New "Streamlined Play system" being implemented in 2024

What's changing in 2024?

There are multiple new changes in 2024. They are outlined below:

1. Players will now be required to RSVP to games each week. Anyone who does not RSVP, cannot play. RSVPs must be made using the form on this website. RSVPs via email or text will not be considered.
   
   

2. RSVPs will be capped at 50 players. The first 50 players to RSVP will get to play. After 50 players RSVP, we will open up a waitlist in the event someone who RSVP'd can no longer attend.
   
   

3. Teams will be randomly generated from the list of RSVPs rather than having captains pick teams at the field.

Why are these changes being made?

• Our league has grown significantly since it was first launched in 2023. We went from an email list of around 100 to over 230.
  
  

• With so many people interested in playing, it could result in too many players showing up to the field. Having teams with rosters of 15, 18, or 20 players each would not be fun. Players would get very few at-bats and would have to often rotate sitting out in the field.
  
  

• Therefore, we've opted to require RSVPs and cap the number of players to 50. This means no team will have more than 13 players on it. Having three players sit out per inning is fairly reasonable.
  
  

• Drafting four teams sometimes took a lot of time. It could take 10 or 15 minutes to draft four teams. Seton Park has no lights. As we get later in the summer, the sun begins to set earlier. In 2023, as we got deeper into summer, we had to switch from playing 7-inning double headers to sometimes playing 6-inning or even 5-inning games due to the earlier sunsets. By assigning teams before players even arrive, it means we can start playing earlier, making the sunset times less relevant. With this new system, players will know what team they're on and what field they're on before they even get to the field. Once everyone arrives, they can begin playing.
  
  

• Nobody likes being picked last. In 2023, we often found certain players getting picked last based on their sex, age, physique, or assumed playing ability. Some players found themselves getting picked last on multiple occasions which can be really uncomfortable and embarrassing. By randomly assigning teams, nobody has to worry about being picked last.
  
  

• This league puts emphasis on listening to community feedback and being democratic in its decision-making. We surveyed our players asking if they'd be interested in implementing this new system. More than 80 players responded, with a whopping 91% saying they were in favor of this new system. (To be exact, as of this writing, 83 people responded, with 75 players stating they wanted this new system implemented. It was overwhelmingly popular.)

What if i can never rsvp in time to play?

We understand that people have busy schedules and you may not have the ability to RSVP as soon as the window opens. If you find yourself consistently not able to RSVP prior to rosters getting full, please send an email to info@riverdalesandlot.com. 

We want to make sure anyone who wants to play in this league gets a chance to play. So if you constantly find yourself on the waitlist, please get in touch and we'll ensure you get to play.