By-Laws_of_the_SIJHSAA 09/21/2006 127.89 Kb
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2008 SIJHSAA  BY LAWS

TOP 10 BY LAW QUESTIONS WE WERE ASKED LAST YEAR

1...IF A STUDENT TRANSFERS, IS HE/SHE ELIGIBLE IN THE NEW SCHOOL?   This is by far the leading question we receive each year.  Transfer students are not eligible for one calendar year UNLESS they meet one of the exceptions stated in the By Law.  ARTICLE 1, Section 5

2...IS A TUITION STUDENT ELIGIBLE?   Not for one calendar year. NOTE: Any student living outside the public school boundaries of the school he/she attends, is
considered a tuition student even if they are not required to pay it.  Also, private and parochial students are considered tuition students.   ARTICLE 1, Section 7

3...MAY A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL TEAM ALSO PARTICIPATE ON A NON-SCHOOL TEAM? YES, if their local school's authorities allow it. ARTICLE 1, Section 12

4...IF OUR SCHOOL DOES NOT OFFER A PARTICULAR SPORT, MAY MY CHILD PLAY ON THE NEIGHBORING SCHOOL'S TEAM IN THAT SPORT?
No.    ARTICLE 1, Section 14

5...IF SOMEONE IS EJECTED FROM A SIJHSAA CONTEST, MUST THEY MISS THE NEXT CONTEST?   Yes.     ARTICLE 8, Section 2

6...ARE HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR SIJHSAA SPORTS?
Possibly, providing they meet all other eligibility criteria  and their local public school supports it.    ARTICLE 1, Section 6     (Note: As of July 1, 2009, this question will be covered in ARTICLE I, Section 1 and the answer will be no.) 

7...IF OUR SCHOOL DOES NOT OFFER A CERTAIN SPORT FOR GIRLS, MAY OUR GIRLS TRY OUT FOR THE BOYS' TEAM IN THAT SPORT?  Yes,
if their school is approved to do so by the Illinois State Board of Education.
ARTICLE 1, Section 11

8...WHEN MAY WE BEGIN PRACTICE? There are no designated dates for beginning practice contests and no designated ending dates for either. 
ARTICLE 4,Section 2

9...IS A STUDENT WHO IS REPEATING A GRADE ELIGIBLE? No.
ARTICLE 1, Section 2

10.HOW MANY GAMES & TOURNAMENTS ARE ALLOWED TO PLAY? The only SIJHSAA sport that has limitations is basketball.    ARTICLE 28, Section 2

(Click on Article link below to quickly jump to it)

Section 2.  AGE REQUIREMENTS:
a.  Any SIJHSAA  student who becomes 16 years old prior to the scheduled State Finals in a given sport, shall be ineligible to compete in that sport and all other sports for the remainder of the school year. 

 b.  SIJHSAA  students who become 15 years old  prior to the scheduled State Finals in a given sport, shall be ineligible for 7th grade contests in that  sport and for all other sports for the remainder of the school year.

Section  3.   ACADEMICS:
a.  A student shall be doing work sufficient for promotion.

b.  A student may participate in only one(1) SIJHSAA State Series per sport per school year and/or at the same grade level. 

c.  Any student who is repeating a year's work, or a portion of a year’s work, is ineligible for all SIJHSAA sports during that time frame.

Section  4.  IDENTITY:
A student shall always have competed under his/her own name.

Section  5.  RESIDENCE:
a.  WHERE PARENTS LIVE: Assuming a student meets all other SIJHSAA eligibility criteria,  a  student shall be eligible if he/she attends the member school district in which his/her parents or the person who has legal custody of the child resides.  In the event of joint custody, the student shall be eligible at the member school district in which the parent having primary custody of the child resides. 

b.  WHERE PARENTS WORK: Students who live with their parents in one school district, and whose parents work in a member school in another district, are not eligible in the district in which the parent(s) works. 

c.  BOUNDARY CHANGES: Students affected by school boundary changes through annexation or detachment decertification will be permitted a one-time choice of districts in which they wish to attend. Whichever choice is made, said student(s) will be permitted to retain eligibility in that school for the balance of their junior high school careers, provided they are junior high students at the time of the boundary change. 

d.  UNIT DISTRICTS: In school districts where more than one graded attendance center is maintained, a student shall be eligible at the attendance center that serves his/her area.  The boundary lines that were established prior to the formation of the unit district shall be considered  the official boundary lines.

e..  GUARDIANSHIP: Change in guardianship does not automatically make a student eligible.  Guardianship is only one factor that will be considered by the SIJHSAA when ruling on such cases.  The eligibility of orphans, children whose parents are divorced or separated,  children who are wards of the court, and children whose guardianship has been changed by a judge through the courts shall be subject to review by the Executive Director.  In cases involving a change of residence by students,  parents,  or those with whom students are residing, an official ruling must be secured from the SIJHSAA before any such students may be considered eligible.

Section 6  TRANSFERS:  a.  If a student transfers from one school to another one, he/she shall be ineligible for a period of one calendar year unless:

(1) The student's transfer is in conjunction with a move by his/her parents or the parent who has legal custody of the student from one school district to another.  iIf the transfer is made during the summer break or within the first ten attendance days of the school year, the student shall become eligible immediately.  Otherwise the student shall been ineligible to compete for twenty-one(21) calendar days.  In computing the 21 days, the first day is considered as the day the student is enrolled or the day in which the family enhabits the bonafide residence...whichver of the two happens last.  A move is defined as a actual physical relocation with no intent to return to the former residence. 

(2)The transfer is from a private/parochial school to a public school in the district where the student's parents reside , or where the parent with legal custody resides,  and the principals of both schools involved accept the transfer, concurring that there is no evidence of recruiting in connection with the transfer.  The 21-day rule stated in (1) above applies here also.

(3) a.  The transfer is from a non-public school to another non-public school within a 15-mile radius of the student’s home and the principals of both schools accept the transfer, concurring that there is no evidence of recruiting in connection with the transfer.  Once again, the 21-day rule applies.

(3) b.  If a student's transfer is based upon his/her being emancipated, an orphan, the student's parents being divorced or separated , a ward of the State or court, or a child whose legal guardianship has been changed by a judge, his/her case shall be subject to review by the Executive Director.  An official ruling must be secured from the SIJHSAA before any such student may be considered eligible. Change in legal guardianship is only one factor to be considered by the SIJHSAA when ruling on such cases.  Change in guardianship does not automatically make a student eligible.  Also, the 21-day rule applies.

b.  Any student who resides full time with his parents, custodial parent, or guardian appointed by a Judge of a Court having proper jurisdiction, whose parents, custodial parent, or gurdian appointed by a Judge of a Court having proper jurisdiction are certified full time employees of another school district or school may participate in the SIJHSAA activities at the employing school or school district of their parents, custodial parent, or guardian appointed by a Judge of a Court having proper jurisdiction provided they obtain a waiver approved by the Illinois State Board of Education from the school they previously attended, and submit such waiver to the SIJHSAA.  Thewaiver must be submitted before the start of that sport season.  Upon receipt of the waiver signed by the Principal of the school previously attended, and the school that the student is now attending, the student shall become eligible for participation in all SIJHSAA activities and events, providing they meet all additional SIJHSAA eligibility requirements.  (to become effective January 1, 2009)

Section  7.  TUITION STUDENTS  or students who attend a parochial or private school shall be ineligible for one year from their enrollment date, except students who have always attended school in the same member school or whose parents move from the  district or community traditionally served by the school following the student's start of the second semester of the 7th grade. Such student(s)  may remain in that district or school, with the approval of the local Board of Education, and retain eligibility regarding residence for the 8th grade,  providing there is no undue influence to retain attendance of such  students.  These students shall be required to pay out of district tuition and  this section shall in no event affect the residency rules or requirements of  the ISBE.
                                       
Section  8.  SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS:
a.  Students attending a Special Education or Special Vocational Education Cooperative Center, shall be eligible under the following conditions:
1.  Students taking part of their work at the Special Center and part of their work at their home school shall be eligible at their home school only.
2.  Students taking all of their work at a Special Center shall be eligible either the the school in which they are enrolled or at the school housing the Special Center.

Section  9.  UNIT TEAMS:
In school districts where more than one graded attendance center is maintained, a Unit Team composed of members of any or all of the said attendance centers can be declared eligible for competition by the Board of Control at its October meeting upon the written request of the Unit Superintendent of such district.  When such permission is granted, no attendance center in that unit is eligible for competition in SIJHSAA sponsored contests as a single center for a period of one calendar year.  Such permission to develop a Unit Team shall include the same obligations and privileges for the total program, that is:  for all sports, and for boys and girls.  Permission to operate in this manner would carry the inferred understanding that all other rules of the Association would be in force.  Upon written request by the Unit Superintendent, modifications may be made within the first five(5) years of the formation of the Unit District.

Section  10.  PUBLIC SCHOOLS USING PAROCHIAL STUDENTS:
a.  The districts where a Parochial school maintains an attendance center but is not a SIJHSAA member School, students from the Parochial school may participate in the athletic programs of the public school provided all of the following requirements are met:
1.  The Parochial school does not have an athletic program.

2.  All of the 7th and 8th grade Parochial students must be in attendance on a daily basis at the public school and the public school must count their attendance and receive State Aid for them.

3. The enrollment of the Parochial school as of September must be included with that of the public school for proper classification.
4.  A written request must be made by the superintendent of the public school to the SIJHSAA each year no later than the 7th day of school attendance.
5.  The Parochial students must meet all  SIJHSAA eligibility requirements.

Section  11:  GIRLS PLAYING ON BOYS' TEAMS
a.  Girls may participate on boys' teams in  SIJHSAA events under the following conditions:

1.  The member school must request permission from the SIJHSAA and provide written verification from the ISBE office that the member school is in compliance with Sex Equity in Athletics Compliance Verification(23rd Il. Administrative Code).
2.  The member school must provide the SIJHSAA with a copy of its most recent sex equity survey.
3.  The only team in the sport available at the member school is a boys' team.
4.  The girl(s) participates on the boys' team during the regular season.
5.  Not less than twenty-one(21) days prior to the start of the State Meet or Tournament, the member school must send to the SIJHSAA a letter requesting permission for the girl(s) to participate in the SIJHSAA sponsored boys' State Series.
6.  A member school will not be permitted to enter a boy on a girls' team in any sport during the regular season or tournament play.

TO OBTAIN A LETTER OF COMPLIANCE FROM THE
ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
write or call:   217-782-2948

ISBE 100 North 1st Street
Springfield, Il.  62777-0001

Section  12.  School and Non-School Teams:  The SIJHSAA has no rule prohibiting its member schools from allowing their students to participate on non-school teams such as clubs and church teams or on additional sports teams at their local school.

Section 13.  Eligibility/Use of Non-Certified Coaches:  The decisions regarding the use of and the appointment,employment, and training of non-certified coaches are the responsibilities of the local SIJHSAA member school. The SIJHSAA does require that all coaches in all its member schools be covered by their school's liability insurance plan.

Section 14.  If The Local Does Not Offer A Given Sport:  Those students are not allowed to participate with a neighboring school.

ARTICLE II:  ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
School authorities shall be responisble for verfying the eligibility of any SIJHSAA athlete upon request.  Failure to do may result in the forfeiture of the contest(s).  Coaches should hand carry a current eligibility list to all contests.

ARTICLE  III:   COOPERATIVE  TEAMS
The intent of this By-Law is to increase the opportunities for participation……not to encourage building stronger teams.
Section  1.  GUIDELINES:
a.    The deadline for cooperative(co-op) written application to the SIJHSAA  is July 1 each year.  APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH  THE SIJHSAA OFFICE.
b.  Each member of the co-op must have an enrollment(K-8) of 200 or less and eachmust be an SIJHSAA member in good standing.
c.  The combined K-8 enrollments of the schools within the co-op shall be utilized to determine the team's classification for SIJHSAA State Series play.
d.  The cooperative schools must be located in the same geographical area.The cooperative agreement shall be established for a period of two consecutive years.
e.  Any school participating in a cooperative team agreement may not form its own individual team in the same sport. 
f.  One application form must be completed and filed with the SIJHSAA office for each co-op team(sport) a school wishes to establish.
g. The governing boards of all schools participating in the cooperative team application must jointly make the application to the SIJHSAA.
h. The host school shall be responsible for any/all SIJHSAA fees for the sport.

Section  2.   APPLICATION  FORMS
a.  The cooperative application form shall include the following:
1.  The school years in which the co-op wishes to compete.

2.  The name of the cooperative team.

3.  The name of the host school for the co-op.

4.  The names and K-8 enrollments of all the schools that wish to participate in the
cooperative agreement.

5.  A statement giving the reason(s) for establishing the co-op.

6.   Each school's expected number of participants with and without the co-op.

7.   The signature of the superintendent of each school within the co-op.

8.   The signature of each school board president of each school within the co-op.

 9.  Attachment of approval from the conference(s) of each team within the co-op. 
In the event no conference membership is involved, written approval from a majority of
each school's opponents shall be required.

10.   Attachment of the inter-school agreement for the proposed cooperative team.

 11.  Application forms are available through the SIJHSAA office.

SIJHSAA CO-OP SAMPLE APPLICATION
Application deadline is July 1.
SCHOOL YEARS(2): _____-_____ & _____-_____   SPORT:___________________
NAME OF CO-OP TEAME: ______________________________________________
HOST SCHOOL FOR THE CO-OP: _______________________________________

SCHOOLS WISHING TO FORM THE CO-OP:(Must be SIJHSAA members)
_____________________________________K-8 Enrollment _________
_____________________________________K-8 Enrollment _________

REASONS FOR WISHING TO FORM A COOPERATIVE TEAM:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
EACH SCHOOL’S EXPECTED NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:
School_________________________ Without Co-op _____   With Co-op _____
School_________________________ Without Co-op _____   With Co-op _____

AUTHORIZING SIGNATURES
SUPERINTENDENTS                                     SCHOOL BOARD PERSIDENTS
____________________________                    _________________________________
____________________________                    _________________________________

ATTACH A LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM EACH CONFERENCE THE MEMBERS BELONG TO. IN THE EVENT ANY OR ALL DO NOT BELONG TO A CONFERENCE, ATTACH LETTERS OF APPROVAL FROM A MAJORITY OF THE SCHOOLS ON YOUR PRESENT SCHEDULE. ATTACH A COPY OF THE INTERSCHOOL AGREEMENT FOR THIS CO-OP.

ARTICLE  IV:   CONTESTS
Regional and State scheduling and contests shall have precedence over all other contests.

Section  1.  Definition of SIJHSAA SPONSORED CONTESTS:  one involving at least one
member of the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association played
anytime during the school year.

Section  2.  Practice in a given SIJHSAA sport may begin whenever the member school so chooses.  We have no starting dates in any of our sports. 

Section  3:  OTHER THAN THE STATE SERIES, any contest(SIJHSAA or
otherwise) played anytime during the school year must count toward a school's total
number of contests for the season.  

Section 4.  Number of Contests:  The only SIJHSAA sport that has game or tournament limitations is basketball. 

Section  5.  Regional(when required) and State contests will be sponsored by the
SIJHSAA in baseball, softball, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, and track.

Section  6.  Winning teams and/or individuals may advance to the next level of
competition provided that all contests are organized in compliance with the rules
and regulations of the Constitution and By Laws.

Section  7.  During all Regional and State contests the SIJHSAA prohibits the use
of all types of noise-makers, confetti, radios, camera lights, lazor lights, and tripods in the stands. Signs must be no larger than a legal sized sheet of paper.  Bands are limited to the National Anthem.  They are not be be used to give a home game atmosphere nor to create noise or to rally the fans.

Section  8.  The SIJHSAA rules apply to, 7th Grade(JV) contests and 8th
Grade(Varsity) contests only.

Section 9:  The SIJHSAA forbids bringing animals(dogs, cats, etc.) to our contests.

ARTICLE  V:   PHYSICAL  EXAMINATIONS
No contestant shall be permitted to compete in a practice(including tryouts) or a game unless he/she shall have filed with the principal or superintendent of the school a certificate of physical fitness issued by a licensed physician, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practioner, not more than one(1) year(12 mo.) preceding such practice or game. A record of the physical examination shall be on file in in the student's member school. 

ARTICLE  VI:   PROTESTS
Section  1.  There shall be no protests of decisions or rulings made by game officials or games committees unless those decisions/judgemnets violate specific By Laws of this organization.  

All formal protests must be accompanied by a $25.00 deposit.  If the protest is sustained, the deposit shall
be refunded.  Judgement decisions cannot be protested.

Section  2.  Any school making a protest shall have a school official contact the
the Executive Director within twenty-four(24) hours of completion of the contest.
For purposes of filing a protest, allowable writings are written letters, facimile transmissions, e-mail transmissions, or any other electronic written transmissions addressed to the Executive Director. 

Section  3. For protests in regard to tournament play, the tourney manager and    
the game officials should attempt to resolve the dispute.

Section  4.  Any coach or school official who withdraws a team from the field of
play under any circumstances prior to the official completion of the game shall
forfeit all rights to protest.

ARTICLE  VII:   FORFEITS
Section  1.  All eligible teams that enter any SIJHSAA State Series(regional/state)
must continue to participate in such contests until eliminated from the adopted
schedule by defeat or forfeit. 

Section 2:  Forfeits may be allowed only under the following conditions.
a.    When a team's roster is decimated by illness or multiple deaths, a forfeit may be
declared without penalty to the school.
b.    When further play becomes impossible because of travel conditions caused by
flood, severe winds, snow, or ice a forfeit may be declared without penalty to the
school(s).

Section  3.  Any coach or school official who withdraws its team from SIJHSAA State Series play for any reason, other than those stated herein, their school will be automatically suspended without recourse from membership in the SIJHSAA  for a period of one(1) year.  During that period of time the school shall enter no contests sponsored by this association.  This penalty shall be administered by the Board of Control and there shall be no appeal for the violation of this section of the By-Laws.

Section  4.  During season play, any coach or school official who withdraws a team
from the field of play prior to the completion of the contest shall forfeit all rights to
protest.  In addition, the coach shall be suspended for a minimum of two(2) games
and the member school placed on probation one(1) year.
  
ARTICLE  VIII:   SPORTSMANSHIP
Section 1.    THE SIJHSAA PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATHLETIC COMPETITION FOR GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS.  WE DO SO WITH THE INTENT OF ENHANCING THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND HOPEFULLY INSTILLING IN THEM POSITIVE QUALITIES IN THE AREAS OF
INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY,  AND COMPETITION.  

Section  2.  ANYONE(coach, player, or otherwise)ejected  from a SIJHSAA contest shall not be permitted to attend the next interscholastic contest at that level(jv/varsity) of competition, or any other SIJHSAA interscholastic contests at any level in the interim. Additional penalties may be assessed by the school and/or the SIJHSAA.

Section  3.  During a suspension coaches may not attend contests or travel with the team to and from contests from which sport they are suspended.  Violations could result in additional penalties for the coach and/or school.

Section 4.  Coaches and officials are asked to send a written report of the
incident to the SIJHSAA Director.

Section 5:  The SIJHSAA highly recommends that Section 2 above be kept in all scorebooks in order to insure that officials and other authorities may have access to that information “on the spot” when needed. 
The address for reporting such problems is:
SIJHSAA      8853  E. Prior Rd.      Dix, Illinois  62830

ARTICLE  IX:   PENALTIES FOR RULES VIOLATIONS
Section  1.  Any violations of the rules of this Association, its Constitution, and/or its By Laws shall be reported in writing to the Executive Director who shall conduct an investigation as hereinafter provided. The findings of the investigation shall be made known to the administration of the school alleged to be responsible for such violations.  The Board of Control shall  have final authority to impose penalties as it
deems appropriate.

Section  2.  The use of any ineligible player in any contest shall make the forfeiture of the contest automatic.

Section  3.  A team failing to field the required number of players within 15 minutes
of the scheduled game time shall forfeit the game unless there are extenuating
circumstances beyond the control of the participating school(s) as determined by the
tournament/game manager or Rules Committee.

Section 4.  The Board of Control  may invoke all penalties for rules violations as they deem fitting.

ARTICLE  X:  TEACHER STRIKES
Section 1.  Any/all contests missed due to strike-related school closures shall be
automatically forfeited and shall count toward the total number of contests in that
sport for the school year.

Section  2.  IF THE REGIONAL OR  STATE TOURNEY FOR THE SPORT(S) IN
SEASON HAS ALREADY BEGUN PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OFTHE STRIKE,
the team may continue until eliminated from the State Series.  Otherwise, the
school's teams are prohibited from participating  in contests until the strike has
been settled and school is back in session.

Section  3.  The team(s) may practice during the strike as normal……meaning
with the same regularity and length of practices as prior to the strike.

Section  4.  While a school is on strike, it may host tournaments and other contests.
HOWEVER, the striking school's own team(s) may not participate.

ARTICLE  XI:   ENACTING  AND  AMENDING  BY-LAWS
THE BOARD OF CONTROL SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENACT OR AMEND THE BY-LAWS.  Approval shall be by majority vote of those in attendance when a quorum of the BOC is present, or by mail vote. 

ARTICLE  XII:   CLASS   SYSTEM
Enrollment figures are based on the number of students in grades K-8. 

Section  1. The classes for each SIJHSAA sport are currently as follows:

BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, BOYS' BASKETBALL, GIRLS' BASKETBALL, and VOLLEYBALL
    3 Classes   L = the largest 32 participating schools
                    M = the next largest 32 participating schools
                    S = the remainder of the participating schools

BOYS' CROSS-COUNTRY, GIRLS' CROSS-COUNTRY, BOYS' TRACK, GIRLS' TRACK
    2 Classes   L = 501 and above
                     S = 500 and below

ARTICLE  XIII:  ANNUAL  DUES  AND  FEES
Membership dues and all sports participation fees are collected by January 20 each year.  THE INTENT-TO-PLAY CARD IS MAILED TO ALL MEMBER SCHOOL ON DECEMBER 1.  The dues and fees are for the calendar year and entitle the member school to participate in each sport it registers for that begins within that calendar year.  Annual dues are $30 and each individual sport’s fee is $30.

ARTICLE  XIV:   OPEN  WOUND  POLICY
Section  1.  A player, coach, or official who is bleeding or who has blood on his/her
uniform or clothing shall be prohibited from participating further in the contest
until appropriate treatment has been administrated.  If medical care or treatment
can be administrated in a reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have
to leave the contest.  What is considered "reasonable" shall be determined by the
official(s).

Section  2. The SIJHSAA recommends that each team(school) have a medical kit 
available for all sports events.

ARTICLE  XV:  BEGINNING DATES (Regional/State)
Dates are subject to change, due to the fact the SIJHSAA has no facilities of its own. 
ALWAYS CHECK OUR MAILINGS FOR DATE CHANGES.   WE ALSO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THOSE DATES, AND CHANGES OF DATES, POSTED ON THE WEB SITE  (sijhsaa.com).

Section  1.    STATE  TOURNAMENTS  AND  MEETS
Weeks are numbered from the first FULL WEEK(Sun-Sat) of July.

Baseball/Softball:  Saturday of week 13  

Cross Country:  Saturday of week 15   Sat. following Columbus Day

Girls Basketball:    CLASS  M     Friday of week 29  
      CLASS  L  Saturday of week 29  
      CLASS  S  Saturday of week 29  

Boys Basketball:    CLASS  M  Friday of week 31    
      CLASS  S  Saturday of week 31  
      CLASS  L Saturday of week 32   

Volleyball:    Adjusted annually according to the Easter date, and can be as late as
      April 1 or 2.  Most common date is the last Saturday in March.

Track:     Class S is  2nd Saturday In May (Week 45)
             Class L is Thurs., May 8, this year(2008) at RLC.

Section  2.  REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS AND MEETS:
Regionals all have a specific  meeting date established by the BOC and a window of
dates in which the regional must be scheduled.  Check the SPORTS CALENDAR, the
website, and our mailings for these dates.

a.  REGIONAL MEETINGS  are mandatory and it is also mandatory for each school to be represented at those meetings.  The penalty for failure to be represented at the regional organizational meetings(in any/all sports) is probation for 3 years. 

b.  Probation means that if the school or any of its representatives are found guilty of additional violations which also warrant probation, the school may be suspended from state series competition in all SIJHSAA sports for one calendar year.

 c. Sites, ratings, officials, times, places are all to be voted on and established at the 
 regional meetings.  Decisions at these meetings are final…providing they are in  
 accordance with SIJHSAA By Laws and regulations.

d.  Sometimes sites, such as an available track, and officials are difficult to schedule at the “last minute.” Thus, there may be times when it is prudent to have such item secured in  advance of your regional meeting.  HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE FACT THAT THE REGIONAL MEETING IS MANDATORY, ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY, AND THAT IT IS UP TO THOSE PRESENT TO FINALIZE AND APPROVE ALL REGIONAL TOURNEY OR MEET PLANS.

ARTICLE  XVI:  RULES AND REGULATIONS OF PLAY
Section  1.  Rules and regulations for each sport are given in the section devoted to 
the individual sport.  If not otherwise given in this book or in mailings from the Executive Director, each individual sport follows the Rules of Play as set forth in the National Federation Rule Book or by the IHSA.

Section  2.  Official rules for all sports may be obtained from the IHSA office.
IHSA   2715McGraw Drive   Bloomington, Il.  61701-2715
Phone: 1- 309-663-6377       Website:  ihsa.org

ARTICLE  XVII:   REGIONAL  TOURNAMENT  DRAWINGS
Section  1.  All SIJHSAA tournaments in all sports are single elimination and shall be set up at the regional tournament organizational meeting. Tourney drawings with numbered brackets are available through the SIJHSAA office.

ARTICLE  XVIII:  REGIONAL   TOURNEY   ORGANIZERS
In each sport where regional tournaments are held, tournament organizers shall be
appointed by the Executive Director.  Some of the duties of organizers are:

a.   Schedule a meeting of the coaches involved in the regional tourney.

b.  Become very familiar with the By Laws for that sport and also with the IHSA rules of the sport involved.

c.   THE DATE FOR EACH REGIONAL MEETING IS SET BY THE  BOC.  Check the SPORTS CALENDER for these dates.  The semi-finals and finals of regionals are to be played at the same location.

d.   The main purpose of the meeting is to completely set up the regional tourney.  
Every item should be approved by vote of those in attendance…one vote per  school. In case of any tie votes, vote again……if still tied, FLIP A COIN.

e.   Included in setting up the regional would be choosing the site(s), dates, times, 
officials, tourney manager(someone at the host school), how to share expenses,
rating the teams(or seeding the individuals, as in track), etc…..

f.   Report the results of the meeting, including a tournament drawing,  to the  
SIJHSAA office.
g.   Pass pertinent information from the SIJHSAA Director on to the host.


ARTICLE  XIX:   STATE   TOURNAMENT   DRAWINGS
Section  1.  State tournament drawings shall be made by the BOC, Steering Com-
mittee, or personnel designated by the Board of Control.

Section  2.  The placement of teams shall be done by random drawing. 

ARTICLE  XX:  TOURNAMENT & MEET  EXPENSES
. Section  1.  REGIONAL  EXPENSES:

a.    BASEBALL & SOFTBALL: Expenses are shared by the participating schools., providing the host does not charge admission for the tourney.  Charging admission for baseball/softball regionals is an option for the host. b.    BASKETBALL: The only allowable expenses are officials, postage, paper, phone.

c.    VOLLEYBALL:The only allowable expenses are officials, postage, paper, phone.

d.    TRACK: Expenses are shared by the participating schools.  Again that is providing the host does not charge admission for he meet, which remains an option.

e.    In baseball/softball regionals that do collect gate receipts($2 & $3), the allowable expenses are paid from the receipts.  Additional gate receipts money is then shared 50-50 between the host and the SIJHSAA.  Unapproved expenses shall all be paid for by the host.

Section  2.  STATE  EXPENSES:

a.  ALL  SPORTS:  The host shall be allotted a given amount of money to  run the tournament, and that money shall come from the gate receipts.   All additional gate receipts money shall be divided 50-50 between the host and the SIJHSAA. 

ARTICLE  XXI:   TROPHIES AND AWARDS
Section  1.  Standardized trophies will be furnished by the SIJHSAA.  One team trophy will be awarded at every Regional and four team trophies will be awarded at every State tournament or meet.

Section  2.  Individual awards will be furnished by the SIJHSAA in all sports at the State level as determined by the Board of Control.

ARTICLE  XXII:  REGIONAL  &  STATE  ADMISSION  FEES
REGIONALS:                                 STATE:
Adults………$3.00                          Adults………$5
K - 8th Grade…$2.00                     K - 8th Grade…$2.00
                                             
ARTICLE  XXIII:   OFFICIALS'  PAY
Regionals:  $42 when more than one contest is scheduled
                      $52  when only one contest is scheduled

STATE: Baseball/Softball  $50
              Basketball  $60
              Volleyball   $47

 ARTICLE  XXIV:   BASEBALL  and   SOFTBALL
ALL COACHES SHOULD OBTAIN A RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.
Section  1.  INTENT TO PLAY:
a.    Intent to participate should be filed with the SIJHSAA by the Feb. 10 deadline for the return of the INTENT-TO-PLAY CARD.  Those filing late shall have until Sept. 1 to do so and may be asked to pay an additional  late fee.  There is a Sept. 1 deadline for those changing their minds concerning baseball, softball, cros country, an/or basketball.  No school shall be permitted into Regional play in those sports after Sept. 1.

b.    Failure to mark the Intent form and file it with the SIJHSAA shall be considered a negative response in regard to entering the State Series.

Section  2.   ADMISSIONS:
a.    Admissions for SIJHSAA regular season games shall be optional.

b.    Admissions for SIJHSAA Regional Baseball/Softball Tournaments shall be optional.  If admission
is charged, the host shall request a financial form from the SIJHSAA office.

c.   Admission is charged at the State Tournament in each class and the host receives a BOC approved amount of money from the gate receipts with which to pay all tourney expenses other than trophies and awards..  Additional gate receipts shall be shared 50-50 between the host and the SIJHSAA.

Section  3.   COACHES  AND  PLAYERS:
a.  The maximum number of players per team is twenty.

b.  A maximum of 25 players/coaches/scorekeepers may may be on the  bench(in the dugout) during regular season and tournament games. c.   Teams may use adult coaches at first and third base coaching boxes.  If only one adult coach is used, only an eligible player may be used as  the other base coach.

d.  When a team is on defense, the coaches, additional players, managers, and scorekeepers are to remain inside the dughout.

Section 4.   UMPIRES:
There shall be at least two umpires working each game, and at least one of them must be registered. For Regional Tourneys, all umpires shall be IHSA licensed.  For  State Tournament play, 3 will be used and all  shall be registered.

Section 5.  TOURNAMENT RULES

a.  In general, we follow IHSA rules.  New SIJHSAA equipment rules, such as the face
mask for batters, usually follow a year behind the IHSA’s institution of the rule. 
That particular one took effect in the SIJHSAA in the fall of 2006.

b.  To enter any tournament a student must be eligible under all rules and conditions of the SIJHSAA.

c.  Each tourney team shall have its current eligibility list available at all times.

d.  A maximum of twenty-five(25) individuals may occupy the players' bench.      These individuals are identified in Section 3b.

e.  All team members must be in similar dress.  

f.  Team privileges shall be decided by the flip of a coin prior to the contest.

g.   All SIJHSAA tourneys shall be single elimination and the games 7 innings.

h.   Regional tourney expenses may be shared in any manner deemed satisfactory by a majority of those present at the regional organizational meeting.

i.  The SIJHSAA MERCY RULE shall be in effect as follows:  20 after 3 innings, 15 after 4 innings, or 10 after 5 or more innings.

j.   In tourney play, begin your suspended games where they left off.

k.  IT IS THE COACH’S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AWARE OF RULES AND
RULE CHANGES. 

ARTICLE  XXV:    BASEBALL   PLAYING   REGULATIONS
 Section  1.  For rules not included in the following list,  refer to the National Federation of State Schools Baseball Rule Book. ALL SIJHSAA BASEBALL COACHES SHOULD OBTAIN A  RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.

a. The distances between bases shall be 80 ft. and the pitching distance is 54 ft.
b. A PITCHER SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PITCH IN MORE THAN 9 INNINGS IN ONE DAY.

c. A pitcher shall not be allowed to pitch unless he has had forty(40) hours rest after pitching in four(4) or more innings on the same calendar date.  The fortyhour rule is computed from the scheduled starting time of the game in whichhe last pitched four or more innings.  In games which begin more than two hours after the scheduled starting time, the actual starting time shall be used to compute the forty hour rule.
One or more pitches constitutes having pitched in an inning.

d. Names of each tourney pitcher who actually pitches during a game shall bewritten on the back of the team's eligibility sheet along with the date and the number of innings pitched in.  This shall be signed by at least one of the following:  tourney manager, opposing coach, official scorer.

e. BASEBALL BATS:  NO 2 3/4 barrels....unless they are wood.   All bats over 30 inches MUST meet the -3 drop rule.  Bats 30 inches or less in length, AND WITH A 2 1/4 INCH BARREL, do not have to meet the -3 rule.  Wooden bat the meet IHSA/Federation standards are also legal.  Attach this rule to your scorebook and share it with the officials prior to all contests.
   
 f. Metal spikes are permissible in SIJHSAA baseball.

ARTICLE  XXVI:   SOFTBALL   PLAYING   REGULATIONS
Section  1.  For rules not included in the following list, refer to the National Federation Rule Book for 12 inch fast pitch softball.  ALL SIJHSAA SOFTBALL COACHES SHOULD OBTAIN A RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.

a.   The distance between bases shall be 60 ft. and the pitching distance is 38 ft.
b.   BATS: Only bats designed specifically for softball may be used.
c.   It is each coach's responsibility to be aware of any rules changes for that year.
d.   Metal spikes are NOT permissible in SIJHSAA softball.e.   The maximum number of players per team is twenty.
e.   In SIJHSAA softball, metal spikes are permissible.  (to become effective July 1, 2009) 

ARTICLE  XXVII:   CROSS COUNTRY
ALL COACHES SHOULD OBTAIN A RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.

Section 1.  INTENT-TO-PARTICIPATE:
a.   Intent to participate should be filed with the SIJHSAA by the Feb. 10 deadline for the return of the INTENT-TO-PLAY CARD.  Those filing late shall have until Sept. 1 to do so and may be asked to pay an additional late fee.  No school or individual shall be permitted to sign up after September 1.

b.   Failure to mark the intent card and file it with the SIJHSAA shall be considered a negative response in regard to participating in the State Cross Country Meet.

Section  2.  ELIGIBILITY:
a.   Individual eligibility requirements shall be those previously covered in that
section of this book.

b.   Each team must have its current eligibility list available at all times.  There may be a total of 10 names on the eligibility sheet for the state competition.

c.   Once entry sheets are received by the meet manager, an individual runner may
be replaced by another from his/her team's eligibility list.  However, the number
of participating runners shall not be increased.

Section  3.  PARTICIPANTS:
a.   A team may enter as many as seven(runners) in the State Meet.

b.  Team scores are derived from the team's top five runners.  Thus a team must
 enter a minimum of five runners in order to figure into the team standings.

c.   Participants of teams with less than five team members shall be running only for
individual achievement and awards.


Section  4.   STATE  MEETS
a.   The State Meet shall be held on the first Saturday following
Columbus Day.    Saturday of week 15   

b.   There will actually be four state meets on that date:
CLASS L BOYS      CLASS L GIRLS      CLASS S BOYS      CLASS S GIRLS

c.   The distances shall be 1.8 miles for boys and 1.25 miles for girls.

d.   A games committee will be established to rule on meet situations/incidents. 
Decisions of the starter and of the games committee shall be final.

Section  5.  SCORING:
a.   Scoring shall be done as set forth in the Federation/IHSA rule book.

Section  6.  UNIFORMS:
a.  Each contestant shall wear his/her school issued jersey and shorts. Rubber soled shoes are recommended.   Spikes, whether metal, ceramic, or any other material are not permitted.  Refer to the IHSA rule book for additional uniform and jelelry information.  (to become effective July 1, 2009)

Section  7.   DISQUALIFICATIONS:
a.  Shall be as set forth in the IHSA rule book and enforced by the starter and games committee of the
meet(s).

ARTICLE  XXVIII:   BASKETBALL  (BOYS  and  GIRLS)
For rules not included in the following lis, refer to the  National Federation Rule Book. EVERY COACH SHOULD OBTAIN A RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.  IHSA licensed officials shall be used in all SIJHSAA contests.

THE SIJHSAA HAS NO MERCY RULE IN EFFECT.

Section  1.   INTENT TO PLAY:
There is no fee to participate in basketball.  HOWEVER, you do need to mark your intent to participate on the INTENT-TO-PLAY CARD THAT IS DUE BY JAN. 20.  Those filing late have until Sept. 1 to do and may be charged a late fee.  No teams will be permitted to enter the State Series after Sept. 1.

Section  2.  NUMBER  OF  GAMES/TOURNAMENTS  PER  SEASON:
The following information relates to 8th grade(varsity) teams and 7th grade(JV) teams
only.  It does not relate to individual students or to teams below 7th grade level.

a.   The number of games/tourneys that may be played per season are as follows:  14  games and 3 tournaments;  16 games and 2 tournaments;  18  games and 1 tournament;  20 games and 0 tourname nts. FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THIS RULE SHALL CAUSE THE SCHOOL TO BE DENIED ENTRANCE INTO THE STATE SERIES and may possibly result in the school being placed on probation by the Board of Control.

Section 3:  Since we have no starting or stopping dates, all games and tournamnets, OTHER THAN THE STATE SERIES, played anytime during the school year are figured into the team's totals for the season.

Section 4. An OFFICIAL GAME is considered to be any practice or scrimmage with
another school, team, or group of individuals.

Section 5.  PROHIBITED PRACTICE:  As a coursey to Rend Lake College and in fairness to schools throughout our membership, we prohibit SIJHSAA member schools from holding basketball practices at RLC.

Section  6.   REGIONAL  TOURNAMENTS:
a.   The regional tourney manager shall have a copy of each team's eligibility list at
the official scorer's bench throughout the tournament.
  
b.  Each team may list twenty(20) players on the eligibility sheet.  The list may not be
altered during the tournament.

c.   A team may dress any fifteen players, per game, whose names are on the list.


ARTICLE  XXIX:  BASKETBALL  RULES (BOYS & GIRLS)
Section 1.
a.   For SIJHSAA regular season games, the quarters shall be 7 minutes in 8th grade games and 6 minutes in 7th grade games.
b.   All overtime periods shall be 3 minutes in length.
c.   All “B” or “JV” games are designated for students in the 7th grade and below.
d.   The SIJHSAA has no jurisdiction over contests below the 7th grade level.
e.   A player may not play in more than six(6) quarters per night or day….except in tourney play.  Over time periods shall  be considered extensions of the 4th quarter. (1) Violation of the rule shall be brought to the attention of the game officials by THE OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER  and shall result in a technical foul on the coach and immediate removal of the player involved  from the contest. (2) If the player is not
removed immediately, the game is forfeited and the coach shall be suspended for one game.  (3) The violation shall be reported by both schools to the SIJHSAA office within 24 hours of the violation.  (Note: PLACE THIS IN YOUR SCORE BOOK.) Please use common sense when the opposing team simply does not have enough players to avoid violation of this rule.

ARTICLE  XXX:   CHEERLEADERS
Section  1.  A total of fifteen(15) cheerleaders may dress and be placed on the pass for SIJHSAA sponsored tournaments.  If space permits, 8 may be behind the end line during play while the others remain seated.  All may be on the floor for cheers at the appropriate times.
Section  2.  Shakers shall be considered a natural part of the equipment for  cheerleaders and shall be permissible for them to use.
Section  3.  The SIJHSAA has no jurisdiction over eligibility of cheerleaders

ARTICLE  XXXI:   GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL
EVERY COACH SHOULD OBTAIN A RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.

Section  1.  The deadline for entering the Volleyball State Series shall be January 20.

Section  2.   Illinois High School Volleyball Rules shall be in effect unless otherwise
stated in this article.
a.  Scoring shall be 25, 25, and 15 points per contest.
b.  Warm-up times at the State are 3-3-3-2 for the first round and 2-2-2-1 thereafter.
c.  Uniforms and numbers placement on uniforms may vary from the IHSA rules.
d.  Each team may include twenty(20) names on its eligibility list.  A copy of this list
shall be available at all times.
e.   Any fifteen(15) of the eligible players may dress for any one match.
f.   "B" or "JV" contests are designated for students in the 7th grade and below.
g.   At the present time, the SIJHSAA has no limitations on the number of games or
tournaments a team may participate in.
h.  Eligibility guidelines are set forth in the early pages of the By-Laws.

ARTICLE  XXXII:   TRACK   &   FIELD (Boys and Girls)
The National Federation of State High School Rules and Records Book shall be used
unless otherwise stated in this book.  EVERY COACH SHOULD OBTAIN A RULE BOOK THROUGH THE IHSA.

Section  1.  INTENT TO PARTICIPATE:
a.  Intent to participate in track should be filed with the SIJHSAA by the Jan. 20 deadline for the return of the INTENT-TO- PLAY form. Failure to mark the Intent form shall be considered as a negative response. Those filing late have until March 1 to do so and may be charged a late fee. No team shall be allowed to enter track after March 1.

Section  2.  ENTRIES and ELIGIBILITY:
a.   A school may enter two(2) contestants per event, other than the relays.  Each
school may enter only one 4-member relay team per relay event.
b.   An individual contestant may compete in any 4 events.
c.   The eligibility requirements for track shall be the same as for all other SIJHSAA
sponsored sports.
d.  Each team should have a current eligibility list available at all meets.

Section  3.  RULES COMMITTEE:
a.   Each Regional and State Track Meet shall have its own rules(games) committee, ppointed by the meet manager, whose duty it shall be to rule on any/all problem that arise at that meet.
b.   The rulings of the starter and of this committee shall be final.

Section  4.  ADVANCEMENT TO STATE MEET:
a.   All first and second place finishers in the regional meets advance to the State.
b.   All other finishers who equal or better the QUALIFYING TIMES/DISTANCES
shall also advance to the State meet.  Qualifying advancement in running events must be accomplished in the finals….not in the prelims.  Meet records may be set in the prelims.

Section 5.  DATES:
a.   Regional organizational meetings: Wed. of week 43(April 12,2006)
b.  Regionals: Mon. of week 44 – Sat.. of week 44  (May 1 – May 6, 2006)
c.  State:  2nd Saturday in May. (Sat. of week 45)  (May 13, 2006)

Section  6.  UNIFORMS:
A.   Members of any participating team must wear school issued shirts of the same
color.   All contestants shall wear shoes. READ THE RULE BOOK ON
UNIFORMS!!

ARTICLE  XXXIII:   ORDER   OF   EVENTS &  QUALIFYING  
STANDARDS
Qualifying standards must be achieved in the finals for running event advancement.
BOYS                                                   GIRLS
CLASS L  PoleVault   9-6                          N/A
CLASS S                  N/A                         N/A

CLASS L  High Jump  5-5                        4-10
CLASS S                  5-3                          4-7

CLASS L Long Jump  17-6                       15-3
CLASS S                  17-0                        14-9

CLASS L Shot Put     44-0                       31-0
CLASS S                  43-0                        30-0

CLASS L  Discus        125-0                     99-0
CLASS S                  120-0                      85-0

CLASS L  Hurdles      15.5                       17.5
CLASS S                  15.8                        18.0    

CLASS L 7th Gr. Relay 1:48.0                   N/A
CLASS S                    1:51.0                    N/A

CLASS L 400 Meter Relay N/A                  56.0
CLASS S                    N/A                       56.5

CLASS L 400 Meters   58.5                       65.5
CLASS  S                  59.0                       66.5

CLASS L1600 Meters  5:10                      5:50
CLASS  S                  5:20                      6:10

CLASS L 8th Gr. Relay1:46                     1:56
CLASS S                   1:49                      1:59

CLASS L 7th Gr.  100 12.5                     13.5
CLASS  S                  12.8                     13.9

CLASS L  8th Gr. 100 12.0                     13.0          
CLASS S                   12.3                     13.5

CLASS L 800  Meters  2:18                     2:40
CLASS S                   2:23                     2:45

CLASS L 200  Meters 25.5                      28.0
CLASS S                  26.0                      28.5

CLASS L 1600 M.Relay  4:10                   4:40
CLASS S                     4:20                    4:50

ARTICLE  XXXIV:   RECORDS
Records may be established in the finals or the prelims.  Wind is not figured in, as
the SIJHSAA has never used wind measuring devices. 

ARTICLE XXXV:  SCORING
Scoring at the regional and state levels shall be done in accordance with the IHSA
rule book.

ARTICLE  XXXVI:   TRACK   REGULATIONS
Every coach should obtain a rule book through the IHSA.

HURDLES:  100 meter hurdles shall consist of 10 hurdles.  The distance from the
starting line to the first hurdle shall be 42’8”.  Distance between the hurdles shall be
27’10’’.  Distance from the last hurdle to the finish line shall be 34’11”.

HIGH JUMP:  SIJHSAA recommended minimum beginning heights:  Regionals(4-0 girls and 4-6 boys) and State(4-0 girls and 4-10 boys). 

POLE VAULT:  Recommended minimum beginning heights:(Regional 7-6  and  State 8-6).

SHOT PUT:  Each contestant shall receive 3 puts.  The 8 contestants with the longest throws will then be given 2 additional puts.  All puts will be recorded and considered in determining the places of finish.  The weight of the shot shall be 8 pounds.  Lead shots are illegal.  Rubber and plastic covered 8 pound shots are legal.

DISCUS:  Attempts are the same as for the shot put.  A rubber, wood, or metal discus weighing 2 lbs. 3-1/2 oz. with a diameter of 7-1/2" to 7-1/8" shall be used and should be checked by the judges before competition begins.  Throwing from a discus cage in the State Series shall be mandatory and is recommended for all other meets.

LONG JUMP:  Each contestant shall be given 3 trials.  The 8 contestants, plus any tied with the top six, with the longest jumps shall be given 2 additional jumps.  All jumps shall be recorded and considered in determining finishes. 

BREAKING OF TIES:  The breaking of ties in the field events shall be done in
accordance with the National Federation of High Schools Rules and Records Book.

RELAY  SUBSTITUTION:  Substitutes may be used in the State Track Meets providing they are on the eligibility list and have not already entered four events in the Regional & State Meets.

SCRATCH MEETING:  Scratches and replacements may be made at the "scratch meeting" prior to the beginning of the regional mee.

FALSE STARTS:    NO FALSE STARTS ARE PERMITTED.

SIJHSAA(Southern Illinois Junior high School Athletic Association

Jim  Burnes, Executive Director
8853  East Prior Road
Dix, Illinois  62830
Phone: 618-266-7047    Fax: 618-266-7055   

Website:   www.sijhsaa.com 

IESA Steve  Ensley 309-829-0114 Illinois Elementary School Association
IHSA 309-663-6377 RULES AND RULE BOOKS
National  Federation 317-972-6900 Rule Books

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
     Class  L Greg Hale, Pinckneyville High 618-357-5013 ext. 170
     Class M  Spanky Smith, Centralia Rec. Dept.  618-533-5656
     Class  S Greg Rushing, Coulterville Unit School 618-758-2881
    
CROSS  COUNTRY
     Jerry Corn, Benton Middle School 618-438-4011 Ext. 1003

BASKETBALL
     Rend Lake College Julie Oxford/Brent McLain 618-437-5321  Ext 1250

VOLLEYBALL
     Classes L and S  Karen  Jurich, Herrin High 618-942-2454
     Class M  Jason Finke, Nashville Middle School  618-327-3055  ext. 215

TRACK
     Class  L  Brent McLain, Rend Lake College    618-437-5321 Ext. 1719
     Class  S John Ashby/Jack Hamilton, Field School(Texico) 618-755-4611

To purchase rule books, contact the IHSA at 1-309-663-6377  or  ihsa.org.