Chatham United Game Field Scheduler (CUS FS): Steve Barber
These guidelines pertain to teams competing in MCYSA. MNJYSA games are schedculed separately and details will appear here shortly.
MCYSA
Games are scheduled by the MCYSA league to play on fields provided by the clubs. In order to ensure the smooth operation involving literally thousands of participants, the league is particularly strict about its procedure for changing the game schedule once it has been finalized.
Requests to the league for rescheduling games must be for an acceptable reason, or to play at an earlier date, and must be according to the league protocol ONLY made through the field scheduler (that’s the CUS FS.)
GAMES NUMBERS
A game is identified by the league game # (for example, 08G1071). The game is identified as being the originally scheduled home team’s home game - always - even if the game gets moved to be played at the other teams field. For example if game # 10B1234 is scheduled on April 15 between team A and team B at team A’s home field, but is rained out and rescheduled to play April 21 at team B’s home field, it remains team A’s home game, # 10B1234.
RULES ON RESCHEDULING GAMES
There are only FOUR acceptable reasons for postponing a regularly scheduled game – see sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the MCYSA league handbook:
The primary reason is of course weather. (In particular it is not permitted to reschedule a game just because the teams ’agree’ to reschedule.)
As per MCYSA rules (see section 6.1.1 in the MCYSA handbook on their web site), rescheduled games must be played within two weeks of the original schedule. That can be tight. But, if you then immediately start to work on rescheduling with the opposing team and show good faith on this, the league indicated at the field schedulers meeting that they will be a lot more flexible. In general, if within a week of the original game date you have agreed a make-up game date (and notified the league through the club field scheduler), even if that new date is more than two weeks hence, the league will be satisfied.
* * * * FALL 2008 * * * *
Automatic Rain Dates:
#1 - TBD, #2 - TBD
Should weather conditions require postponements of at least 50% of league games on any of the regular game dates, those scheduled games will be moved to the first available Rain Date in the order listed above, MCYSA will automatically reschedule the games and update their website accordingly. (You may play the game as rescheduled on the Rain Date, or submit a Schedule Change for Early Play on some other date).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A game CAN be rescheduled to play EARLIER than the scheduled date, as per section 5.2.2. of the MCYSA league handbook. Here is the relevant paragraph:
- Any game can be played on any date earlier than the scheduled date by mutual consent of the clubs (not coaches) provided 10 days notice is given to the Games Chair by the League Contacts of both clubs. Such a change in the Home Field Schedule is not considered a postponement. If, in doing so, a time gap is created in a Home Field Schedule, the league reserves the right to move the times of other games so as to economize the use of referees. Such changes are not subject to protest. Therefore, clubs should make very sure before they change games to an earlier date that everyone else who may be affected has been included in the discussions.
We get the sense that the league will be flexible on the 10 days advance notice.
HOW TO RESCHDULE A GAME
If a game needs to be rescheduled, it is the responsibility of BOTH teams to arrange the reschedule, and the responsibility of the HOME team to administer the reschedule with the league (through their field scheduler.)
To reschedule your home game you must:
- Discuss/decide on two possible dates with your opponent that work for both your teams.
We suggest you get agreement to these two proposed dates in an email, as if either is available it will then be confirmed (see below). The league rules say that the league cannot schedule games for play before 1pm on Sundays, UNLESS BOTH teams agree to an earlier start. This may suit your team, and could help getting a field. Note that Daylight Savings time ends Nov 1st this year, and it will be getting dark at around 4:45-5:00pm after that, so please bear in mind when rescheduling games for after that date.
- Arrange with Chatham Rec for an available field/time.
Contact Carol Nauta (Director, Chatham Borough Recreation Department), preferably via email at CDN1213@aol.com or by phone at 973-635-7066. Carol handles all field scheduling for the Borough and Township fields.
Give Carol the two proposed dates for reschedule (the dates you discussed with you opponent): ** These must be firm dates: if Carol can confirm one of them it will be assumed the field is reserved and the game will be rescheduled accordingly **.
Carol will need to know the team name, age group, and whether the teams are 8-sided or 11-sided. We suggest you CC: the CUS FS on your email to Carol. Carol will let you know what is available, and may have to offer alternate dates which you need to again discuss with your opponent.
- Let your opponent know the new date/time - in an email. Of course if no field was available for either of the proposed dates, discuss what Carol has said is available, agree a date and revert to Carol to get this confirmed (if still available…)
- Email the CUS FS of the rescheduled date.
I will then notify the league of the change through the correct channels (the web site.)
- The league will notify the teams’ primary contacts if/when the reschedule has been accepted. Please note that, in some cases, the league will * * DENY * * certain requests if they determine that some other factor (eg difficulty in assigning referees) prevents making the change. In this case the teams involved need to reconsider their request and re-submit.
EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE
Email is the preferred medium of contact with the CUS FS. All correspondence to me MUST include the game number, game details, and your team manager’s name.
Thanks !
Chatham United Game Field Scheduler (CUS FS): Steve Barber
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