I. Membership Participation

   A. The member schools of the Bay Area Christian Athletic League are:

       1. Beacon Christian High School of San Mateo.

       2. Bridgemont Christian High School of Daly City.

       3. Calvary Christian Academy of El Sobrante.

       4. International Christian School of San Leandro.

       5. North Bay Christian Academy of Novato.

       6. Patten Academy of Christian Education of Oakland.

       7. Trinity Christian School of Antioch.

       8. Veritas Christian Academy of Campbell.

       9. Voice of Pentecost Academy of San Francisco.

   B. Each school will field teams in the following sports unless otherwise waived by the Commissioner due to special circumstances. Girls are not to participate in team play on boys teams and boys are not to participate in team play on girls teams.

       1. Boys Varsity Soccer, Basketball, Baseball

       2. Girls Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

II. Eligibility of Student Athletes

   A. Enrollment

       1. Student must be enrolled at a member school and working towards completion of a high school diploma.

       2. Student cannot be less than 12 years old nor more than 19 years old as of the current school year.

   B. Academics.

       1. Ascertaining academic eligibility is under the sole authority of the school principal.

       2. Students must have achieved a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the previous term of attendance.

       3. The league eligibility criteria does not preclude a member school from establishing and enforcing a more stringent academic eligibility standard.

   C. Christian School Without Athletic Program/Home Schooled, Independent Study Students.

       1.  Number.  Each team is allowed to field two student-athletes from a Christian school or home school/independent study program which has no comparable interscholastic sports program.

       2.  Documentation.  In order to be declared eligible under this provision, students must provide documentation that he/she:

            1) meets the academic eligibility requirement of the league; and,

            2) the student is making satisfactory progress toward completion of a high school diploma.  This documentation must be forwarded to the Secretary of BACAL for review and approval.

       3. Notification.  Any school team including student-athletes eligible pursuant to this clause must send out a letter of notification to the Commissioner, listing the player(s)'s name(s) and number(s) prior to the completed team roster deadline.

   D. Transfers.

       1. Member Schools. Student-athletes who transfer between member schools must sit out the current season of competition.  In the event a school discontinues its sports program or a school closes, a student may be eligible to play for another BACAL member school the next school year.

       2. Non-Member Schools. Student-athletes who transfer from a non-member school becomes immediately eligible to compete in the current season of competition.

       3. Home Schooled/Independent Study Students. Once a student-athlete has applied for and been declared eligible under the Home School/Independent Study Student provision, that eligibility cannot be transferred to another member school for the remainder of the current academic year.

   E. Disciplinary Actions.

       1. Expulsions - Any student who is expelled from his/her previous school of attendance and transfers to a member school shall remain ineligible for participation in interscholastic sports for the period of the expulsion.

   F. Ineligible Students.

       1. Any team that uses an ineligible student-athlete in a sports contest will forfeit all games/matches in which the ineligible student-athlete participated.

III. Coaches

   A. Coaches are to act in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.

   B. Coaches shall conduct themselves in a Christian and professional manner at all times.

   C. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team at an athletic competition.

   D. One coach is to be chosen as Coach of the Year based on the following criteria:

               1) Testimony and Christian example;

               2) Professionalism; and

               3) Commitment.

       1. Selection Process.

           a. Time and Location: The selection of the "Coach of the Year" will take place at the sports committee meeting in which the "All-League" team is selected for that same sport.

           b. Balloting: The sports committee chair will distribute "All-League" and "Coach of the Year" ballots.  The section for the "Coach of the Year" will include space for two selections. A coach's top choice (coaches cannot vote for themselves) will receive two points and his/her second choice one point.  Voting is to be done by a school's head  coach for that sport or a representative of that coach.  Such representative shall not be a currently enrolled student of the school.  Once the ballots have been completed, the sports chair and one other individual will tabulate the ballots and announce the results both to the coaches present, and later, to the League Commissioner. The name of the "Coach of the Year" will then be posted to the BACAL website, and the honoree will receive a certificate from the League noting his/her selection.

IV. Officials

   A. Two certified officials assigned by a BACAL-recognized association are required (unless conditions for Article IV.D are met) for a BACAL-sanctioned League contest. It is understood that neither official of the home team may officiate if he or she is a student, alumni, parent, or staff member.  Due to the intensity of the game two certified officials from a recognized association are required.  At the beginning of each academic year, each member school will submit to the Commissioner's office by email a list of the referee associations they intend to use for each sport in the upcoming year.  Member schools must email any changes to its referee list to the Secretary of BACAL promptly after making such changes.

   B. Procurement and payment of officials shall be the responsibility of the home team.

   C. Officials shall be provided with adequate facilities and shall be treated with due respect.

   D. Should only one official be available, the home team must inform visiting teams at least forty-eight (48) hours before the League contest. On game day should only one official be available due to mitigating circumstances, both schools may agree to play the contest. If only one official is available from the association on an ongoing basis, the assigner of that association must submit a letter documenting this circumstance to the Commissioner for confirmation.

   E. Should the officials "no-show" for a League contest, and both teams were on site for the scheduled beginning of the game/match, the following procedure will be followed:

      1. The game will be rescheduled.

      2. The "home" team will travel to the "visiting team's" court/field for the rescheduled game/match unless both teams agree to play at the original site.

      3. The "home" team will pay for the expense of the rescheduled contest including officials and site rental.

      4. Should a reschedule not be possible, the original "home" team will forfeit the game/match to the "visiting" team.

V. Protests

   A. All protests must be made within 2 days of an action being protested.

   B. All protests must be made by email within two school days.  Copies of the protest must be sent to the Secretary, the Principal of the other school, and the League Commissioner.

   C. After securing all pertinent information, the Executive Committee (the League Commissioner, the Secretary, and the Treasurer) shall determine whether to allow or disallow the protest.  The Executive Committee decision shall be final.  If the protest involves schools represented on the Executive Committee, the League Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and Secretary will appoint a substitute from an uninvolved school to serve on the committee for that case.

   D. A $25 processing fee shall be mailed to the Treasurer of BACAL upon filing the protest.  If the Executive Committee rules in favor of the school filing the protest, the processing fee will be refunded.  The fee of any additional protest in one school year shall be $50.

VI. Arbitration

   A. When a member school requests that the Executive Committee arbitrate a matter (Constitution VI.E), the following procedure will be followed:

      1. The party or parties bringing the matter under dispute to the the Executive Committee shall write a letter to the the Executive Committee identifying the issue(s) and parties involved.

      2. The Commissioner, or another member of the Executive Committee, if the Commissioner’s school is a party to the protest, will then gather a statement in writing from each party involved and prepare copies for distribution to the Executive Committee.

      3. The Executive Committee will request that the parties involved in the dispute be present at the meeting of the Arbitration Committee.  If one party does not attend the arbitration meeting for a reason not excused by the Executive Committee, the Arbitration Committee will rule in favor of the other party.

      4. The Arbitration Committee will convene within seven (7) working  days from the date that the Commissioner receives the letter seeking arbitration.

      5. Should any member of the Executive Committee be involved in the matter being arbitrated, that individual(s) will not participate in the deliberation of the matter and the Commissioner shall appoint a replacement(s).

VII. Scheduling

   A. When possible, schedules shall be set up on a home-away basis in each BACAL sport except track and cross-country.

   B. Game Cancellation:  Fair compensation shall be made to any school that incurs expenses due to a cancellation due to an eligibility problem or without proper notification. These expenses may include official costs, facility rental and/or transportation costs.

      1. Proper notification of game cancellation by the Host Team due to rainouts will be before 12:00 noon of the day of the game.

      2. Proper notification by the Visiting Team is verbal confirmation one day prior to game day.

   C. To ensure starting time is kept, the home team should indicate with proper notification the amount of time it takes to travel to the site being used for the game.

   D. Baseball Rain-outs:  Home schools shall communicate with the visiting school no later than 12:00 noon on game day. It would be better to notify the visiting school forty-eight (48) hours in advance if possible.

   E. The regular season ends on the last day before the Tournament for that sport.  No games played after that date will be considered in the standings.

VIII. Rulebooks

   A. BACAL will be governed by National Federation of State High School Rules, and the BACAL Constitution and Bylaws.

IX. Forfeits

   A.  A forfeit will be official and duly noted in the standings once the League Secretary receives a letter or email from the school conceding the forfeit by the athletic director or school administrator.  Disputes regarding forfeits will be submitted to the Protest Committee.

   B.  A forfeit by the Visiting Team will be declared according to the guidelines of NFHS for a given sport. This includes no shows and lateness.

      1.  In the absence of NFHS guidelines in a given sport, a forfeit will be declared if the Visiting Team does not communicate with the Host Team within 30 minutes of start time.

X. Tournaments

   A. Dates to be decided by Board of Managers of BACAL.

   B. All rounds of the Tournament, including the championships will be played at a site(s) determined by BACAL representatives.

   C. The number of competing teams to be decided by the Board of Managers.

   D. In order to participate in League Tournaments, a member school must have:

      1) re-certified its membership in accordance with Constitution Article II;

      2) paid its membership fees in full;

      3) not have an outstanding balance with the league;

      4) submitted its referee registry form and rosters to the Commissioner's office."

   E. All officials must be members of a BACAL-recognized officials association.

   F. Seeding Procedure

      1. League standings.

      2. Head-to-Head Competition.

      3. League standings with teams above the tie.

      4. Point Spread in games between the two teams.

      5. Point Spread above the tie within the division.

   G. The Host school will be responsible to prepare the Tournament program.

   H. The Host school will be reimbursed for phone/fax, copying/printing, facility and officiating costs related to conducting the Tournament.

   I. The Host school will collect admission fees and turn them in to the League Treasurer.

   J. Monies made from concessions and promotion items (programs, t-shirts, etc.) go to the Host school.

   K. Teams designated as the "home" team will provide staffing for the official Tournament book.

   L. Student-athletes must participate in 75% (unless waived by the Board of Managers) of his/her team's regular season in order to participate in a BACAL Tournament. Student-athletes eligibility is established by his/her school submitting team rosters to the League Secretary prior to playing more than 25% of the team's scheduled games/matches. These rosters are then posted online at the League's website. Should their team qualify for a BACAL tournament, only those student-athletes listed on the official online roster may participate in postseason play.

   M. For tournament play a Forfeit will be declared in a team is not on the court/field and ready to play 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.

XI. Team Sports

All BACAL team sports are played by National Federation Rules with the following options:

   A. Soccer.

       1. There will be a mandatory substitution for yellow cards.

       2. Two equal halves of 40 minutes each will be played.

       3. During the regular soccer season, winners of ties will be determined in accordance with National Federation Rules for tournament or postseason play. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the winner will be determined by two separate five (5) minute overtime periods, then a five (5) player shootout, and if needed, a sudden death shootout.

       4. In accordance with National Federation Rules, a red-carded player must leave the game and not play in the next league game.

       5. A nine-player configuration in soccer shall constitute an official league contest for teams which have short rosters. The opposing team is not required to match the nine-player configuration.

       6. No tattoos shall be visible on a student-athlete's body during athletic competition.

   B. Volleyball.

       1. There will be mandatory substitution for yellow cards.

       2. Best three out of five games to a 25 point rally score in accordance with National Federation Rules for the 04-05 season.

       3. Competing teams are to provide one linesman and a scorekeeper for games.

       4. No tattoos shall be visible on a student-athlete's body during athletic competition.

   C. Basketball.

       1. No press once a thirty (30) point lead is established.

       2. Participating teams are to provide one (1) scorekeeper and one (1) timer.

       3. Tattoos shall not be visible on a student-athlete's body during athletic competition. Violation of this rule will result in a technical foul.

       4. A shot clock is required in facilities in which the shot clock is part of the game management equipment.

   D. Baseball.

       1. Ten (10) run rule after the 5th inning ends regulation play.

       2. Line-up may include a DH.

       3. If there is a time limit on field usage, a minimum of two hours played and four (4) innings played shall constitute an official league game..

       4. No tattoos shall be visible on a student-athlete's body during athletic competition.

   E. Softball.

       1. Twelve (12) run rule after the 5th inning ends regulation play.

       2. Ten (10) players may compete if both teams agree.

       3. Line-up may include a DH.

       4. Information of field restrictions and time limits other than darkness must be communicated to the visiting team.

       5. If there is a time limit on field usage, a minimum of two hours played and four (4) innings played shall constitute an official league game..

       6. No tattoos shall be visible on a student-athlete's body during athletic competition.

   F. Cheerleaders.

       1. Cheerleaders are to remain on sidelines.

       2. Cheerleaders are not to position themselves about or under the basket.

       3. No tattoos shall be visible on a cheerleader's body during athletic competition.

XII.All-League Team

   A. Composition

       1. To consist of ten (10) players, plus one (1) MVP selected from all teams.

       2. Second team selections shall consist of the total number of no more than ten players.

       3. A player must receive at least one (1) vote to receive Honorable Mention.

       4. In the event there are less than 6 teams competing, or at the discretion of  the Board of Managers, the number of All-League players selected for each sport may be changed.

   B. Selection Process

       1. The Board of Managers will select a Sports Chair for each sport at the  August meeting for that Academic year. The Sports Chair will facilitate the meeting at which the All-League and Coach of the Year selections are made.

       2. Each school must have a designated representative including an administrator, athletic director, coach or designated adult present. Those schools who do not have a representative present will be fined $50.

       3. Coaches nominate players from their own team but may not vote for them.

       4. Selections will be made by written ballot and tabulated by the Sports Chair plus one other individual and announced to the respective representatives.

       5. Players will be rated in descending order.

       6. Voting shall be restricted to student-athletes nominated by their coaches.

       7. The All-League teams will be published online one week following the Sports Committee meeting in which selections are made."

       8. The Executive Committee may vote to change the number of players voted for on a ballot depending on the number of teams and players participating in the sport for each season.

XIII. Sportsmanship Award

   A. At the meeting in which the All-BACAL and Coach of the Year honors are determined, the coaches will vote for the team (players and coach) which demonstrates the highest level of sportsmanship and Christ-like witness.  The ballot will include space for two selections. The top selection will receive two points and the second choice one point. The team which is  selected receives a Sportsmanship trophy.

XIV. Protest Outline

   A. All protests must be made after the game of the action being protested.  The opposing coach must be notified at the time of the contest that the game is being played under protest.

       1. The specific rule or call under protest must be clearly stated at the time of the incident.

   B. All protests must be submitted by email to the Secretary of BACAL within two (2) school days following the sport event.

   C. After securing all pertinent information, the Executive Committee, the League Commissioner, League Secretary, Treasurer shall determine whether to allow or disallow the protest.

       1. If the protest involves school(s) represented on the Executive Committee, the League Commissioner, or Secretary will appoint a substitute from an uninvolved school to serve on the committee for the case.

   D. No protest shall be made that exceeds the rules of the National Federation, whose rules we have agreed to follow.

   E. The Executive Committee shall hear or consider only the protest of issue(s) addressed to the umpire/referee and the opposing coach.

   F. The choices of the Executive Committee are as follows:

       1. Disallow the protest on the grounds that the official ruling is consistent with the standards of the League and National Federation rules. Note: An umpire's judgment call cannot be protested.

       2. Determine that the protest is upheld; therefore, the game must be finished at the same field and under the same conditions (scorekeeper, umpire, team roster, score, score book, etc.) as when the game was stopped.

       3. Determine that the game must be played over on a neutral field with neutral officials.

       4. Determine that the game cannot be replayed due to time considerations, fiscal concerns or constitutional questions. The Executive committee will render a decision.

       5. All decisions of the Executive Committee are final.

Amendments

2010, November 8: Section X.L - Tournament roster deadlines changed.