Policies

Code of conduct

Ultimate is self-officiated and non-contact; both only work when everyone holds the standard. Improper conduct includes cheating, dangerous play, abusive language, harassment, discrimination, and violence. Report incidents or allegations to the board as soon as possible — coordinators, captains, and volunteers are expected to pass along anything they're made aware of, not sit on it. Reports go to info@buda.org and are read by board members, not a form robot.

Non-discrimination

The non-discrimination policy applies to all BUDA leagues and events: race, gender, and sexual orientation are never a basis for exclusion from play, captaining, coaching, or volunteering. If a league format limits who plays (a women's and gender-expansive league, a grandmasters division), the limits are about matchups and age, published on the event page, and applied evenly.

Gender identification and matchups

Players indicate their gender through their own profile, and BUDA's policy is to identify each person as they choose to be identified. Mixed leagues use matchup categories rather than gender lines: DoC, DoW, and DoM — "defenders of choice, women, men" — describe who you're comfortable matching against. In 4/3 mixed play, no more than four of the seven players on the field can be of one matchup, with the receiving team setting the mix each point. At USA Ultimate sanctioned events (club series, high school states, YCC), the USA Ultimate Gender Inclusion Policy applies instead.

Weather and lightning

If you hear thunder, or an app shows a lightning strike within ten miles, suspend play immediately. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or strike before captains decide how the event continues. Field closures for rain or unplayable turf are decided by the towns; coordinators email captains and post to the league page as soon as a town makes the call, usually by late afternoon for an evening game.

Refunds and cancellations

Withdraw before rosters lock and your fee comes back in full; after lock, refunds are prorated through the first week of games. Weather-cancelled games are rescheduled into the season's makeup weeks rather than refunded; every league schedule carries one or two for exactly this. Pay-what-you-can tiers refund at whatever tier you picked.

Financial aid

Ultimate should be accessible for everyone. If you want a helping hand, for any reason, email info@buda.org for adult leagues or fill out the youth financial aid form — we respond within one to two business days, and youth programs can be free for your whole first season. Nobody walks away from playing over money.