AFA Summer Shootout-National Qualifier Redemption-Fitch 14u CA

Good Morning Coaches-

I apologize, but I misspoke when I emailed about gate fees.

Cactus Yards does not have a refund policy for rain out gate fees. That was my misunderstanding. Please relay this to your teams and guests attending the event today.

Thank you in advance and best of luck today at the tournament!!!
Stacey

Coaches-

Cactus Yards has approved the fields for tomorrow, Sunday July 19th

We had two completed games on two fields, where the scores recorded will stand. Everyone else will play their two pool play games, into single elimination bracket play.

Games will be 1:10 no new inning; must have a winner

Gates will open at 7am, and those who had paid admission yesterday for the AM rounds please let the window know that you got rained out and paid in full so that you are not charged again for Sunday.

Thank you!

Stacey Stepek
AFA State Director of Arizona
630-335-6830

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Coaches-

Fields for today were deemed unplayable. We are going to set up a one day event tomorrow with 2 pool play into single elimination bracket play.

I will redo the schedule for a one day event and get that out to everyone ASAP.

Saturday games have been canceled for 7/18/26

Stacey Stepek

Coaches-

Cactus Yards is working to re-prep the fields and add quick dry so that we can finish our 9:30am games at 12:15pm (whatever time was left on the clock), with the other rounds resuming at 12:45pm.

New game times for today to make sure we get all games in will be 1:10 no new inning.

AFA & Cactus Yards are doing whatever we can to make sure we get this event in and the girls playing ball! Thank you for your patience and understanding!

New game times and updated schedule are LIVE and should reflect the changes. Please let us know if you have any questions/concerns. Thank you!

Stacey Stepek & AFA team
630-335-6830

Coaches-

Tournament start time has been pushed to 9:30am to accommodate overnight rainfall and to allow grounds teams to prep fields for the day. They will continue to monitor the fronts coming through and allow fields to dry as the morning goes on.

First game new time: 9:30am with gates to open at 8:30am for warm ups
Pool play game time adjusted to 1:15 no new inning for Saturday

We will continue to update as we get more information if anything else changes. The schedule has been updated to reflect these changes and is LIVE.

Thank you for your understanding!
Stacey Stepek & The City of Gilbert (Cactus Yards)

Coaches-

AFA Summer Shootout-National Qualifier
July 18th & 19th 2026
Cactus Yards - Gilbert, AZ
***Fields will open @ 6:30am Saturday & Sunday for warm ups***

Cactus Yards Know Before you Go:
https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/cactus-yards/frequently-asked-questions

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/263628/afa-summer-shootout-national-qualifier/schedule

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 - Cactus Yards Bar/Restaurant
*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 @ Cactus Yards will be Anna McCray 480-824-8486***
***UIC will be Xavier Bush/Marcus Jones***

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Good Morning Coaches/Admin-

Payments are now due to lock in!!!
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***


AFA Summer Shootout-National Qualifier
July 18th & 19th 2026
Cactus Yards-Gilbert, AZ
12u-14u-16/18u
$795.00

Please let me know if you no longer plan on attending so that I can remove your team from the registration and plan accordingly. Thank you!

Stacey Stepek
AFA State Director of Arizona

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