By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
The Pasco Police Athletic League (PPAL) has brought back the play-down rule after its one-year hiatus threatened the survival of the 36-year youth organization.
The league, which is run by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, eliminated the rule that allows children who were small for their age to play down in a younger age class.
“We created a new play-down rule for the truly small kids who could get seriously injured,” said Tim Couet, PPAL executive director. “In most of the divisions, kids who weigh about 35 pounds less than the max for the age class can play down for one year. We thought that 35 pounds was the right number so that teams can’t stack and have an unfair advantage.”
Stacking refers to keeping a large number of kids down because of their weight. Couet said some teams were taking advantage of the previous rule, which for the most part allowed kids who were 20 pounds under their age class’ maximum weight to play down. He said he did not know which teams were taking advantage of the previous rule because he became the director less than a year ago.
“We called an emergency meeting with the directors of all the teams to discuss rule changes,” Couet said. “That meeting was February 26 and that’s when we decided to bring back the play-down rule. We felt it had to be done fast because registration has started and we want people to know about the rules now. We haven’t even changed our bylaws yet, but the play-down rule will be in effect this season.”
PPAL will allow 16 year olds to play football and cheer in the league.
“We wanted to give kids a positive place to go after school where they can learn teamwork and sportsmanship,” Couet said. “We want as many kids as possible to take advantage of playing in youth sports because we feel it will make them better people in the future. It also keeps them away from things they shouldn’t be doing.”
Two months ago members on the board of directors for three of the nine teams in the league talked about possibly leaving PPAL under condition of anonymity in part because the league eliminated the play-down rule. Those same people have since said their concerns have been resolved and are ready to start the next season with the league.
Another problem many of those same people had with PPAL was the previous structure, which included a league president. Many felt that the last president, Mark Gardiner, had too much control, but he resigned in February and the league has eliminated the position.
“We decided it would be better for the people who work with the kids on a regular basis to have more influence on the league,” Couet said. “The directors now have a greater say in rules and I think it is a good development for the league.”
The changes were not fast enough to keep the Lutz Chiefs from leaving PPAL for the Tampa Bay Youth Football League in Hillsborough County. Lisa Penzer, Chiefs’ president, had no comment on the rule changes, but in the past said the organizations’ leaving was in part because of the league not having a play-down rule. She said the Chiefs also wanted to play in a Hillsborough league because it is based in that county.
Penzer also emphasized that the Chiefs, who were PPAL members for nearly 30 years, had no animosity toward the league.
The remaining PPAL teams include: the Land O’ Lakes Gators, Wesley Chapel Bulls, Zephyrhills Bulldogs, Dade City Pirates, Trinity Mustangs, New Port Richey Buccaneers, Crews Lake Cowboys, Hudson Cobras and West Hernando Cougars. Couet said the league will play with nine teams, four in the eastern and five in the western division.
Gary Beurmann, Gators’ director, saw mostly positives from the rule changes.
“I think bringing back the play-down rule the way they are doing it will be great for the kids,” Beurmann said. “Plus allowing the directors to have more input on the league will help PPAL move in a positive direction.”
Bulldog’s director Marsha Decena agreed with Beurmann.
“The new play-down rule will help those extremely small kids whose parents might be scared to let them play because of their size,” Decena said. “I think it was done appropriately…As for the new structure, we’ll have to see as the year goes on. It’s too early to tell if more problems will come up.”
PPAL’s next season starts in August. To sign up for the league, visit www.pascopal.org.
“The league is great for kids,” Beurmann said. “We stress good grades to the kids, which lets them more easily handle school and athletics as they grow up. The kids don’t just think about sports and that prepares them for the rest of life.”
PPAL rule changes
Class Age Max Weight Play Down
Junior Flyweights 4*, 5, 6 Unlimited None
Flyweights 7, 8 100 pounds 65 pounds
Mighty Mites 9, 10 120 pounds 85 pounds
Junior Varsity 11, 12, 13 150 pounds None
Varsity 14, 15, 16 195 pounds None
*Children who are 4 years old will be allowed to play only at the league’s discretion.
