TSSAA Guidelines for Game Directors and Teams Entering the Division II Class A Region Softball Tournament

TSSAA GUIDELINES FOR GAME DIRECTORS AND TEAMS ENTERING THE DIVISION II CLASS A REGION SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Division II Class A regional softball tournaments must be completed by May 10. Schools may mutually agree to complete the regional tournament earlier than the scheduled date.

If the established starting time of a region contest between two schools conflicts with the previous scheduled Commencement Exercises of one of the schools, and that school has Senior roster player(s), then at the request of the affected school, the contest will be rescheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and sit that falls within the playoff time line established by the TSSAA. In the event the two schools do not agree on a rescheduled time and site, the TSSAA office will designate a starting time and site.

Please refer to the "Tournament Softball Regulations" in your 2012-2013 TSSAA Official Handbook.

Click here to see a list of schools participating in softball. If your team is hosting the regional tournament, contact the assigning officer listed next to your region. Complete addresses and phone numbers can be found here. Be sure to give date, site, time, and directions to the site.

Tournament squads are limited to a maximum of 18 people. Players in uniform, coaches, and bat girls are admitted free.

Coaches should have line-up written out and given to scorer and to the umpire when going over ground rules.

TSSAA must now receive 18% of the gross gate receipts in the region softball tournament. This must be submitted to the TSSAA office immediately following the tournament. After TSSAA's 18%, game expenses, and team mileage have been paid in the regional tournament, the net receipts shall be divided among the participating teams. Teams within the county where the game is being played shall receive no expense allowance. Teams traveling from outside the county to game site shall receive 40 cents per mile round trip.

The plaque for the regional winner and runner-up can be obtained from the Region Coordinator in your area.

Video taping or filming is permitted as long as the taping or filming is for private use or use by the two schools involved and not for public or commercial use. Video taping or filming must be done from the individual's seat. Individuals will not be allowed to use tripods. A school taping or filming its own game may use a tripod. A school will not be allowed to tape or film a game unless its team is involved in the game. All taping or filming by the school may be approved by the local Game Director, and the Game Director shall assign space, when available, from which to tape or film.

Any media entity or school wishing to videostream or tape delay any part of the region tournaments for any sports other than football must get permission from the tournament director. If such permission is granted, a minimum fee of $250 (tape delay) or $500 (live telecast/videostream) is required. The fee will be paid to the game director and shall be included as part of the gate receipts.

Games throughout the tournament series are scheduled to be completed by certain dates. It is imperative that we keep the tournaments on schedule. With a more compact schedule this spring, this responsibility is even greater.

Suspended games during the tournament are to be picked up from the point of suspension, at the next earliest opportunity to play. Tournament games do not have to go the full 7 innings. Coaches, plus the umpire-in-chief, can mutually agree to terminate a game early and a winner declared. Coaches must also mutually agree to the 10 run rule after 4 ½ innings (with home team leading) or 5 innings.

The principal of the host school shall be the Game Director. If additional facilities are secured other than those of the host team, the Game Director must be approved by the TSSAA state office. It shall be the duty of the Game Director to handle all financial arrangements for the game and to make financial reports to the state office and participating team.

In regional tournament games, the umpires shall receive $55, plus 15 cents per mile, per official for a two person crew. The game fee for regional tournament games is $50, plus 15 cents per mile, per official for a three person crew. Mileage is to be paid if an umpire travels outside of the county in which he or she resides. Mileage will be given to the game director by the umpire assigned to work the regional games.

Tickets and Passes:

All tickets are $5 each and everyone must have a ticket.

Regional directors shall furnish tickets for the regional play-off.

Admit 18 players from each participating team, plus coaches and bat girls.

Admit working press and radio.

Arrange for scorer, ball girls, ticket sellers and takers.

Make arrangement for concessions. Profits from the concessions will go to the host school or to those appointed by the host school to handle them.

Purchase softballs. The cost of these balls shall be part of the game expenses. The unused balls should be divided between the participating teams after the game is completed. The Wilson A9011 (NFHS Polycore) will be used in the state tournament.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

It is important that each regional tournament director contact the TSSAA Office immediately following the tournament to report the scores and names of the teams that will be advancing to the sub-state using one of the following options:

Voice Mail: (877) 395-5091 (Please be sure to select Softball when reporting your information and include your Division, Class, Region, Region Champion, Region Runner-Up, Region Third Place, and Region Fourth Place)
Text Message: (707) 200-4073 (Please be sure to include Softball along with your Division, Class, Region, Region Champion, Region Runner-Up, Region Third Place, and Region Fourth Place in your text message. Example: SB DII A E/M 1 - Team; 2 - Team; 3 - Team; 4 - Team.)
Fax: (615) 889-0544
E-mail: tssaa@tssaa.org