) The BEFF rules shall be the NFL rules except as modified by the BEFF. There are no modifications to the rules at this time.
- 2.) Each game shall be worked by a crew of officials, qualified and certified by a recognized association of Certified Football Officials. The crew of officials shall be paid in accordance with the determination by the BEFF Commissioner.
- 3.) The home team shall furnish chain crews, chains and sideline markers. The visiting team has the right to place one (1) member of its organization on the chain crew if it desires. The visiting team however, must notify the home team of such decision at least fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled game time. Chain crews will alternate sidelines if a team requests such.
- 4.) The official football for the BEFF is the NFL Football, no stripes. The Football must be in good condition.
- 5.) All teams must accept playoff ranking and participation.
- 6.) The team with the better record has the first option of hosting. Upon mutual consent of both teams, the team with the lower record could host the game.
- 7.) The BEFF league has five (5) Tie Breakers which are as follows:
- a.) Head to head games; best team with least points scored against them between the head to head teams
- b.) Best win/loss record within the division
- c.) Best win/loss record outside the division
- d.) Best team with least points scored against them
- e.) Coin toss
- 8.) All game officials are paid in cash no later than half-time, each team has half of the obligation.
- 9.) The BEFF has a strict player/coach conduct policy. Any coaches, players or other team personnel that leave the sidelines to participate in a fight will be ejected from the game, and be suspended for one (1) game for a first offense. Only Head Coaches may come onto the field to assist the officials in restoring order.
- 10.) Any team that forfeits two (2) games will be ejected from the league with no discussion and no refund of any fees.
- 11.) Any team playing a suspended player has forfeited that game without debate. If the opposing team chose to play the game regardless of the outcome the violating team will be charged with that forfeit. Also the forfeiting team will pay the entire referee fee.
- 12.) No player is permitted on the field without a team’s identified colors. Jerseys should be full length and tucked in. NO cutoffs, visible knots or tape is permitted.
- 13.) Spectators and other non-team personnel should be kept away from the sidelines at all times.
- 14.) Any individual(s) causing and/or participating in a fight on the field will be suspended for the next two (2) games. A second fight by the same individual is cause for immediate ejection from the league. The league will take into account the judgment of the official at the game.
- 15.) All teams should provide assistance to the home team to insure that any garbage accumulated during the course of the game is cleaned up. Teams who have not cooperated with the general clean-up of an opponent’s venue could lose their good standing upon the review of the Commissioner.
- 16.) Teams that charge gate fees are not required to split the gate with the visiting team nor allow complimentary admission. This is strictly a team by team decision.
ARTICLE X – GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Section 1. – It shall be the duty of the Commissioner to settle grievances between teams and to rule on any disciplinary action to be administered as per the current constitution. In select instances, it is the Commissioner’s resolve to render a decision based on the merits of the grievance where it is not covered by the charter.
1a.) Grieving teams may present such facts or arguments that they deem proper, subject to the control of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Secretary. They will answer all questions put to them by the officers whom may or may not make inquisitions to other parties to reach a decision. The Commissioner may make his decision based on the entailing discussions.
1b.) The Commissioner will give all reasonable consideration to discussions with the officers and the information presented as a basis.
Section 2. – All BEFF grievances must be submitted within twenty four (24) hours, by phone, to the Commissioner for action by the BEFF officers. A written copy of the grievance must be filed with the BEFF Commissioner within 3 days (72 hours) from the time of the alleged infraction. Those filing grievances must obtain receipt of confirmation of the grievance from a BEFF officer.
Section 3. – Any team who has had a grievance denied will have to pay a $25 grievance fee upon their second submission of a grievance. If their second grievance is upheld by the Commissioner, the $25 fee will be returned to the grieving team.
Section 4. – The Commissioner’s decision regarding any and all grievances will be immediately released to the BEFF membership.
ARTICLE XI – CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at the BEFF Annual Meeting by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of the membership present in good standing, provided that written notice of the proposed change has been given to the BEFF Commissioner no later than January 1st.
Section 2. – These By-Laws may be amended at the discretion of the Commissioner. The Commissioner’s decision may be overturned by a unanimous vote of the member teams in good standing at the time of the vote.
These bylaws have been updated as of June 23, 2007
The home team must provide a chain crew for the entire game, the crew will alternate to the other side of the field at half time.
The league may allow teams to share fields as home fields, (two teams per field only).
ALL STAR SELECTION AND FORMAT
Each all star team will be made up of 50 players. The players should be voted on by their peers from their own teams. THE MAKE UP OF PLAYERS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS
A. League Champions ----------------- 12 players
Champion runner-up ---------------- 10 players
2 teams from play-offs -------------- 8 players each
2 remaining teams ------------------- 6 players each
TOTAL 50 PLAYERS
Two players for each position: each team should bring 10 names to the selection meeting with the exception of the league champions they are authorized to bring 20 names to the meeting.
The All Star Head Coach will be the coach of the conference champion: He then would select a coaching staff from within the conference.
The league will issue jerseys to all star players. All players must wear their own black pants and team helmet, the league will issue game socks.
ANY TEAM WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO THE LEAGUE THE NEXT SEASON IF ALL PREVIOUS DUES ARE NOT PAID………"NO EXCEPTION".
NO TEAM IN THE BEFF will be allowed to merge with another team from any other league. If so they will be excluded from further play in the league.
