update readme, index

README.md

@@ -1,27 +1,82 @@
 <p align="center">
-<img src="docs/assets/cmba-logo.svg" width="200">
+  <img src="docs/assets/cmba-logo.svg" width="200" alt="CMBA logo">
 </p>
 
-# CMBA Bylaws, Policies, and Playing rules
+# CMBA Bylaws, Policy, and Playing Rules
 
-The Constitution and Bylaws for the baseball league known as the [Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association (CMBA)](#about-the-cmba).
+This repository contains the governing documents for the Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association (CMBA) in Markdown form, along with the MkDocs configuration used to publish them as a static documentation site.
 
-The source text for this document can be found in Markdown format in [src/cmba-bylaws.md](src/cmba-bylaws.md).
+## Repository Layout
 
-## Building from source
+- `docs/index.md`: site home page
+- `docs/01-bylaws.md`: league bylaws
+- `docs/02-policy.md`: league policy
+- `docs/03-playing-rules.md`: playing rules
+- `mkdocs/mkdocs.yml`: MkDocs site configuration
+- `mkdocs/requirements.txt`: Python packages required to build the site
+- `tools/build.sh`: production build script
+- `tools/spellcheck/`: CSpell configuration and custom baseball dictionary
+
+## Local Development
 
 ### Requirements
 
-### Steps
+- Python 3
+- `pip`
 
-## Project history
+### Install Dependencies
 
-The constitution and bylaws were modernized in 2021, using Google Docs. This project brings that effort into Git and Github. Previous commits show a generated plain-text history of the changes prior to this project (thanks to [gitdriver](https://github.com/larsks/gitdriver)), with the first being the version from 2016.
+```bash
+python3 -m pip install -r mkdocs/requirements.txt
+```
 
-## Spell-checking
+### Preview the Site Locally
 
-## GitHub Pages
+```bash
+mkdocs serve -f mkdocs/mkdocs.yml
+```
+
+MkDocs serves the site locally and watches the Markdown files under `docs/` for changes.
+
+## Editing Guidance
+
+- Keep the canonical text in the Markdown files under `docs/`.
+- Preserve the separation between bylaws, policy, and playing rules.
+- Use the local preview server when editing headings, internal links, or cross-references.
+- Update `tools/spellcheck/baseball-words.txt` when league-specific terminology is flagged by CSpell.
+
+## Publishing
+
+Publishing is driven by GitHub Actions.
+
+### `ci-docs`
+
+The `.github/workflows/ci-docs.yml` workflow runs on pushes to `main`, `draft`, and `release-candidate`, and can also be started manually.
+
+It performs the non-publishing validation steps:
+
+- spellchecks `docs/**/*.md` and `README.md` with CSpell
+- installs the MkDocs dependencies from `mkdocs/requirements.txt`
+- runs a MkDocs build using `mkdocs/mkdocs.yml`
+
+### `release`
+
+The `.github/workflows/release.yml` workflow runs on pushed tags matching `draft*`, `rc*`, and `v*`, and can also be started manually.
+
+It builds both the normal site and an offline site package, then publishes based on the tag prefix:
+
+- `draft*`: creates a GitHub prerelease, attaches the offline zip and generated `.docx`, and deploys the preview site to the `gh-pages` branch under `/draft/`
+- `rc*`: creates a GitHub prerelease, attaches the offline zip and generated `.docx`, and deploys the preview site to the `gh-pages` branch under `/rc/`
+- `v*`: creates a GitHub release, attaches the offline zip, and deploys the release site to the root of the `gh-pages` branch
+
+In all cases, the release workflow uses the same MkDocs configuration in `mkdocs/mkdocs.yml`, with strict mode controlled by the `MKDOCS_STRICT` GitHub Actions variable.
+
+## Project History
+
+The constitution and bylaws were re-architected in 2026 into the CMBA Bylaws, Policy, and Playing Rules.
+
+The constitution and bylaws were modernized in 2021 using Google Docs. This project brings that work into Git and GitHub. Earlier commits preserve generated plain-text history of prior revisions, with the earliest tracked version dating to 2016.
 
 ## About the CMBA
-This baseball league known as the [Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association (CMBA)](http://cmbabaseball.com) has been formed for the purpose of providing the finest amateur baseball league in the State of Illinois and Midwest; a league where an up and coming young prospect for professional baseball may play and develop; where the talented veteran player can enjoy playing among the best competition; and bring friendship and sportsmanship to the Association.
 
+The [Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association](http://cmbabaseball.com) exists to provide a high-level amateur baseball league in Illinois and the Midwest, where developing players and veteran players can compete in a strong environment centered on baseball, sportsmanship, and community.

docs/01-bylaws.md

@@ -130,4 +130,4 @@ The League shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts and als
 These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors at any time or from time to time by the vote of two-thirds of the Directors.
 
 ## Dissolution 
-Upon dissolution of the League or the winding up of its affairs, the League's Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the League, dispose of all the assets of the League exclusively for the purposes of the League in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code, as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.
+Upon dissolution of the League or the winding up of its affairs, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the League, distribute the remaining assets of the League in a manner consistent with the purposes of the League and applicable law. The Board may distribute such assets to one or more nonprofit, amateur athletic, community, or other lawful organizations whose purposes are consistent with those of the League, or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.

docs/02-policy.md

@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ The League shall use a point system to determine the standings. A team is awarde
 In the event two teams finish the regular season in a tie for a position, the following tie-breaking procedure will take effect:
 
 1. Win-Loss Record in head-to-head competition.
-1. Win-Loss Record within the league.
+1. Win-Loss Record within the League.
 1. Win-Loss Record within the division (if applicable).
 1. Least runs allowed for the season.
 1. Coin toss, performed by the Commissioner with a witness.
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ The opponent of a team in technical forfeit is entitled to a full (2) standings
 #### Forfeit
 If a game is forfeited, the following applies:
 
-1. The forfeiting team must pay, at the time of the forfeit, the full cost of the umpire(s), and shall be considered not in Good Standing. Teams will be considered not in Good Standing until payment is made.
+1. The forfeiting shall be considered not in Good Standing. Teams will be considered not in Good Standing until payment is made.
 1. The forfeiting team shall receive a loss and a minus two (-2) point standings penalty.
 1. The non-forfeiting team shall receive a 7 runs to 0 runs win in the standings and is entitled to a full (2) standings points.
 1. The forfeiting team must pay the full cost of umpire fees for the forfeited game.

docs/03-playing-rules.md

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ In the Expanded Lineup Format, a team’s batting lineup shall constitute not fe
 
 A player substituted from the batting order may not re-enter the batting order unless otherwise permitted herein. Defensive substitutions may be made freely at any time and do not affect the batting order. Players may enter, exit, and re-enter defensively without limitation.
 
-The following lineup designations are permitted, but not required, in Expanded Lineup Format:
+The following lineup designations are permitted, but not required, in the Expanded Lineup Format:
 
 - Any number of Extra Hitters
 - (1) Designated Runner
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ The following lineup designations are permitted, but not required, in Expanded L
 !!! Note
       A player occupying the Extra Hitter position may assume any defensive position at any time without affecting the batting order. Likewise, a player currently in the defensive alignment may be reassigned to the Extra Hitter position without affecting the batting order. In the Expanded Lineup Format, changes in defensive alignment do not alter the order or occupancy of batting positions.
       
-      Because defensive alignment does not govern the batting order in the Expanded Lineup Format, the Designated Hitter designation does apply in Expanded Lineup Format. Any player marked as a DH will be considered an error and assumed to be an EH.
+      Because defensive alignment does not govern the batting order in the Expanded Lineup Format, the Designated Hitter designation does apply in Expanded Lineup Format. Any player marked as a DH will be considered a mistake and assumed to be an EH.
 
 #### Shared Batting Positions
 In the Expanded Lineup Format, any batting position may be designated at lineup exchange as shared by two players (“A” and “B”). The two players shall bat in alternating sequence each time that position appears in the order, beginning with the player designated “A.”
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ Teams may play with (1) fewer player and if each team has at least this many pla
 
 League Policy may apply standings penalty for teams that start with fewer than the minimum.  League Policy may also designate a "forfeit time," the period after which a team with less than the minimum is subject to penalty. A team may not wait until this forfeit time for players to arrive. A team may insert a player into the vacant spot after the start of play.
 
-Any unoccupied patting positions are shall be recorded as an out each time it appears in the batting order unless otherwise provided in these Rules, or League Policy. 
+Any unoccupied batting positions are shall be recorded as an out each time it appears in the batting order unless otherwise provided in these Rules, or League Policy. 
 
 A team may finish the game (1) player short, that is one (1) player less than they started the game with (eight (8) players for a nine (9) person line-up, nine (9) players for a ten (10) person lineup). Should a team fall below (8) players, the game is terminated and this team loses by forfeit.
 
@@ -144,4 +144,4 @@ Unless the umpire rules that the contact was incidental or caused by fielder obs
 
 !!! Note "Generally"
       - Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment are final. No player or manager shall object to any such judgment decisions. 
-      - If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the Manager, and the Manger alone, may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made. 
+      - If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the Manager, and the Manager alone, may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made. 

docs/index.md

@@ -1 +1,34 @@
+<p>
+  <img src="assets/cmba-logo.svg" width="300" alt="CMBA logo">
+</p>
 # CMBA Bylaws, Policy, and Playing Rules
+
+Welcome to the governing documents for the Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association.
+
+This site brings together the league's core rules in a single place so managers, players, and league officials can quickly find the current governing text.
+
+## Documents
+
+- [League Bylaws](01-bylaws.md): the league's organizational structure, board authority, membership framework, meetings, and amendment process
+- [League Policy](02-policy.md): league operations, procedures, discipline, administration, and competition governance
+- [Playing Rules](03-playing-rules.md): on-field rules, lineup formats, game administration, and incorporated baseball rules
+
+## How to Use This Site
+
+- Start with the Bylaws for questions about league authority, governance, and membership.
+- Use League Policy for operational questions, discipline, roster administration, and league procedures.
+- Use Playing Rules for game-day and on-field questions.
+
+## Rule Hierarchy
+
+If documents overlap or appear to conflict, the controlling order is generally:
+
+1. Bylaws
+2. League Policy
+3. Playing Rules
+
+For on-field administration, the Playing Rules also incorporate the Official Baseball Rules of Major League Baseball except where CMBA rules provide otherwise.
+
+## About the CMBA
+
+The Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association exists to provide strong amateur baseball competition in Illinois and the Midwest, with an emphasis on competitive play, sportsmanship, and league continuity.