5/28/21 Update:

As of this date, we do not have enough registrants to run the individual leagues as planned, so registration has been closed for the Tuesday & Wednesday Individual Registration Leagues. If you are interested in being a free agent to potentially be placed on one of the available teams, please email landerson@cincinnatiultimate.org! We will do our best to get you placed on a team or added to a sub-list. 

Regarding gender ratios for Tuesday & Wednesday leagues, we have heard from teams about the difficulty to find women players. In an effort to make sure as many players get to participate as possible, we will return to past years' regulations to make Tuesday & Wednesday night leagues a 5:2 ratio. We're also reducing our roster requirement to 4 women per team. 

Posted 5/14/21

Ultimate is back!

The initial plan for summer leagues in the summer of 2021 is outlined below. All of this is subject to change based on numerous moving parts (most significantly being eventual registration numbers). We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we balance not only the complexities of returning from a pandemic, but also the practical challenges of planning all these logistics in a shorter period of time. We hope that everyone remains enthusiastic and driven by the ultimate goal of getting back on the field!

Registration

Website: https://www.cincinnatiultimate.org/leagues/summer

Capacity: No limits on capacity; minimum requirements will be evaluated based on the total number and gender diversity (for viable mixed ultimate consideration)

Opens: Tuesday, May 18 at 12:01 am
Closes: Wednesday, June 2 at 11:59 pm

Cost Details:
$65 standard rate
$45 discounted rate*, 
$30 for Thursday youth league

All payments collected through the website and are due before the first games

*We do not want cost to be a prohibitive factor. In an attempt to provide flexibility, we are offering a discounted rate for those who need it in a ”pay what you can” system. If this is still a concern, please reach out to Liz Anderson, Director of Operations (landerson@cincinnatiultimate.org) with requests for consideration. 

Waiver: All participants will be required to sign the 2021 waiver

Age Requirement: 18 years of age or older as of 6/1/21* (excluding Thursday youth league)

*Exceptions to this rule will be allowed for players under 18 if they are playing with their parent/guardian on the same team (at least age 16 by 6/1/21).

Types: Team Registration - Players will register in the system individually through their login (pay, complete waivers, etc.), but team captains will send their player list to Liz (landerson@cincinnatiultimate.org) for teams to be assigned properly

Individual Registration - Everyone signs up independently and will be assigned teams by the league coordinator. Pairing requests can be submitted but are not guaranteed.

League Descriptions

Below are two new ways that we are going to brand our leagues going forward. We understand the challenges around setting league standards that work for everyone, but we believe that these descriptors will better categorize our leagues than previous attempts (experienced, elite, beginner, intermediate, etc.).

Recreational
The purpose of our recreational leagues is purely for the benefit of playing and enjoying the game. Players of all skill levels (even brand new) are encouraged to participate. Game results will not be recorded (with the exception of the end-of-season tournament), as this is meant to be an opportunity to play the sport and engage with other players without the need for any other expectations.

Competition
The purpose of our competition leagues is for players that enjoy competing and want to challenge themselves to improve as ultimate players. While still an opportunity for enjoyment just like our recreational leagues, the expectation is that players participating in these leagues wish to play their best ultimate (even though everyone’s level of best ultimate varies). These leagues are still beneficial for players at all stages of development, but will challenge those players to learn and improve along the way. Proper knowledge of the rules and a comfort with a competitive atmosphere (on the field) are important characteristics for these league participants.

League Formats

The goal is for all leagues to be 7v7, full-field, non-modified, and mixed ultimate (true 4:3 or 3:4) in format. Once we have a better understanding of registration numbers, we will evaluate any changes that might make sense and provide a better experience (i.e., 5v5 or 4v4, single-gender, etc.). Given all the unknowns heading into this summer, we wanted to explain what we want to accomplish but prepare everyone if adjustments are necessary. Each league will consist of 8 weeks of games on the respective weeknight (two-hour window) concluded with a single-day tournament on the last weekend (specific dates outlined below).

Tuesdays - 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/8 (Tournament)
Competition (Team Registration; must have at least 6 players of each gender on your team)
Recreational (Individual Registration)

Wednesdays - 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/8 (Tournament)
Recreational (Team Registration; must have at least 6 players of each gender on your team)
Recreational (Individual Registration)

Thursdays - 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/7 (Tournament)
Competition (Individual Registration)
Youth Recreational (Individual Registration)
Dayton Recreational (Individual Registration)

*Just a reminder that all of this is subject to modification once we get a more concrete understanding of registration. We want to remain flexible to ensure that we can provide the optimal format in the end for everyone involved.

Locations

The default location at this time will be Clear Creek (with the exception of Dayton), primarily because we have confirmed availability. We are continuing to investigate alternative options and will share those if they become available (and as we know more about registration numbers).

Clear Creek Park Soccer Field
6200 Batavia Road
Cincinnati, OH 45244

The site for Dayton Recreational on Thursday is still being determined.

COVID-19 Considerations

• Participants are expected to have completed the COVID-19 vaccination process:

  • There will be a question during the registration process to confirm that you have completed the vaccinations. Be prepared to present your vaccination card on the first night of competition that you attend.

  • Exceptions can be granted if medically necessary. If you wish to submit an appeal, please contact Liz (landerson@cincinnatiultimate.org).

  • This expectation will continue to be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis as the data around the pandemic evolves. At this time, we believe this is the safest way to get back to play sooner than waiting for the pandemic to fully resolve itself. We respect everyone’s decisions and feedback and understand that you must do what is best for yourself at this time.

• Participants should complete a self-health assessment each week and should not come to the league if feeling any COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, aches, chills, headache, and more as listed on the CDC website. 

• If a player tests positive for COVID-19, they should alert the league directors and they may not participate in the league for two weeks until the symptoms and contact tracing risk are eliminated.

• If a player is known to have tested positive for COVID-19, CUPA will alert the involved teams. Any player or coach who was in close contact with the COVID-19 positive player should consider quarantining themself. We will refer the suspected individuals for self-isolation and testing per CDC guidelines, and state, tribal, local, or territorial health department protocols.

• 2021 waiver now includes information about communicable diseases and participants should be aware of the change.

• All payments and waivers will be collected online to reduce the need to exchange these items in person.

• No social events outside of the games will be coordinated (with the possible exception of the end-of-season tournament party, if safely feasible at that time). This refers to previous years where certain bars or restaurants were specifically identified for post-league gatherings.

• Masks will not be required (but individuals are welcome to wear them if they prefer).

• Hand sanitizer will be made available and disc cleaning is beneficial, but no specific cleaning regiment will be enforced.

• There will not be a change to any gameplay rules, notably marking will remain the standard disc width from the thrower.

• Players are encouraged to maintain space when possible off the field.