2019 Winter League

The Important Stuff (DEFINITELY READ THIS)
Tampa Bay Ultimate is proud to present Winter League 2019!

• WHEN: Thursdays, January 10th through March 7th, 7:30pm-10:30pm.
• WHERE: 31st Street Sports Complex (4801 31st St S, St Petersburg, FL 33712)
• PLAYER FEE: $40 until Nov 30, $45 after. Registration closes January 10th. There is a student discount for $25. Students may use the coupon code TBUWINTER during checkout
• MORE INFO: Contact Alex Gardner, TBU League Director

Winter League will be Recreational Level mixed play. The first week of league will be hatter style to allow players to meet each other, get a sense of the game, and to allow new and returning players to be evaluated by captains prior to the draft. The second week will begin with a social learn-to-play with the entire TBU community. Thereafter, teams will have time to meet and discuss strategy, followed by the first game of the regular season at 9:00pm. The first round of playoffs will begin at 9:00 pm during the next-to-last week of play.

Baggage is not allowed for Winter League, with the exception of players who are new to the ultimate community. Please contact the League Director if you are bringing someone who is new to our league.

Early-bird entry is $40 until November 30. Otherwise, make sure to sign up by January 10th to guarantee your spot in league for $45. Additions after that date may not be possible, but check with the League Director.

Winter League will again utilize a sub-pool of players who are willing to help teams having to play savage due to poor attendance. Players can enter the sub-pool at a discounted rate and will be assigned to a default team, but will be spread to teams in need of players if attendance is poor. If attendance is good, then sub-pool players will play with their default teams. During playoffs, sub-pool players will play with their default teams, regardless of attendance. Reach out to the League Director if you are interested in signing up for the sub-pool.

By enrolling in this event, you explicitly agree to the terms of the TBUltimate Waiver & Release posted here.

Finally, once you enroll for this event, please make sure your t-shirt size & gender, skill level, and athletic ability are accurately filled out in your user profile.

Important dates

• November 30th: Early Registration special ends
• January 10th: Registration closes, Pre-Draft Hatter to kick off League
• January 17th: Social Learn-to-Play & First Round of Regular Season Play
• January 24th-February 14th: Regular Season Play
• February 21st: Last Round of Regular Season Play & Round 1 of Playoffs
• February 28th: Playoff Semis and Finals
• March 7th: Rain Date (If Necessary)

Other Important Details (Please read this)

Format:

• 2 games a night, starting at 7:30 pm & 9:00 pm.
• Games to 13, halftime at 7. Halftime may be no more than 5 minutes.
• Soft Cap (+1) is at 75 minutes from the start of the round – 8:45 pm & 10:15 pm. The winning team has to score the last point.
• At the time of soft cap, finish the current point, then add one to the higher score and play to that. Waiting to pull the disc or waiting during halftime is part of the current point. If one team scores to 13 at the time of soft cap, the game is over.
• 1 two-minute timeout per half, per team. Timeouts are allowed in soft cap.
• In the rare event that a round 1 game rolls over into round 2, please be considerate to the teams still playing. It’s most likely that the trailing team is on an amazing comeback to try and win the game.

Gender Ratio Rules

• At the start of the game, captains will decide if the gender ratio throughout the game will be offense dictates or end zone dictates. If end zone dictates, use the same end zone all game.
• Gender ratio is then decided by captains and female players based on the number of women on both teams:
• If both teams have 4 or more women, then 5:2 must be played. Playing 4:3 (offense/endzone dictates) is allowed.
• If one team has fewer than 4 women, then offense or end zone dictates to allow the team with fewer women to not have to run savage. 5:2 may not be run if a team only has one woman.
• Female players must be involved in gender ratio discussions! While we want include more women playing ultimate we don’t want to do it at the expense of severely fatiguing our players.
• Under no circumstances can a team have 7 men on the field. Instead the following could occur: 6 men vs 6 men/1 woman OR 5 men/1 woman vs 5 men/2 women.
• Be respectful in gender ratio discussions. Do not force an opposing team to play a man down all game to favor your own team to win. Winning is a bonus to playing ultimate, not the only goal.

Other Odds and Ends (It would be great if you read this)
Recreational Level League Definition:

• Open to all skill levels.
• Relaxed and spirited play (Spirit of the Game).
• Emphasis on gender equity.
• Further honing of skills learned in Beginner League.
• Experienced players are encouraged to assist new and developing players both on the sideline and in games.
• Win-at-all-cost behavior and intense physicality are strictly prohibited.

Other rules

• “Check feet” is not a legal call. If you think a player is out of bounds actively call them “out”. Not “I think you’re out” or “you might be out,” but “you are out”. After play has stopped, the discussion is about which player has best perspective and if the player was actually in or out of bounds. Generally the player catching the disc does not always have the best perspective.
• You can take back your “out” call if you find they were actually inbounds during the discussion. “My bad, you were actually in.”
• Realize that there are always different perspectives to every situation, and everyone’s judgment is clouded somewhat by the outcomes they desire.
• After a call is made BE CALM
• Breathe don’t react straight away
• Explain what you think happened
• Consider what they think happened
• Ask other players for advice (on perspective and rules) if needed
• Listen to what everyone involved has had to say
• Make a call loudly and clear (and use hand signals)
• For the full set of ultimate rules refer to the USA Ultimate 11th edition rule book
• The “contact” call is still technically an experimental rule under USAU. Not everyone knows it nor will you find it in the 11th edition rulebook.
• Dangerous Play: Reckless disregard for the safety of fellow players is considered dangerous play and is to be treated as a foul, regardless of whether or when contact occurs. This rule is not superseded by any other rule. If uncontested, this must be treated as the most relevant foul.