Maine Masters Soccer League

The Maine Masters Soccer League will play from June to October at field locations in the Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough areas.  The MMSL is designed to be an Over-30 Men’s league (although women are invited to play) and will offer both league and playoff games.

This document will outline the logistics, bylaws, and fees associated with the league.  Please review carefully.

1.  League Administration

An oversight committee made up of the captains from the teams in the league will run the league.  Two co-chairs of the oversight committee will be responsible for calling meetings, securing fields/equipment/referees and paying referees and facilities.  

Co-Chairs: 
Jon Stewart:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Shawn Taylor:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Matt Walsh: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

2.  Fields

Due to the time constraints with specific fields the games must start and end on time.  There are no overtimes.  Games may end in a tie. 

Scarborough fields will have 40-minute halves.  If the game is delayed for any reason the referee and captains will discuss how to manage the time to ensure the next game starts on time. 

Scarborough Site:
Game 1 Starts 8:30
Game 2 Starts 10:15

Cape Elizabeth games will have 45-minute halves.  If the game is delayed for any reason the referee and captains will discuss how to manage the time to ensure the next game starts on time. 

Cape Elizabeth Site:
Game 1 Starts 8:30
Game 2 Starts 10:00
Game 3 Starts 11:30

3.  Schedule

www.mmslonline.com

4.  Rosters

Teams may carry a roster of up to 30 players.  All players must be at least 30 years old in 2008.  Each team is permitted two “waiver players” who may be between the age of 25-29.  Teams, which have players that were rostered in 2007 and are under 25, are allowed to continue to keep these players on their roster as part of the grand fathered clause.

All rosters must be submitted to the league co-chairs by May 15th.  If a team has not submitted a roster and plays a game, the game will be forfeited.  No Roster = No Official Game.  Rosters will clearly define under-30 players.  Rosters will contain full name, DOB and jersey number.  Once a roster is submitted, a rostered player may not play for another team in the league without approval from the oversight committee.  Teams will be permitted to add players through the end of August due to injury or withdrawal of rostered players.  No players may be added to a roster in September or October.

5.  Fees  

League expenses are expected to include:
Fields, Refs, Trophies, Misc (admin/website)

Cost per team to be determined from year to year.  Please contact Jon Stewart for more information.
The deadline for team payment is April 15th. If it is not paid by then, your team will not be on the schedule.

6.  Bylaws

Uniforms:  All teams must have matching shirts with numbers on the back.
Game Balls: The home team must supply two size 5 game balls for each game.
Roster/Ages:  All players must be at least 30 years old in 2008 (i.e. you may play if you are 29, but turning 30 this year).  Each team will be allowed two waiver players between the age of 25-29 unless grand fathered*.  Waiver players must be clearly identified on the official roster submitted to the league.  If a player’s age is questioned, the referee will examine identification at the field and determine eligibility.  A referee’s determination of eligibility on the field is final.  Challenges to a player’s eligibility must be made before the start of the game.  No challenges to eligibility are permitted after the game has begun.

*All players in the league in 2007 and years prior are not subject to this rule however do count against the rule "2 players under 30."

Game Rules:  FIFA Rules apply, with the following exceptions:

1) Due to the time constraints with specific fields the games must start and end on time.  There are no overtimes.  Games may end in a tie.  Scarborough fields will have 40 minute halves.  Cape Elizabeth will have 45 minute halves.  If the game is delayed for any reason the referee and captains will discuss how to manage the time to ensure the next game starts on time.

2) Substitutes on end lines and own throw-ins.

3) No Slide Tackling of a Player in possession of the ball.  Sliding to save a goal, save a ball from going out of bounds etc is acceptable as long as a player is not within 3 yards.  Slide tackling is a yellow card offense, not a warning.

4) Yellow Cards/Red Cards:  Will be issued pursuant to FIFA Rules.  Any red card must be reported to the MMSL co-chairs. The majority of the oversight committee, in its sole discretion may increase any red card suspension to up to 5 games.  Any player who accumulates 3 red cards in a season will be suspended from further play for the remainder of the season.  Any team that fields a suspended player will forfeit that game.

Red cards issued for fighting or abusive language will result in suspension of one game. 

Yellow cards will be issued immediately to any players other than the designated captain for arguing with the referee.  A second incident during that game will result in a Red card.

A player accumulating 2 Yellow card in two consecutive games or a Red card will be suspended for one game.

Any Intentional Physical Contact with an official by a player, or with a player by an official, on or off the field, before, after or during a game will result in termination from the league.  This applies to players and officials.

Scores:  The referee will record the score of the game, the scorers, and any cards.  Information will be emailed or called to the co-chairs by Monday following the game.

Points:  3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, no points for losses.

Awards:  Trophies will be awarded for league champion (based on total points, then goals differential, then total goals, then head to head, then coin toss); playoff champion (single elimination); and top goal scorer.