League Game Reschedule Request Policy.

Pre-Season:

Before each season, the league specifies the first and last day of the league as well as any dates, if any, when no games would be scheduled. Each team is then asked to identify up to 6 conflict dates before scheduling begins so that teams can plan for tournaments or other events. In addition, teams may specify (in their league application) other requests such as coaching multiple teams, religious issues, etc. Once the league has all the input from all teams, a schedule is created. Once the schedule is complete, teams are given the opportunity to check the schedule to verify that the conflicts and requests were honored. The league schedule is usually available two weeks before the first game is scheduled to play. If the league is notified at least one week before the first game is to be played that the league scheduled a game during one of the 6 conflict dates, the league will reschedule that game at no cost to the team.

League Begins:

After the league begins, moving games becomes more complicated and becomes a potential cost to the league and, therefore, to the team requesting the move.  Moving a game affects the opponent, so generally speaking, if the opponent does not agree to move the game, then the game is not moved. In addition, there are costs associated with moving a game. These include paying referees as well as the cost of renting the field. Often, these are costs which cannot be recovered.

Game Switch:

One option which is always available is a Game Switch. A Game Switch exchanges your game date with another team scheduled to play against your scheduled opponent at a future date acceptable to you. For this to occur, you look at the schedule to see if there is a game between your opponent and another team on a future date acceptable to you and then you contact the other team to ask if they will switch dates with you (the league scheduler will help find options for you if you ask). If both parties agree, then you notify the league scheduler and the league scheduler will make the switch. Your original scheduled opponent will be notified of any change but does not have to be contacted to agree to the switch. This option takes a little effort on your part, but it is free. It is also most effective at the beginning of the season since you have more options from which to choose. So, if you need to change a game, try to get it done as soon as possible.

Pulling the game (minimum 3 week notice):

If a Game Switch cannot be achieved, the next option is to Pull a Game. To do this, the requesting team must contact the opposing team requesting their agreement that the game be moved. If the opposing team does not agree, then the game cannot be moved. If the opposing team agrees, the requesting team can provide dates available to play and the league scheduler will check field and time availability. If a future date is found which is acceptable to both teams, then the game will be moved. The requesting team will be charged a $170 fee to cover the costs of moving the game since they are the sole beneficiary. If a future date acceptable to both teams cannot be found, then the game will remain as scheduled or be forfeited by the requesting team.

The best alternative is to switch the game. As mentioned earlier, this is most successful when done early in the season. So, if you know you will need to move the game, begin working on it as soon as possible.

The second best option is to play the game as scheduled. Whether this is an option will depend upon the particular circumstance. If the issue is an adequate number of players, remember that the league allows for using guest players for this express purpose. If the issue is that the coach will not be available, remember that any licensed coach may coach the game whether they are on the roster or not.

Pulling a game is the worst option because it can negatively impact the opposing team, and it potentially incurs costs that the league cannot eliminate and so the requesting team must bear.