Constitution of the Mason Dixon Football League

UPDATED: 06.27.2021

SECTION 1: Name of the Organization

The organization is titled the Mason-Dixon Football League, Inc. (herein called the League).

SECTION 2: Purpose of the League

To advance the participation of organized amateur football beyond the secondary and post-secondary school levels. The League promotes organized football for the players, coaches, administration staffs and the individual teams’ benefits and for the benefit of the communities these teams represent. The League is a non-profit corporation.

SECTION 3: Constitution and By-Laws

  • (A) The League Constitution will be reviewed annually at the 2nd meeting of the year. (Revised 2/26/11). Changes to the Constitution are to occur annually at the last meeting of the general assembly before the season starts.
  • (B) Any changes to the Constitution or By-Laws require a 2/3 vote of teams present (amended 1/24/04).
  • (C) By-Laws are those laws which are complementary to those in the Constitution. These rules change more frequently though, likely on an annual basis.

SECTION 4: Membership in the League

  • (A) To continue being a member team in the League, franchises must conduct themselves in accordance to the League Constitution and the By-Laws contained within.
  • (B) Teams failing to adhere to the League Constitution and its By-Laws become subject to the penalties as outlined where such rule(s) have been violated.
  • (C) New team(s) seeking to join the League must apply in accordance to the requirements of the League as outlined in articles D-H. Pending an investigation of the application, an assembly representing existing teams must approve the franchise at a League meeting by a 3/4 majority.
  • (D) Franchise(s) applying for an expansion team within the League must submit the following information in writing:
    • (1) community where franchise will be located
    • (2) ownership/governing body of the franchise
    • (3) stadium(s) availability based on letter and/or contract from municipal government and/or stadium itself
    • (4) photographs detailing stadium(s)
    • (5) within each stadium it must have
      • (a) locker rooms to facilitate two teams
      • (b) functioning and visible scoreboard preferred but not required
      • (c) press box preferred but not required
      • (d) NFL standard-sized field with appropriate out-of-bounds sideline space for teams. NFL hash marks preferred but not required.
    • (6) explanation as to why they want to join the League.
    • (7) money order or cashiers check for league dues which will be held until voting has taken place to see if team will be added to the League (added 3/24/03).
  • (E) Franchise(s) accepted into the League are prohibited from using a team name(s), colors and/or logo(s) of an established franchise in good standing unless agreed upon by an existing team (added 3/20/10).
  • (F) Franchise(s) applying for an expansion team within the League must submit the above information in 4D to the League on day of presentation. Payment in full must be made at that time if team is accepted. (Added 3/20/10)
  • (G) Franchise(s) accepted into the League in the first meeting of the calendar year will be done so conditionally. This is to allow further time by the League and/or its expansion committee to check on any other information required.
  • (H) New team(s) applying for membership in the League may attend a meeting(s) before the vote on their acceptance. No speaking privileges are extended to this Team unless such information pertains to their club. Under no circumstances are voting privileges extended to prospective franchises until they become official members of the League. New teams voted into the League will be on a one (1) year probation period and will be evaluated at the end of their first year. Full voting rights are extended to teams when they are voted into the League on New Business items (Added 3/24/03). Moved from Section 5 (3/21/03)
  • (I) Teams/individuals associated with teams may be voted out of the League, with no appeal process, for failure to fulfill League requirements or by actions deemed detrimental to the MDFL by a 3/4 majority vote (3/24/01).
  • (J) Any personnel associated with an existing team may not leave said team to start a new team for a two (2) year period. New team must be 50 miles or more from existing team (game field to game field – Added 6/10) unless agreed upon by teams involved (Added 3/5/00)
  • (K) MDFL Official Fees are split by both Teams for the Summer/Fall 2021 Season henceforth.  MDFL Games can be played with 5 or 6 Officials during Regular Season (Home Team will arrange and notify Opponent no later than Thursday week of Game on the split amount to be paid), 6 Officials in the Playoffs, and 7 Game Officials during Championship Game. (Added 6/27/2021)

SECTION 11: Home Team Responsibilities

  • (A) The home team is responsible for providing the following items:
    • (1) Six (6) officials must be present to officiate a game. The referee and one other official must have attended a League Clinic within the last year. The referee must hold a yearly clinic for each crew and alternates. Use no more than 1 rookie (did not attend the pre-season clinic) per game. (Added 6/11/00 – Any team without a representative at the next Officials Clinic will be fined $100. An official & member of the coaching staff (preferably head coach) from each team MUST attend the officials clinic each year. Also – No League team may use officials who did not attend clinic(s) (3/17/07) 
    • (2) Dressing rooms or three (3) motel rooms, either of which is within 15 minutes from the field, must be available 2 hours before game time thru 2 hours after the game is over.
    • (3) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY IS A $100 FINE WHICH MUST BE REPLACED BY THE NEXT WEDNESDAY.
    • (4) Three man (prefer four man) chain crew. Use adults or responsible youths. Recommend hiring at least one official to supervise and work the chains.
    • (5) stadium clock preferred, but not required. If no clock, must have an additional Official to keep clock that is not on the field, and there will be a 2 minute announcement before the end of the 1st and 3rd periods (Added 3/24/03)
    • (6) Public restrooms.
    • (7) Both teams call in final score
    • (8) Two (2) new Wilson NFL, Spaulding J5V or Wilson GST game balls (added 5/08) per game
    • (9) Home Team will provide 3 cases of water and 2 bags of ice to the visiting team.  (Added 6/27/2021)
    • (10) Officials for play-offs – 7 man crews; Championships – 7 man crews. (To be assigned by the League – Added 6/10)
    • (11) All teams Must have (added 6/10) a minimum of 1 uniformed security person at all games (Added 3/5/00). Visiting team should be made aware of the security (3/21/03).
    • (12) Please do not call the other teams after 10 p.m. or prior to 10 a.m. unless requested or it is an emergency (cancelled game, change of field, etc)
  • (B) ALL teams must have home & away jerseys. (Added 5/16/98). Primary jersey colors for the HOME TEAM will be dark color – VISITORS will be light color (Added 3/5/00)
  • (C) A map of the field location, Interstate highway(s), main roads, hospital(s), restaurants, stores that sell beverages and ice, plus the telephone number of the team representatives, coaches and police jurisdiction are due to the League before the second meeting of the year (3/24/03).
  • (D) Games will not be scheduled on Labor Day weekend unless both teams agree. Changes in dates/times should be agreed upon by both teams and both teams must notify the League. (Added 11/19/00 – Labor Day will be used as a rain date for the 1st half of the season). (Added 10/28/01 – Tuesday – 9 p.m., is the deadline to notify other teams, league office and President of any change in the schedule – ie moving games from Saturday to Sunday or changing the starting time of a Saturday game for reasons other than weather. If the visitor cannot come, after the home team has followed the above, it will go down as a forfeit loss for the visitors).
  • (E) Passes/tickets. Each team operates their own home game pass and ticket systems. The home team puts on the game and retains the gate. The visitor is responsible for their own transportation. Each team will receive ten team passes good at all League games. Players & Cheerleaders in uniform will be admitted free of charge (Added 3/5/00).

SECTION 12: Suspensions & Fines
There is no room in a game for spitting. If proven, the president will investigate and make a ruling. (Added 3/19/16)

  • (A) When a team fight breaks out, the referees are instructed to approach each bench and notify its personnel that anyone going onto the field will be ejected from the game.
  • (B) Any teams’ personnel causing damage at a game will be held responsible for that damage and becomes subject to the following: criminal prosecution, suspension and/or expulsion from the League. Damage payments must be made within two (2) weeks. Should restitution not be made, the team may be subject to disciplinary action which may result in a fine or suspension. Representatives from the home team and the visiting team to do an inspection of locker room after everyone is out and the team is about to leave (Added 3/24/03). Staff/other personnel are NOT permitted on the field unless attending to an injured player, defusing a situation or time out. If in violation, they will be subject to fines, penalties and/or suspensions. (Added 3/19/16)
  • (C) Team fights are considered those where personnel from one team out numbers the referees or violates article B above.
  • (D) Personnel who have been ejected from the game shall not be permitted to participate nor remain on the sidelines for the next game. The following addendum was voted in 12/8/96:
    • (a) on 1st ejection – Player is out for 1 game (next League game)
    • (b) on 2nd ejection – Player is out for 2 games
    • (c) on 3rd ejection – Player is out for season
    • (d) teams/officials must report ejections to the League office immediately following the game. These ejections may occur during any part of the game. The following addendum was added 1/11/97: Any player ejected during a playoff or Championship game may not play in the first league game of the next season.
    • (E) Any monetary fine levied by the Executive Council of their own decision must be accompanied by a written explanation of such decision.
    • (F) Any fine levied against a team or its personnel must be resolved before participation in another League game.
      • (A) Personnel who have been fined shall have 72 hours to appeal such fine.

SECTION 13: Player’s Rosters

  • (A) A complete roster (consisting of jersey #, name, position, height, weight and school) must be submitted to the League office at least two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of regular season play. $50 fine if not done – to be paid before the 1st regular season game – NO EXCUSES (Added 3/24/03)
  • (B) Each roster can maintain a maximum of sixty (60) players. An active roster must be prepared for each game listing the sixty (60) players that are eligible to dress for that game. No names without numbers will be accepted – 3/24/03.
    • (A) Updated rosters with additions or deletions must be made prior to the game. Such information must be received in writing by the League office. No players may be added to rosters after midnight Friday before the 5th regular game (3/24/03)
  • (D) No current rostered (added 3/5/00 and effective 7/15/00) player may move to another team in the same season unless the team he is leaving has given written permission for the move. A player who is on your roster for game 1 may NOT move to another team. Coaches need to communicate (Added 3/19/16). (Added 1/26/02 – Any current rostered player must receive a letter of release from his present team before joining another MDFL team Players may petition the League for a ruling if they feel they are unjustly refused release). Players who were on your final roster at the end of each season are considered “current rostered” players (3/21/03).
  • (E) Personnel who owe money, equipment or other property to an existing team in the League are not eligible to participate with another team in the League until such obligations are resolved.
  • (F) Part of any written permission allowing a player to move must include a paragraph stating the player in question has met all financial obligations with the original team.
  • (G) If a team ceases to operate while the regular season is in progress, all players are free to play for whichever teams they so choose.
  • (H) A suspended player is ineligible to join the roster of any team in the League until suspension is completed.
  • (I) All Players must Register each Season with the MDFL League Player Membership Registration Website to be eligible to play in MDFL Games.  Failure to properly register will result in Game Forfeiture and/or Fine. (Added 6/27/2021)
  • (J) Players can only play on one team at a time.  Players cannot play for different Leagues at the same time in a Season (2 different teams).  Failure to comply will result in Game Forfeiture and/or Fine. (Added 6/27/2021)
  • (K) Players must play in 3 games to be eligible for Playoffs. (Added 6/27/2021)

PENALTY: Teams violating any of the above articles by using ineligible personnel will forfeit the game(s).
You must bring PHYSICAL proof that this has occurred. This must be brought to the attention of the League office the Wednesday following the game in question (3/24/03)

  • Personnel who violate any of the above articles will be suspended from playing in the League for the remainder of the season and the following season.

SECTION 14: Clothing Requirements

  • (A) ALL MDFL teams will wear the designated uniforms assigned on the League roster. (Failure to do so will result in a $250 fine (added 3/5/00) (or forfeit-Added 3/20/10)
  • (B) National Football League Rules and Regulations concerning dress codes will be used except in the color of player’s shoes.
  • (C) Players must wear the same colored helmets, jerseys, pants and socks. Socks must be to the knee with no skin showing. Pants must cover the knee.
  • (D) Players may not wear cut off/knotted up jerseys or pants, wear jewelry of any kind and may not wear exposed coverings over their hair which protrudes from the helmet.

PENALTY: Players not abiding by Articles B-D shall not be allowed to enter the playing field.

  • (E) There is no drinking of alcoholic beverages allowed in the lockerrooms or playing fields by players, coaches or administrative staffs.

 

The following is what the MDFL has to offer teams:

MASON DIXON FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Team dues are $700 (non-refundable) per year and are payable each year. Forfeit Fee is $800. (Total of $1500)

Some of the things coming out of the $700 team fees are:

  1. Expenses for phone, faxes, copying, mailings
  2. Certificates for first, second and honorable mention all-league players
  3. Trophies for divisional and/or conference champions
  4. Trophy for league champion
  5. Cash prizes for Champion and runner-up – Amount to be decided each year
  6. Trophies or plaques for All Star MVP’s and MDFL Skills Challenge winners
  7. Plaques for Hall of Fame inductees
  8. Officials travel fee for all playoff games
  9. Officials fees & travel fees for Championship & League All-Star games
  10. 10 game schedule (no refunds of any league fees after schedule has been completed)
  11. Meeting room for league meetings
  12. Officials clinic for all officials put on by NFL official(s)
  13. NFL rule books (1 for each team & one for each head official)
  14. Notebooks for officials
  15. Emails are sent out each week during the season and as needed
  16. 10 League passes per team
  17. 60 League logos per team for each players helmet
  18. Teams are provided a financial statement of league at league meetings.
  19. The League also provides a website where scores and individual stats are updated
    weekly, all-league players are recognized, and league standings are put up after each
    game.
  20. Players eligible for a league all-star game each year – usually in the spring.
Travel with the Team to an Away Game
Purchase tickets Raffle Tickets $10 each or 15 for $100