Sounds like the SIFL gets it.

[Gusher]

http://www.southernifl.com/news/2009-03-10/super-bowl-official-to-speak-to-sifl-refs.html
Traveling crews and I understand the the crews will be paid by the league not the teams. Here is to no more home cooking.

[Caballo Diablo]

April 20, 2009
SIFL LEAGUE OFFICE -- The SIFL League Office has issued a Fine to the Texas Pirates for Dress Code Violations for an undisclosed amount.

April 20, 2009
SIFL LEAGUE OFFICE -- The SIFL League Office has issued a Fine to the Houma Conquerors for Dress Code Violations for an undisclosed amount.

[Caballo Diablo]

IFN: Blum Made A Good Call
April 28, 2009
By Chris Black - publisher of Indoor Football Network

The SIFL is still brand new. In two weekends, there have unexpected game delays due to dasher boards, footballs and who knows what else not showing up on time. These types of things are expected, but it’s how a league handles them that makes the difference.

Commissioner Dan Blum attended the Austin-Houma game on Sunday and immediately saw a problem -- missing dasher boards. After conferring with other officials at the game, it was decided the game would not start until they could assure player safety. You can read the press release on this issue by going to http://www.southernifl.com/news/2009-04-26/player-safety-concerns-delay-houma-kickoff.html or going to the SIFL website and clicking on the press release titled "Player Safety Concerns Delay Houma Kickoff."

Player safety is an area that is often over looked by fans and in some cases, teams and leagues. This was a big issue in the old National Indoor Football League, where it seemed every week, some teams’ on the field equipment wasn't up to standards or a player was injured and found out the team hadn't signed up for workman's compensation.

The SIFL has assured me that player safety comes first and no team will be allowed to play unless they meet league standards for players and play. I think Commissioner Dan Blum showed this past weekend what the SIFL stands for and its dedication to making things right in all areas of the game.

I've been a follower of the SIFL for just a couple months, but even though they may be wide right or left here and there, they never stop trying to "get it right". At most every turn they impress me with this "getting it right" thing. With each conversation I have with one of those involved at the league level I see a passion and dedication to not following in the footsteps of others mistakes.

Most of these guys came up through the NIFL ranks in one capacity or another, Robert Winfrey at the time, just a passionate Beaumont Driller fan, Dan Ryan, Director of Communications for the Daytona Beach Hawgs, Scott Blanchard, in the Swashbuckler organization as GM, and Dan Blum who was the head referee for the league.

These four have been party to what I call, the "dark side" of indoor football, seen maybe the worst first hand, so it stands to reason they might actually be genuine when "get it right" is mentioned in regards to the SIFL. After all, Thom Hager has always been a "get it right" kind of owner with the Louisiana Swashbucklers, so makes sense he would involve those he felt had those same values.
I am hard on leagues and teams when they fall short of expectations.

Of course, falling short being in my opinion, but maybe not others. I am the first to step out and say, you screwed up. I should maybe cut the SIFL some slack in the screwing up department since they are new, but I won't, especially if their actions show a neglect for player safety or ignoring of fan needs and expectations. I might over look that stats are not posted as I'd expect, 30 seconds after a games completion or that twitter sometimes is a twutter. I might let these go or send a sarcastic email to the one responsible, but when it comes to putting on an event, the game, certain expectations by fans and players need to be met. The fan needs to be entertained and the players safety during all phases of the game first.

So far, I am impressed that the SIFL does take player safety first as exhibited by Commissioner Dan Blum in last weeks Austin/Houma game. What's a couple hours delay opposed to what might have happened had he allowed play under the circumstances.

Good call Commissioner Blum!

[Caballo Diablo]

Conquerors Offer Fans Refunds, Half-price Tickets

HOUMA, La. (April 28, 2009) -- The Houma Conquerors are offering fans a voucher that can be redeemed for either a full refund or half-price tickets from Sunday's home opener against the Austin Turfcats.

The team issued a press release on Tuesday stating that people that purchased tickets to Sunday's game but chose not to attend can redeem the tickets for either a full refund or for two half-price adult tickets for the future game of their choice. They must have their unused tickets to get a voucher.

With game ticket stud, people can also get a voucher for two half-price adult tickets for the future game of their choice.

"We are hoping that the fans will accept this as a token of our sincerest apologies and give the Conquerors another chance to entertain them at our next home game on June 6 (vs. Texas Pirates). Once again, we apologize for the delay and inconvenience caused at our home opener," Conquerors owner/coach Franklin Thomas said

Sunday's home opener at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center was delayed for more than two hours because of player safety concerns.

Contributing: Houma Today

[Caballo Diablo]

Obligations & Other Thoughts

After writing my last SIFL Experience I was thinking about what I had wrote and the thought of obligation came to mind. I started thinking that there are rules and bylaws both teams and those running the league are bound to abide by, or suffer consequences of one kind or another, but there are also obligations unwritten as well. Obligations to ones own team, to the league and the other teams in the league.

In my mind I see no excuse to not follow all the written rules. After all everyone knew the rules before signing on the dotted line or agreed that majority rules when a new rule is voted in or an old one modified. Doesn't matter if one personally agrees with it, you are ethically and legally bound to it.

I also feel there are other obligations that are not on paper, or part of any contract, but just as important to live up to them. One such obligation I feel is that a team owes it to its fans, sponsors, the league and the other teams to put a competitive product on the field. I think most attempt to do this, although looking at records from teams across the country some are failing in that mission.

Do fans really want to see a 100-0 game? I don't think so. Myself as a fan, I enjoys a close game, decided in the final minutes, far more than one decided in the first minutes of the first quarter, even if its my team winning. There needs to be for most. the thought their team could lose, things undecided throughout the action, a game that keeps you glued to your seat with the blood pumping fast inside you, your brain a mess, unable to think. That's the action fans want, their team winning or losing and its that type of action, that thrill which gets them back for the next game.

Its the obligation of teams everywhere, not just in the SIFL, to provide that kind of action and excitement. Even players would much rather be involved in a close, highly contested game as opposed to a blow out. There's not one person watching or involved in the action that doesn't prefer a tight hard fought battle, except maybe the refs.

Other thoughts that have come to my mind recently have been about the intelligence level of indoor football owners. Reminds me of something I once said. Why do those who own teams that are successful in their own right, business wise, suddenly become dumb when they buy a team? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I've seen enough cases of owners who have made a lot of money being smart business people, but they buy a team and suddenly it seems they become business dumb, as their team flounders on and off the field. This has been an ongoing discussion this morning with another fan, who disagrees.

FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.indoorfootballnetwork.com/articles/sifl9.htm

[Caballo Diablo]

``Darnell Lee Law" Keeps Coaches Retired
May 09, 2009 by Dan Ryan

LAFAYETTE, La. (March 19, 2009) – Though intensely serious when it comes to the officiating for the Southern Indoor Football League’s inaugural season , commissioner Dan J. Blum does have a lighter side for a couple of rules he’ll be enforcing in 2009 and beyond.

Blum announced two rules that are included in the SIFL’s rule book and guidelines have, shall we say, interesting nicknames. Consider:

The Darnell Lee Law:
Once a SIFL franchise has officially named a head or assistant coach, that coach can never be added to the active playing roster that season. The law is named in ``honor’’ of Louisiana Swashbuckler coach Darnell Law, who activated himself for backup quarterback duty when the Swashbucklers made a two-game swing through Alaska in the 2008 Intense Football League season.

The practice, referred to as `rostergate’ throughout the league, didn’t have a severe impact on the games, but Lee did put up some great garbage time-numbers in one blowout and had the league’s highest pass efficiency rating for most of the season.

``There’s letter of the law, spirit of the law, and appearance of violating the law,’’ Blum said. ``This rule will eliminate discussion of all three. We’re striving for a professional appearance, and having coaches on the roster takes away from the professionalism. I will give Darnell credit, I saw the video of him playing and he still has some game left…’’

The TO rule:
Visiting teams or players that disgrace the home team logo’s during pre-game, game time or post-game will be assessed a 15-yard penalty and /or a substantial fine from the SIFL league office. The name’s based on a famed National Football League receiver with a penchant for self-grandeur who pulled a now-infamous stunt along these lines in one of his many career stops.

``It’s all about respect,’’ Blum said. ``I’m not that old school and want our players to put on a good show for our fans. But there are lines our players will not cross and disrespecting the other team’s identity is one of them.’’

Earlier, the SIFL took steps to prevent ownership from creating undue advantages for their teams while strengthening the league office during its league conference February 6 in Houston.

Owners will not be able to overturn any decision by the League commissioner regarding rules infraction or interpretation, nor manipulate any of the day-to-day football operations of the league.

"This will eliminate any possible conflict of interest,'' said SIFL Commissioner Dan J. Blum. "I'm appreciative of the owners giving up some control to insure that the product on the field has the utmost credibility."

[Gusher]

I like the Darnell Lee rule. By having a player also a coach opens the door for a payroll loophole.