2022 Saucier Invitational Tournament

The Saucier Youth Association would like to invite everyone to their Invitational Tournament this upcoming weekend. The long grind we started in January will soon be over for another summer.  We head into Championship Play after this.  I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to play.   The entry fee is $100 for Tee Ball, $175 for Coach Pitch, and $200 for Fast Pitch.  The address to the field is Saucier Sports Complex, 23715 Saucier Lizana Rd, Saucier, MS 39574.

A couple of housekeeping issues that I’ve been asked to address:

1. Rules… our tournament rules start with the “Official Rules of Softball” as our starting point.  Then we’re allowed to modify those rules for our situation.  That’s where our local Tournament Rules come into play.  The USA Softball Official Rulebook can be downloaded at Official Rules of Softball.
2. Runners do not have to slide when approaching a base or home plate.  This is one of the most misunderstood rules in the game.  A fielder not in possession of the ball cannot obstruct the path of the runner.  There is also no right to going after a thrown ball.  Possession is everything.  Once a fielder is in possession of the ball, the runner must either go under, over or around the fielder.  They cannot collide with a fielder in possession of the ball.  There are collisions in the game that just happen with no intent by either player.  We are interested in the safety of the fielder… so we do not allow the runner just to bowl over the fielder.  That would be considered unsportsmanlike contact. The difference between a natural collision and unsportsmanlike conduct is a grey area that falls within the judgement of the umpire.  As an umpire, this is one of the most difficult calls to discern the intent of a player.  As coaches, we have to teach our fielders how to avoid the path of the runner but still be in position to make a tag out.  There is certainly room for all of us to do better to help keep the player free from harm.
3. We’ve really not had a big illegal bat problem.  But a few years ago years ago, Easton produced two different versions of the Ghost bat which has produced a few unintentional violations.   The blue Easton Ghost is approved for USA Softball and High School.  The gold can only be used in USSSA.  I’m not sure it’s even legal now.  USA Softball does extensive equipment testing and certification.  More information can be found at Bat Certification Information including the list of approved bats.  Below you can see the difference in the logo color for the two different Easton Ghosts:

Here’s the registration link for the tournament:
Saucier Tournament Entry Form

If you want to check on the team registered, here’s the Teams Registered page:
Saucier Teams Registered

The full list of 2022 USA Softball of South Mississippi Tournament Trail events may be viewed at Tournament Trail.

These invitational tournaments are fundraisers for our tournament hosts.  Not only are our tournaments more affordable than other tournaments, all the proceeds go to our league to support their organization’s softball programs for their young softball players.  All proceeds from this weekend’s event will go to support youth softball players with the Saucier Youth Association.

Teams must be USA Softball sanctioned.  Teams may chose to Team Sanction for an 2022 annual rate of $30 at Team Sanction.  Teams must upload their own proof of insurance.  Teams without their own insurance can Individually Register with sanctions and provides supplemental medical/ general liability insurance at Individual Registration.