Winter League Policies


Pickup Players


Definitions

Forfeit: If a team forfeits, it is recorded as W-F win for their opponent. A forfeit is worth the same as a loss in the standings: +/- 0. If both teams forfeit, it is recorded as F-F. In a standings tie, the higher position goes to the team with the fewest forfeits.

Shorthanded: A shorthanded team is judged by their captain(s) to not have enough players for a safe, quality game.

Strict Minimum: 4 men and 2 women in attendance, able and ready to play at game start. Also called savage.

Understaffed: A team with less than the strict minimum number of players.


Rules

1. If a team is shorthanded, but has the strict minimum, they may choose to play shorthanded or even savage. The team may also invite one or more pickup players. The GMDA Board encourages teams to invite pickups to avoid injuries, but the decision is at the discretion of the team.


2. No team may negotiate picking up players without forfeiting. If a team chooses to and is successful at recruiting pickup players, they must forfeit the game, i.e. take a loss regardless of whether:

  • The pickup player(s) don't play the whole game.
  • Rostered player(s) subsequently show up.
  • The game is a regular, playoff or consolation game.
  • The pickup player(s) are of equal or lesser skill/experience/athleticism than the missing player(s).

3. If a team has less than the strict minimum, they must try to recruit pickup players so a friendly game can be played at least.


4. No team may object to another team picking up players.


5. All pickup players must be players from other winter league teams with signed waivers and complete registrations. This excludes waitlisted registrants. Note to captains: If you need to permanently replace a player due to injury or attrition, please contact the GMDA Board so a waitlisted registrant can be assigned to your team.


6. When picking up players, a team MUST inform the opposing captain. Failure to do so may result in a standings penalty.


Waivers

In addition to accepting the GMDA waiver on the online registration form, all players must sign a Fieldhouse waiver before playing. Team captains are responsible for collecting signed waivers from all of their team members.


Payment

Dues can only be paid via PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account. If you have a PayPal account, signing into it is optional. You'll also have the option to pay with a credit card without signing into PayPal. If you don't have a credit card, or don't want to use one, please ask a friend or relative for help.


A player with any unsettled debt is not eligible to play.


Refunds

If you withdraw from League, you are not guaranteed a refund. Refunds are processed on a case by case basis. Contact the GMDA to request a refund.


Contact Method

The only method of communication used is email. The email address you provide on the registration form should be a valid email you check regularly. This is to ensure that you receive all notifications from the GMDA Board as well as your team captain.


Spot Splitting

Please note that spot splitting is currently not allowed. No exceptions.


Pairing Requests

Do not email your pairing request to the GMDA Board. Pairing requests should be noted on the online registration form.


All Winter League games are played at the same location, but not all at the same time. Therefore, the GMDA Board will ensure that essential rideshare requests are accomodated. All other types of pairing requests will be handled at the discretion and luck of the captains in the draft.


Attendance

The GMDA has an attendance policy where team captains are required to report any and all players who have been "MIA" for two (2) weeks, i.e. players with two (2) uninformed/unexcused absences. These players will systematically be removed from League and replaced by the next player in line on the wait list, hence the importance of communication between team members and captains.


Wait List

Each session of Winter League includes 8 teams of 13 men and 6 women, meaning it will be capped at 104 men and 48 women. If your gender's cap is already reached when you sign up, you will be informed that you are registering onto a wait list, and you will not be asked to pay yet.


1. When should team captains request a waitlisted player?

All team captains who lose a player should contact the GMDA Board to request a replacement. The next waitlisted player in line will be sent to them. If the wait list is empty, a player will be sent to them as soon as someone becomes available.


2. Can I recruit a replacement player on my own?

Players who are already in line on the wait list have priority, but if the wait list is empty, team captains may ask the GMDA Board's permission to invite a player of their choice. No replacement player may play on a team without the GMDA Board's approval and without first signing up via the session's registration form.


3. In what order do waitlisted players get placed?

Spots are offered to waitlisted registrants in order of their registration's submission date. If more than one spot opens up at the same time and multiple people on the wait list are still interested in playing, the GMDA Board will match caliber of lost player with caliber of replacement player as closely as possible. If fewer players register than the set cap, then not all teams will start the session with full rosters. In that event, late registrants will immediately be placed on short-staffed teams until all spots are filled. If more than one team is short-staffed, a late registrant will be placed on a team based on availability first, and caliber of play second.