Fast Pitch Northern National

Manager's Informational Meeting

A mandatory Manager's Informational Meeting shall be held Tuesday, July 29 - 6:00 pm eastern time at the Quality Inn - University Area; 515 North Dixie Way; South Bend, IN.  At this meeting the Tournament Director, ASA Representative, and Umpire-in-Chief shall make brief statements and answer any and all questions.

Opening Ceremonies \ Gift Exchange \ Team Photograph Information

Play will begin at 9:00 am eastern time Wednesday, July 30.  At 6:30 pm eastern time we will have a brief opening ceremony at Washington High School; 4747 West Washington St.; South Bend, IN.  Teams should report in uniform to Washington High School at 5:00 pm eastern time (absolutely no later than 5:30 pm eastern time) for team photographs.  Please park in one of the two front parking lots or on the street.  Teams should follow the signs to the auxillary gymnasium where team photographes will be taken.  Staff will line up teams for entrance into the main gymnasium.

It is customary to have a gift exchange between teams.  This exchange will happen just prior to Opening Ceremonies at Washington High School.  Each girl and two coaches will exchange with a designated team.  Please plan for eighteen (18) players and two (2) coaches.  Suggestions include: food items, pins, and/or t-shirts.

Details and Specifics

• The tournament shall be four-game guarantee format.  All teams will play two games in pool play and at-least two games in the double-elimination bracket.
• All participants, on all teams shall be required to show photo ID, and sign the ASA check in sheet before they shall be eligible to participate in the tournament.  Team managers shall bring all their players, en mass, to the check in table at their field of play at least one hour before their first scheduled game time.  Any participant who shows up after their teams check in shall report to the second floor Belleville Softball Complex office and request to be checked in.  This must happen before the participant is eligible to participate in the tournament.
• Play is scheduled to begin Wednesday, July 30 at 9:00 am eastern time.  Depending on the number of teams entered, we will play Wednesday, July 30 though Sunday, August 3.
•  Adequate lighted; paved parking is available at both the east and west parking lots.  There will be no charge for parking.  However, in order to offset maintenance costs to keep our complex clean and beautiful, there will be a nominal admission fee.  Single day passes will be available for $5.  Tournament passes will be available for $15.  Pre-school age children will be admitted free with a paid parent or guardian.  Rostered players will be admitted free, as will managers (one per team) and coaches (two per team).
• In order to participate in this tournament all players must dress identically per the ASA Official Playing Rules.  Players and coaches shall not display the logos of any other association on their uniforms.
• Four-part lineup cards shall be provided and used for all games.  Managers should ledgibly print all players - first and last names, and uniform numbers.  Also, list the defensive positions of all starters.  Substitutes shall be reported number for number to the plate umpire - who will relay the information to the official scorekeeper.  Lineups will become "official" when the plate conference (between umpires and managers) ends.
• The home team shall be determined by a coin toss prior to the start of each game.  Team managers or their designee should bring a completed lineup card and report to the base of the flagpole (at the center of the complex) for the coin toss twenty (20) minutes prior to scheduled starting time.  The team at the top of the bracket shall use the first base dugout.  The team listed at the bottom of the bracket shall use the third base dugout.  Exception: Whenever a team plays back-to-back game on a field that team shall stay in whichever dugout, they are already in to save time and effort.  Only rostered players, coaches and the manager are allowed in the dugout area.
• All pool games shall use a 1 hour 40 minute time limit.  The time limit shall begin when the umpire declares "play ball".  A new inning shall begin when the third out is declared in the previous inninng.  The clock shall stop during "serious" injuries and rules protests.  Anyone who attempts to manipulate the time limit to their advantage shall be dealt with by tournament officials.
• The official game balls for this event shall be the Worth Official ASA Dream Seam Model # C12RYLA 12", optic yellow pro leather cover, raised red stitch, cork core, .47 COR, 375 compression.

In order to provide a safe, clean and pleasant environment for all park patrons to enjoy, please be aware of the following Belleville Softball Complex Rules:

• Pets are not allowed inside the softball complex.
• Glass containers are prohibited.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on park property.
• No smoking is permitted on park property.  (St. Joseph County Ordinance)
• Please dispose of trash in the containers provided.
• No overnight recreational vehicle parking is allowed on park property.
• Roller blades, roller skates, skateboards and scooters are strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

 For More Information

Tournament Director

Mr. John Byers

52233 Tammy Dr.

Granger, IN  46530-9585

Telephone: 574-272-4548  (home)

Email: jbyerssbasa@comcast.net

Assistant Tournament Director

Mr. Bob Waters

754 Locke Ct.

Nappanee, IN  46550-1216

Telephone: 574-773-7098  (home)

Email: bwaters48881@mchsi.com

Belleville Softball Complex

1300 S Mayflower Rd.

South Bend, IN  46619-3910

Telephone: 574-282-1449

Fax: 574-282-8182

Email: softball@southbendin.gov

Website: www.sbpark.org