Policies

Financial Aid Policy:

It is the policy of HYS that no child should be denied the opportunity to play soccer due to a family’s financial situation. Those applying for a scholarship, please contact the Registrar for registration instructions. All fee waiver requests are confidential.

Our Scholarship Program can also cover the cost of uniforms and other required equipment if requested.

We do not offer scholarships for pay-to-play clinics or Revolution Academy teams.  

Refund Policy:

Players who withdraw from any HYS program or clinic prior to the registration close date will be issued a full refund.  

HYS will not honor refund requests for players withdrawing from any program or clinic at any time after registration for that program closes, except for the following reasons:

• A season-ending injury incurred before the start of the season or clinic.
• Any other health or safety-related issue, brought to the attention of HYS before the start of the season.
• If HYS is unable to place the player on a team for any reason and therefore the child is unable to play for that season.
• If HYS cancels a program or clinic for any reason.
• If the family moves out of town before the start of the season.

A scheduling conflict for HYS team practices, games, or clinics with another sport or activity does not qualify for a refund or credit for future seasons.

A $25 administrative fee will be assessed on all refunds and credits issued.

Late fees are not refundable for any reason.

BAYS Guest Player Policy:

Valid for: G3, G4, G5, G6, G8, G10, and G12/PG grade groups 

Overview: 

The BAYS Guest Player Policy provides teams the flexibility to field a team each week so that players can play soccer games as scheduled. It is NOT intended to increase a team’s competitive advantage or fill a particular skill position that happens to be absent. It is NOT intended for emergencies, but for use in filling in for planned absences of players throughout the season. The Guest Player Policy is only valid during the regular season. 

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to help reduce the number of regular season games not played due to teams not having enough players available to play the official game as scheduled. This policy can be used for both scheduled and rescheduled regular season games. Additionally, it may create flexibility when teams have smaller rosters due to player registration numbers. 

Players should prioritize the game for their “assigned” team. A player may be a guest player in only one additional game per day, if their primary team also has a game scheduled. 

Guest Player Parameters per season 

Guest player guidelines and limits:

1. Players should prioritize playing on their assigned team over being a guest player.
2. It is at the discretion of each club choosing to use Guest Players to determine if the club wants to limit the number of times a specific player may play as a guest player. (see BAYS recommendations below)
3. There are no Guest Players allowed in BAYS Playoffs, Presidents’ Cup, or MTOC.
   1. The Roster Freeze date for MTOC remains as announced by the BAYS Registrar.
4. Only four (4) Guest Players may play on one team in a given game.

Recommended Player Count Limits when a Guest Player is used:

The recommended total number of players playing for a team using guest players: 

• Grades 3 and 4 and Grade 912 (7 v 7): 11 players
• Grade 5 and 6 (9 v 9): 13 players
• Grades 8 through 12/PG (11 v 11): 15 players

Playing Up/Playing Down Rules

Guest Player requirements are:

1. Guest players must be from the same club organization and rostered on a current season BAYS team.
2. Players cannot play down in a lower Division or Section or lower Grade Group.
3. Players can play up or in the same Division/Section in their own grade group.
   • E.g.: Players in Grade 8 3F can play on another 3F team (for the same club) or on any of their club’s teams placed in a section above 3F.
4. Players can play up one grade group level at the same or above Division as their current grade Division.
   • Exception: Players have to be at least 11 years old and in grade 6 to play on teams in Grade 8.
   • E.g.: Players in Grade 5 3F can play on any Grade 6 Division 3 team (for the same club) or on any of their club’s teams placed above in a higher division than Division 3.
   • E.g.: Team in Grade 6 4G can solicit Guest Players from any of their club’s teams that play in Grade 5 Division 4.
5. MR 2 applies.
6. Double-sided 4 (e.g. F1 and F2), double-sided 5 (e.g. F1 and F2) or seeded (A and AA) split sections are considered equal sections. Players can play up in their Division and split sections or above in their own grade group, and one grade up one grade group level at the same or above Division as their current grade Division.

How is the Playing Up Process at the Game Field Handled?

The following needs to occur when a coach uses a Guest Player in their game.

1. The coach must provide the referee at the field with two copies of their official game roster and two copies of any official roster listing any Guest Player(s). The referee should give the opposing coach their copy of all the rosters provided. The opposing coach should keep these rosters. Coaches are responsible for making sure that all players playing in the current game are listed with a unique jersey number prior to providing the rosters to the referee.
   1. Assigned Team Roster: All players on the assigned team roster who are NOT playing in the current game should be crossed out.
   2. Guest Player Roster(s): All players NOT playing in the current game EXCEPT the Guest Player(s) should be crossed out.
   3. Referees must use the rosters to check the players in. They should treat Guest Players meeting the above requirements as fully rostered and eligible for the match and report any issues or events related to those players in the same fashion as any other player in their game report. It is not the responsibility of the referee to verify that the guest players meet the policy requirements－That is the responsibility of the coach.
   4. Coaches should write in the current game’s ID# on all of the rosters handed to the referees.
   5. Referees must add to their game report (check a box) that the Guest Player Policy was used to allow guest players to play in the game on a particular team.
   6. Referees check in players on the rosters provided. If the rostered players are questioned, it is the Division Director, or Grade Director, as needed, who will determine the outcome of the game. Referees need to keep all rosters for all games until the end of the season.

How and by whom is the Playing Up Process Administratively Handled?

Each individual BAYS member Club is responsible for setting up their process for using Guest Players. Processes should include some notification to coaches that a player on their team is being used as a Guest Player.

To meet the roster requirements on game day, coaches need to obtain a copy of the Guest Player’s current roster so that they can present two paper copies of that roster to the referee. Clubs need to have an internal process for their coaches to get access to their other teams’ rosters, since Division Directors/BAYS will not provide them.

Consequences if the above Policy is not followed

The following actions may (shall) be taken if the above policy is not followed:

• If an ineligible player is played during a game (even with referee consent), the game will be forfeited.
• BAYS Clubs and coaches are bound by MR1 the Honor System and expected to act with good sportsmanship.

Recommendations

• Try not to have the same players selected to be Guest Players. Spread out the experience. Consider limiting to three the number of times per season that a player may be a Guest Player.
• Players should not play in more than two games per day.
• Communicate clearly to all of your parents and players about the purpose of this system.
• The purpose of the Guest Player policy is not to encourage clubs to enter teams with fewer players, so that the team could not function on its own. Consider having at least the minimum number of players on the official roster for teams as suggested below:
  • Grades 3 and 4 and Grade 912 (7 v 7): 10 players
  • Grade 5 and 6 (9 v 9): 12 players
  • Grades 8 through 12/PG (11 v 11): 14 players

Late Fee Policy:

A $25 late fee will be charged on all registrations received after the registration deadline for all programs and clinics each season.

A late fee will only be waived under the following conditions:

• The player moved to town after the registration deadline.
• An age group needs more players to have teams within recommended roster limits.

Equal Playing Time Policy:

HYS is committed to player development and we believe that players develop best by playing.  Therefore, we have adopted the following policy on playing time for all players from kindergarten through the high school level.  

• If players meet the attendance criteria (50% training) they must get equal playing time in the matches they attend
• Playing time may not be used as a reward or punishment
• Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time and no player shall play the entire game unless all other players have played at least 75% of the game.

Guaranteed Placement Policy:

Any player that registers during the registration period is guaranteed a spot on a team.  Any player that registers after the deadline will only be accepted if:

• A travel team needs players to fill their roster.
• They are new to town and there is space on the roster.

Registrations received after the deadline are subject to a late fee and are not guaranteed placement.

 - No registrations will be accepted after 8/15 for the fall or 3/15 for the spring for 1st through 8th grade

Referee Abuse Prevention Policy:

All coaches, team managers, players, and spectators shall support and respect the directions and decisions made by the match officials before, during, and after the game. Failure to do so undermines the authority of the match officials and has the potential to create a hostile environment for the players, referees, and all other participants/spectators at a match. See Match Rule 15.

The Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) Policy applies to all coaches/team officials, players, parents, spectators, and other supporters and officials participating in a BAYS program or event.

• Only players are to speak to the match officials during and after the game.
  • Exceptions:    

    Coaches may: 

• Respond to an Official who has initiated a conversation
• Point out emergency or safety issues
• Call for substitutions
• Ask the Officials to clarify ONLY: type of restart/direction of throw-in/indirect vs. direct free kick
• Ask for the time remaining in the half

Absolutely NO DISPUTING CALLS during or after the game, no direct or indirect remarks to the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play. Failure to follow the instructions of the match official, yelling, criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or negative feedback of any kind before, during, or after the game will not be tolerated.

• Violators may be cautioned or sent-off in and may be subject to disciplinary action by the RAP Committee. (See the Penalties Matrix, including Key Penalty Factors). 

After the Game:

• If Coaches would like to provide feedback about the refereeing, AFTER the game, log into the BAYS site and under My BAYS->Coach/Manager->Game Feedback click the correct game link to access a form that will send the feedback directly to the home Referee Assignor as well as to BAYS officials.
• If Spectators have questions regarding particular calls, rules, or a referee, or wish to give feedback regarding a referee, they should contact their BAYS team coach. Coaches can file feedback reports with BAYS or speak with their club officials to get more guidance.

To report a violation of the Language Incident or Discriminatory Act per MYSA policy: Click Here

The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from the moment they arrive at the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play/parking area after the match ends.

RAP violation suspensions extend to all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned leagues, which includes all town travel and in-town programs. If a coach, player, or spectator participates with another team or league under Mass Youth Soccer, they are suspended from all coaching, practicing, spectating, or playing for the length of the sanction. Sanction may carry over to the next BAYS season if it cannot be served in the current season. If the violator is also a referee with MSRC, the suspension also removes them from all referee activities for the stated time.

Suspended coaches or spectators who are parents may bring their players to games or practices but must stay 100 feet away from the playing field or stay in the parking lot during the games/time of their suspension. 

Any suspension is to be served for the correlating number of games and/or time across all teams and leagues. For example, a two game suspension means missing two games for all teams with which the individual is associated and cannot be fulfilled by missing one game for one team and one game for a different team.

BAYS Member Clubs are responsible for making sure that the required sanctions are fulfilled. 

RAP Violation Process:

For each reported RAP violation, at least three members of the RAP Committee will form a RAP Review Committee, as needed. RAP Review Committee members will work with club officials from both teams to try to determine what occurred and confirm the identity of who was involved within 48 hours of receiving the initial violation notice. Depending on the findings, a sanction advisory will be issued to the violator based on the 531-9 Penalty Matrix, or in the instance of a first offense only, the RAP Review Committee may recommend that an official warning be issued instead. The sanctioned person has 48 hours from receiving the sanction advisory to request a reconsideration (which can be either a review of additional documentation submitted or a hearing). Depending on the length of the sanction, the reconsideration will be handled by BAYS or by Mass Youth Soccer. Reconsideration reviews must be held within a timely manner. All violations, sanctions, and official warnings are tracked by BAYS and Mass Youth Soccer and will be considered should a violator reoffend. 

There is no fee to request a reconsideration. 

The club and the violator will be notified of the BAYS RAP Review Committee’s decision. See Match Rule 11 B. RAP Committee.

In the event that a violator cannot be identified or confirmed by their club, if the unidentified violator was a member of the coaching staff, the head coach of the team will serve the suspension. If the unidentified violator was a spectator, the spectators of the team will serve the suspension, and the violator’s team may not have any spectators on the sidelines or near the playing field for the number of games warranted by the Penalties Matrix. Fans and supporters of the violator’s team must stay 100 feet away from the playing field or stay in the parking lot during the games for their suspension. 

BAYS Policy of Religious Holidays:

From time to time, the BAYS spring or fall game schedule is in conflict with the observance of a religious holiday. Longstanding BAYS policy is to allow any coach the option of postponing a game where such a religious conflict may exist.

All BAYS coaches, and BAYS member towns, are expected to cooperate in assuring that children and their families are able to choose freely, and without pressure, between religious observances and participation in BAYS activities.

It is expected that a child who chooses to observe a religious holiday in lieu of playing soccer will not jeopardize his or her playing time or position on the team in future games as a result of such choice.

In requesting a postponement, the opposing coach and the Division Director must be notified as soon as possible before the scheduled game date. Referee schedulers and town field schedulers should also be notified where necessary and appropriate.

The process and time frames for rescheduling and playing the postponed game are as set out in BAYS Match Rule 8 Playing the Schedule. The entire BAYS Current Rulebook can also be found on the BAYS Website.

Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to: [email protected]

Inclement Weather Policy:

In the case of inclement weather during the week:

• practices are up to the discretion of the coaches except those held at the YMCA*

*Coaches who practice at the YMCA will receive an e-mail directly from the YMCA as to whether the field is open or closed.  

All coaches are responsible for letting their team know whether practice will be held.

Thunder/Lightning – “If you see it or hear it, clear it”

• Clear fields immediately.
• Seek shelter – preferably in a car with the windows rolled up.
• No outdoor activity should resume until 30 minutes after ALL the weather has cleared
• If you get 29 minutes into the countdown and see lightning again, the clock starts over.

Jewelry Policy:

Players may not wear jewelry during practices or games.  This includes, but is not limited to bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, beads, barrettes and other hard or sharp items.  Newly pierced ears may NOT be taped.  Earrings must be removed. If a player refuses or is unable to remove the prohibited item, she will be asked to sit on the sidelines and may not participate in the soccer activity.  There are no exceptions to this rule for the safety of all our players.

• No earrings (even newly pierced ones) - PLEASE DO NOT PIERCE YOUR CHILD’S EARS IF THEY ARE PLAYING YOUTH SOCCER
• No necklaces
• No bracelets
• No string bracelets
• No watches
• No Fitbits/Garmins
• No headbands (except cloth ones)

Cast Policy:

Players with plaster/fiberglass casts or hard splints, even if padded, cannot play—even with the permission of a parent or medical approval. 

Players with orthopedic braces that have exposed or uncapped metal parts are also not allowed to play.