LEAGUE RULES AND INFO
(All rules subject to change)

Have fun! Sportsmanship is important. Treat your teammates, opposing players, referees, fans, scorekeeper, clock operator, etc. with respect. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated, and you may be subject to removal. Disrespectful behavior or attitude towards a Sarasota Rec League staff member, league director, fan, opposing player/team teammate or referee will not be tolerated.
​
Release Waivers/Player Conduct Contracts must be signed by all players before playing.

Prizes will be given to the champion of each season. In order to receive the prize you MUST play in the championship game. Absent players WILL NOT receive a prize.

1. Facilities and Location: RL TAYLOR RECREATION COMPLEX (1845 34TH STREET SARASOTA, FL)

2. League Format
  • Sarasota Rec League will be broken into two sections: regular season and single elimination playoffs.
  • Each team is guaranteed to play each team one time.
  • Only the top 8 teams will advance to the playoffs.
  • Team schedules will be uploaded on the website.
  • A non-refundable deposit of at least $150 is due to secure the team spot. Remaining team fees must be paid in full by Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5pm or the team will be removed from the schedule until payment is made.
  • Team fee will be determined based on the total number of teams. (Min. is $550).
  • Game times will be posted on the schedule. 
  • Schedule requests are NOT guaranteed. All schedule requests must be requested a week in advance, minimum. Teams who no-show without approval, are subject to removal. 
  • Games are played on Wednesday or Thursday evenings.
  • ​If a team is removed due to non-payment, any monies paid will NOT be refunded. The team will forfeit all money paid.

3. Equipment
  • Jerseys: There will be jerseys provided for use during the games. NO PERSONAL JERSEYS WILL BE ALLOWED. ANY TEAM NOT USING THE LEAGUE PROVIDED JERSEYS WILL FORFEIT THE GAME.
  • If a jersey is not returned – that player is subject to immediate removal and a $50 fine.
  • If a jersey is returned damaged - that player is responsible for the replacement cost. (Up to $15)

4. Rosters and Players
  • Players must play in at least six (6) regular season games to be eligible for playoffs. If teams need to replace a playoff eligible player who is not playing/able to play with a player who is not eligible for playoffs, league director approval is required. (Players not eligible for playoffs may still get to play on a case-by-case basis. A fine may be enforced. Must have played in a minimum of 5 games to be considered.)
  • If a team does not have five (5) players present before the start of the game, they can find a substitute player for the game. League director approval.​
  • Players are allowed 10 active players per week. You may have as many people as you want on your roster, but jerseys will only be assigned to 10 players max per game. If you have more than 10 players on your roster, you will need to submit your 10-player list by 3pm on game day.
  • Players who continuously switch teams will NOT be eligible for playoffs. If a situation arises where that player is needed for playoffs, due to the team not having five (5) eligible players, league director approval will be required.
  • A player cannot be on multiple rosters.
  • Rosters must be finalized by week 3. Any changes will only be approved in extraordinary circumstances. (In order to be placed on a finalized roster, you must have played in a game by week 3).
  • Any substitute player must be approved by the league director by 3pm on game day. No player can sub in a game without prior league director approval.

5. Game Time/Game Play
  • Regular Season: 18-minute halves / Playoffs: 20-minute halves
  • Regular Season: The clock will be running time except for dead balls during the final minute of the first half and the final minute of the second half.​
  • Playoffs: The clock will be running time except for dead balls during the final minute of the first half and the final two minutes of the second half.
  • If a team is ahead by 20 points or more in the second half at the 2-minute mark - the game will be called.
  • If a team is ahead by 30 plus points at the 3-minute mark - the game will be called.
  • If teams are tied at the end of regulation, a 90 second overtime period will be played. In overtime, the clock will stop during the final minute. If teams are tied at the end of the second overtime, they shall play a sudden death (first point wins) overtime period.
  • Half-Time will be 90-Seconds.
  • Players entering the game must check in at the scorer's table and wait for the referee to sub you in.
  • Only the TEAM CAPTAIN may approach the scorer's table with questions/comments during game play.
  • Players will be allowed to ask questions to the scorekeeper during timeouts or half time.
  • Players not in the game, must sit on the bench. Or stand behind the bench.
  • Upon the conclusion of the game: Players must clear the bench. 
  • VIDEO REVIEW: The Facebook Live Video Feed will ONLY be used for game winning shot review. The referees will review the footage at the conclusion of the night and make a determination. 

6. Official Score and Scorekeeper
  • The running score book (kept at the scorer’s table) will be the official score and foul count.

7. Time-Outs
  • Regular Season: Each team will be allowed two timeouts per game.
  • Playoffs: Each team will be allowed three timeouts per game.
  • If overtime is played, each team shall be awarded one timeout per overtime. Timeouts do not carry over.

8. Fouls
  • A technical foul is considered a personal foul.
  • Players will be allowed five personal fouls during regular season / six personal fouls during playoffs
  • If a player reaches five fouls and does not have a substitute player to enter the game, the player can stay in the game, but will be assessed a technical foul for each additional foul. The opposing team will shoot one free throw (worth 1 point) and receive possession. If the 6th foul is a shooting foul, the opposing team will shoot 1/2 shot(s) and the technical free throw.

​9. Free Throws
  • Only the players not shooting the free throw may enter the lane once the ball leaves the shooter’s hand (on the release).
  • Regular Season Only: If a player is fouled and makes the basket it is an automatic AND-1. No free throw will be shot. If a player is fouled and misses the shot, the player will shoot one (1) free throw to count as either two (2) or three (3) points.

10. Technical Fouls
  • Technical fouls: A player will shoot one (1) free throw to count as one point and receive the ball.
  • Any player who receives two technical fouls in a game will be ejected from the game and will be suspended for a minimum of one game. A suspended player may not attend the game.
  • After a player receives their 4th and 5th technical fouls, the player will be suspended for one game. This includes playoffs/championship games.
  • Once a player has received 6 technical fouls during the season, they are automatically ejected from the league.
  • Refunds will not be given for suspended/expelled players.

11. Flagrant Foul
  • A flagrant foul may be a personal or a technical foul of a violent or savage nature. It may or may not be intentional. Any player who receives a flagrant foul will be ejected from the game and will serve a minimum one game suspension. A flagrant foul will also count as a technical foul.

12. Forfeits
  • Teams must have three (3) members from their original roster playing or a forfeit will occur. The game can still be played but it will count as an automatic loss.

13. Player Conduct
  • Sarasota Rec League is a recreational program who aims to create a welcoming environment for all players. As such, the following conduct expectations are in place for all adult basketball games.
  • The following actions may result in a technical foul, double technical (ejection), flagrant foul, suspension, or removal from the league with a forfeiture of all fees: Use of profanity towards an official, opposing player, or staff member,; complaining about or questioning an official's call, persistent complaint about judgement calls, making a comment that is personal in nature to or about an official, opposing player, staff member; any attempt to "bait" or taunt or otherwise instigate an opponent, or an attempt to physically intimidate an opponent, official or staff member. Any physical contact with an official will result in ejection from the league and notification of authorities. This refers to before the game, during the game, and/or after the game.

14. Fighting
  • Any player who is ejected for or found to be fighting will be ejected from the game and will be ejected from the league for the remainder of the season.
  • Sarasota Rec League will use a strict definition of fights and shall impose the fighting penalty for any of the following actions: throwing a punch (regardless of whether or not it is landed), slapping or pushing a player’s face or head area; or grabbing or pushing a player during an altercation.
  • The officials/league director have the right to halt or discontinue any game if it is believed that allowing the game to continue may result in a fight or an out-of-control situation.

15. Team Conduct
  • Any team or player which consistently exhibit(s) poor sportsmanship may be eliminated from the league with a forfeiture of all fees.
  • Officials and teams shall report all poor sportsmanship to the league director.

16. Strike Policy
  • If a player is found to be violating any of the rules or regulations listed above, they will be issued a warning from the league director. If a player continues to violate the rules or regulations, they will be issued a strike. Once a player receives three (3) strikes, they will be removed from the league - forfeiting all monies paid.

THE LEAGUE DIRECTOR WILL NOT OVERRULE A REFERREE'S GAME PLAY CALL. PERSISTENT COMPLAINING ABOUT A CALL IS SUBJECT TO EJECTION AND/OR REMOVAL FROM THE LEAGUE. PLAY THE GAME! HAVE FUN! COMPETE!