A sincere ‘Thank You’ to all those who have taken time to offer feedback to the League, either through the League’s recent survey or at other times since the League’s inception. Such feedback, whether positive or negative, is greatly appreciated and helps to improve the League for the benefit of its players. The League continues to be thoroughly grateful for the loyalty and support of so many people over the years.
The League endeavors to use the website and pages like this one to keep the content of emails to a minimum. Please note that while the League does send out periodic emails to people on its distribution list, a concerted effort is made to keep those emails to a minimum. Typically, all people on the League’s distribution list will get emails related to registration for an upcoming season as well as a possible occasional email (e.g., survey request). Players who have registered for a particular season will also get emails pertaining to that season, including information about the season’s format, League bar specials, and a season wrap-up email.
In spite of the League’s constant efforts to improve upon itself, it is recognized that not everyone will be satisfied with certain aspects of the League including, but not necessarily limited to, a number of the items addressed in the frequently asked questions (FAQs), below. For those who may not be sufficiently satisfied, please do take advantage of other soccer opportunities in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. If you are unsure of what other opportunities there may be, please do not hesitate to contact the League and we will make an effort to help you find something more suitable.
Organization and Rules
Is it possible for the League to put together a men’s league or a women’s league?
Would it be possible to add slide tackling in a men’s-only league (if offered) or the co-ed leagues?
Has the League considered reducing the number of females required on the field from three to two?
Is it really necessary for players who have paid and are known to be on a team’s roster to be required to wear their League shirt in the playoffs?
Is it possible to get more consistency from the officials during games?
Can referees please improve on enforcing the mask requirement?
Is there any chance of having games that are 90 minutes instead of 60 minutes?
Can we have an “All-Star” game?
Can the League provide a game ball for each team?
Cost and Pricing
Why are teams sometimes required to pay ref fees in the playoffs?
Why can’t the League do a team fee as opposed to a per player fee?
Can the League allow individual player sign-ups rather than have the Captain collect all the fees?
This League is expensive.
Bar Sponsorship
Why does bar sponsorship matter?
How do I take advantage of League specials?
What if the discount is not reflected on my check?
Should my League shirt have the bar’s logo on it?
Are there any reasons other than specials to go to the bar?
Frequently Asked Questions (organization/rules)
Is it possible for the League to put together a men’s league or a women’s league? Based on responses to the survey, the overwhelming consensus among people interested in playing in the League is a preference for 11 vs. 11, co-ed. The feedback also showed a strong preference for leagues taking place on Saturdays and Sundays, which are currently offered. In order to accommodate the greatest number of people, the League is likely to remain co-ed.
That being said, the responses did indicate a decent amount of interest in men’s and women’s leagues, respectively. It is not clear whether that interest would translate into enough people to fill out a new league on a different day (if available), however. Field availability has been a limiting factor, preventing the League from offering more than 11 vs. 11 on Saturdays and Sundays. Provided additional field space beyond the current offerings can be secured, it will greatly increase the likelihood of the League being able to offer a men’s- and/or women’s-only league. If additional field space cannot be secured, the League will continue with what it is currently able to offer.
If you (or a teammate) may be interested in registering a team for any of the following, please email the League so you can be contacted if such an opportunity becomes available:
- Weeknight league (and which night(s), Mon through Thurs, specifically);
- coed, men’s, or women’s; and
- 11 vs. 11 or short-sided
- Saturday league – men’s
Note: Currently, the League is not able to offer a men’s or women’s league on Saturdays or Sundays as it would directly conflict with the co-ed leagues being offered. Though several requests were made for a weeknight league in Baltimore County, there does not appear to be adequate interest or field space. If the League is not able to fill a Saturday league, strong consideration would be given to a men’s- and/or women’s-only league on Saturdays.
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Would it be possible to add slide tackling in a men’s-only league (if offered) or the co-ed leagues? A conscious decision was made shortly after the establishment of the League to prohibit slide tackling in the primary interest of the safety and well-being of its players. This decision was based in the belief that allowing slide tackling has the potential to greatly increase the chance of injury to players on the field. While slide tackling is a part of the traditional game, the risks associated with slide tackling (including the fact that not all players know how to ‘properly’ slide tackle or avoid a slide tackle) appeared to outweigh the prospect of permitting it. When so many players can have their work/personal lives affected by injuries, the League felt that allowing slide tackling and increasing the chance of injury simply did not outweigh the associated risks.
Nevertheless, players occasionally express interest in having the League permit slide tackling. To gauge whether any change to the League’s policy on slide tackling should be considered, questions were posed in the survey with respect to allowing slide tackling in either a men’s only league (if offered) or the co-ed leagues. The results of the survey were very informative; they showed that less than 25% of the men who replied expressed a preference for slide-tackling in a men’s-only league, and less than 15% of all those who replied expressed a preference for slide-tackling in the co-ed leagues. These responses alone do not appear to indicate that there is sufficient interest in the League making a change to its slide tackling policy.
Additionally, nearly all players responded that “fun and being active” was among those things they liked most about the League. About half of all those who responded said that they most liked the “social aspect”, of or the “competition” in, the League. Given the great importance placed on fun and being active as well as socializing, it reinforces that the interest of safety for players outweighs the need to consider adding slide tackling, at least for the time being. As it stands, even without slide tackling, injuries are part of the game. Further, several players indicated that their preference would be to not play in the League at all if slide tackling were allowed. While the importance of competition could be an argument for adding slide tackling, the League believes that its concerted effort to create multiple divisions, thereby increasing parity among the teams in each division, adequately helps to increase the level of competition within each division. Finally, while some people may still have a preference for permitting slide tackling, please bear in mind that this is simply a recreational (and currently only co-ed) league.
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Has the League considered reducing the number of females required on the field from three to two? Reducing the on-field female requirement has been a periodic consideration over the years. A true co-ed league would have a requirement for four to five females on the field rather than the three currently required – and other leagues do have such a requirement. The League does understand that female players can be more difficult to come by than male players. In balancing the interest of having a co-ed league with the challenge of finding sufficient numbers of female players to fill a team, the League believes that its current requirement for three ladies on the field is most appropriate. While some teams may experience challenges finding a sufficient number of females for their team, the majority of teams appear to be quite comfortable with the number of females they currently have. Additionally, the League believes that dropping the number of required females on the field to two would change the League from more of a co-ed focus to something more akin to a men’s league with a couple ladies, which is not the intention.
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Is it really necessary for players who have paid and are known to be on a team’s roster to be required to wear their League shirt in the playoffs? Given the fast-paced nature of the game, those who play soccer (on the whole) tend to sweat more than those who play other sports (e.g., football, softball, volleyball, etc.). Therefore, at the League’s inception in 2011, it was decided it would be worth the extra cost of moisture-wicking shirts as compared to cotton shirts, believing that it would be greatly appreciated by the players. Based on feedback over the years, players do appreciate having moisture-wicking shirts rather than cotton shirts.
For the purposes of uniformity and representation, the League has a strong preference that all players wear their team’s League shirt for all games. However, leniency is afforded players throughout the regular season. Since the very first season in 2011-2012, however, it has always been required – without exception – that players wear their League shirts for all playoff games. The League understands that some players may not like this rule or may not believe it to be fair, but this is the rule nonetheless. After all, it is an adult league and adults are expected to be responsible enough to adhere to rules set forth by the League. That being said, the League has afforded minor leniency to this playoff rule over the years. Provided the League is notified in advance, a player is not required to wear his/her specifically assigned League shirt for that team, but must still wear a League shirt of their team’s color for any playoff game. E.g., a player may wear an extra shirt or a shirt for someone who will not be able to make the game. Players are not permitted to switch shirts among each other during the playoff games. Any player who does not have a League shirt of their team’s color will not be permitted to play in the playoffs, without exception.
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Is it possible to get more consistency from the officials during games? It would be fantastic if referees would see all infractions and make every call 100% correctly. But referees are human and fallible like anyone else, so they are bound to miss some calls or have a differing perspective from one or more players who may be on (or near) the field. In some instances, a referee will make a bad call or miss a call entirely. In some instances, a referee will make a correct call, but one that a player(s) may vehemently disagree with, believing the referee to be incorrect. It should be noted that a third referee would (hopefully) improve the accuracy of calls on the field in most cases. However, adding a third referee would increase the cost for players. The League believes that the cost savings by not using a third referee outweighs the benefits of having that third referee.
Referees’ calls are based in their professional judgement and are matters of perspective. Every referee is different and each referee applies the laws of the game based on what that referee sees. Also, every moment in a game is different from every other moment in a game. (E.g., the fact that a referee may call one thing a slide tackle and issue a yellow card, but not call something later in the same game – or in a different game – a slide tackle does not inherently make that person a poor referee. It simply means that what the referee saw in one instance warranted a certain call, but it did not warrant the same call in another instance, in their sole discretion). If and when a player does not agree with a call, s/he is always welcome to have a respectful conversation with the referee.
It is important for players to remember that all referees used by the League are certified referees, professionals, and are generally doing the best they can. They do the job because it is something they enjoy; they have no vested interest in any game and do not seek to target any particular player. Players may feel differently, but some players may have developed – and earned – a reputation from prior instances of “bad” behavior which may, admittedly, have an impact on that referee’s call. At the end of the day, this is a recreational league. In the heat of the moment and in the face of great competition, the League understands that players may express frustration but, as adults, each individual is expected to maintain and demonstrate respect for everyone else at the field.
The League is in constant communication with the leaders of the referee organization and feedback is constantly both given and received regarding referees. Where a referee does not appear to be making a concerted effort to perform their job responsibilities in an effective and sufficiently professional manner, that referee may be prevented from game assignments on a temporary or, in some cases, permanent basis. The determination for this, however, is not whether a player(s) disagrees with the calls of a particular referee in one or more games.
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Can referees please improve on enforcing the mask requirement? The League has developed Covid-19 safety protocols to comply with state and local government requirements, including the requirement that masks are to be worn at all times in a way that covers a player’s nose and mouth while in/around the field. The League understands that nobody wants to have to wear a mask. Fortunately, this should merely be temporary until issues around Covid-19 are under control. Referees have been asked to assist in enforcing these protocols, but this is far from their primary responsibility. As adults, it is exclusively the responsibility of the players to adhere to these safety protocols. Failure to adhere to the mask requirement puts the League and all of its players at risk of significant sanctions, including financial penalties and suspension of League operations for a period of up to six months. For these reasons, anyone found not adhering to the safety protocols is subject to sanctions, including suspension, in the discretion of the League.
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Is there any chance of having games that are 90 minutes instead of 60 minutes? The League would like nothing more than to offer longer games. Interestingly, there has been mixed feedback about longer game times with some people in favor of 90-minute games and others who find themselves laboring through the 60-minute games, especially when temperatures are higher. Ultimately, however, it is simply not currently feasible to offer 90-minute games for several reasons.
First, time and field space offer inherent limitations on what the League is able to offer. While 90-minute games may be appealing, it would greatly reduce the number of teams (and, therefore, the number of players) that would be able to play in the League in a season with longer games. In order to enable more players to participate, the League has determined the longest feasible amount of time for a game would be 60 minutes. In an effort to maximize the amount of playing time for League participants, all but a two-minute halftime of the 60 minutes is allocated to game play.
Second, even if time and field space were not limiting factors, cost presents an issue for longer game times. As you might imagine, the League has to pay to rent field space. If games were lengthened to 90 minutes, the League would be forced to charge quite a bit more per player in order to make up for (a) the additional rental cost associated with one game and (b) the reduced number of people playing in that season due to extended game times.
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Can we have an “All-Star” game? It would be great to have an all-star game, and the League has done this on one occasion in the past. Unfortunately, there are many logistical issues with putting an all-star game, which makes it challenging. Aside from the additional costs associated with an additional game (e.g., field rental, referees), trying to coordinate dates and schedules of those participants is significantly cumbersome. Additionally, finding a time to have the game is another challenge. Nearly every available weekend of the year is scheduled for either the Spring, Summer, or Fall season in order to permit the League to not have to schedule games for Federal holiday weekends. Most people probably would not want to have an all-star game in January or February!
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Can the League provide a game ball for each team? This is a great idea in theory, but it may not be a great idea in practice. If a game ball were to be provided, the League would want that ball to be a reasonably good ball. Aside from the cost associated with providing a game ball for each team, issues arise if – and more likely, when – a team loses their game ball, leaves it at the field, etc. Similarly, the League could provide only one game ball to be used at the field for all games in a season, which would all but eliminate the cost issue. However, the likelihood that the ball would be lost remains high. Thus, each team is responsible for bringing a good game ball to the field each game.
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Frequently Asked Questions (cost/pricing)
Several questions and comments about League fees arise from time to time, which are addressed below. There is no perfect solution and some Captains or players may be displeased with the determinations of the League. However, the League has put considerable thought into the benefits and drawbacks of each determination it makes in order to arrive at conclusions that make sense to effectively run and maintain a League that will run smoothly and provide high quality to its players.
Why are teams sometimes required to pay ref fees in the playoffs? The quick answer is this is how it has been done since the inception of the League. But there is a longer answer. The League has always committed to scheduling eight (8) “guaranteed” games for each team every season. Depending on the format for that particular season, it could result in a team having to pay referee fees for up to three additional games. In an effort to keep per player costs down, the League has always covered the cost of the field rental for these “extra” games, but has passed along the cost of referee fees to the teams. Take the following two examples, for illustration purposes:
Example 1: eight teams in a division for the season. The format is a round robin where each team plays each other team (7 games) and all teams make the playoffs. The first round of playoffs (quarterfinals) marks the 8th scheduled game. The semifinals and finals (9th and 10th games, respectively) are “extra” games.
Example 2: nine teams in a division for the season. The format is a round robin where each teams plays each other team (8 games). Not all teams make the playoffs. For the purposes of this example, say the top 8 teams make the playoffs. All playoff games (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals) are “extra” games.
In both examples above, the League covers the cost of field rental for these “extra” games, but passes along the cost of referee fees to the teams. The total ref fees per game ($80 for both teams) will start to add up very quickly if the League were to cover all referee fees in the playoffs. Take example 2, above, and say there were three divisions. That would amount to 21 total playoff games for a total of almost $1,700 to the League ($80 x 21 games). That is a significant additional expenditure to the League, one that has thus far not been incorporated into the player fees. Based on current League prices, players pay roughly $10.00 per game. The extra amount from players amounts to only about $3.00 per person for each “extra” game. At maximum, each person would only pay an additional $9.00 total, and that is assuming all three playoff games are “extra” games. This has long been the process and has not caused many issues or complaints from players, presumably because players understand that they are only paying a few dollars for each “bonus” game.
Captains may be forced to bear the brunt of the additional playoff referee fees in some instances, which can admittedly be onerous to the Captain. The League has often recommended that Captains collect an additional $5.00 from each player when their regular fees are collected to cover any potentially required playoff referee fees. If the team does not use the extra money collected, it can be returned by the Captain or used toward a team celebration at the end of the season.
The League has considered ideas such as adding a certain dollar amount to each team’s invoice to cover referee fees for the playoffs so that teams would not have to pay on the field in these “bonus” games. However, this would disproportionally affect many of the teams in the long run. The only teams that would benefit from this approach are those that make it farther in the playoffs – specifically those teams that have more than one “bonus” game. All other teams that did not make the playoffs (or far into the playoffs) would be getting no benefit from this amount, which is unfair to those teams. Having players who play in “bonus” games pay referee fees directly allocates a (nominal) cost to those teams that are directly benefitting.
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Why can’t the League do a team fee as opposed to a per player fee? This question comes up from time to time. After much thought and careful consideration, the League has determined that a “team fee” is not a viable option and that a “per player fee” is a better and more fair option for various reasons including, but not limited to those discussed below.
First, administrative per player costs (e.g., insurance, shirts, field rental, etc.) would not necessarily be absorbed by a team fee. Second, a team fee would remove an element of fairness that each team have roughly the same number of people, particularly in the playoffs. Unless rosters were capped, teams could carry, for example, 30 players and stack their squad, which a team would clearly not do if the roster was limited. Capping rosters to a certain number of players presents its own problem as some teams have a preference for carrying more players than what a cap might be.
The League makes a considerable effort to maintain a reasonable per player price point in the face of considerable cost challenges, while staying very competitive in terms of the quality of the League, the number of games guaranteed, and the playing time allotted.
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Can the League allow individual player sign-ups rather than have the Captain collect all the fees? Questions arise periodically regarding how payments may be made, particularly (1) players paying individually versus the Captain paying for the team and (2) whether teams should pay ref fees on the field or whether the ref fees should be paid by the League. In this League, the Captain will collect money from his/her players and pay for the team.
Various problems exist with an individual player payment option including, but not limited to, additional costs borne by players and League management issues. If players were to register individually for a specific team, all players would be required to register through a third party vendor, which would cost players upwards of an additional 5% charge per season. This additional charge (which only benefits the vendor) is alleviated by having the Captain collect player fees. Even if players would be okay with a processing fee, there is no assurance that the individual players will actually register, which puts the team, the other teams against which that team would play, and the League in a precarious position. In order to run smoothly and effectively, the League needs assurance of commitment from teams, which is provided by placing responsibility for a team’s players on the Captain and Assistant Captain for the team.
The League recognizes that there can be some challenge to the Captain in fronting much of the team fees as well as in collecting from his/her players. In order to alleviate much of that burden (1) Captains are encouraged to collect player fees before committing those players to the team’s roster, and (2) a portion of the team fee (“Amount #2”; see Team Pricing Example) can be held by the League until after the start of the season to give Captains time to collect money from players and/or replace players who may not pay. Another mechanism for alleviating some of the burden on Captains was to have the team Captain pay referee fees on the field each week. This way, they would not have to pay as much up front and could spread some of the cost over the season. After getting feedback about the League collecting referee fees and paying them or Captains paying referee fees each week, the determination was made that the League should pay ref fees for the teams.
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This League is expensive. While this is not a true “FAQ”, per se, it is a comment that is received from time to time. Below is some background and, hopefully, some other helpful insights.
Since starting this League in 2011, tremendous time and effort has been – and continues to be – put into creating and maintaining a League that is as organized and run as well as it can be. In doing so, much time has been spent not only setting up an infrastructure (e.g., rules, policies, procedures, etc.), but also thinking through and focusing on many details so that things can run smoothly for teams as well as for the League as a whole. Is everything perfect? No, of course not. And there are undoubtedly things that people do not like. But, rest assured that many things are necessary and, thus far, they are the best they can be under the circumstances. As you can see from this page, the League welcomes thoughts for improvements. Please recognize, however, that some things one or more players may want may not be practical for efficiently and effectively running the League.
Be assured, the primary focus of this League is not its bottom line. The primary focus is the soccer community in Baltimore – giving people who love the game an opportunity to meet similarly-minded people, socialize, and, of course, play recreational soccer in an appropriately competitive setting with an emphasis on fun and fair play. Quite simply, 11 v. 11 is not a lucrative business model, which is why other leagues have been so successful with 7 v. 7. More people on the field at once = more $$. With any business, however, one focus must be on the financial aspect. The League has aimed to keep player fees as reasonable as possible in light of all business factors. For a transparent explanation of player fees, please click here.
There will undoubtedly always be some people who will complain (to be distinguished from offering feedback) about prices – or something. It is certainly the case that there are less expensive leagues in and around Baltimore (e.g., Howard County has full-field outdoor games with 40 minute halves; BCRP weeknight leagues, when offered). Recognize, however, that certain leagues may cost less because the rental fees may be considerably lower or even non-existent for those leagues. For instance, BCRP can afford to charge reduced rates because they have zero rental fee for their own leagues. Private organizations such as this one do not have that luxury. If/when Baltimore City would be willing to reduce the cost for field rentals, the League would be happy to pass along cost savings to players.
Finally, expensive is a matter of perspective. A one-hour massage, for instance, may cost the same amount as one season in the League. Both may be $85.00, but the massage lasts one hour while the League takes place over roughly 10 weeks. Ultimately, the League hopes that players understand that decisions, including pricing, are made thoughtfully and with the interests of the players in mind.
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Frequently Asked Questions (bar sponsorship)
