International Competition – American Territories

Bylaw: Article I, Section H, Item 4

โ€œA maximum of two contests against teams from foreign countries (excluding Canada and Mexico) played in the United States and/or Canada/Mexico will be permitted without counting against the frequency of play limits. Contests held in a foreign country (except Canada and Mexico) will not apply to the limitation. Conditions set forth in Article II, Section E of the NAIA Bylaws must be met.โ€

  • Individual students representing their institutions must be eligible according to NAIA rules and standards (and conference, if applicable).
  • International play does not affect seasons of competition.
  • Contests do not apply to a teamโ€™s maximum number of varsity games, contests or playing dates.
  • The NAIA shall be notified prior to institutional sponsored international participation (Notification Form).

Interpretation

American territories are not considered โ€œforeign countriesโ€ for the purposes of Article I, Section H, Item 4. American territories are not exempt from counting towards a teamโ€™s frequency of play limits. American territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa are considered U.S. soil and would not be considered competing internationally.

Example

An NAIA baseball team that wishes to compete against a Puerto Rican baseball team will not meet the international competition exception as listed in Article I, Section H, Item 4. The location of the event does not define it as an international competitionโ€™ therefore, the contest would have to be counted towards the teamโ€™s frequency of play limits as listed in Article I, Section H, Item 1.