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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Table of Contents
Ultimate in Ann Arbor
Registration
Captaining
Grouping
- I want to play with my friends, how do I get on the same team?
- How many people can be in a group?
- Can I bring a whole team?
- What if my group was separated during registration?
Waitlist
- I'm on the waitlist—how likely is it I'll make it on to a team?
- How do I get my money back if I never make it off the waitlist?
- What if I get added to a team from the waitlist mid-season? Can I get refunded for those missed games?
League Start
- I registered and am not on the waitlist. What happens now?
- How are teams formed?
- What should I bring to the game?
- When should I show up?
Withdrawals
- I have registered for a league, but I have a medical reason to stop playing this season. Can I withdraw and get a refund?
- I did not realize at registration how often I would have conflicts with scheduled games (for work, etc.). Can I withdraw and get a refund?
- I did not realize at registration that I would be moving away during the season. Can I withdraw and get a refund?
Games / Events
Pick-up Players
- General Policies:
- I’m registered for a league, can I play in an additional division or time slot?
- I’m not registered for a league, can I play as a pick-up?
- I’m a captain, and I know my team will need people for a particular upcoming game. How do I recruit pick-ups?
- I am a registered player—can my friend or family member play as a pick-up on my team for a game or two?
Communications
Grievances
Ultimate in Ann Arbor
New Players
Q: I’m new to the area, where/how can I play?
A: Information on upcoming leagues and one-day events is available on the Ann Arbor Ultimate website. You can find more information by checking our about page, by following us on social media, or by joining our announcements list (more information can be found in the communications section). If we are currently in the middle of a league, we may still be accepting registrations on our waitlist.
Q: I’ve never played before, how can I learn?
A: Completely new players are welcome to register for nearly any league (see division details for expected levels of play/competitiveness), and all league captains are expected to teach the basics of rules, throwing, and offensive/defensive movement. Ann Arbor Ultimate also hosts occasional clinics for beginners, which we advertise through our email list, Facebook, and website. We recommend reading USAU’s Ultimate in Ten Simple Rules as preparation before coming to the fields.
Q: Are there pick-up games around Ann Arbor?
A: Yes! They are usually not affiliated with Ann Arbor Ultimate, but you can check out our pickup page for more information.
Registration
General
Q: Do leagues fill up?
A: They do! Not every league fills up, but some (like Winter) can have a high demand. In general, we operate on a first come, first served basis. Signing up early is encouraged, and sometimes incentivized with a cheaper registration. You are only officially added to a league after payment is received.
Q: How are league and team sizes determined?
A: Usually, league sizes are a function of how much field space and time we can get for a particular day. We do our best to make this match the demand from previous years. Team sizes fluctuate, but generally we keep it somewhere between 12 and 15. Factors playing into team size include level of play, season, weather, and cost.
Q: What are the age requirements for Ann Arbor Ultimate leagues?
A: Players 15 and up are welcome to register for any league/division. We host youth events, leagues, and camps from time to time that are aimed at middle school and high school players. These generally adhere to their own age range (check the description for more information).
Q: I am a parent/guardian. How do I sign up my child?
A: No problem! For each minor (under 18), create an account for them as if they were signing up themselves. Go through the registration process as if you were them and you should be all set.
Q: For a youth athlete (under 18 on day of first event) to play, is there anything special I need to do?
A: Yes! According to state law, all youth athletes and a parent/guardian are required to complete and provide a concussion acknowledgement waiver to a league officials prior to the start of their first game. More information can be found on our concussion compliance page.
Payments
Q: Can I bring someone (director/treasurer/captain) my registration fee at the fields?
A: No, registration payments must be paid via PayPal. Any exceptions will be noted in an event description.
Q: What if I can’t afford to pay the registration fee?
A: We are able to offer price reductions under certain circumstances. Please contact directors@annarborultimate.org to request consideration.
Q: Why do leagues cost so much and where does the money go?
A: Ann Arbor Ultimate operates off of volunteer time and effort in order to keep our costs as low as possible for the Ann Arbor Ultimate community. Registration costs are primarily driven by the costs of renting fields, and different fields have different costs. For example, winter leagues are played on indoor fields that cost substantially more per person than summer leagues. We also usually provide a uniquely designed Ann Arbor Ultimate disc to summer players as part of the registration fee. Otherwise, some of the money goes toward administrative needs such as insurance and supplies (like cones).
Captaining
Q: Where can I find more information about captaining in Ann Arbor Ultimate?
A: More information can be found on our Captaining in Ann Arbor Ultimate page.
Grouping
Q: I want to play with my friends, how do I get on the same team?
A: You can form a group after registration for a division. All participants must register individually, but after registration anyone can add members to their group through their Ann Arbor Ultimate account. Note, waitlisted registrations are not eligible to join groups.
Q: How many people can be in a group?
A: For most leagues our group maximum is 2 people. This number allows us to to more evenly balance teams for experience and gender. While we love when you bring friends to play with, only allowing groups of two also encourages meeting new people! In some rare circumstances, we will allow groups of 3 people. Requests for a group of 3 can be sent to directors@annarborultimate.org and will be considered (though not guaranteed) at the time of team generation.
Q: Can I bring a whole team?
A: Usually, no. Ann Arbor Ultimate almost never runs leagues and events "clique-style" and instead opts to form teams from individual registrations and groups.
Q: What if my group was separated during registration?
A: It doesn't happen often, but it has happened. Just shoot an email to registration@annarborultimate.org and we will do our best to correct the situation.
Waitlist
Q: I'm on the waitlist—how likely is it I'll make it on to a team?
A: There are nearly always a few spots that become available due to withdrawals. Players are moved on to teams from the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis, unless moving a particular player off of the waitlist sooner would significantly improve alignment with gender balance expectations for a particular division. The farther down the list you are, the less likely you are to make it on to a team (list order can be viewed on the division’s “Players” page).
Q: How do I get my money back if I never make it off the waitlist?
A: Refunds are issued shortly after the completion of each division. A full refund is issued for the case where no games are played. If you do not receive your refund within two weeks after the end of the season, please contact registration@annarborultimate.org
Q: What if I get added to a team from the waitlist mid-season? Can I get refunded for those missed games?
A: Yes, if you are moved off the waitlist after some number of games have been played, you will be refunded for the games you missed.
League Start
Q: I registered and am not on the waitlist. What happens now?
A: For leagues, you will be added to a team, have a schedule created, and receive a welcome email from a league official and/or your captain(s). Ann Arbor Ultimate will provide at least 24 hours notice before the first game, but aims for a few days. For other events, you may receive a welcome email, but if you do not, plan on showing up at the time designated in the event description.
Q: How are teams formed?
A: We use a team generation algorithm to form our teams with very little human input. The algorithm uses player ratings (both from themselves and captains of past teams) to balance teams as best it can.
Q: What should I bring to the game?
A: Bring white and team-colored (or a dark if you cannot match your team color) shirts, water, and cleats. Cleats are not strictly necessary, but you will find that having them provides a large advantage.
Q: When should I show up?
A: Generally, it is OK to show up a little early to warm up. Our field reservations start at the time listed on the website, so please stay out of the way if others are using the field before us.
Withdrawals
Q: I have registered for a league, but I have a medical reason to stop playing this season. Can I withdraw and get a refund?
A: Yes, you can withdraw from the league. If more than half of the games remain, you can get a refund of registration fee prorated for the remaining games of the season. If more than half of the games have been played when you request the withdrawal, no refund will be issued.
Q: I did not realize at registration how often I would have conflicts with scheduled games (for work, etc.). Can I withdraw and get a refund?
A: If games haven’t yet started, yes. If games have already started, no.
Q: I did not realize at registration that I would be moving away during the season. Can I withdraw and get a refund?
A: Yes, you can withdraw from the league. If more than half of the games remain, you can get a refund of registration fee prorated for remaining games of the season. If more than half of the games have been played when you request the withdrawal, no refund.
Send all additional inquiries to registration@annarborultimate.org.
Games / Events
Formats
Q: What is the difference between co-rec and mixed?
A: By default, our divisions are co-rec. We ask that during a point teams play a matching gender ratio (this is determined by the captains before the game and is often set by the gender endzone during a point). Co-rec divisions do not put any limits on registrations for each matching preference. In mixed divisions, teams are asked to play with at least 3 woman-matching players and at least 3 man-matching players on every point. Registration limits may be enforced for mixed divisions (see division summary and details).
Weather
See also: Our Weather Policy
Q: What factors determine game cancellations?
A: Lightning, extreme heat or cold, rain such that fields may be damaged, other dangerous or negative conditions as determined by Ann Arbor Ultimate leadership.
Q: How are players notified of cancellations?
A: We attempt to send emails and add a notice on the Ann Arbor Ultimate homepage as soon as we can if a game is cancelled in advance. We will generally not send notification for games cancelled on the field.
Q: What do we do if we’re playing and we see lightning?
A: Game play must stop and all players must take shelter for at least 30 minutes. If there is no more lightening sighted for a full 30 minutes, resume play.
Q: If a game gets cancelled due to weather, do I get reimbursed for that game?
A: No refunds are issued for weather cancellations.
Q: What if a game gets cancelled, but I want to risk it and play, anyway?
A: Ann Arbor Ultimate assumes no responsibility for continued play after an official stoppage of the game, or use of fields to play ultimate in the event of a game cancellation. Using fields after a cancellation can lead to injury, damage the fields, and/or damage to the Ann Arbor Ultimate's reputation. Do not use the fields after a cancellation.
Pick-up Players
General Policies
- All pick-up players must have signed an Ann Arbor Ultimate waiver for that season/league.
- Teams can pick up players only if they have fewer than 10 registered players on the field for that game OR if the gender balance as expected for a particular division will be significantly better if the pick-up joins the game.
- Captains of both teams must come to a consensus to allow a particular individual to play and to approve the total number of pick-ups. This should be determined before the game starts, and revisited at half-time.
- Pick-up players should not play in more than half of the games of a particular league/division or otherwise abuse the welcoming of pick-ups to avoid registration.
- In select divisions, Ann Arbor Ultimate leadership will help coordinate pickups to provide a more streamlined process. In these circumstances, captains can provide input about the number of pickups desired, and directors will send out a general call for pickups and assign players as deemed appropriate.
Q: I’m registered for a league, can I play in an additional division or time slot?
A: Yes. You will automatically be added to our pickup email list for a season if you are already playing in one division.
Q: I’m not registered for a league, can I play as a pick-up?
A: In general, only active participants of Ann Arbor Ultimate (defined as having played in a division within the last two seasons) are allowed to pick up. Any and all exceptions to this must be approved by Ann Arbor Ultimate leadership.
Q: I’m a captain, and I know my team will need people for a particular upcoming game. How do I recruit pick-ups?
A: First, email the league-wide email list for that season to recruit players who are already registered for that season. Please avoid recruiting “ringers” or players that could negatively affect the balance of the game or enjoyment of registered players.
Q: I am a registered player—can my friend or family member play as a pick-up on my team for a game or two?
A: In general, only active participants of Ann Arbor Ultimate (defined as having played in a division within the last two seasons) are allowed to pick up. Any and all exceptions to this must be approved by Ann Arbor Ultimate leadership.
Communications
Announcements Email List
Q: How can I add myself to the Ann Arbor Ultimate announcements list?
A: Follow the instructions on our announcements page and you will receive our next newsletter.
Q: How can I remove myself from the Ann Arbor Ultimate email list?
A: We are sorry to see you go, but you can unsubscribe by sending an email to announcements+unsubscribe@lists.annarborultimate.org from the address from which you would like to unsubscribe. Note, if you have email forwarding set up, you will need to send the email from the original email address.
Division and Team Email Lists
Q: How long do the email lists for various divisions and teams stick around?
A: We clean our lists up periodically trying not to let an email list stay active for more than a year. If you want to stay in contact with your team, we suggest exchanging contact info soon after the league ends.
Other Communications
Q: What other ways/places can I find info from Ann Arbor Ultimate?
A: Our Facebook Page is a great way to keep up to date on everything Ann Arbor Ultimate. There is also a Facebook Group for the community to post questions or announcements of their own. We also maintain a Twitter account if that is your preferred medium.
Grievances
Reporting a Grievance
Q: How do I report a problem encountered at league?
A: If you feel comfortable sharing the issue with one of your captains, we recommend chatting with them first, to see what they can do to help you out. Captains are your first point of contact to talk about things like playing time distribution, team strategy, and team bonding. Captains have the opportunity to report any issues or ask for input from Ann Arbor Ultimate leadership in their weekly game reports. If the issue is something structural about the league or feedback you want to give to your captain anonymously, you will have an opportunity to record these thoughts in an end of season survey. If there is a pressing issue that needs addressing (e.g. reporting unsafe behavior on the field or inappropriate actions of another player that you would like to see addressed), that either you do not want to share with your captain or think they cannot help address the issue, please contact the directors, either an individual you feel comfortable with, or our collective email at directors@annarborultimate.org. If you want to submit information anonymously, you can do so through our grievance google form, which is regularly checked.
Q: What happens when a grievance is filed?
A: All grievances are taken seriously by Ann Arbor Ultimate leadership. Our priority is making Ann Arbor Ultimate a safe environment for our players, and we do not tolerate violence or discrimination in the league. We operate on a reconciliation-based model, not a punishment model, so our first steps are understanding the scale and scope of the problem and talking to players involved to understand all perspectives. This may happen through individual or group conversation, and it includes asking players what they feel would be a satisfying solution to the issue at hand, as appropriate. If a grievance is submitted anonymously, we may reach out to the captains of involved players for their input. In severe circumstances of violence or upon receiving repeated complaints, a player might be asked to leave the league for the session or a longer period of time.
Last Updated: January 9th, 2024