AFA Desert Classic-National Qualifier E1 Prospects Fajardo

AFA Desert Classic 2024
June 29th & 30th 2024 @ Cactus Yards, Gilbert Arizona
Schedule and brackets are now LIVE!!!

***Cactus Yards has dirt infield and grass outfields (no turf) Metals are OK for 14u and over age groups***

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!
https://softball.exposureevents.com/youth-softball-events

Please make sure that your team has paid the $45.00 membership fee 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/
(questions on AFA membership-please contact our national director, Glen Messick at 818-389-3467)

All ages will be playing their games at Cactus Yards in Gilbert, AZ
Please see attached link for "Know before you go" information on their website
https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/cactus-yards/frequently-asked-questions

1. AFA games will be 1:20 no new inning on Saturday (can end in a tie); 1:30 no new inning Sunday (must have a winner)
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 for pitcher/catcher must be the last batted out (Saturday) and Sunday the courtesy runner must be a sub on your lineup card
9. Coaches are allowed one mound visit per inning
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 BATTED 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/restaurants will be available both days
*Restrooms will be available on site
*Tournament t-shirts will be available in youth and adult sizes for $25.00 per short sleeve shirt
*Cool towels will be for sale for $5.00 each
*Wellness Juice Shots for $5.00 each at Director's Table
*Viper Sunglasses will be for sale for $25.00 each
Payments will be accepted in the form of cash, Venmo, Zelle.
*Used tournament balls will be available for purchase for $40.00 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.

***Cactus Yards will open at 6:30am for warm ups for 7:30am game starts each day

***We have staggered start times to help Cactus Yards with field prep schedule and also to help beat some of the summer heat.
4 fields will start at 7:30am and the other 4 will start at 8am

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

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Good Afternoon Coach-

We had two teams withdraw from the event this weekend in the older age groups due to some injuries, so I am re-doing the schedule and grid for the cities approval. Once confirmed, I will have the finalized schedule out to you by noon tomorrow 6/26.

In the meantime, please make sure that you have your PRINTED roster form with parent signatures along with your proof of insurance to show to our director's table prior to the start of your first game. Without our staff seeing these items, we cannot start your game.

We also need your AFA membership before playing your first pool play game on Saturday.
https://fastpitch.afasoftball.com/get-involved/team-membership/


Thank you in advance for your patience. Stay cool and hydrate!
Stacey Stepek
AFA State Director of Arizona

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AFA Desert Classic
Cactus Yards-8 fields
4 game guarantee-3 pool play into single elimination tourney
$755.00 per team
AFA 2025 National Qualifier Event (St George, Utah)

Payments are now due!!!
Venmo @Stacey-Stepek
or
Zelle to sstepek.azafa@gmail.com (S&G United, LLC)

ATTENTION COACHES!!! Updated on 6/18/24!!!!

AFA Desert Classic-National Qualifier for 2025 Utah Nationals
June 29th & 30th 2024 @ Cactus Yards
All ages
$755.00 per team

***All games will be played at Cactus Yards (8 fields-one location)
***Cactus Yards has dirt infield and grass outfield-metal cleats OK***

12u:
1. MOJO AZ 2K11
2. Vendetta AZ-LaFlesch 12u
3. Team Hustle-Weber 12u
4. Rampage-Lane 12u
5. LEGIT
6. Firecrackers-Kalani/Rivera
7. x
8. x

14u:
1. Marana Mayhem Elite
2. EV Kraken 14u
3. x
4. x
5. x
6. x

16u:
1. AMDG Crocs 16u**
2. Arizona Suncats-Campos 16u**
3. AZ Impact-Estrella/Hill 16u
4. EV Kraken 16u
5. Power5five-Black 16u
6. Recon Bandits 16u
7. Team Hustle-Blackjack 16u
8. Lady Cubs-White 16u
9. Arizona Cats 16u
10. OC Batbusters-Jacobs 16u
11. Wild Angels 16u
12. Vendetta-Brimhall 16u

18u:
1. Arizona Rebels Fastpitch-Banuelos 18u
2. AZ Roadrunners 18u
3. E1 Prospects-Fajardo 18u
4. Lady Cubs-Black 18u
5. Pono Athletics 18u
6. Sandlot Softball Club 18u
7. Vendetta AZ-LaFlesch 18u
8. AZ Venom 18u
9. x
10. x
11. x
12. x

REGISTER HERE:
www.softball.exposureevents.com

BOOK ROOMS HERE:
https://www.lucidtravel.com/event/9822
(AFA IS NOT A STAY TO PLAY EVENT. PLEASE USE LINK IF YOU WISH TO SHARE)

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Hello coaches,

We are less than three weeks away from an amazing AFA Nationals. Here's a few reminders. Games begin on Wednesday morning. Ceremonies/pin tradings/parade is Thursday night/championship play concludes on Sunday. There is an absolute no alcohol policy at our fields.

This link will take you to much of the important information you will need. Please share with your team.
https://fastpitch.afasoftball.com/tournaments/

Our showcase camp on Tuesday, June 11th will be amazing. Currently we have the following colleges: BYU, Utah Tech, Weber St., Western Oregon, Fort Lewis, and El Camino College. Tonight we have added New Mexico St. and Bushnell College an NAIA school out of Oregon. Please see the flyer attached for more information.

We look forward to hosting you and your team.

Thank you,

Glen Messick

AFA National Director

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