1.3 Classification
1.3 CLASSIFICATION
- The number of teams in a division shall normally be ten, except when necessary to accommodate a workable schedule among all registered teams.
- Except as provided in Rule 1.3.4 (adjustments to classification), teams in each open-age division who finish first and second at the end of the annual season shall be promoted to the next higher division, and teams finishing last and next to last shall be relegated to the next lower division. In the age-restricted divisions, within each age group that has more than one division, the lowest-ranking team shall be relegated and the highest-ranking team in each Division shall be promoted.
A team added to a division after the beginning of the season shall be eligible for the championship and for promotion based on results for the entire Season, but shall be subject to relegation based only on results from the date such team was added.
By way of example, if a team is added to a division at the beginning of the second Round, their eligibility for championship and promotion would be determined by comparing their total points in the second Round to the total points of each other team during the entire season. But their liability to relegation would be determined by comparing their total points to the total points of each other team during only the second Round.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, teams in the Open competition shall not be relegated to an Age-Restricted competition, and teams in an Age-Restricted Competition shall not be promoted to the Open competition. Nor shall teams in one Age-Restricted competition be subject to promotion or relegation to a chronologically-different Age-Restricted competition (for example, from Over-30 to Over-40).
- A new team wishing to join the Open or the Age-Restricted Competition shall submit their application to the Competition Committee, who shall place them in a division appropriate to their competitive level, taking into consideration the factors set out in Rule 1.3-4.
- Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any team may appeal their classification prior to the start of the next season. An appeal may be taken as to promotion, relegation, or any decision affecting classification other than initial placement of a new team. Appeal shall lie to the Competition Committee and the Commissioners of the affected divisions, in consultation with the President and Administrator (hereinafter referred to as the “Competition Committee”).
The Competition Committee shall have the power to adjust the classification of an appealing team. In determining whether to make adjustments, the Committee shall seek to promote parity of competition in any divisions affected by the proposed adjustment. The Committee shall consider the following specific matters:
a. The competitive level of the appealing team, as evidenced by (1) their won-loss and goals-for-versus-goals-against record in the preceding season; (2) the loss or addition of players; and (3) any relevant information as to the competitive level of the team.
b. The impact on other teams in any division affected by the proposed adjustment; and
c. The wishes of other teams in any division affected by the proposed adjustment.
If the considerations for-and-against an appeal are evenly balanced, the appeal shall be resolved in favor of placing the appealing team in a division having an odd-number of teams, in preference to one having an even-number of teams.
- In addition to the foregoing, the Competition Committee shall have general authority to adjust the classification of any team, taking into consideration the factors set out in Rule 1.3-4, so long as the adjustment does not deprive a team of a right to promotion or relegation, or violate some other rule of the Association.
As amended by the AMSA Executive Committee on February 1, 2022.