UMass Amherst Intramurals - Captain's Guide

The Campus Recreation staff works closely with team captains to promote a successful intramural program. It is not feasible or practical to meet with the thousands of players participating in intramural sports; that is why the role of team captain is pivotal to our success. We strongly recommend designating two individuals to serve as co-captains.

A successful captain's duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Pre-Season

Submitting accurate & complete team entry forms by the due date or earlier.
Providing contact information (phone number, UMass email address) for each co-captain.
Ensuring the team is represented at the mandatory captains meeting.
Reading, understanding, and adhering to intramural policies and procedures including the Intramural Handbook and specific sport rules and sharing this information with teammates.
Directing teammates to the Campus Recreation website for sport specific rules and other critical information.
Distributing the league schedule.

League Games/Playoffs

Modeling exemplary sportsmanship and civility and promoting sportsmanship and civility among teammates, opponents and intramural staff.
Representing or designating a representative for pre-game meetings, scoresheet sign-up, game issues, postponements and protests.
Ensuring only eligible players participate and making every effort to prevent forfeits.
Monitoring ‘Game Status’ on the Campus Recreation website during inclement weather. Retrieving new game information for rescheduled games and informing teammates.

Intramural Handbook

ARTICLE 1 – ASSUMPTION OF RISK/HEALTH INSURANCE

Participation in intramural activities is strictly voluntary. There are risks inherent to participation in sports and recreation. The University does not assume responsibility for personal injuries or loss of property. Injuries and their resulting costs are the responsibility of the participant. Campus Recreation strongly advises participants to take advantage of a University-sponsored insurance plan or a private insurance policy. Health insurance coverage is required for all participants.

ARTICLE 2 – GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

It would not be possible for Campus Recreation to check on the eligibility of all participants. Each individual is responsible for the verification of her/his eligibility. Team captains must also accept the responsibility for the eligibility status of any participant representing their respective teams. Questions regarding participant eligibility should be brought to the attention of senior Campus Recreation staff.

SECTION 1: All undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in the University of Massachusetts Amherst and UMass Amherst faculty/staff are eligible to participate in intramural activities sponsored by Campus Recreation, except as provided by special eligibility rules (see Article 4).

Graduate & continuing education students and faculty/staff must pay a recreation membership fee each semester to participate in intramural activities and use recreation facilities. There is also the option to pay an entry fee to participate in an intramural activity.
Students on academic probation are permitted to compete in intramural activities. Only probationary cases which the Dean of Students office feels are of a nature that warrant non-participation will be ineligible.

ARTICLE 3 – DIVISIONS OF INTRAMURAL COMPETITION

SECTION 1: The major divisions of competition are men’s and women’s undergraduates, graduate-faculty-staff and co-recreation. The men’s and women’s undergraduate divisions may be further subdivided into resident, independent (off-campus) and Greek (fraternity/sorority).

Only men shall participate in men’s activities and only women in women’s activities.
Men and women participate together in co-recreational activities.
Undergraduate students may participate in the graduate-faculty-staff division.
Graduate students and faculty/staff are permitted to play on undergraduate teams in the undergraduate or the graduate-faculty-staff division. When competing in the undergraduate division, graduate-faculty-staff must adhere to eligibility rules established for undergraduate competition.

SECTION 2: Participants may play for only one team in the men’s and women’s divisions and only one team in the co-recreational division in any intramural activity.

Once a player has competed for a team in a game, he/she may not transfer to another team in that sport season. Special consideration may be given to individuals on teams dropped from competition. These individuals may be permitted to transfer to another team if approved by senior Campus Recreation staff.

SECTION 3: SPORT SUPERVISORS/OFFICIALS

Sport supervisors have full responsibility for the administration of all games/contests, including pre-game and post-game, and matters not specifically covered in the intramural handbook and sport rules.
Officials have full responsibility for the enforcement of the rules specific to each game/contest, including pre-game and post-game, and matters not specifically covered in the sport rules.

ARTICLE 4 – PLAYER RESTRICTIONS

SECTION 1: VARSITY ATHLETES

A current varsity athlete may not compete in an intramural activity in his/her varsity sport or related sport (i.e. a baseball player cannot play softball). A varsity athlete is one who practices or is listed on his/her varsity team roster. This also includes redshirt athletes and redshirt freshmen, but does not include Proposition 48/nonqualifiers as long as they are not practicing with the varsity team.

A former varsity athlete, including any redshirt, who has participated one year or less as a varsity athlete must sit out one year from the end of his/her intercollegiate participation before participating in an intramural activity in his/her varsity sport or related sport. A former varsity athlete, including any redshirt, who has participated more than one year as a varsity athlete must sit out two years from the end of his/her intercollegiate participation before participating in an intramural activity in his/her varsity sport or related sport.

An intramural team is limited to one former varsity player.

A current or former varsity athlete is eligible to participate in intramural sports not related to his/her varsity sport (i.e. a field hockey varsity athlete can play intramural softball).

SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL & OLYMPIC ATHLETES

An individual who has competed in a sport on a professional and/or Olympic/international level is ineligible for intramural competition in that sport or its related sport.
An individual who has competed in a sport on a professional and/or Olympic/international level is eligible to participate in intramural sports not related to his/her professional and/or Olympic/international sport.

SECTION 3: SPORT CLUB ATHLETES

A current player who is listed on a sport club membership team roster and practices or competes with the team may not compete in an intramural activity in his/her sport club or related sport if the sport club has been chartered by the Student Government Association (SGA) as a Registered Student Organization (RSO).
A former club member who is not listed on the membership roster and practicing or competing with the sport club is eligible to compete in an intramural activity in his/her sport or related sport.

An intramural team is limited to one former club player.

A current and/or former sport club member is eligible to participate in intramural sports not related to his/her sport club (i.e. a volleyball club member can play intramural softball).

SECTION 4: INELIGIBLE PLAYERS - DEFINITIONS

Any player not listed on the official team roster in the Campus Recreation office in 215 Boyden.
Any player on the official team roster with incomplete information including full name, student number, class year, fees paid.
Any player without his/her UCard for an intramural contest/activity.
Any player who plays for more than one team in a specific division (men’s, women’s, co-rec) per league sport.
Any player not currently enrolled as a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Participants not currently employed as faculty or staff at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Any player who violates the eligibility rules relative to current and former varsity athletes, professional and/or Olympic/international athletes and/or sport club players (see Article 4).
Any player subject to civility/sportsmanship sanction or suspension.

Penalty: A-H
Any team using an ineligible player shall forfeit the game or games in which that player participated. Further penalties can include, but are not limited to, additional player and/or team sanctions.

ARTICLE 5 – SPORT/TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1: CIVILITY/SPORTSMANSHIP
Intramural sports are an essential component to the overall mission and vision of the Campus Recreation Program and the University of Massachusetts. The Campus Recreation Program strives to provide sport and fitness services for students, faculty and staff, encourage an active, healthy lifestyle and promote student development and leadership. Through organized and competitive intramural sports, Campus Recreation seeks to provide a positive and enjoyable atmosphere for all participants, including spectators and fans. The Civility/Sportsmanship Rating System [see Appendix A] is in effect for all intramural activities.

Any individual(s) who, through flagrant misconduct, threaten(s) or endanger(s) the safety of other players, spectators, officials or staff is barred from further competition until the individual(s) meet(s) with Campus Recreation staff. Sanctions can include suspension from intramural competition for the remainder of the current academic year or any part thereof or other disciplinary action. If a participant is permitted to continue to participate, further misconduct could subject the participant and teammates to further sanctions, including, but not limited to, being barred from intramural competition for the remainder of the current academic year or any part thereof. Examples of flagrant misconduct include, but are not limited to:

fighting with opposing players, spectators, officials and staff
using unnecessary and dangerous tactics as defined in the rules of each sport
repeated inappropriate verbal behavior toward opposing players, spectators, officials and staff

DISHONESTY
Any individual who is determined to have cheated may be disqualified from intramural activities for the balance of his/her University career or any part thereof. If the team he/she represents is a party to this cheating, that team may be barred from intramural participation for the balance of the year or any part thereof. Examples include, but are not limited to:
1. participating under an assumed name
2. participating while using a false ID
3. playing on more than one team as per intramural eligibility rules
4. withholding information of being a current or former varsity athlete, professional and/or Olympic/international athlete and/or sport club player
5. misrepresenting a score or roster/entry information
6. playing after having been suspended from competition
GAME/TOURNAMENT ENVIRONMENT
Every team and team captain is responsible for the conduct of its players and spectators. Any conduct judged to be detrimental to the participants, Program or any particular contest may result in disciplinary action by Campus Recreation staff, including sport supervisors and game officials. Unacceptable behavior includes language that is vulgar, threatening, harassing, intimidating and/or baiting and taunting. Disciplinary action can include, but is not limited to, loss of the contest, suspension of the individual(s) involved and/or suspension of the entire team.

SPECTATORS & FANS
Spectators are welcome at intramural contests. Team captains are responsible for the behavior of their spectators. Captains and/or teams will be held accountable for inappropriate behavior by their fans. Fans are expected to display good sportsmanship, follow the sportsmanship guidelines of this Handbook and do their part to create a positive, enjoyable atmosphere.
TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
To maintain a safe and healthy playing environment for everyone, smoking and other tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and illegal substances are strictly prohibited in/at all recreation facilities and intramural fields. Individuals, teams and spectators who arrive intoxicated, suspected of consumption or possessing alcohol or other illegal substances will not be permitted to play, will be asked to leave the playing area and may face further disciplinary action.
TRASH DISPOSAL
To maintain a safe playing environment, glass containers are not permitted on the intramural fields/courts. Properly dispose of or haul out any trash.

SECTION 2: INTRAMURAL SEEDING SYSTEM
In certain activities, teams may select their preferred level of play:

Top Gun – the most competitive level of play; highly skilled, experienced teams should select this level.
Just Fun – more recreational, less competitive; teams with novice players are strongly encouraged to select this level of play.
Playoffs will consist of a tournament combining the levels of play into one bracket.

SECTION 3: ENTRY FORMS/ROSTERS
Team roster entries and individual sport entries must be submitted to the Campus Recreation office on or before the entry due date. Additional information, such as meeting dates and other requirements, is available in the Campus Recreation office or at www.umass.edu/campusrec.

Incomplete team rosters will not be accepted. Team rosters must include the required minimum number of players with SPIRE numbers, gender, class year, team name, two or more date/time preferences.
Late rosters will select from remaining schedule choices.
Additions and/or deletions of players to the team roster can be made throughout league/pool play on the official team roster in the Campus Recreation office (215 Boyden). Roster changes shall only be made in person by a team captain. A person must be added to the roster before he/she plays in a game.
RECREATION/ENTRY FEES
Graduate students, continuing education students, faculty and staff must pay a recreation membership fee each semester to participate in intramural activities and use recreation facilities. An entry fee may be paid to participate on an intramural team without access to recreation facilities. Participation on a second team within a sport season requires an additional entry fee. Recreation membership or the entry fee must accompany the team roster at the time of submission.

SECTION 4: MAJOR SPORTS/LEAGUES
Major team sports are organized into leagues within each division by preferred scheduling choices.

Playoff criteria varies per sport and division. Playoff criteria is reviewed at each sport’s mandatory captains meetings.
MANDATORY MEETINGS
Each team must be represented at the sport’s mandatory captains meeting. A team member may attend in place of the team captain. Any team not represented at the captains meeting will not be eligible for the playoffs. For minor sports and tournaments, any team not represented will not be scheduled.

SECTION 5: MINOR SPORTS AND TOURNAMENTS
Schedule formats and playoff criteria are typically finalized at mandatory captains/players meetings.

SECTION 6: SPORT RULES
Intramural rules are adopted from a national governing body, such as Amateur Softball Association (ASA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). All intramural participants agree to abide by all rules and regulations. Campus Recreation reserves the right to institute any rule changes and/or modifications. Rules for intramural sports are available at www.umass.edu/campusrec.

SECTION 7: UCARD REQUIREMENT
Each intramural participant must present his/her UMass UCard before each and every intramural game/contest. The UCard must be as originally issued with photograph, name and student number. No other form of photo ID will be accepted. UCard replacement must be done at the UCard office in 168 Whitmore (Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm).

SECTION 8: POSTPONEMENTS/SCHEDULE CHANGES
Due to the number of entries, short playing season, limited facilities and other constraints, postponements will be granted only under special circumstances.

Postponements initiated by captains must be made at least 24 hours prior (weekends not included) to the scheduled contest.
No game shall be postponed unless a Postponement Request Form has been completed and signed by both team captains and approved by Campus Recreation staff. The captains must appear together at the Campus Recreation office. The re-scheduling of any game must be agreed upon by both team captains in consultation with Campus Recreation staff.
In case of postponed games or schedule changes due to circumstances such as inclement weather and University closings, the team captain(s) is/are responsible for obtaining rescheduled information from the Campus Recreation office or @ www.umass.edu/campusrec.

SECTION 9: FORFEITS
Any team or individual failing to appear within five (5) minutes of the scheduled contest time will be charged with a forfeit. Similarly, a forfeit will result when a team fails to have the minimum number of players to begin a contest. Refer to individual sport rules for the minimum number playing requirements.

FORFEIT FEE
A $10 forfeit fee will be required after one forfeit to regain playoff eligibility. Team sports requiring a forfeit fee are basketball, field hockey, flag football, ice hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball.

All forfeited contests will be recorded as a loss. In the event of a double forfeit, both teams will receive a loss.

A team that forfeits twice in a season will be dropped from the schedule.

SECTION 10: PROTESTS
Protests based on the accuracy of an official’s judgment call will not be considered. Only protests based on misapplication of the rules and/or player eligibility will be considered.

MISAPPLICATION OF RULES PROTESTS
Protests involving misapplication of a rule must be verbally registered with the game official at the time the incident occurs. No protest can be made on a previous play once play has resumed. The word “Protest” must be stated by the team captain to the game official. Unless these procedures are followed, the protest will not be considered. The game will be stopped and every attempt will be made to rule on the protest immediately by Campus Recreation staff on site. Campus Recreation staff will rule on the protest and the game will resume.

Protests ruled on by Campus Recreation staff may be appealed in writing by the team captain following the conclusion of the contest. A Protest/Appeal Form must be completed by the team captain and submitted to the Campus Recreation office by 12:00pm the day following the contest. If a written appeal is upheld, the game will be played from the point at which the improper decision was made, or in its entirety, to correct the error. In some cases, Campus Recreation and both team captains may agree to a non-playing solution. If the protest is denied, the game stands.

Because of severe time constraints, written appeals regarding playoff games must be submitted to the Campus Recreation office immediately after the conclusion of the game.

ELIGIBILITY PROTESTS
To ensure honest sport competition, alleged eligibility violations should be made prior to the start of play to games rather than waiting to determine the outcome of the contest. If the game is in progress, however, the captain must register the protest with the game official before the game is over. The word “Protest” must be stated by the team captain to the game official. The game will be stopped and every attempt will be made to rule on the protest immediately by Campus Recreation staff on site. Campus Recreation staff will rule on the protest and the game will resume.

Eligibility protests ruled on by Campus Recreation staff may be appealed in writing by the team captain and must be submitted to the Campus Recreation office by 12:00pm the day following the game. If an immediate ruling cannot be made, the captain may submit a Protest/Appeal Form to the Campus Recreation office by 12:00pm the day following the game. The following must be recorded on a submitted Protest/Appeal Form:

Name of ineligible player(s)
Team(s) for which ineligible player(s) participated
Date(s) of ineligible play
Any information relevant to the protest

Because of severe time constraints, written appeals regarding playoff games must be submitted to the Campus Recreation office immediately after the conclusion of the game.

SECTION 11: EQUIPMENT
Intramural rules regarding equipment are adopted from a national governing body, such as ASA, NCAA, NFHS and NIRSA. Campus Recreation reserves the right to put into immediate effect any rules or regulations to protect the health and safety of the participants in the Program.

Campus Recreation will supply standard equipment for intramural activities with the exception of personal items (softball gloves, hockey sticks, etc.). Equipment is provided by the game officials for the conduct of the game. Participants should bring their own equipment for warm-up activities.
Campus Recreation staff, including officials and student supervisory staff, shall not permit any player to use any equipment that, in his/her judgment, is unsafe or dangerous to participants in the Program.

SECTION 12: ATHLETIC ATTIRE AND JEWELRY
Intramural rules relative to athletic attire and jewelry are adopted from a national governing body, such as ASA, NCAA, NFHS and NIRSA. Campus Recreation staff, including officials and student supervisory staff, shall not permit any player to wear any item that, in his/her judgment, is unsafe or dangerous to participants in the Program.

ATHLETIC ATTIRE
Proper athletic attire must be worn at all times during all intramural activities. Proper attire pertains to all articles of clothing, including upper and lower body clothing and footwear. Participants must wear athletic footwear (no bare feet) at all times during competition. Prohibited footwear includes metal cleats, boots, shoes, sandals, flip-flops or any form of open-toed shoes.
1. Sport specific rules may include additional restrictions on game attire.
JEWELRY
Jewelry may not be worn by any individual participating in any intramural activity. This includes earrings, necklaces, piercings, watches, bracelets and any other form of jewelry.
1. Medical alert bracelets are permitted but must be taped to the body.
MISCELLANEOUS
Approval must be obtained from Campus Recreation staff for the use of orthopedic devices essential to protect an injury, as well as any casts and/or wrappings.

APPENDIX A

CIVILITY/SPORTSMANSHIP RATING SYSTEM

The Civility/Sportsmanship Rating System is in effect for all intramural activities. A numeric civility/sportsmanship rating will be determined at the conclusion of each contest. The rating is final. In addition to qualifying playoff criteria, each team must maintain a 2.75 or better average civility/sportsmanship rating during league play to participate in the playoffs. During playoff tournaments, each team must be rated 2 or above to continue in the playoffs. Each team will receive a numeric civility/sportsmanship rating based on the following criteria:

4 Exceptional Conduct & Civility/Sportsmanship
Players cooperate fully with the officials, opponents & Campus Recreation staff. The captain calmly converses and interacts with officials about rules interpretations and officials game decisions. The captain(s) or game captain(s) has/have made a concerted effort to mitigate any concerns prior to escalation and deals effectively with his/her teammates/spectators.

3 Good Conduct & Civility/Sportsmanship
Team members mildly complain and/or question some decisions made by officials and/or show very minor dissent, but overall display good & appropriate conduct and respond to officials requests and/or warnings. The captain(s) or game captain(s) has/have made an effort to mitigate any concerns prior to escalation and deal effectively with his/her teammates/spectators.

2 Minimum Conduct & Civility/Sportsmanship
Team members show verbal dissent toward officials and/or opponents from the field/court and/or sidelines. Isolated use of unacceptable language, taunts and/or baiting. The captain(s) or game captain(s) make little effort to mitigate the inappropriate behavior of his/her teammates/spectators but is in control of him/herself. Officials are required to verbally warn players and players display little or no change in behavior. Depending on the sport and game circumstances, a yellow card, technical foul or unsportsmanlike penalty is issued. A team that receives two yellow cards or two unsporting technical fouls will receive no higher than a two (2) rating.

1 Below Minimum Conduct & Civility/Sportsmanship
Team members comment and/or complain to officials and/or opponents from the field/court and/or sidelines throughout the game. Repeated use of unacceptable language, taunts and/or baiting. The team captain(s) or game captain(s) exhibit inappropriate behavior and make no effort to mitigate the inappropriate behavior of his/her teammates/spectators. A team that has an ejected or disqualified player for unsporting conduct, flagrant foul or red card in a game will receive no higher than a one (1) rating.

0 Unacceptable Conduct & Civility/Sportsmanship
Team is completely uncooperative. The team captain(s) or game captain(s) and teammates/spectators exhibit sustained inappropriate behavior. Continuous use of unacceptable language, taunts and/or baiting. Any team causing a game to be forfeited or stopped early due to unsporting conduct will receive a zero (0) rating. A team receiving more than one red card in a game will receive a zero (0) rating. A team with more than one player with an ejection will receive a zero (0) rating.

The officiating crew will record the civility/sportsmanship rating for each team on the grid illustrated below. The grid is printed twice on the back the game scoresheet.

Civility/Sportsmanship Ratings

Team: ______________________________________________

4 3 2 1 0

Comments:

Team captains have the opportunity to evaluate the officiating crew and provide constructive feedback. The officials evaluation illustrated below is printed twice on the back the game scoresheet.

Captain(s) Rating of Officiating Crew

Team:	Captain:

Game Management (game & equipment control, appearance)
o Good – on time, ready to work, takes charge, keeps control
o Okay – some problems but overall fine
o Poor – game delays, loss of game control

Knowledge of Rules (judgment making calls)
o Good – worked hard, good position, made calls
o Okay – some problems but overall fine
o Poor – out of position, didn’t make calls

Interaction (listens, explains, overall rapport)
o Good – responded to questions, concerns, good captains meeting
o Okay – some problems but overall fine
o Poor – didn’t respond to any questions

Comments: