AFA Best of the West (5GG)-National Qualifier Documents

Good Morning Coaches-

The City of Phoenix is working diligently at getting your fields ready for our modified single elimination schedule.

There are a handful of trouble areas that are still deemed too wet and unsafe to play, and if the sun/wind isn't hitting the areas being worked on, we could experience more delays - but the city has not made any changes as of yet.

(the city of Phoenix does not allow quick dry on their infield surface)

Please still plan to start at 9am unless told otherwise. When the city updates us, we will do the same with all of you.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. We will do everything in our power to get the games in today and finish our event.

Attention Coaches & Administrators!!!

The City of Phoenix just went out to the fields to walk them, and it is still drizzling and the fields got hit very hard.

The City has deemed Desert West Park unplayable for tomorrow, so that site is canceled. Teams will all be moved to Rose Mofford 11/3/24.

In order to get everyone's games in tomorrow, we have adjusted the following for 14u, 16u, and 18u ages @ Rose Mofford:

*We will have a delayed start, with the first games beginning at 9am to allow fields to dry
*Bracket play will now be single elimination for all groups at Rose Mofford
*Game times will now be 1 hour, no new inning

(Rose Mofford Field #3 has been deemed unplayable, so we have to work with 5 fields at Rose Mofford for tomorrow)

For tomorrow's warm ups, you may use the outfield grass, but do not use any part of the infield.
Warm ups may begin at 7:30am, but please leave room for the city to work on the fields so that we can start promptly at 9am.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Stacey Stepek

Coaches-

Thank you for your patience while I got the brackets updated and live into the system for those teams where inclement weather impacted game 3 of pool play Saturday night at Rose Mofford.

Brackets should now read correctly with updated opponents.

The City of Phoenix does not anticipate any heavy overnight rainfall, so we are slated to be back on track for bracket games tomorrow at 7:30am (warm ups to begin at 6:30am). If anything changes overnight at any of the 3 locations, I will update everyone in the morning as I hear from each city's fields crew and site administrators.

Thank you so much for an amazing day of softball and best of luck to everyone tomorrow as you compete for the title of AFA's BEST OF THE WEST!!!

Stacey Stepek
630-335-6830

Good Evening Coaches-

Due to the unexpected rain at Rose Mofford during our 6pm round of pool play games and the city calling the games for the evening, we will be seeding teams for tomorrow's bracket play based on your completed 2 games.

Win-Loss Record
Head to Head
Runs Allowed
Runs Scored

I am wrapping up at McQueen Park right now, and will manually adjust the brackets this evening once I get back to my computer.

Reminder: tomorrows games begin at 7:30am with fields opening at 6:30am for warm ups. Double elimination bracket play (Premier and Gold) with the top two finishers qualifying for nationals.

1:30 no new inning. Must have a winner.
courtesy runner tomorrow must be a substitute off your bench. You may Bat up to 11 and play 12 (DP/ Flex)

Best of luck to everyone tomorrow! Amazing ball today!
Stacey Stepek
630-335-6830

AFA BEST OF THE WEST - 5 GAME GUARANTEE National Qualifier
NOVEMBER 2ND & 3RD, 2024
Rose Mofford-Phoenix, AZ
Desert West-Phoenix, AZ
McQueen Park-Gilbert, AZ

Schedule and brackets are now LIVE!!!

Please note:
Saturday games will begin 8am with warm ups beginning at 6:30am
Sunday games will begin at 7:30am, with warm ups beginning at 6:30am
(this is in order to get all double elimination bracket wrapped and teams with flights to the airport)


***All games will be 1:30 no new inning-both days (Saturday can end in tie)
***Sunday bracket play with have two different double elimination brackets: Premier and Silver***
***1st and 2nd place finishers from all brackets will receive individual and team prizes, along with berths to our 2024 Nationals event in St George, Utah

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 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. YOU MUST HAVE THIS BEFORE YOU HIT THE DIRT.
***You will need this prior to check in one hour before your first pool play game on Saturday. 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)

One Hour before first game:
-Team must turn in their PRINTED & SIGNED roster/liability waiver
-Team must 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 in case of protest
-AFA Membership must be valid and for this season running September 1st-August 31st ($45.00 per team, per season)

***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

***Please make sure that your team brings their own First Aide Kit & Ice for team injuries & emergencies***

National Qualifier Tournament Rules (Arizona Modifications):
1. AFA games will be 1:30 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. Coaches: it’s recommended that you carry a first aid kit and ice packs. ● Sportsmanship is a must. Ejected players and coaches may need to sit the following game. Final decision will be made by the UIC. There will be zero tolerance of harassment of umpires by fans.

● Adverse Weather: The American Fastpitch Tournament could be played in adverse weather conditions. The format may be changed and may include lesser time limits or fewer innings to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.

*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
*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.

***Fields will open at 6:30am for warm ups both days for 8am/7:30am games

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

Site Director for the weekend @ Rose Mofford Sports Complex:
Anna McCray
480-824-8486

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Coaches-

For those of you with remaining balances for our AFA BEST OF THE WEST, please get those payments in and submitted tonight by midnight so that you do not lose your spot. We have a waiting list for this sold out event.

Venmo @Stacey-Stepek
&
Zelle to sstepek.azafa@gmail.com (S&G United, LLC)
$875.00 per team total entry fee

Pool play schedules and brackets will be posted by 5pm tomorrow, Monday October 28th.

Attached is the roster/waiver form that must be PRINTED and signed and turned in to director's table 1 hour prior to first game along with proof of insurance, and verified AFA Membership number for each team ($45.00 per season).
https://afasoftball.com/get-involved/team-membership/
You must have all of these before hitting the dirt on Saturday!

Thank you in advance! We look forward to having everyone out this weekend!!!
Stacey Stepek

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Hello Coaches & Administrators-

AFA BEST OF THE WEST-5GG is right around the corner!!!
Saturday, November 2nd & Sunday, November 3rd 2024
(3 pool play Saturday into double elimination bracket play Sunday)

We have a high number of out of state teams for this event, so we need to secure payments ASAP, or at the very least, a $200.00 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot in this 5 game guarantee double elimination tournament!!!

Payment information:
Venmo @Stacey-Stepek
or
Zelle to sstepek.azafa@gmail.com (S&G United, LLC)
***Please include teams name, age, and event title in subject line***

$875.00 per team or $200.00 deposit

Thank you in advance,
Stacey Stepek
630-335-6830

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