Article IV - Standing Rules

Section 13

A. Playoff Participation

1. Eleven or Twelve Team Leagues

If a league has eleven (11) or twelve (12) teams, the teams shall be divided into North and South Zones. The teams will play a ten game schedule and the non-zone games will be scheduled for play prior to the zone games. If there are twelve (12) teams then each team will not play one team from the other zone. Six (6) teams shall qualify for the playoffs.

The Zone champions shall be determined pursuant to paragraph “B”. There shall only be one Zone champion for each Zone. The Zone champions shall qualify for the playoffs regardless of their won/loss percentages in League games. The other four (4) playoff teams shall consist of the four (4) teams that have the best won/loss percentage in League games. The six (6) teams shall be seeded one (1) through six (6), with one (1) being the League Champion and the highest ranked seed, in accordance with League final standings as determined pursuant to paragraph “C”. The number one (1) and two (2) seeded teams shall receive a bye in the first round of the playoffs. In the first round, the number (3) seed shall play the number six (6) seed and the number four (4) seed shall play the number (5) seed. In the second round, the number (1) seed shall play the lowest remaining seed and the number (2) seed shall play the other seed advancing from the first round.

2. Nine or Ten Team Leagues
If a league has nine (9) or ten (10) teams, the teams will not be divided into Zones. Each team will play each other team one time during League play. Five (5) teams shall qualify for the playoffs. The five (5) teams shall be seeded one (1) through five (5), with one (1) being the League Champion and the highest ranked seed, in accordance with League final standings as determined pursuant to paragraph “C”.

In the first round of the playoffs, the number four (4) seed shall play the number five (5) seed. In the second round, the number one (1) seed shall play the winner of the first round and the number two (2) seed shall play the number three (3) seed.

3. Seven or Eight Team Leagues

If a league has seven (7) or eight (8) teams, the teams shall not be divided into Zones. Each team shall play each other team once during League play. The teams will also play pre-league games which shall not be used to determine League final standings nor to determine playoff qualifiers.

Four (4) teams shall qualify for the playoffs. The four (4) teams shall be seeded one (1) through four (4), with one (1) being the League Champion and the highest ranked seed, in accordance with League final standings as determined pursuant to paragraph “C”. In the first round of the playoffs, the number one (1) seed shall play the number four (4) seed and the number two (2) seed shall play the number three (3) seed.

4. Five or Six Team Leagues

If a league has five (5) or six (6) teams, the teams shall not be divided into Zones. Each team shall play each other team twice during League play. Three (3) teams shall qualify for the playoffs. The three (3) teams shall be seeded one (1) through three (3), with one (1) being the League Champion and the highest ranked seed, in accordance with League final standings as determined pursuant to paragraph “C”. In the first round of the playoffs the number two (2) seed shall play the number three (3) seed and the number one (1) seed shall receive a bye.

5. Four Team Leagues

If a league has four (4) teams, the teams shall not be divided into Zones. Each team shall play each other team three (3) times during League play. Two (2) teams shall qualify for the playoffs. The two (2) teams shall be seeded one (1) and two (2), with one (1) being the League Champion and the highest ranked seed, in accordance with League final standings as determined pursuant to paragraph “C”.