AFA Spring Swing-National Qualifier

AFA Spring Swing-National Qualifier
February 21st & 22nd 2026
Desert West-Phoenix, AZ (14u age group)
Brady Park-Mesa, AZ (10u and 12u age groups)
***Fields will open @ 6:30am both days for 8am games in Phoenix & fields will open @ 8am for 9am games in Mesa***

***top 4 teams in 10u will qualify for AFA Nationals
***top 2 teams in 12u will qualify for AFA Nationals
***top 6 teams in 14u will qualify for AFA Nationals


Schedule and brackets are now LIVE!!!
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/257656/afa-spring-swing-national-qualifier/schedule

***The 10u team who is playing an extra pool play game Saturday will drop their worst game***Thank you in advance for offering to play that added game***

Please make sure that your team has paid the $55.00 membership fee to play AFA events. The AFA season runs September 1st-August 31st and is $55.00 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 (attached)
-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 ($55.00 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
(High School Federation w/ Arizona AFA Modifications):
1. AFA pool play games will be 1:30 no new inning Saturday (can end in tie) & 1:30 no new inning for bracket play Saturday (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 (pool play)
4. Bracket play, the higher seed will automatically be the home team and take the 3B dugout (if same seed-coin flip).
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 recorded 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. x
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 RECORDED 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
*Concessions will be available on site @ Desert West & pending @ Brady Park
*Tournament t-shirts will be available in adult sizes - $25.00 per 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.

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 lead @ Desert West will be Rhoe Yancey***
***Site lead @ Brady Park will be Daniel Rubio 480-593-3582***

Attachment

Good Afternoon Coaches/Administrators-

AFA Spring Swing-National Qualifier payments are now due to lock in!

$200.00 deposit or $755.00 payment in full to hold your spot
(with remaining balance due by 2/13/26 if you elect the deposit)

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

LOCATION UPDATE:
10u & 12u will be playing at Brady Park in Mesa, AZ
14u will be playing at Desert West in Phoenix, AZ

Please see the Who's Coming List Below, and get your deposits or payments in ASAP to hold your spots for this SOLD OUT event!!!
Updated on 2/9/2026***

10u TEAMS (10 teams max)
1. Arizona Rising 2034-Meek**
2. Arizona Storm-Wick**
3. AZ Impact-Phoenix
4. AZ Impact-Arcadia (Winward)
5. Scrappers-Dougi**
6. AMDG**
7. Arizona Rising Ritchie 2033**
8. AZ Bears
9. x
10. x

12u TEAMS (8 teams max)
1. Lil Saints-Warr**
2. Arizona Storm-Hernandez/Lopez
3. AZ Hotshots HJB
4. AZ Wildfire-Martin
5. Infinity**
6. OC Batbusters-Jacobs/Pill**
7. Rogue FC-Hyland
8. x

14u TEAMS (20 teams max)
1. Diamond Crushers RGQ**
2. Lil Saints-Gil**
3. AM Spinner**
4. Arizona Cats-Sedano
5. Arizona Rising-Hatch 2032**
6. Arizona Storm-Palomino**
7. Arizona Storm-Rodriguez**
8. AZ Nation-Anthony
9. AZ Nation-Gil
10. OC Batbusters-Jacobs/Garcia
11. Prodigy (CO)
12. Royals-Camacho**
13. WVD Blue**
14. AMDG 12u**
15. AMDG 14u-Rodriguez**
16. AZ Suncats-Benz**
17. Diamond Athletics 928 (Yuma)**
18. Rancho 14u Dark
19. Suncats-Wine**
20. Tucson Fury
21. Arizona Rising-Munoz 2031**

Please reach out to Stacey Stepek with any questions/concerns or if you no longer plan on attending this event and wish to be removed.

Stacey Stepek & AFA Team
630-335-6830

Attachment

Good Afternoon Coaches/Administrators-

AFA Spring Swing-National Qualifier payments are now due to lock in!

$200.00 deposit or $755.00 payment in full to hold your spot
(with remaining balance due by 2/13/26 if you elect the deposit)

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

LOCATION UPDATE:
10u & 12u will be playing at Brady Park in Mesa, AZ
14u will be playing at Desert West in Phoenix, AZ

Please see the Who's Coming List Below, and get your deposits or payments in ASAP to hold your spots for this SOLD OUT event!!!

10u TEAMS (10 teams max)
1. Arizona Rising 2034-Meek
2. Arizona Storm-Wick
3. AZ Impact-Phoenix
4. AZ Impact-Arcadia (Winward)
5. Paladin
6. AMDG
7. Arizona Rising Ritchie 2033
8. AZ Bears
9. Scrappers-Dougi
10. x

12u TEAMS (8 teams max)
1. Lil Saints-Warr
2. Arizona Storm-Hernandez/Lopez
3. AZ Hotshots HJB
4. AZ Wildfire-Martin
5. Infinity
6. OC Batbusters-Jacobs/Pill
7. Rogue FC-Hyland
8. x

14u TEAMS (20 teams max)
1. Diamond Crushers RGQ**
2. Lil Saints-Gil
3. AM Spinner**
4. Arizona Cats-Sedano
5. Arizona Rising-Hatch 2032
6. Arizona Storm-Palomino
7. Arizona Storm-Rodriguez
8. AZ Nation-Anthony
9. AZ Nation-Gil
10. OC Batbusters-Jacobs/Garcia
11. Prodigy (CO)
12. Royals-Camacho
13. WVD Blue
14. AMDG 12u
15. AMDG 14u-Rodriguez
16. AZ Suncats-Benz
17. Diamond Athletics 928 (Yuma)
18. Rancho 14u Dark
19. Suncats-Wine
20. Tucson Fury

Please reach out to Stacey Stepek with any questions/concerns or if you no longer plan on attending this event and wish to be removed.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Stacey Stepek & AFA Team
630-335-6830

Attachment