Father Baker League Rule Modifications
CO-ED SOCCER Revised September 2019

1. We will follow the FIFA Laws of the Game Guide for Referees United States Soccer Federation, most recent edition, as our final reference for game play. The referee’s call is the final decision in disputes. We rely on the referees we hire to call games.  Referees may not be perfect, however they will be the final authority relating to interpretation and enforcement of rules.  A review may be requested with the board and they will make the final decision in disputes.
THERE IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR COACHES, PLAYERS OR SPECTATORS THAT ARE LOUD, RUDE, OR OBNOXIOUS TO THE REFEREES.  REFEREES WILL WARN THE COACH, WHO IN TURN IS RESPONSIBLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH SPECTATORS. NON COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN THE REFEREE LEAVING THE GAME AND THE OFFENDING TEAM WILL TAKE A FORFEIT.  POSSIBLE NEXT GAME SUSPENSION MAY ARISE.

2.  Team Rosters:  Each school must complete and submit to the league a written roster for every team that school has entered into the league. The roster must include:

1. The Coach's name, phone number and e-mail address.
2. The Player's jersey number, name, gender, and grade.

Deadline to submit rosters to the League:  Rosters must be submitted to the league on or before the Wednesday prior to the first game of the Regular Season.  

Official Rosters:  The Roster submitted to the League will be deemed to be the team's Official Roster. Referees will have copies of the Official Rosters.  Referees have the right to check Players against the Official Roster prior to each game.  A Master Roster will be kept by the League, consisting of the Official Rosters for every team in that Division. 

Coaches must present Official Rosters at every Game:  Coaches are required to bring a copy of the Official Roster to every game and must give one copy of the Official Roster to the Referee before the game begins.  The Official Roster submitted to the Referee will be kept for comparison against the Master Roster, and by the opposing coach if requested. 

Changes to Official Rosters:  If a change is made to the team's Official Roster at any point during the season after the Official Roster is submitted to the League (i.e., a player is added to the team, a new student requests to play soccer during the season, etc.) notification by email must be provided to the League before that player can participate in any games.  Email notification must come from the school's Principal and/or Athletic Director, who must agree to and approve the change to the Official Roster.  A Coach, alone, is not permitted to move or add Players from the Official Roster.  If a Player is moved up to an older age group or to a higher Division within the same age group, the school's Athletic Director must approve of that decision and must provide email notification of that change.  Only then may the Official Roster be changed.

Referees will have the rosters and will refer to them to verify a player's eligibility.  If a Player is not listed on the Official Roster, that Player will not be allowed to participate in that game.

If a Player that is not listed on the Official Roster participates in any game, the Coach of that team will be removed and not permitted to Coach in the Father Baker League for the remainder of that season.  The League's Board reserves the right to provide an additional suspension to that Coach, for up to one additional season. 

3.  This is an elementary school function and, therefore, the use of alcohol and tobacco products is prohibited around children.

4. The league is divided into four co-ed divisions:

Mites: 1st & 2nd grade
Pewee: 3rd & 4th grade
Junior Varsity: 5th & 6th grade
Varsity: 7th & 8th grade

These four age groups will typically be divided into two Divisions: the Cardinal Division and the Bishop Division.  The league will strive to place teams appropriately in each Division based on competitive levels and ages of the teams.  However, mixed-grade teams will likely be placed in the Cardinal Division, regardless of whether the team is not considered by that team's Coach/Athletic Director to be appropriately competitive for that Division.  In addition, in order to have a manageable number of teams in each Division, it is possible that a predominately older team is placed in the Bishop Division.  In that scenario, the league will consider the school's competitive history, the make-up of the team's roster, the population of the school or the size of that team's class and the fairness to other teams. 

5. No jewelry of any kind will be worn by any player. This includes string bracelets, earrings, body piercing, hair clips (metal or plastic).  Only cloth rubber bands will be permitted in a players hair.  Soft headbands are allowed.  No items may be taped over.

6. Younger players can move up to play one division; older players MAY NOT move down.  ONLY students in grades 2,4,or 6 can move up.  Players can only play on one team.  If a player moves up, they cannot also play down.

7. Younger players who are playing up a division MUST have a release form signed by a parent / legal guardian and written permission from your school principal before stepping on the field to play.  ANY team or coach caught not following this procedure is subject to league action or sanctions.  Coaches are responsible for knowing and abiding by this rule. 
ONLY students in grades 2, 4,or 6 can move up.

8. Each team will have their players wear a common uniform / jersey, which can be as simple as t-shirts, which are to be numbered.  Each player MUST wear the appropriate equipment (shin guards, soccer socks, and shorts.)  If cleats are worn, they are to be molded plastic.

9. Number of players:

Mites: (8v8) 7 field players plus a goalie

Peewee: (8v8) 7 field players plus a goalie 

Jr. Varsity: (9v9) 8 field players plus a goalie 

Varsity: (11v11) 10 field players plus a goalie

The mite and peewee division teams play on a modified field. 

10. No one is allowed to stand behind the goal box for either team, for any reason, during a game. It is a distraction for both goal keepers and shooters. Spectators, siblings, players and coaches are to be on the sidelines.

11. Gender Issue: There must be a minimum of 4 girls on the field at all times for Varsity games.  There must be 3 girls on the field at all times for JV, mites and pee wee divisions. 

12. If a team does not have the specified number of girls, they will play a player short for every girl that is missing (up to 2).  (If they do not have enough girls to put on the field, the girls' spot cannot be filled with a boy. The team must play with 1-2 less on the field than the other team.) The opposing coach with a full line up is under no obligation to play shorthanded, and may at anytime field a full team. 

EXAMPLE 1: Varsity Team A is short handed by 2 girls (only 2 girls are available for the game).  Team A plays with 2 fewer players against Team B who plays with the normal number of 11 players, or can play with fewer players if they would like to, but are under no obligation to do so.

EXAMPLE 2: JV, Pee-wee, or Mite Team A is short handed by 2 girls (only 1 girl is available for the game).  Team A plays with 2 fewer players against Team B who plays with the normal number of 9 players, or can play with fewer players if they would like to, but are under no obligation to do so.

EXAMPLE 3: Varsity Team A is short handed by 3 girls (only 1 girl is available for the game), or JV, Pee-wee, or Mite Team A is short handed by 3 girls (there are no girls available for the game).  In both of these scenarios, Team A forfeits to Team B.  The game will still be played but the score will be recorded at 2-0 despite how many goals are made in the game. 

The League Administrators reserve the right to grant exceptions to this rule to accommodate schools that do not have enough girls signed up to play. 

13. Game results will be reported by the winning coach by email to fmajchrzak1@gmail.com , with a copy to the opposing coach (also include a copy to huck4tf@yahoo.com).  The opposing coach will reply to all and either agree or correct the score.  Coaches must report the scores as soon as possible, no later than Sunday evening.

14. If a team can not play a scheduled game, and does not contact the other team, AND referee co-ordinator Tom Finn to reschedule the game, that team forfeits the game to the opponent. The game WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED.  (The best way to communicate with Tom is e-mail huck4tf@yahoo.com).

     **Any make-up games needs to be rescheduled by the last day of the regular season.

     **Any team to "no-show“ for a game or cancels within 24 hours of the scheduled game time, will be responsible for paying the referee fee for that game.

15. Game times and ball sizes: All Divisions will play ( 2 ) 25 min. halves with a 5 min half time.

Mites Ball: size 4
Peewee Ball: size 4
Jr. Varsity Ball: size 4
Varsity Ball: size 5

16. There is no overtime period for games that end in a tie during the regular season. Tie Breakers for Playoff season are as follows: If the game ends in a tie, two 5 minute overtime periods will be played. There is no SUDDEN DEATH or Golden Goal for the two overtime periods.  If the game is still tied after the completion of the two overtime periods, a shoot out will take place.  Each team will select 5 players, and they will rotate taking penalty kicks.  At least one girl must take a penalty kick.  If the game is still tied after 5 shooters, each team will select a 6th shooter, then a 7th shooter, etc. until a winner is determined. NO PLAYER can shoot twice.

17. There is NO offside for Mites games only.

18. Mites will be allowed to re-do a bad throw in. One coach from each team in the mite division may be allowed on the field to help with the players development as long as they do not interfere with the play or intimidate any of the players.  The referee at any time with or without cause may ask the coach to leave the field of play.  There will be no playoffs or "League Standings" for Mite Divisions. 

19.  For the Mite and Peewee divisions, we will utilize a "retreat line". During goal kicks, the opposing team will need to move back to half field. Once the goal kick is kicked, the opposing team can then move forward.

20. Cancellations: No team is to assume a game is cancelled, unless they are informed that decision was made by a referee.  ONLY A REFEREE CAN CANCEL THE GAME!!!

21. Each school must complete a sign up sheet and submit it to the league with the number of teams they are entering in each division. This sign up sheet needs to also include the name, email address and phone number of each coach, as well as the School's Principal, Athletic Director, and designated school soccer contact.  

22.  The school Principal and Athletic Director will be sent a copy of referee reports when unfavorable behavior has been conducted before, during, or after any game.  This will be sent by the league, Tom Finn, Frank Majchrzak, or Malia DeAngelis.   Schools are requested to bring all concerns through the League, rather than trying to contact another school on their own, so an investigation can be conducted.

23.  The school soccer contact will be: Invited to league meetings, contacted with questions, concerns, conflicts, or information to update on weather or field conditions, referee decision to cancel games etc. They will be expected to relay the information back to their schools teams, to ensure they are all notified.

24. Guest Players:    No substitute or guest players are allowed.  If a 6th grader plays for the Varsity (7-8 grade) team, he/she cannot play for the JV (5-6 grade) team.

25. ALL COMPLAINTS and CONCERNS should be directed to Tom Finn, Frank Majchrzak , and Malia DeAngelis who will have the final say in the dispute and decsions.