OOC Scheduled game cancellations

[SDSULAX]

I disagree, the 3 game rule is a rule that comes from the MCLA, and there can be relief. The consequences for the leagues that had teams schedule games and then cancel them after the season starts should be a loss of AQ or some other form of punishment so severe that we do not have this problem again. Maybe individual conference should restrict their team's abilities to schedule OOC games, especially after cancelling games this season, maybe game bonds, contracts. While contracts sounds like a good idea what would be the recourse against a team that cancelled the game because they didn't have enough money to make the trip? What would you expect to recover? Sounds like you would be looking into an empty pot. I don't profess to know the best answer, but we as a community need to step up and keep this from happening in the future.

[Jolly Roger]

So the consensus seems to be that someone should be accountable. What are suggestions about how things get enforced? Let's work together to come up with a policy that can be presented to MCLA leadership.

If fining is recommended, what are the amounts? Is $100 per game sufficient to encourage teams to honor commitments and ensure adequate conference oversight? Is $500, $1000?

How many teams does this affect annually? Are these teams really candidates for an at-large bid?

Here are a few initial ideas to deal with teams that cancel out of conference games after the national scheduling deadline:

1. Fine the cancelling teams.
- All games to be contested until payment is made are deemed forfeits

2. Declare cancelled games as forfeits.
- In both #1 and #2 teams are subject to any penalties associated with forfeits at the conference and national level.

3. Declare team that cancels ineligible for conference playoffs
- Multiple years?

4. Force the teams that cancel to subsidize replacement game(s)
- Ref fees, scheduling penalties, travel stipend?

5. Fine conferences when one of their teams cancels.
- The conference can then on its own collect from the team.

6. Declare a conference ineligible for an at large bid
- The rationale being that one of their members put another team’s at large opportunity at risk

7. Let the team suffer the future consequences of being labeled a “OCC Canceller”

8. Expel the team from the MCLA
- If they can’t honor those commitments, maybe they don’t belong in the organization

9. Require OCC games for conference tournament eligibility, and/or as a requirement to be in good standing.
- Places the onus for enforcement and oversight on the conferences

10. Do we set a date or timeframe that forgives the team losing the game from the required number of OCC games
- Team A cancels on Team B on March 30th. Is it reasonable to expect team B to secure a replacement OCC game to meet the at-large requirement?

[Matt_Gardiner]

The only item I would have trouble with is item #6. It would be tough to punish Michigan State for a mistake that another team that they have no control over made. I would not want to tell Michigan State congratulations on winning the CCLA, but you get nothing for your efforts because of some other team. The scheduling correspondence, emails, etc are not closely monitored by the conferences. This is NOT like punishing an entire conference for not monitoring eligibility properly. Conferences should be overlooking eligibility. The conferences are NEVER involved in scheduling until after the fact.

As long as it can be clearly shown that you committed to a game under certain terms, those terms did not change, but you backed out anyway; you should be held responsible, liable, and there should be repercussions.

[Campbell]

I think declaring the games forfeits would be a good first step and then go from there. Adding a fine either to the conference or the team would help too, but a team that is canceling due to money (probably the main reason for most cancellations) is probably not going to have the money to pay a fine. And if they can't pay it then the conference boots them and their program goes poof. Maybe first time offense forfeit, second offense forfeit and fine, third offense suspension from the league. A forfeit is good because a team may cancel OOC games if they have no regard for an at-large bid, but may still vie for the conference championship. A forfeit would preclude them from post-season play in their conference and the national level. Compensating the other team for the cancellation, although good, would probably be a lost cause.

[Rob Graff]

The consequences for the leagues that had teams schedule games and then cancel them after the season starts should be a loss of AQ or some other form of punishment so severe that we do not have this problem again.

6. Declare a conference ineligible for an at large bid
- The rationale being that one of their members put another team’s at large opportunity at risk

SDSU Lax/JR - I think this suggestion is a draconian policy that is unjust at every level. Such a policy could only even be considered if the other teams in the conference had the realistic ability and opportunity to control the actions of the offending team. They have neither. Let's focus on other options that can be justified.

Some random thoughts:

Is there a difference between a cancellation because of weather vs a cancellation because of poor financial management? IN the UMLL we had this issue arise - a team cancelled because of weather and we were forced to treat as a forfeit - thus barring them from the UMLL tourney that year. The UMLL correctly amended their bylaws after that year to allow weather cancellation (the game still has to be played, but at a time/place conducive to the party who did not cancel). I'd be alot less sympathetic to a team that did not make accurate financial plans.

Fines will not preclude cancellation. Typically, the type of cancellations discussed here are the result of poor financial planning and thus are being done to save thousands of dollars. A fine of hundreds can be paid to avoid thousands.

I like a couple of JR's ideas/concepts. First, the "let the market take care of it" idea - idea #7. Do you think that any team that cancels at this late date will be sought out for a committment for the future, except as a last resort? Repuation is a premium in all things. And cancelling now tarnishes one's reputation.

IF we are going to "let the market take care of it" then it is incumbent upon our organizations to - at some point - do something to incentivize teams to AVOID cancelling teams when scheduling. Is now that time?

Should the non-cancelling team be subject to the various conference and MCLA rules on OOC games if such a cancellation takes place? I can see this question both ways - One argument is that none of the cancelled-upon team did anything wrong (except only schedule the minimum number of OOC games)- Why should they be punished? A counter argument is that there is always a chance a game can be cancelled and that a team should always schedule more than the minimum number of OOC games to avoid this problem - but that is an expensive proposition, and as official fees/costs increase, can our teams afford those additional games?

I can also see the wisdom of JR's #2 - it benefits the non-cancelling party, and could result in a massive conference-imposed penalty to the cancelling team. But do conferences have the ability/right to penalize for non-conference contests? Wouldn't the MCLA have to legislate on this point?

#4 also interests me, but getting the $ out of the cancelling team will be difficult if the cancelling team believes it never confirmed the game. Further, the possibility for abuse exists - i.e. staying at the westin v. staying at the marriot with a team rate.... Which is the non-cancelling team allowed to charge the cancelling team?

[SDSULAX]

Rob, I was just trying to get the conversation going, one of the teams that cancelled 3 games was in the National playoffs a couple of years ago. You would think that scheduling a game with them would not have much risk. We also know that sometimes things happen that can ruin your planned budget. We realize you cannot get blood from a turnip, so expecting to get money from a team that didn't have the money to travel for the game still would not make you whole. There have been some good suggestions made here. I personally would be staying at a Hilton property. Thanks for your insight.

[Mark Brown]

Can someone please clarify a rule for me?? Who gets to make the decision to cancel a game due to weather, the assigned refs or the hosting school? If a school says a field isn't playable, let's say two days before a scheduled game, is it a forfeit if the assigned refs say the field is playable. Is the host school responsible for finding another field to play on or forfeit? I've never seen games called due to a wet field until I moved out west. Any clarification helps. Thanks.

[Sonny]

Can someone please clarify a rule for me?? Who gets to make the decision to cancel a game due to weather, the assigned refs or the hosting school? If a school says a field isn't playable, let's say two days before a scheduled game, is it a forfeit if the assigned refs say the field is playable. Is the host school responsible for finding another field to play on or forfeit? I've never seen games called due to a wet field until I moved out west. Any clarification helps. Thanks.

There is a very specific definition of a "forfeit" and a "no-contest" in the rule book. (I suggest you reference the current NCAA rule book.) Some teams and people continue to throw around the term forfeit and they are simply misinformed.

That being said, the amount of MCLA schedule changes/additions/deletions are simply out of control at the conference level for an association of 200 teams nationwide. It is negatively impacting both the volunteer conference admins (many of which are current MCLA Head Coaches) and the officiating community (assignors and officials).

All you have to do is look at the various "weekly threads" in the SELC, WCLL, & LSA forums at the moment to get a glimpse of what I'm talking about.

I don't think enough people appreciate the fact that it's basically a full-time job managing the schedule at the conference level.

I don't know how exactly you handle cancellations... but I do suggest a hefty fine for any schedule changes/additions after a certain date. (Personal suggestions is Dec. 1st of each year and a fine of $250). Games won't be inputted onto the schedule fine is paid in full.

I fear we will lose more "good people" (coaches, admins, refs) from the MCLA over scheduling problems in the near future.

[SDSULAX]

You and the school get to make the call , it is then a No Contest, you should then make good faith attempts to reschedule the game and it is also a good idea to look around in advance for a legal field that you might be able to hold your games in inclement weather, now in the event of lightning, the referees are certainly within their authority to call a game or delay one.

[Chris Larson]

The MCLA operating policies mention Act of God (weather) and Act of Institution in reference to game cancellations. Both relax penalties.

Hopefully we'll get this document approved and posted soon to help clarify these types of situations