Announcements

After brackets were sent out yesterday, we had an 8U team drop out.  It required reworking the brackets because we lost two 8U games.  Then I was able to move the late Friday 10U game to Saturday which got those kids home earlier.  Attached are updated brackets.  The 8U, 10U, 12U and 16U game times were affected. It also eliminated the play-in game for 8U. So please check the updated bracket for any changes to your first game time… Sorry for the change, but it was out of our control. … [Read more...] about 2024 Long Beach Invitational Updated Brackets

We’re coming down to the home stretch. Only 2 weeks remaining in the summer All-Star season. We have a really strong 32 teams registered to play this weekend. The good news is we are just barely able to fit the tournament in without playing on Sunday. The bad news is we have a full slate of games on Friday night. I did my best to limit the travel, but some things I just couldn’t do anything about. The tournament will be played at the Long Beach Softball Complex. The address is 760 Klondyke Rd, Long Beach, MS. Proceeds from this weekend’s tournament benefit the players of the Long Beach Girls Softball League. Tournament entry fee is $175 for TB/CP and $200 for Fast Pitch. Teams need to pay the Tournament Entry Fee before they play their first game. Teams can pay with cash, check to LBGSL, or Venmo to @lbgsl-lb. Please make a note if paying Venmo. The gate fees for parents is $10 for adults, ages 6-11 is $7 and kids 6 and under are free. Parking is severely limited.. no campers. Car pooling is encouraged. Long Beach only has the 4 fields, so scheduling 59 games on 4 fields was a challenge. But I squeezed it in. It’s going to be real important to keep games moving so we can stay on time though. The same routine as last week applies. Each team needs to leave the dugout as soon as possible. Teams meetings must occur off the field. The next team needs to be ready immediately following the prior game. That means lineups ready when you hit the dugout. There is no warmup on the field. Be conscious of the games being played… you could start earlier than the schedule states. It’s your responsibility to keep up with the brackets. Please keep an eye out on the bracket in case any changes are needed. The forecast is encouraging.. but extremely warm. So please have your players start hydrating early. Also please watch grandparents during the day. We remember when the heat didn’t bother us. Next thing you know, old grandma done dropped out… We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend. Thanks for Playing USA Softball! … [Read more...] about 2024 Long Beach Invitational Brackets

This year is absolutely flying by… We’re coming up on the end of the season already.  This weekend marks the 2024 Gulf Coast Championships.  We have 45 teams participating in this year's event.  The event will be held at the Pascagoula Sport Complex.  The address is 1813 Tucker Av, Pascagoula, MS 39567. You’d think with 7 fields, it would be easy.  But there are some complications to work out.  No one wants to play on Sunday.  It’s Sunday to start with, it’s Father’s Day… and the forecast just isn’t very good.  We have 12 teams in Tee Ball and Coach Pitch.  Doing a one day tournament with that many teams is just brutal.  So we need to start Friday night.  It’s cooler and it will take a lot of pressure off on Sunday.  I got creative mixing TB and CP games.  For the most part, we avoid too many back to back games until we get down to the end. Per City of Pascagoula policy, no game can start after 10pm.  So it’s extremely important this tournament run on time.  We do a good job for the most part, but we must keep the games rolling.  Each team needs to leave the dugout as soon as possible.  Team meetings must occur off the field.  The next team needs to be ready immediately following the prior game.  There is no warmup on the field.   We’ll be very conscious about the clock and keeping things moving. 1.  The entry fee for Tee Ball and Coach Pitch is $250 and Fast Pitch is $300. 2.  Attached is a Roster Form.  For this weekend, I do not need it signed.  We just need a list of players that will be participating.  First and last names with the birthdate for each player. 3.  You’ll need to have a birth certificate and recent picture for each player.  I recommend put each player in a sheet protector where it can be easily retrieved. 4.  Rules for All-Stars are attached.  Please familiarize your age division.  It will cut down on a lot of arguments. Someone from each team will need to check-in with me before they play.  Entry Fee needs to be paid and the Roster Form turned in.  It can be paid with check, cash, CashApp ($tstanley2128) or Venmo (@tstanley2128).  If you using Venmo, please add $10 to cover the credit card fees. Finally, the Gulf Coast Championship is a special event.  It was first held in 2011 as a symbolic way of recognizing the best teams in our region.  It’s evolved since then and I’m very excited to see the interest so high.  I asked for everyone’s patience and understanding this weekend.  It’s been a long season and everyone’s nerves are getting frayed. So let’s make this a great weekend. Thanks for Playing USA Softball! … [Read more...] about 2024 Gulf Coast Championships Tournament Information

Below are brackets for this weekend’s 2024 East Central Invitational. The good news is this will be the largest USA Softball event in Hurley with 30 teams participating. The bad news is they only have four fields. So it’s a bit of a scheduling headache. We were able to keep 8U, 12U and 16U. But 6U and 10U will have to play on Sunday. The address to the park is Lum Cumbest Park, 18417 Hwy 613, Moss Point, MS 39562. The forecast is looking encouraging. So hopefully we’ll have a warm and dry weekend. Please have your players hydrate. Only 3 more tournaments left in the spring/summer season. Looking forward to a great day of softball. Thanks for Playing USA Softball! … [Read more...] about 2024 East Central Invitational Brackets

It’s been a quite eventful day. The City of Biloxi has been saying for a several weeks that we would be able to play at the A.J. Holloway Biloxi Sportsplex. Then the Mayor decided this morning that the fields just aren’t ready. They are in process of painting. The parking lot is still a construction zone with lots of hazards around. He doesn’t want anyone playing on them until they are 100% ready. So panic city this afternoon… Ms Carolyn to the rescue. The tournament is being moved to the Bayou View Fields in Gulfport. The address is 4300 Hewes Av, Gulfport. Playing in Gulfport does let us avoid playing on Sunday. The plan is to play Friday and Saturday. Only the larger divisions will have to play Friday; 6U, 8U and 12U. We have a very strong 38 teams participating in this tournament. This is an All-Star Tournament and will be played by All-Star rules. The rules are attached along with the Zero Tolerance Policy and Inclement Weather procedure. I always find it better to put the information out before it’s needed… hopefully they won’t be needed. I’d like to remind all coaches there is no arguing judgement calls.. fair/foul and safe/out are the judgement of the umpire. The head coach is also responsible for their fans. So please control their behavior and language. I have not received any notifications from any recruiters or college coaches that will be in attendance. So please remember we’re out there to provide an example of great sportsmanship for these young players. There is a potential of wet stuff in the forecast. So come prepared… a poncho and a few dry towels do wonders to keep the games moving along. Entry fees can be paid by cash, check, Venmo or Cashapp. The concession only accepts cash. Entry fees for teams are TB/CP $175 and FP $200. Proceeds from this weekend’s tournament will go to support the players of the Biloxi Girls Softball League. Let’s make this a great weekend for these young players. Thanks for Playing USA Softball! [ … [Read more...] about 2024 Biloxi Invitational Tournament Brackets