Team Registration & Free Agents
The heart of Bostonet is our team community, and we strongly encourage everyone to play on an official team. If scheduling or other commitments prevent you from committing to a full roster, you can register as a Free Agent (Player Not Currently on a Team).
- League-Wide Access: Free agents are welcome to participate in all open tournaments, pickups, Catchball School, and all other league-wide activities.
- Substitute Play: A team can choose to reach out to a registered free agent if their roster for an upcoming match is below 8 players. Because regular league games are included in annual registration, free agents can substitute in league games at no extra charge. For standalone tournaments that require separate entry fees, players are responsible for their own tournament registration and fees.
Season Timeline & Insurance Coverage
The official league season starts in September, but your annual registration and insurance coverage remain active all throughout the summer. This covers participation in our summer pickups and other off-season programming through the end of August.
Financial Aid Eligibility
Because team gym rental and coaching fees significantly exceed the $75 annual fee, Bostonet heavily subsidizes court time for our rosters. To ensure these community funds go where they are most needed, financial aid is reserved exclusively for registered team players. Free agents and casual participants are not eligible for fee subsidies.
Registration Discounts, Refunds & Early Departures
- Late Joiners: A discounted yearly league registration is available only for players joining in January or later during the active season. Minor mid-season delays are not eligible for discounts.
- Injuries: We do not offer refunds or fee adjustments on league registration in the event of an injury sustained during the season.
- Planned Relocations & Early Departures: If you know in advance that a relocation or planned departure will cut your season short, please coordinate with league leadership prior to registering to arrange an advance discount. Retroactive refunds cannot be issued once the season has begun.
League-Wide Attendance
- Mandatory Waiver: For safety and liability purposes, every individual participating in a team practice, pickup game, clinic, or any other Bostonet activity must READ AND SIGN the liability waiver on Zeffy prior to stepping onto the court.
- 3-Attendance Rule: Any guest, visitor, or unregistered player who reaches 3 attendances of any kind across the season (including team practices, pickups, Catchball School or open events) is required to formally register with the league before participating in the 4th activity. This policy relies on the honor system, with team captains responsible for monitoring guest participation at their practices.
Team Autonomy (Finances & Guests)
Bostonet does not mandate how individual teams manage their internal finances, dues schedules, or guest policies. Most teams collect team dues several times throughout the year to cover ongoing local gym and coaching costs. Each team has full discretion over its own budget, fee collection schedule, and whether or how they charge guests (such as backup players from other teams, friends trying out the sport, or visiting relatives) attending their practices. All teams and guests remain subject to the league-wide waiver and 3-attendance rules.
League Pickup Games & Pricing
For league-run pickup sessions:
- Advance Payment: All pickup session fees must be paid in full before stepping onto the court.
- No-Show Refunds: If you register and pay for a pickup session but are unable to attend, you may receive a full refund provided you notify a board member.
- Pricing & Waivers: The pickup fee is waived for first-time attendees only. If you have already attended Catchball School for free, this first-time waiver does not apply, and standard pickup rates apply starting from your first session.
Mid-Season Team Transfers
Players are permitted to switch teams mid-season, provided the change is discussed and mutually agreed upon by both team captains before the move takes place. Any financial reconciliation regarding team dues is left to the discretion of the captains involved. Once both captains have agreed, the player will notify the board so official rosters can be updated.