Bylaw: Article I, Section H, Item 2
“The following number of scrimmage dates per sport will be allowed in addition to the maximum number of varsity games, contests, or playing dates which an institution may schedule or in/on which a student may compete.”
Interpretation
In addition to the frequency of play limits listed in Article I, Section H, Item 1, the sports of lacrosse, softball, and women’s volleyball are allotted two additional scrimmage dates, all of which can be used at any time during a team’s 24-week season and an additional 3 scrimmage dates that is allocated to a specific time of the academic year.
Unlike the frequency of play limits and the two scrimmage dates to be used at any time throughout the 24-week season, the wording describing the three additional scrimmage dates is drawing the distinction that these dates are limited to a particular time-frame ( for example, “to be played only after the fall term has concluded”).
The overall picture for the contests of lacrosse, softball, and women’s volleyball equates to game, contest, or date limits + 2 additional varsity scrimmages (to be conducted at any time during the 24-week season) + 3 dates (to be conducted specific to the time-frame listed in the scrimmage dates).
Example
A women’s volleyball team has scheduled two scrimmages to take place on two separate dates prior to the fall season starting. During the fall season, the women’s volleyball team competes in 26 dates. In the following spring academic term, the team competes in five matches on three separate dates. Did this team exceed their frequency of play limits?
No. Per the frequency of play bylaws, a limitation expressed as a “date” does not limit the number or type of contests that can occur on that date. The three additional dates that the women’s volleyball team is allowed to have does not limit the number of games that can be held on each date. Therefore, the women’s volleyball team is within the frequency of play limits with 2 scrimmages + 26 dates + three additional spring dates.
