What is a Default?

A default occurs when, at the scheduled game start time, a team has fewer than the minimum amount of required players and an official game cannot be played.

To determine how defaults are applied to late teams, please see below. These rules apply only to sports that play multiple games or matches in one night:

  • If a team is not at the facility at the start of the match, the team automatically defaults the first game.
  • The team then has 15 minutes to arrive at the facility to avoid defaulting the second game. If the team arrives within that time period, they can play the second and third game (time permitting), accepting a default loss for the first game.
  • If a team fails to arrive by 15 minutes past the match start time, the team will automatically default the second game, and therefore, default the entire match.

The same rules apply to the second match.

How to Avoid a Default

Teams can avoid a default by: 

  • Sending a sub request through MyESSC.
  • Beefing up your roster with spares. There are no limits to the number of people a full team can invite to join the team's roster.
  • Utilizing free resources like Facebook Chat and WhatsApp to organize and confirm player attendance.
  • The ESSC office team is also available to assist teams and answer any questions.

What Happens when a Team Defaults?

Before the start of the game, the opposing captain must make the choice to:

(a) Enforce the default fee and mercy score; or
(b) Waive the default fee and enforce the mercy score; or
(c) Waive the default fee and play a regular game, not enforcing the mercy score.

  • In scenario (a) and (b) above, teams are welcome to use the time slot to play a fun game. However, the playing of a fun game does not alter the results of either scenario (a) or scenario (b).
  • In all above scenarios, the team being defaulted against is responsible for stating (to the GC, EC or directly to the league when reporting scores) whether or not they would like to charge or waive the fee.
  • If the fee is enforced, the defaulting team will receive negative spirit points and will be required to pay the default fee before the next game. The captain will receive an email from the ESSC with directions on how to pay the default.
  • The ESSC does not profit from the collection of default fees; the fee is refunded directly back to the team defaulted against. Teams that are defaulted against will be refunded the entire default fee applicable to that game. The refund will be processed onto the card used to register the team.

Default Flow Chart

Individual Teams and Defaults:

Individuals teams are responsible for avoiding defaults by informing their teammates when/if they can't attend a game so that a replacement player can be found. However, Individuals teams are not charged default fees by the ESSC. 

When Individuals teams are defaulted against, the team is eligible for a pub gift card which is redeemable at the Season End Party. Individuals teams are required to confirm attendance at the party in advance, so that the ESSC may purchase the gift card from the pub.

Default Fees, Scores, and Minimum Roster Requirements

League Default Fee
(per match)
Default Score
(per match)
Minimum Players
to Avoid Default
Multi-Sport $ 110 Dependent on Sport Dependent on Sport

The ESSC does not profit from the collection of default fees; the entire fee is refunded directly back to the team defaulted against.

Special Events and Circumstances

On a case by case basis, the ESSC will work with teams in advance to re-schedule games due to special extenuating circumstances. However, no games will be cancelled due to professional sporting events, festivals or commitments that occur during the course of a regularly scheduled game.

Unpaid Defaults

If the default fee has not been paid before the team’s next game the following will happen:

  • The score(s) of the next game(s) will be changed by the ESSC to reflect a default loss. The opponents will receive the actual score of that game, not a default win.
  • The team will receive a ‘0’ sportsmanship rating from the ESSC.
  • This policy will apply each week until the default fee is paid. Scores will not be reverted back to the original result even after the fee has been paid.

Note: Following two consecutive weeks of having an unpaid default, the ESSC reserves the right to remove a team from the schedule without a refund. At that time, the team will be blacklisted and will not be allowed to register for future ESSC leagues and/or tournaments, until the default fee is paid.