What's happening to Sunday Fall?

[ashunter]

Now that the playoffs are (sorta) over, I'm looking forward to the Sunday fall league. It's always been a favorite of mine, the games in september are often some of the nicest games all year. No rush to make the games after work, crisp but sunny days and above average spirit opponents.

I was a bit surprised this year to see that the league only has 18 teams. Last year we had 27, and the year before that 40! The top 10 teams for the past 3 years doesn't seem to have much turnover, so I'm guessing it's a lot of Int/Rec level teams that are not coming back.

I'd be curious to hear from recent, but not current, fall sunday players/captains, to see why they're not coming back this year?

[john mc]

I think that teams are tired of taking the beats from the most decorated sports dynasty of all time. Famed Habs, Oilers, Yankees, Lakers and Toronto Triumph teams don't even come close to matching Red October's dominance.
John

[dentonmatthew]

Well John,
Since the "Fall" off happened in the last couple years, the blame must go to the more recent dynasty, Black November.

Jokes aside, fall league is quite enjoyable, and its shame to see the numbers fall off.

I'd also add to that:
- Game times were not concentrated in the afternoon, and Sunday evening games, even on prime fields, are a possible turn off. (OR, Sunday afternoons are bad - NFL?)
- Fields themselves, there are a lot of players (not me) who prefer grass. When I was the convenor, I received many requests for grass only. Might also apply to Cherry Beach and Lakeshore CI for distance.
- Terry Fox run at Sunnybrook. Every year for many, Players were not given access to Sunnybrook for the 12:00 and 1:30 games, despite having the permits in place. Lots of frustration.
- Burn out. Summer is long, and registration for Fall comes around the same time as all your teammates are off on some summer vcacation, you're playing with a short bench, and dying for a break.
- Lack of divisions. Top teams are the top teams. On occasion, a top team plays someone a tier or two lower, and it is not fun for either side.