The Capital Beltway League is committed to providing a variety of levels of competition for each and every one of the member programs participating within the league. Over the years the Capital beltway league has evolved into one of the most competitive youth football leagues in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. With this evolution comes the leagues’ responsibility to also maintain the opportunity for inclusion for all programs regardless of their past, present, or future level of competition. Through a multiple tier league structure the Capital Beltway League maintains the traditional high expectations of great competition by placing each program in a division that best reflects their own characteristics. This multiple tier structure allows the programs that have reached the highest level of competition the opportunity to face other programs that are on their same level during the entire season of play. This structure also provides the smaller and less competitive programs the opportunity to excel at a rate that best suites their program while also maintaining a commitment to the continuous quality improvement and development of their program. The Capital Beltway League has establishment the following divisions in order to create a window of opportunity for programs to compete at a level that is conducive to their size and membership:


1.Division I American
2.Division III Patriot
3.Division IV Federal
4.Division V Centennial


By establishing criteria that outlines the expectation of each level, the Capital Beltway League has created an open door for youth football programs of all shapes and sizes.

Division I American
(Cub, Ankle Biter, Pony, Midget, Junior, Intermediate)

This division includes the most well rounded programs that have satisfied all expectations in relations to competition, organization and administration, fiscal integrity, facilities and field, and youth participation and development. These programs have achieved a level of performance that allows for the highest level of competition, stability, and security within the Capital Beltway League measured and recorded over a three (3) year period.

Competition

Existing Programs will have to maintain a core team winning percentage of 34% or above each season and accumulate a minimum of 18 power points to achieve a good overall quality of experience for that programs core teams.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide three years of history that reflects a winning percentage of 34% or above and a minimum of 25 power points to achieve a good overall quality of experience for that programs core teams each of the three years prior to the request for entry.

Organization & Administration

Existing programs will have to consistently exhibit and maintain a strong foundation through their ability to administer and meet league operational requirements such as defined in the leagues rules of admittance including but not limited to the following:
• The execution of a seamless league weigh-in.
• Weekly adherence to pre game weigh-in procedures.
• The ability to pay all league fees within designated timeline.
• Understanding and executing league data base functions.
• All players on each team in matching game uniforms
• Present all required league paper work upon request.

New programs requesting to participate will have to have been established for a period of three years in a recognized youth football league (must provide proof of compliance with the above expectations through out a three (3) year membership prior to the request for entry).

Fiscal Integrity

Existing must maintain a level of integrity that promotes the adherence to all league rules and codes of conduct. Programs must maintain a full year of good standing to be eligible to participate within this division. Any existing member program that has completed a probationary period may petition the Capital Beltway League board of directors to participate within this division; however a majority of the votes will be required for admittance. Open or pending rules infractions or probation action(s) may be cause for not granting approval prior to completion or closure.
New programs requesting to participate will have to provide three years of history that reflects a good standing within previous league (must provide a reference that will communicate the above have been maintained through out a three year membership prior to the request for entry).

Facilities & Field

Existing programs must maintain a regulation size field of play with adequate sideline space for designated staff and players. The field must be sectioned off in order to provide a clear designated area for spectators, players, and coaches. There must be visible field lines and a goal post located at both ends of the field. Game fields with lights must be approved for after dark league play by the Capital Beltway Board of Directors. Programs must provide an indoor facility for their initial league weigh-in.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide proof of the above qualifications prior to the request for entry.

Youth Participation & Development

Existing programs must field each of the six (6) core teams (Cubs, Ankle biters, Ponies, Midgets,
Juniors, and Intermediates) with a minimum of 18 players listed on the original league rosters
of the cubs through intermediates.
Were programs are entering teams in multiple divisions, that program will be required to
have a minimum of 16 players listed on each roster within the same weight class.
(There will be a minimum of five non older but lighter players required to be listed on each league roster)
The head coach of each team within this division must complete all league development
Directives prior to the first allowed league practice date
(USA Football coaches certification level 1).

New programs requesting to participate will have to adhere to the above qualifications

Division III Patriot
(Cub, Ankle Biter, Pony, Midget, Junior)

Programs that participate in the Division I American or the Division II National are eligible to enter their overflow teams into this division. Programs that enter teams within this division are required to evaluate each player’s skill level prior to placing him/her on a team within this division. Players participating at this level must be at a level that would require some degree of fundamental development. Although teams in this division compete for a championship the understanding is that, the focus is and will always be, on the development of each and every player. Expectations for programs participating in this division in relations to competition, organization & Administration, Fiscal Integrity, Facilities & Field, and Youth Participation & Development will be as follows:

Competition

Existing Programs will have to promote a team commitment to giving their very best effort through a process that is inclusive for every player participating in this division.

New programs requesting to participate will have to promote a team commitment to giving their very best effort through a process that is inclusive for every player participating in this division.

Organization & Administration

Existing programs will have to consistently exhibit and maintain a strong foundation through their ability to administer and meet league operational requirements such as defined in the leagues rules of admittance including but not limited to the following:
• The execution of a seamless league weigh-in.
• Weekly adherence to pre game weigh-in procedures.
• Understanding and executing league data base functions.
• All players on each team in matching game uniforms
• Present all required league paper work upon request.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide a reference that will communicate the above expectations have been maintained through out their previous year’s membership prior to the request for entry.

Fiscal Integrity

Existing programs must maintain a level of integrity that promotes the adherence to all league rules and codes of conduct.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide a one year history that reflects a good standing within previous league the year prior to the request for entry.

Facilities & Field

Existing programs must maintain a regulation size field of play with adequate sideline space for designated staff and players. The field must be sectioned off in order to provide a clear designated area for spectators, players, and coaches. There must be visible field lines and a goal post located at both ends of the field. Game fields with lights must be approved for after dark league play by the Capital Beltway Board of Directors. Programs must provide an indoor facility for their initial league weigh-in.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide proof of the above qualifications.

Youth Participation & Development

Existing programs will be allowed to submit teams into this division when the number of players
Participating at any weight class exceeds the maximum allowed for that team
(31 players is the maximum allowed to participate on any one team).

New programs requesting to participate will have to adhere to the above qualifications

Division IV Federal
(Mighty Mite)

Programs that participate in the Division I American or the Division II National are able to enter their teams into this non competitive division. Programs that enter teams within this division are required to evaluate each player’s skill level prior to placing him/her on a team within this division. Players participating at this level must be at an introductory level that would require total fundamental development. Teams in this division do not compete in a traditional game format; instead they are required to play under a controlled scrimmage format. The focus is and will always be, on the development of each and every player. Expectations for programs participating in this division in relations to competition, organization & Administration, Fiscal Integrity, Facilities & Field, and Youth Participation & Development will be as follows:

Competition

Existing Programs will have to promote a team commitment to giving their very best effort through a process that is inclusive for every player participating in this division.

New programs requesting to participate will have to promote a team commitment to giving their very best effort through a process that is inclusive for every player participating in this division.

Organization & Administration

Existing programs will have to consistently exhibit and maintain a strong foundation through their ability to administer and meet league operational requirements such as defined in the leagues rules of admittance including but not limited to the following:
• The execution of a seamless league weigh-in.
• Weekly adherence to pre game weigh-in procedures.
• All players on each team are in matching game uniforms.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide proof of compliance that the above expectations have been maintained through out their previous year’s membership prior to the request for entry.

Fiscal Integrity

Existing programs must maintain a level of integrity that promotes the adherence to all league rules and codes of conduct.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide one year of history that reflects a good standing within previous league for the year prior to the request for entry.

Facilities & Field

Existing programs must maintain a regulation size field of play with adequate sideline space for designated staff and players. The field must be sectioned off in order to provide a clear designated area for spectators, players, and coaches. There must be visible field lines and a goal post located at both ends of the field. Game fields with lights must be approved for after dark league play by the Capital Beltway Board of Directors. Programs must provide an indoor facility for their initial league weigh-in.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide proof of the above qualifications.

Youth Participation & Development

Existing programs must first meet the participation qualifications of the Division I American or
the Division II National, to be eligible to participate. Each team that participates in this division
Must have a minimum of 16 players listed on the original league roster.
(There will be a minimum of five non older but lighter players required to be listed on each league roster)
The head coach of each team within this division must complete all league development
Directives prior to the first allowed league practice date
(USA Football coaches certification level 1).

New programs requesting to participate will have to adhere to the above qualifications

Division V Centennial
(seniors/Unlimited)

The purpose of this Division is to provide youth in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in and around the Metropolitan areas, an opportunity to play in a highly competitive football league to prepare for their participation in high school football. This is an unlimited weight class, intended for players who are too heavy to play traditional age/weight restricted youth football. Expectations in relations to competition, organization & Administration, Fiscal Integrity, Facilities & Field, and Youth Participation & Development are as follows.

Competition

Existing Programs will have to have teams participating within either the Division I American or Division II National. Programs will be required to meet the winning percentage/power point expectations of either the Division I American or the Division II National Division each season. Programs will have to promote a team commitment to giving their very best effort through a process that is inclusive for every player participating in this division.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide one year of history that reflects a winning percentage of 20% or above and a minimum of 10 power points for that programs core teams for that year prior to the request for entry.

Organization & Administration

Existing programs will have to consistently exhibit and maintain a strong foundation as an organization through their ability to administer and meet league operational requirements such as:

• The execution of a seamless league weigh-in.
• Weekly adherence to pre game weigh-in procedures.
• The ability to pay all league fees within designated timeline.
• Understanding and executing league data base functions.
• All players on each team are in matching game uniforms
• Present all required league paper work upon request.

New programs requesting to participate will have to have been established for a period of one year in a recognized youth football league (must provide a reference that will communicate the above expectations have been maintained through out their previous year membership prior to the request for entry).

Fiscal Integrity

Existing programs must maintain a level of integrity that promotes the adherence to all league rules and codes of conduct. Programs must maintain a full year of good standing to be eligible to participate within this division. Any existing program that has completed a probationary period may petition the Capital Beltway League board of directors to participate within this division (a majority of the votes will be required for admittance).

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide one year of history that reflects a good standing within previous league.

Facilities & Field

Existing programs must maintain a regulation size field of play with adequate sideline space for designated staff and players. The field must be sectioned off in order to provide designated areas for spectators and players. There must be visible field lines and a goal post located at both ends of the field. Game fields with lights must be approved for after dark league play. Programs must provide an indoor facility for their initial league weigh-in.

New programs requesting to participate will have to provide proof of the above qualifications prior to the request for entry.

Youth Participation & Development

Existing programs must first meet the participation qualifications of the Division I American or
the Division II National, to be eligible to participate. Each team that participates in this division
Must have a minimum of 16 players listed on the original league roster.
The head coach of each team within this division must complete all league development
Directives prior to the first allowed league practice date
(USA Football coaches certification level 1).

New programs requesting to participate will have to adhere to the above requirements.

The ability of any participating program to maintain the above requirements will be reviewed annually by the CBL Chairman. The Chairman will determine if any movement is in the best interest of the league.
A Request to overturn the determination of the CBL Chairman must be presented to the Vice Chairman for appeal within forty eight (48) hours of the original determination of the Chairman. The Vice Chairman will follow the procedure outlined within the Capital Beltway League by Laws to complete the appeal process.