Thank you for your patience and understanding during what was a difficult 2020 for so many of us. The health, safety, and well-being of our players, refs, and those in our community remain a high priority, and the League continues to follow guidance set forth by the CDC as well as state and local government.
In a continued effort to accommodate those who are ready to get back on the pitch, but in an effort to be respectful of those who are not yet ready, this is the direction of the League for 2021:
Pre-Spring Session (Fall 2020 continued)
- Calendar permitting*, the League will look to complete the playoffs for Fall 2020 seasons:
- Saturdays – two semi-finals and one finals
- Sundays – one finals (Serie C)
- The completion of the 2020 Fall season is expected to take only one week.
Spring Session
- The format of the season will not be known until the League has determined the dates for the season (currently waiting on Baltimore City for field availability) and the number of teams/FA’s who have registered and, ultimately, pay. Maryvale is unfortunately not available this Spring due to Covid-19 restrictions.
- Each team will get the 8 “guaranteed” games, as usual.
- Playoffs are preferred and the League will make every effort to include playoffs to the extent practicable*.
*In making these determinations, the League’s priority is scheduling the standard three seasons (Spring, Summer, and Fall), in order to maximize playing time for all players.
Outstanding Player Credits
- The League continues to track all remaining player credits from Spring 2020. These credits will be extended and good throughout 2021.
- Players who continue to defer from Spring 2020 will still be limited to filling in as a non-roster sub for no more than two (2) games during each season until such time as the credit has been used. Teams could continue to be helped out by those players when especially needed, but those players would not be able to “game the system” by maintaining their credit and playing anyway.
- If the League learns that a player with a credit ultimately plays in more than two (2) games, any credit such player has will be retroactively applied to the start of the session as if that player had signed up at the beginning of the session. However, that player will not be on the team’s roster.
- The League continues to strongly encourage Captains to track their players’ credits as a check against the League. Credits will be reflected on a team’s invoice for the season in which those players return.
Miscellaneous
The standard League rules will be in effect, unless otherwise indicated. E.g., number of ladies on the field (3), masks required to cover nose and mouth, etc. Please be sure you are familiar with all League Rules and Policies.
This remains an unprecedented time and the League continues efforts to navigate its way through. In many cases, there are no perfect solutions, and the current playing environment is far from ideal, but the League hopes that, with your help, we can continue to have an environment that balances fun with safety.
