USA Softball of South Mississippi

Official Website of USA Softball for South Mississipppi

2021 Gulf Coast Showcase – Oct 2-3, 2021

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The inaugural Gulf Coast Showcase event will be held at the Gulfport Sportsplex Turf Field on October 2nd & 3rd, 2021.  The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for area girls softball teams to compete locally and be seen by college coaches.  Every year, parents spend lots of money traveling to compete in showcase events.  Competing locally saves money and be seen by college coaches in the local area.

The showcase format will be a straight five games where teams will be able to bat their lineup.  The 80 minute time limit will help teams get through the lineup multiple times.  The showcase is open to 14u, 16u and 18u (High School) age divisions.  The cost of the event is $250 entry fee plus pay-at-the-plate for umpires.  Entry fee can be paid online or in-person at the event.  USA Softball sanctioning is waived for this event but proof-of-insurance is required.  Hosts for this event are the Crossfire and Overdrive Softball Clubs.  From more information, contact Chad Hancock at 228-860-6559 or Tom Stanley at 228-365-2301.

There are still tons of details to be worked out.  We’re in contact with area coaches to gain their attendance.  Pre-registering for the event will aid in getting their participation.  We have some other things in the works that will be announced as plans are finalized.

Registration for the event can be done online at:
Gulf Coast Showcase Registration

Teams entered in the event can be viewed at:
Gulf Coast Showcase Teams

Thank you for Playing USA Softball!

2021 USA Softball of Mississippi South State Tournament Info

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I always take time to reflect on the season as we come to the end.  It’s been a long difficult two years dealing with the pandemic.  Then basically restarting softball from the ground up; from getting leagues back up to finding enough umpires just to cover the midweek league games.  An especially rainy spring forced all of us to work about muddy fields and rescheduled practices.  But given what we’ve been through, I’m so glad we have softball back.  Here’s to a “normal” 2022 season and I can’t wait to get started.  I’m especially grateful to have teams from all over the coast wanting to come together so the girls have a chance to enjoy this great game. 
Attached is the Tournament Information Packet for this weekend’s USA Softball of Mississippi’s Tee Ball, 10U C South and 12U C South State Tournaments.  Unfortunately, the Coach Pitch bracket didn’t make.  That was the danger in moving the tournament schedule back a week.  Please review the packet carefully.  I have included a checklist to make sure you have everything you need to play this weekend. 
You are entering Championship Play, so everything will be a little more formal this weekend.  We play by the State Rules and the Official Rules of Softball.  The local tournament rules do not apply.  You will need a roster.  Included in the packet is rules for coach pitch and fast pitch.  I have included a roster that must be filled out and signed by the parents.  All players must be USA Softball Individually Registered.  
 
One coach must be ACE Certified; doesn’t have to be the head coach.  It’s mandated by code and the U.S. Olympic Committee.  The ACE training in available online at: http://registerusasoftball.com.
 
There will be a Coaches Meeting on Friday, 2:00 PM at the fields.  Each team should have at least one coach there.  The first game time is 4:00 PM.  Players need about 15 minutes to check-in before they play.  Be sure to allow enough time for them to check-in before they warm-up.  They will not play without checking in.  We have a short opening ceremony at 3:30 PM with the teams present to kick off this year’s event.
Tee Ball does not need to attend the coaches meeting.
The tournament will be held at the Bayou View Sports Complex in Gulfport.  The address is 4300 Hewes Av, Gulfport, MS 39501.  The weather forecast has a chance of showers, so you should be prepared for anything.  Be sure your players hydrate to be able to handle the heat.

One final note… every once in a while someone performs a selfless act that is especially noteworthy.  Ms Carolyn Owen and Gulfport Youth Sports Association allowed us to move back the tournament schedule when the Tropical Storm canceled a weekend.  They didn’t have to do that.  Long Beach got a second chance to host the Gulf Coast Championships.  The girls got a chance to get a softball weekend back.  This is what we do for each other as a softball family to look out for each other and is especially commendable.

Good Luck to everyone.  Most of all, we want the players to be safe and have a fun weekend.

Thanks for Playing USA Softball!

Download Tournament Info Packet

2021_South_State_Tournament_Info

2021 USA Softball of Mississippi State Championships

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It’s Championship Play Time…. The South State Championships will be played this weekend on Friday, July 2nd and Saturday July 3rd, 2021.  This event will be held at the Bayou View Sports Complex, 4300 Hewes Av, Gulfport, MS 39501.   Proceeds from this weekend will benefit the girls playing softball in the Gulfport Youth Sports Association.  The coaches meeting may be as early as noon on Friday.  All players will be required to sign-in before competing.    All pool play will be scheduled to completed on Friday night.  Then we’ll come back from bracket play on Saturday.  Sunday will be held in case of rain… but we’ll keep our fingers crossed that luck will be on side.  All teams must participate in pool play.  Pool games will determine seeding, so it’s not optional.

Please register as soon as possible so we can plan the event.  Registering early always help draw out more teams.  The purpose of this post/email is to outline the steps you have to go through to get registered.  Don’t worry, we’ll help you get through it.  Please let me know if you need anything.

ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ABOUT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30TH AT 8:00 PM SO THE PACKAGE CAN BE ASSEMBLED.  REGISTER NOW WHILE YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT IT.

Here’s a link to registration page for Tee Ball, 10U C South, 12U C South, 10U Open South and 12U Open South:
USA Softball of Mississippi South State Championships

Here’s a link to see who’s registered to play:
USA Softball of Mississippi South State Championships Teams Registered

For teams wanting to compete in the 10U or 12U Class C South or North State, they must meet the following guidelines:
—  All players must come from the same league.
—  All players must have been on a league roster before the season was half over.
—  A player on a C team roster cannot be on any other USA Softball roster.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETED ONLINE FOR ALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY EVENTS.  PAYMENT CAN BE DONE ONLINE ALSO. BUT PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU NEED TO PAY BY CHECK OR CASH.

Below is a checklist of items necessary for Championship Play:

  1. Online Tournament Registration.  Registering for a Tournament is very easy. Just click the list of Championship Play events.  Then find the tournament your team wants to play in.  Click the link out beside it.  Provide the information, select the payment method, then hit submit.
  2. Tournament Entry Fee.  The tournament entry fee must be submitted with the Tournament Entry Form.  Online payment is available.  But a check can also be mailed to cover the entry fee.  Fast Pitch is $350.00.  The State Tournament will either be two pool to double elimination or a three game guarantee.  Coach Pitch South State has a Tournament Entry Fee is $250.00.  Tee Ball will be straight double elimination with an Entry Fee of $185.  There is also a $10 convenience fee for paying online to cover the credit card transaction fees.
  3. Championship Roster.  You will need to complete a Championship Roster will all your players listed and parent’s signatures.  The completed roster including parent signatures will be submitted at the tournament check-in.  Here’s a link to the Official USA Softball Roster & Waiver Form:
    Official Roster and Waiver Form
  4. USA Softball Sanctioning.  All teams must be USA Softball Sanctioned.  For this year, we only requires teams be Team Sanctioned that can provide a Certificate of Insurance.  Individual Registration is available for any teams needing to register with all the benefits of registering individually.  The cost is $15 per player.  The preferred method of submitting the Individual Registration including payment is online at this URL:
    https://www.usasoftballsouthms.com/?page_id=1532
  5. ACE Certification.  At least one Coach must be ACE Certified.  I highly recommend the ACE training.  You get the training, background check, liability insurance and identification card with proof of the background check.  The certification can be completed online at http://www.registerusasoftball.com/.  It’s $25 for all levels.  You only need one level per year.  You also have to renew it every year.  As the National Governing Body of Softball and member of the United States Olympic Committee, we are now required to comply with SafeSport training.  SafeSport’s mission to enable all athletes to  participate in sports free from sexual harassment and bullying in sports free from bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct or any form of emotional or physical abuse.  The ACE Certification process will require going through the SafeSport Online Training Program.
  6. Background Checks:  Every person in the dugout must have a background check.  You can do just the background check at http://registerusasoftball.com/.  It’s included with the ACE Training above which I firmly believe is a better deal.
  7. Birth Certificates.  You must present a birth certificate for each player at the tournament.  Copies are fine.  If you don’t have a birth certificate, one of the following forms of birth verification or proof of age must be available to the Tournament Director:  Birth Certificate, hospital certificate, baptismal certificate, driver’s license, or a valid passport.  Photocopies of any of the above are acceptable for J.O. identification.
  8. Recent Photo.  You must have a recent photo for each player with the birth certificate.
  9. Notebook.  It’s best to keep a notebook with all your players birth certificates, photos and Individual Registration Cards and/or Certificate of Insurance.  I keep a binder with everything for a player in a single sheet protector.  It also helps if your Tournament Director if they are in the same order as on the roster.

Thank you for Playing USA Softball!