Bergen Travel Basketball League (BTBL)

Rules for All Grades

Bergen Travel Basketball League (BTBL) 2024

BTBL plays by High School Rules except as noted below. The following rules were voted on and approved by the towns which make up BTBL.

Basic Points:

Coaches should tape their Division’s Rules into the inside flap of their Team Score Book along with copy of the Team Roster.
Scorekeeping is a serious part of the game. Home teams are responsible to have knowledgeable, trained, and experienced scorers. Visiting team may sit one “unofficial” scorekeeper at the scorers table and should constantly compare notes with the official scorer. The referees will explain to the official time and scorekeepers before each game that they are part of the “game crew” and are not allowed to coach or cheer from the scorer’s table.

The Home Team is responsible for:

Providing the Official Score Book as well as the Time Keeper and Scorer. The Visiting Team may sit one unofficial person at the Official Desk. Any person seated at the scorer’s table may not coach, cheer, or comment on officiating. They become part of the “team” making the game official
Both teams must keep a bound permanent book for the season. If either team does not present their scorebook at the beginning of the game their opponent will be awarded two free throws and the ball to start the game. This “T” will be charged to the officials and not the head coach.
Provide the game ball. The game ball must be an Evo (Evolution) or Rock basketball.
Should have bandages and ice packs available.
Have available local Emergency Telephone and Contact Numbers.
Crowd control.
Record the first and last names of all players and their numbers.
Notify opponent and Assignor 48 hours prior to scheduled game time regarding cancellation or change of game time (Assignors names/contact info is on the Contact List).
Take the lead in rescheduling any cancelled game.
Notify Director of any scheduling changes and or rescheduling after they are approved by the opponent and the Assignor.
Coordinate who pays the Referees before the game for any make up games due to improperly cancelled games.
In the event both teams have the same colors and neither team has an alternative color then the home team must change colors by wearing pinnies or practice shirts.

Either Coach should post game results to www.bergentravelbasketball.com, within 2 hours following the game. Any ejections of players, parent’s and or Coaches must be reported via email to jayshevinsbtbl@gmail.com along with the reason why within 24 hours following the game. (This also should be reported by both Coaches!). Said E-mails should identify teams, division and game date.
Only the Home Team or League Director can postpone a game on short notice and only due to gym availability or emergency. Home team shall not refuse to postpone a game for a reasonable reason with proper notice (minimum 7 days). Before contacting the Home Team the Visiting Team should make every effort to get another town to flip flop their game with them. This will minimize disruption of the season for everyone and avoid single games and wasting gym time. When contacted to switch a game (flip flop) with a team in conflict other teams are asked to be as cooperative as possible as it could be you needing the help next time.
There are no game protests. All issues should be resolved with both coaches and the Ref’s during the game.
Games can be played with a minimum of one assigned ref. If neither ref shows up then there can be no official game played. Coaches cannot agree to override this rule.
Coaches, Players and Fan Conduct: Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated before, during or after a game. Fans, coaches and players will be supportive of their team and at a minimum “polite” to the opposing team. This includes the use of profanity anywhere in the gym. Any Coach, Player or Fan ejected from a game will be automatically suspended from the following game. Non player suspensions will be for two games following ejection. Second ejections will result in an automatic season suspension. If a parent or spectator comes onto the court in anger, said person will be ejected from that game and suspended from their team’s next (3) games. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of said game and the suspension shall be extended until the person complied with the suspension. Exception – Coaches who are ejected in the last game of the season shall only be for one game (including Playoff and Championship Games). NO ONE SHOULD APPROACH REFS AFTER A GAME other than to say good game, thank you or have a good night. Approaching the officials after the game to confront or in an angered state might lead to an ejection and subsequent suspension. Questions of rules should take place during the game at a time out or between quarters, otherwise questions should be emailed to the Assignor. The League Director shall notify the Town Contact regarding game(s) to be missed as a result of suspensions due to ejections. During their suspension, suspended players, coaches, fans are not allowed in the facility where their team is playing.
If a team forfeits two games they will be removed from the league with no refunds forthcoming.
Uniforms: at least a T-Shirt (matching) with proper basketball numbers on front and back. (no number with a 6, 7, 8, 9 in them) If players on the same team have the same number then the player should modify the number either permanently or using masking tape.
BERGEN TRAVEL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PROVIDES NO INSURANCE OF ANY TYPE FOR THE PLAYERS, COACHES, SPECTATORS OR THE LEAGUE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH TOWN TO PROVIDE INSURANCE FOR THEIR OWN TEAM. ANY TOWN WHO IS NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS POLICY SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE LEAGUE IMMEDIATELY. REFUNDS WILL BE MADE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEASON SHOULD THIS POLICY BE OBJECTIONABLE TO YOUR TOWN.

If a team refuses to play a game or make a best efforts attempt to play said game they may be subject to a $150.fee for each game not played. $100 of this fee would be awarded to the opposing team.
Playoffs: In an 8 team flight the top 4 teams will qualify for the playoffs. In flight with more than 8 teams up to half will qualify provided they have a minimum of 8 wins. In any flight the minimum number of qualifiers is 4. The order of Playoff tie-breakers for a two team tie will be head to head competition, record against teams with a winning record (over .500), record against common opponents, coin flip; additional game to be added under the following circumstances (without exceptions) to determine playoff inclusion but not to settle ties for teams who have qualified for the playoffs: teams involved with the tie have completed their 14 game schedule by the last day of the regular season or earlier; the game will be played on or before the first day after the end of the regular season; the teams can agree on a location. If none of these tie breakers determine the 4^th place team then a coin flip shall determine which team moves on. In case of a multiple team tie the first tie-breaker will be head to head competition, the second tie breaker will be record against common teams who made the playoffs, the third tie breaker will be record against all common opponents next is the coin flip. Winning % will determine tie breaks when imbalanced schedules are present.
Schedule Changes: Teams have ample time to request changes to their schedule before the start of the season. After the season starts only Town Contacts can request/make changes to their team's schedules. Logistically this might be difficult but there are valid reasons for instituting this policy. Some of the reasons are as follows: Coaches will cancel for personal reasons such as injured player(s), Coach can't make the game, Coach wants to put off a game for other reasons, etc. The only acceptable reasons to change the schedule once the season starts is weather or school related function. The Town Contacts are the gatekeepers of this policy. If you feel there should be an exception made then the Assignor and I will consider it but we will not deal with each Coach individually. One of the jobs of the Town Contact is to maximize gym usage in your schools. They will better understand the ramifications of making changes because they see the big picture in the programs gym utilization. We have to save open gym dates for the real emergencies and not allow them to be used for the coach seeking an advantage because he has an injured player or theater tickets.

Effective in 2012: When a game is canceled for any legit reason the following procedures are effective: for games canceled in January/February the home team will contact the visitor within a week of the cancellation (two days for March cancellations) and present replay dates, come to an agreement, and inform the League Director and Assignor – rescheduled game can be played anywhere; if an agreement is not reached within 24 hours from the time the makeup dates were provided the home team will present the visitor with a minimum of three options to replay the game (must be options where both teams are unscheduled within BTBL), must be over a three week period with at least one date per week (February break excluded); if the visiting team does not accept one of the proposed dates the visitor will forfeit said game. Conversely, if the home team does not follow this procedure they will forfeit the game. Both teams may mutually decide to disregard this procedure and commit to make up the game whenever they can agree on a date. If the teams mutually agree to this and the game is not played by the last regular season date then a double forfeit will be declared.

If a team does not have 7 players for a game they may call up player(s) from a lower grade to fill in for a game. Teams calling up players for a game should not exceed 7 players for the game in question. Review Non Rules Suggestions #4.
Start time – games will start at the scheduled time. If a team is not present and ready to begin within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time the game will be forfeited.
Final Rosters – Rosters are to be submitted prior to each team’s first regular season game. If uniform numbers or other information is unavailable then rosters should still be submitted prior to the first game. Roster can be edited on line. Rosters may be added to/modified until January 20^th. However, once a player is on one team they cannot be moved to another team. No player can play in the playoffs who has not played in half of the regular season games (excludes injured players). Any team who has not submitted their roster may be notified by the Commissioner of their disqualification to participate in BTBL playoffs.
Snow Policy – Generally speaking the games are on if the school is open. Referees and opposing teams must be notified by the home team if the school is closed. Exceptions to this rule are tolerated but only when the forecast is for continued or worsening conditions. Refs should be given 4 hours notice when possible otherwise the home team should keep in constant contact with the Assignor and their opponent so the situation can be jointly monitored.
Super Bowl Sunday (SBS) – The latest a game shall begin on SBS is 4 PM. Teams may decide to play later on SBS if they prefer to.
Players may only be on one roster in BTBL unless permission has been given by the BTBL Commissioner. Players can be called up for a game(s) – see Rule 14 above. There are two exceptions to this rule in that 3^rd Grade Girls may also be on the 4^th Grade Girls Roster and 2^nd Grade Boys may also be on the 3^rd Grade Boys Roster.
Town League – BTBL is a town league. To play for a BTBL team you must live within the town you are playing for. Exceptions: you can play for a town where you are a full time student; you can play for a town which you do not live in but where your town and the town you play for share their basketball recreation programs; with BTBL Director permission you can play for a team in a different town if your town is in BTBL but doesn't have a team in your age group (Free Agent) or you are cut from your town team (note: if a town cut kids from their own town you most likely will not be allowed to play for that town). If a player’s town doesn’t have a travel program or has a program but no team in your grade you can play for a town in BTBL provided the player’s town goes to the same high school. Note: no team can accept any player from any town if they cut anyone from their town; player’s from a non BTBL town who has a travel program which they are eligible for cannot play for a BTBL team in lieu of or in addition to their home town team; player’s from a non BTBL town who play for their town cannot play in the BTBL in any grade. If a player lives in a town who participates in the BTBL and is a full time student in a different town it is the home town’s choice to have the player play for their town or to clear the player to play for the town where they go to school.
Playing up a grade for the season - Playing up a grade is permissible providing specific/separate email notification is provided to the League Commissioner by the Registration Deadline. Players not originally on any travel teams may be added until 1/20. Teams may not add a player from a lower grade to their regular roster after team Registration. Please note this section 21 differs from rule 14 which discusses calling up a player for one game.
Multiple Residences. When a player’s parents reside in different towns the player must play for the town where they go to school. If they go to a school in neither town it is the parent’s choice which town the player plays for but once the decision is made there is no switching towns during their BTBL career.
7^th Grade playing on Saturday’s Rule. Many teams have Bar/Bat Mitzvah conflicts in 7^th Grade. It is the Town’s responsibility to notify BTBL during Registration which Saturday’s need to be blocked out for their 7^th Grade Team. It is not acceptable to block out all Saturday’s as some towns only have gym time on Saturday.
Player eligibility is determined by grade. Exception: no player who should be two grades ahead based on age can play in said grade. 10/1 will be the date cutoff to determine player eligibility if a player is two years behind in grade and therefore ineligible. Towns must be able to produce a copy of all players Birth Certificates and Picture of each player within 72 hours of the Commissioners request.
Non Public School Closings: Non-resident players who are playing for a town where they go to a Non Public School which closes down may continue playing for that town only in grades 6 – 8^th (provided they play in that town’s Recreation Basketball Program). Non Resident Students below 6^th grade are not eligible to continue playing for the town in which the Non Public School closed.
BTBL Coach Code of Sportsmanship/Conduct Agreement.

The following agreement must be signed by each coach and given to their town’s BTBL Liaison. Acceptable Standards of coaching behavior include:

Set a good example for participants and fans to follow, exemplifying the highest moral, ethical and great sportsmanship behavior.
Respect the rules and judgement of the officials.
Treat opposing coaches, participants and fans with respect.
Instruct your players in sportsmanship and demand they display good sportsmanship before, during and after the game.
Coach in a positive manner.
Accept and recognize that the Coach(s) actions set an example for their players and team parents and that arguing with the officials will incite parents and teach the wrong lessons to the team’s players.
Accept that coaches are responsible for their team players and parent behavior before, during and after the game. Parents and players must be informed by the coaching staff of what is expected from them and the consequences of not complying with the BTBL rules.
Agree to visibly observe the end of the game handshake line and to make sure all players exhibit proper sportsmanship.
Understand that approaching the referees after the game by a coach, parent or player is unacceptable and against the rules and at the referee’s discretion may lead to an ejection and a subsequent 2 game suspension.
Accept it is their responsibility to report ALL game results within 2 hours after the completion of the game. All means win or lose, home or away.
Coaches accept the responsibility to play all games on the schedule and not to give up the end of the season because their team didn’t do well. Recognize that giving up is teaching the players the wrong lessons in life and is an example of poor sportsmanship.
Accept that they may not be able to attend every game. Coaches must accept they are not to reschedule a game because they or a key player(s) have a conflict. An assistant must be prepared to coach in absence of the head coach.
Agree to review the grade specific rules with the opposing coach and referees prior to each game and not to expect or complain about the referees not know these specifics if the coach didn’t review them with the referees. Grade specific and general rules should be taped to the scorebook so they are readily available for review.
Recognize that BTBL has a Sportsmanship of the week award which is posted from time to time on the welcome page of the web site during the season. Recipients can be players, coaches, parents and referees. Any player, coach, parent or referee can nominate a candidate for this weekly award.

Penalties:

Any coach ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike behavior will be suspended for the next two games.
Any coach who physically OR verbally abuses another person may be suspended for the remainder of the season and may face action by the local Police Department.
Any coach who physically or verbally abuses or threatens an official during or after a game will be suspended for the remainder of the season and may face action by the local Police Department.

_____________________________ __________________________

Signature of Coach Date

26 B BTBL - POLICY AGAINST HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING:

It is the goal of the BTBL to ensure that all of our children and
participants have a better understanding of these issues.

BTBL prohibits and will not tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation and
bullying (including cyber bullying). “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any gesture, any
written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a
series of incidents that:
1. Can be reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any actual or perceived characteristic, such
as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability; or
2. By any other distinguishing characteristic; and that
3. Take place in relation to any game situation or team function; and that
4. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or
emotionally harming a player or damaging the player’s property, or placing a player in
reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or
5. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any player or group of players; or
6. Creates a hostile environment for the player by interfering with a player’s participation or by
severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the player.

Notification of any alleged harassment, intimidation or bullying shall be made to the affiliated Coach, to
any opposition coach, to their town basketball governing body and to the BTBL (via email). The procedure for addressing the allegation will be the
same as for other in-town Code of Conduct allegations, however, the BTBL hopes to not be involved with the discipline of these infractions as towns are

better equipped to handle these matters. Having said this, the BTBL reserves the right to suspend violators if we feel their program/town, etc.. has not acted

in said situation.

Non Rule Suggestions:

No long finger nails. This is common sense but coaches need to discuss this with parents and monitor if need be.
Teams should show up to games with a print out of players first and last names with uniform numbers. This will speed up the pre-game process.
It is considered poor sportsmanship to use time outs to secure additional time in the backcourt thereby killing the clock instead of playing the game.
Teams needing to call up players (shorthanded) should make every effort to bring up a player of similar or less capability. “B” teams should not call up “A” team players. If no “B” players are available for call up then only “end of the bench” “A” team players should be called up. Every effort should be made to rotate call ups within the above guidelines. Lastly,
Town Liaison’s should be made aware of all call up situations in advance of players being called up.
Shouting at a shooter with the intent to distract the shooting player by a defender or fan is considered poor sportsmanship and should not happen prior to the shooter’s release of the shot. Shouting after the release of the ball to signal teammates to box out is considered good defense.
Foul Shooting – Coaches, players and fans should be completely quiet once the foul shooter is handed the ball by the official until after the shot is released. This includes coaches telling their team to “box out” or asking “who has the shooter?” These comments should be made prior to the official handing the ball to the shooter.
Some gyms may be too small for the teams scheduled to play there. If both teams agree the game may be played at the visiting team’s gym. Home teams are encouraged to cooperate with visiting teams who are concerned about court size and or player safety provided the visitor can provide an alternative option. BTBL requires as much notice as possible to rearrange the schedules but a minimum of one week is required.

Revised 9/29/2024