AFA Strikes & Spikes-National Qualifier Schedule

AFA Strikes & Spikes 2024
July 20th & 21st 2024 @ Cactus Yards & McQueen Park-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)

12u & 16/18u will be playing their games at Cactus Yards in Gilbert, AZ
14u will be playing their games at McQueen Park 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 adult sizes for $25.00 per short sleeve shirt
*Cool towels will be for sale for $5.00 each
*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 & McQueen Park will open at 6:30am for warm ups for 8am game starts each day

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