Hey Everyone,
What an amazing turnout! We have 40 teams participating in this year’s Memorial Day Classic. It’s a record for only using the Bayou View fields. Address to the field is 4300 Hewes Av, Gulfport, MS. There was only one team I just couldn’t make fit. 8U and 10U are our biggest brackets…. So those two groups will start Friday night. We are also using Field 4 for 8U. It’s a smaller field.. but we need it to fit everyone in. I really don’t like turning teams away. The field is the same size for both teams, so we’re going to play a few games over there.
A few notes for this weekend:
1) This is All-Stars.. We will play by All-Star rules.
2) Coaches should start collecting birth certificates. We get an eligibility protest every once in a while. So you’ll want to have those available.
3) All “If necessary” games will be played using a 2-inning shoot-out. TB and CP will be two inning games. FP will be two International Tie-Breaker innings.
4) Car Pooling is highly encouraged. Parking is always a challenge with so many teams.
5) It’s going to be a hot one.. Please hydrate early and come prepared.. I’m afraid that summer is upon us.
6) Use of tobacco and tobacco substitutes products are strictly prohibited within the facility. I seen a few last weekend but refrained from confrontation. But we need to clean that up.
7) Artificial noisemakers are not permitted per the USA Softball Official Rules of Softball. Boom boxes are permitted but under limited conditions. Music stops when the batter enters the box and must not interfere play on any of fields. If we wanted a DJ to provide in game entertainment, we’d hire one.
Entry fees can be paid by cash or check. 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 Gulfport Youth Sports Association. Your tournament director will be Carolyn Owen and Tournament UIC will be Willie Callahan this weekend.
Everyone should be reminded to register early for these tournaments because they are getting bigger and bigger. Tournaments can fill up like this one. Wednesday noon will be the deadline going forward for registering or dropping out of a tournaments. We want to allow time for leagues to prepare and lock in our umpires so have the best tournament possible.
Thanks for Playing USA Softball!
Tom