Game Reschedule Policy

GAME RESCHEDULE POLICY

SLYSA Game Reschedule Policy

Pre-Season Scheduling

Prior to each season, SLYSA establishes the official season calendar, including the first and last dates of league play, as well as any blackout dates during which no league games will be scheduled.

Once all team information has been received, the league creates the season schedule. When the schedule is released—typically at least two weeks before the first scheduled game—teams are expected to review it promptly to verify that their submitted conflicts have been accommodated. 

Communication Expectations

Successful game changes depend on timely communication between teams. Coaches and team managers are expected to respond promptly to game swap and reschedule requests so that the league has sufficient time to evaluate available field space, referee assignments, and scheduling options.

Beginning with the release of the schedule and ending at 12:00 PM (Noon) on the Friday, the day before the first scheduled games of the season, teams may request "free" game reschedules provided that:

  • Both teams agree to the reschedule.
  • Suitable field, referee, and game time availability exists.
  • The reschedule can be accommodated without negatively impacting the league schedule.

During this pre-season scheduling window, no Game Change Fee will be assessed for approved reschedule requests that meet the above requirements.

After this review period, all schedule changes are subject to the Game Change Policy outlined below.

If the league inadvertently schedules a game during a blackout date that was properly submitted into Got Sport by the team's deadline, and the team notifies the league at least one week before its first scheduled league game, the league will correct the error and reschedule the game at no cost to the team.

After this review period, all schedule changes are subject to the Game Change Policy outlined below.

During the Season

Once the season begins, changing games becomes significantly more difficult. Moving a game affects the opposing team, referees, field availability, and the overall league schedule. In many cases, there are unrecoverable costs associated with rescheduling a match, including referee assignments and field rental fees. For this reason, schedule changes are only approved when they meet the requirements below.

Option 1 – Game Swap (Preferred)

A Game Swap is the league's preferred method for changing a game because it does not create additional field or referee costs.

A Game Swap may occur in one of two ways:

  • Swap with another game involving your opponent. Your game is exchanged with another scheduled game involving the same opponent on a future date that works for everyone.
  • Swap with a completely different game. Your game may also be exchanged with another scheduled game involving two different teams within the same age group (same field size), provided all affected teams agree to the change.

To request a Game Swap:

  1. Review the schedule to identify a potential swap. The league scheduler can assist in finding available options.
  2. Contact the other affected team(s) to obtain their agreement.
  3. Notify the league scheduler once all parties have agreed.
  4. The league scheduler will review the request and make the necessary schedule changes.

There is no fee for a Game Swap.

Because there are more scheduling options early in the season, Game Swaps are much easier to accomplish if requested as soon as a conflict is known.

Option 2 – Rescheduling a Game

If a Game Swap cannot be arranged, a team may request to Reschedule a Game.

To request a game reschedule:

  • The requesting team must first obtain approval from the opposing team.
  • If the opposing team does not agree, the game will remain as scheduled.
  • If both teams agree, the requesting team should provide several acceptable dates for the makeup game.
  • The league scheduler will then determine whether fields, referees, and scheduling availability exist. 
  • SLYSA schedules games only on league-contracted facilities and utilizes its contracted referee assignors. Accordingly, teams should not propose or request alternate fields, facilities, or referee assignors as part of a Game Swap or game reschedule request. 

If an acceptable date is found, the game will be rescheduled.

Because the requesting team is the sole beneficiary of the change, the following Game Change Fees will apply:

  • First Game Change: $175
  • Second Game Change: $200
  • Third (or Additional) Game Changes: $225

Payment of the applicable fee must be received before the schedule change is processed. If no mutually acceptable makeup date can be found, the game will remain as originally scheduled. If the requesting team cannot play the scheduled match, the game will be recorded as a forfeit.

Schedule Change Deadlines

Games cannot be rescheduled:

  • Within 72 hours of the scheduled kickoff.
  • After the originally scheduled game date has passed.

If a team is unable to play within 72 hours of kickoff, the match will be recorded as a forfeit. 

If a team must cancel a game, the cancelling coach is responsible for:

  • Immediately notifying the opposing coach or team representative.
  • Sending an email to the league scheduler explaining the cancellation.

Recommendations

The league strongly encourages teams to follow these options in order of preference:

  1. Game Swap – The preferred option because it minimizes disruption and does not create additional league costs.
  2. Play the game as scheduled – Often the simplest solution. If player availability is the issue, remember that SLYSA allows the use of eligible guest players. If the head coach is unavailable, any properly licensed coach may coach the team, even if they are not listed on the roster.
  3. Reschedule the Game – This should be considered only as a last resort. Rescheduling a game impacts the opposing team, creates scheduling challenges for the league, and often results in additional costs that must be paid by the requesting team.