AFA Summer Slugfest-National Qualifier SOZO

AFA SUMMER SLUGFEST schedule and brackets are now LIVE!
July 22nd & 23rd @ Cactus Yards (Gilbert, AZ)

Check out the exposure site to view your team's schedule or download our app "WESTCOASTAFA” to view schedule/brackets/keep an eye on scores as they are recorded as your games wrap up this weekend!

Please make sure that your team is sanctioned to play AFA events. The AFA season runs September 1st-August 31st and is $45.00 per season. This fee goes directly to headquarters. If you have not already paid your sanctioning fee and been assigned your 4–6-digit number, please do so by clicking the link: https://fastpitch.afasoftball.com/get-involved/team-membership/

PLEASE READ AZ HEAT MODIFICATIONS FOR THIS WEEKEND:
1. Pool play games will be 1:10 no new inning (can end in tie)
2. Bracket play games will be 1:20 no new inning (must have a winner)
3. Courtesy runners may be used for any player, both days (does not have to be a player who is not in the lineup; can be last batted out)
4. Water breaks are OK during long innings. Coach should call time out, let umpires know the reason, and bring water to kids on field.
5. Cactus Yards agreed to let us start the games this weekend at 7:30am instead of 8am each day to take advantage of lower AM temps for the kids/coaches/umpires/fans.
***Gates will open at 6:30am for 7:30am games***

Thank you in advance for your support and understanding of our AZ heat modifications for this weekend's event. Although the changes are slight, they are in an attempt to keep everyone safe and allow enough break time inbetween games for everyone out there this weekend!

1. See above.
2. Team listed first on the pool play schedule will be in the first base dugout
(unless game before already has next opponent in dugout-please take the open dugout)
3. Coin flip for home/away on Saturday
4. Sunday the higher seed will automatically be the home team and take the 3B dugout (if same seed-coin flip Sunday as well).
5. Lineup cards must be turned in at the plate meeting
6. POOL PLAY: you may bat your entire line up
7. BRACKET PLAY: You may bat 11, and play 12 (extra players will be listed on lineup card as “EP” and you may use DP/FLEX
8. Courtesy runner - see above modification
9. Coaches visits-see above modification
10. High School pitching rules will be in effect
11. Rule rules will be as follows:
12 runs after 3 innings ; 10 runs after 4 innings ; 8 runs after 5 innings
12. In the case of a tie breaker during bracket play, LAST OUT is placed at 2B with no outs (International TB)
13. Illegal bat: Easton Ghost-Gold
-If your player steps onto the field with the 2018 Gold Ghost bat, both head coach and player ejection for one full game. Must exit the complex completely until the next game
-If this happens a second time, player and coach are both ejected for the ENTIRE TOURNAMENT
14. Head coaches-it is up to you to make sure that your spectators, fans, assistant coaches, and players are being good sports at all times. Any unruly behavior will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal. Umpires reserve the right to eject head coaches for player/fan behavior if not corrected.
15. A team may start a contest with 8 players, however, the empty spot on the lineup card will take an out each time they come up to the plate for the entire contest until they arrive
16. If there are no substitutes, and a player gets injured during game play and must be removed, they will take an out each time they come up to the plate for the rest of the contest
17. Please be ready to start up to 20 minutes early. We will get games started if blues are ready and fields are prepped and ready to go (be ready to start up to 20 minutes early if blues/fields are ready)
18. To keep the games moving along and maximizing game times, please no huddles on the field and please do not throw the ball around
19. Protests for AFA:
Head coach must bring $60.00 cash to home plate with both umpires where the game clock will be stopped, and umpires and director of the site will meet to discuss the protest. Money will be handed to the director of the site.
Umpires, UIC, and director will make the call on the protest. If the protesting coach is correct, the money goes back to the coach and the umpire will carry out the call. If the protesting coach is incorrect, the director keeps the money and the game will resume
20. Before first game, all teams must turn in their roster/liability waiver and show proof of up-to-date team insurance with their team’s name listed as insured. Please carry copies of birth certificates with you at all times as well. Please make sure that all possible players are listed on the lineup that is turned in on Saturday (even if they are only able to attend on Sunday).
***No players are allowed to hop from one team to another within the same event regardless of what age division they are playing in

*Concessions will be available both days
*Clean restrooms will be available on site
*Tournament t-shirts will be available in adult sizes for $25.00 per shirt. Payments will be accepted in the form of cash, Venmo, Zelle.
*Cool towels will be for sale for $5.00 each
*Viper Sunglasses will be for sale for $25.00 each
*Used tournament balls will be available for purchase for $35.00 per dozen-if enough inventory.
See main table to put your name on the list. First come, first serve.
*Homerun balls will be available for purchase at the table for $5.00 each.

For information on Cactus Yards, please visit:
https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/cactus-yards/frequently-asked-questions

Thank you in advance for participating in our event!
Best of luck to you and your girls!
Stacey Stepek
AFA State Director (AZ)
630-335-6830

Attachment

Good Morning Coach-

Friendly reminder to get payments in ASAP to secure your spot in the AFA Summer Bash at Cactus Yards!!!

July 22nd & 23rd
All ages-$725.00

Venmo @Stacey-Stepek or Zelle 630-335-6830

***Please note that simply registering for the event does not confirm your spot. We have 47 teams registered and can only take 42 teams for this event. The first to pay, will play! Thank you :)

Hotel info:
https://lucidtravel.us/event/5419

Sanctioning/Team Membership info:
https://fastpitch.afasoftball.com/get-involved/team-membership/

Thank you! We are looking forward to seeing everyone out!

Stacey Stepek
AFA Director of Arizona
630-335-6830

Attachment

Good Afternoon Coaches & Administrators-

AFA Summer Bash June 22nd & 23rd at Cactus Yards will be another sold out event, taking the first 42 teams to submit payments and lock in!

$725.00 per team is now due
Venmo @Stacey-Stepek or Zelle 630-335-6830
(please include your team's name, age, and event name in subject)

Here is a link for hotel accommodations if you would like to share with your families (AFA are not stay to play events, simply a resource we provide if you'd like to take advantage)
https://lucidtravel.us/event/5419

Please be sure that your team is sanctioned and has a membership to play in our 2022-2023 season!!!
https://fastpitch.afasoftball.com/get-involved/team-membership/

Thank you in advance for your support of AFA here in AZ!!!
Stacey Stepek
AFA Director of Arizona
630-335-6830

Attachment