2010 SOFTBALL MANUAL

ADMINISTRATIVE REMINDERS

1. Each team is limited to not more than 28 people in their team group for all regional and state tournament games. Each school shall decide who their group will consist of. All coaches, players, managers, statisticians, bat boy/girls, etc. are included. A team may now have more than the previous limit of 18 players in uniform, just so there are no more than 28 in their team group.

Notify the State Office via telephone immediately of any violation. Penalty for violation of the above guidelines may include forfeiture of contest, probation for the offending school and/or more serious sanction.

2. Send roster to the tournament manager on time.

3. Admission to the tournament site will be made strictly from the tournament checklist.

The tournament roster/checklist is found on the IGHSAU website. Complete and send the roster/checklist to your tournament manager prior to your game. Your tournament manager will use this form as a data sheet to prepare their program prior to the tournament.

Keep a copy of the roster/checklist to forward to the tournament manager of each additional site where your team may be assigned.

TOURNAMENT MANUAL

The following instructions will pertain to general procedures to be followed by Tournament Managers during all regional tournaments.

The following will be mailed to the Tournament Manager approximately one week prior to the first tournament game your school hosts.

1. Financial statements

2. Any necessary tournament instructions.

3. Ticket information

4. Line-up cards

TOURNAMENT ASSIGNMENT

All games for regional tournaments are being assigned prior to the start of tournament play.  Sites are tentative and subject to change depending on the participating teams. Any teams affected by a change in site will be notified by phone.

If your school is selected as a host site for a tournament game, it is the responsibility of the tournament manager to contact all schools that will be playing at the site. Host site must supply their own softballs (Dudley SB12 LRF Y FP).

TEAMS ASSIGNED TO YOUR TOURNAMENT

Should you have any instructions peculiar to your tournament, contact the teams at your convenience. Should you wish to send a letter of invitation or of general announcement to other teams, the IGHSAU will certainly encourage such. Study your pairing sheet carefully in relation to teams assigned and designated time for starting game.

If you are notified by telephone or through the IGHSAU Web Site your school will serve as host for later-round games, it is the responsibility of the tournament manager to notify those schools involved in the game(s).

PRACTICE AND WARM-UP SESSIONS

At no time within ten days of the start of regional tournaments will tournament managers allow practice sessions for participating teams.

UMPIRES FOR YOUR TOURNAMENT

Prior to the opening of your tournament, the Union will contract game officials. Names and phone numbers will be emailed to the Athletic Director.

These officials have a copy of the time schedule in your tournament. The officials are instructed to arrive at least 30-60 minutes prior to game time.

All information regarding the name of officials assigned is confidential and for the knowledge of the tournament manager only.

IN CASE OF RAIN

The Tournament Manager will be in charge of postponing games that are canceled because of rain. Notify the State Office immediately should any game be postponed due to weather.

We are anxious to play games as close to the provided schedule as possible. Upon cancellation contact teams involved for the particular evening immediately in addition to notifying both of your umpires. This will help avoid unnecessary traveling.

Any game that has started and experienced rain or lightening, the umpires' decision and judgment may cause delay, suspension, or postponement of such game. The tournament manager must call the IGHSAU. The IGHSAU will determine the make-up time, date and umpires.

You must wait a minimum of 30 minutes on any delayed game prior to postponement. Umpires & host management work together to determine whether the game can continue or must be suspended. If suspended, umpires be sure to leave lineup cards with host manager.

MARGIN-OF-RUNS RULE

All regional tournament games will be seven innings unless the teams are tied or unless a game is terminated prior to seven innings due to the margin-of-runs regulation in effect, or terminated for other reasons upon decision of the umpire-in-chief as per rule book parameters.

The margin-of-runs regulation to be observed in regional play is as follows: a 12 run lead at the end of three or more innings terminates play; a ten run lead at the end of five or more innings terminates play.

** The international tiebreaker and time limit options are not used during regional play. The international tiebreaker and 90 minute time limit will be used in consolation bracket games at the State Tournament.

REPORTING TOURNAMENT SCORES

At the close of each evening, please call y our scores to the State Office reporting scores for each game and team records (515) 288-9741, or email jasoneslinger@ighsau.org or joel@ighsau.org or text to 712-830-1088.

If your site is hosting two games on the same evening, please report the first game score upon its completion if possible.

PASS GATE ADMISSION

One bus driver may be admitted, along with those individuals listed on the tournament roster/checklist. Pursuant to Board of Directors' action, Regional and State softball tournament sites will honor Iowa High School Athletic Association administration passes.

Coaches and their team shall be admitted (team members must be accompanied by the coach) at any game in the region in which they are assigned, regardless whether they drew a bye, have been eliminated, are scouting, etc.

GAME STARTING TIME

Because of the margin-of-runs rule, some games may be of short duration in association with the time schedule set forth on the pairing sheet. In such cases, make every effort to have the teams involved in the following game ready for play by the printed starting time, but not before that time.

PRE-GAME INFIELD (Varsity Only)

In regional tournament play both teams are allowed to take infield practice on the actual playing diamond.  There is a seven-minute limit. The timing shall be done by the home management, preferably by the PA announcer or scoreboard operator. A reminder shall be issued with one minute remaining. A team still has the option of hitting ground balls in front of their dugout in foul territory during their seven-minute warm-up time if they prefer. Both teams must be afforded the opportunity to use the playing diamond for their seven minutes if they choose.

DUGOUT ASSIGNMENT/COIN FLIP

When playing at a neutral site during tournament play, the top team on the bracket will occupy the first base dugout while the bottom-bracket-ed team will be in the third base dugout. If the host school is playing, the host school shall remain in its normal dugout and shall inform the opponent of their dugout assignment for every game. A coin flip shall be conducted to determine which team is home and visitor.

OFFICIAL SCORER & PA ANNOUNCER

Provide for the official scorer in advance so that no delay will be encountered in securing of all line-ups. Announcing of players or actions of the game should be on an impartial and non-biased basis (the same for both teams).

SOFTBALLS

It is the responsibility of each host site to supply game balls for all games. The ball which must be used is the optic yellow Dudley SB12 LRF Y FP.

ADMISSION

Admission prices per session for each round of the Tournament:

Regional: - $5.00

State: - $8.00

**  NOTE: Do not charge kids who are not yet in school. Kindergarten and older need a ticket.

TOURNAMENT TICKETS

A supply of spectator tickets for your Tournament will be sent in advance via United Parcel Service. We would like to call attention to the following points as related to tickets:

1. Tickets provided will be serially numbered.

2. Before your Tournament begins, be sure and check your shipment of tickets with the ticket report form sent to you.

3. Instruct your sellers to be sure that all unsold tickets will result in consecutive serial number order, meaning that the remainder of the unsold roll is consecutively numbered without any intermittent tickets having been sold.

4. Your shipment of tickets may contain some rolls from which tickets have been previously sold. Be sure to instruct your ticket sellers to sell the partial rolls first.

5. If you desire to sell from more than one ticket booth, it is necessary to sell from two or more rolls at the same time. This will avoid your having to sell from removed portions of a roll. Be sure that all unsold tickets are in consecutive order.

Use only tickets supplied to you by the IGHSAU State Office. This is essential to mandatory accounting procedures.

Contact the State Office immediately if you are unable to use IGHSAU supplied tickets for any reason.

We hope that we have anticipated your needs, but if you have reason to feel that you will need more tickets, call us and we will forward an additional supply.

Instruct your ticket sellers to tear each ticket into two or more pieces and deposit all pieces in a receptacle.

RAIN OUT TICKET PROCEDURE

Have on hand a roll of tickets of any type which could be distributed as spectators leave the complex. When the game is made up, this ticket would be honored. Anyone not having this ticket would be required to pay admission.

GATE RECEIPT FORM REPORT

After your Tournament has ended, complete the Tournament financial report form in duplicate. In determining the total numbers of tickets sold, be sure to subtract the serial number of the first ticket sold from the serial number of the first ticket remaining on the roll. This result will represent the total number of tickets sold.

The total income of admission from your Tournament is to be forwarded to the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, PO Box 10348, Des Moines, Iowa 50306-0348.All unsold tickets must be returned to the IGHSAU immediately upon completion of your Tournament.

The reimbursement due you for conducting the Tournament may not be mailed until after the State Tournament has been completed. However, you will assist this office in expediting the preparation of the checks due you by:

1. Carefully checking and completing all information on your Tournament report form.

2. Returning all unsold tickets promptly so that auditors may have adequate time to audit the unsold tickets.

3. Immediately sending gross gate receipt check payment as soon as possible.

If hosting multiple dates, send in all tickets, forms and payment at once.

AWARDS

All awards will be sent directly to the Tournament Manager for presentation at the conclusion of the tournament.

BANNERS & DISPLAYS

The display or usage of balloons, banners, signs, or other paper debris is prohibited. Signs such as those used for advertisements on an outfield fence or for tournament administration are allowed.

Additionally, any object which could provide a safety concern (pom-pons on sticks, etc.) is prohibited, as is any artificial noisemakers (e.g. airhorns, cowbells, etc.) These rules shall apply to the State Tournament as well.

SPECTATORS

The Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union has adopted policy recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards as it relates to spectator conduct.

The State Office is to be notified immediately if any spectator is ejected from the facility. This notification shall include the name of the spectator.

Use of “laser light” pens by a spectator shall result in immediate ejection from the facility.

All spectators at state-sponsored softball tournaments shall wear shoes.

No one shall be admitted while wearing a mask or costume which hides their identity or provides any safety risk.

A procedure has been established to assist officials and administrators when spectator conduct becomes a problem.

1. When an official arrives on-site (30-60 minutes prior to game time) he or she shall find the administrator in charge for the evening. If no administrator is available, the HOST COACH is the defacto administrator in charge.

2. If a problem arises during a game, the official shall stop play, and notify the administrator in charge of the problem, and of the remedy to the problem. The remedy may include asking for supervision of the troublemaker, direct confrontation of the troublemaker by the administrator, or removal of the troublemaker from the complex. The game will not restart until the administration complies with the remedy ordered by the official.

With the understanding that a tournament game is held as part of the educational environment, the Board of Directors of the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union has adopted the following policies.  It is the expectation that the host school enforces these rules regarding unacceptable behavior:

Disrespectful conduct, including profanity, obscene gestures or comments, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, or other actions that demean individuals or the event. Penalty---EJECTION

Throwing articles onto the contest area. Penalty---EJECTION

Entering the contest area in protest or celebration. Penalty---EJECTION

Physical confrontation involving contest officials, coaches/directors, contestants, or spectators. Penalty---EJECTION

Spectator interference with the event. Penalty---EJECTION

Jumping up and down on the bleachers. Penalty---WARNING/EJECTION

Use of artificial noisemakers, signs, or banners. Penalty---WARNING/EJECTION

Chants or cheers directed at the opponent. Penalty---WARNING/EJECTION

Host game management is responsible for each and every spectator in the facility, regardless of the school the spectator supports. At no time are officials to address spectators directly. Any necessary communication with spectators shall be done by the administrator in charge.

What defines a problem that needs to be addressed? A) Any derogatory or inappropriate remarks directed at players. B) Any comments or actions by spectators which prevent the official from doing his or her job at the highest level possible. Officials must understand, not every call is going to be met with polite applause, and one should not over-react when fan reaction is negative. That does not mean, however, an official should be forced to tolerate conduct that is inappropriate for interscholastic athletics.

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO POLICY

No alcohol or tobacco is to be sold or consumed on the grounds of any state tournament venue leased or provided to the Athletic Union for the purpose of conducting a State Championship. Section 123.46 of the Iowa Code States: A person shall not possess or consume alcoholic liquors, wine or beer on public school property or while attending a public or private school-related function. A person shall not be intoxicated or simulate intoxication in a public place. A person violating this subsection is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

PETS/ANIMALS PROHIBITED

No pets are permitted at events sanctioned by the IGHSAU or IHSAA. Any person with a pet will be asked to leave. This policy shall comply with the provisions of Iowa Code 216c in that such a person with a disability or person training an assisted animal has the right to be accompanied by a service dog or an assisted animal under control. The person is liable for damage done to any premises or facility by a service dog or assisted animal.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Flash photography is permitted from dead ball territory only.

Only official press photographers may be in live ball territory during the contest. Any amateur photographers must pay admission to the contest and are not allowed in live ball territory. These rules apply equally to television stations using video cameras.

VIDEOTAPING

Paying spectators, including those scouting for other teams, are not restricted from videotaping as long as the video equipment is hand held. A tripod may be used if located on the ground and does not hinder any spectator’s view. Tournament managers are not to make special arrangements for seating or electrical hook-ups for spectators trying to film or videotape. No supplemental lighting is permitted. No videotaping is allowed from the dugout or bench area.

PRESS ACCOMMODATIONS

All press outlets have been advised to directly contact the tournament manager of a site from which they wish to broadcast tournament games.

Radio stations and newspapers are not obligated to inquire through the State Office nor is the tournament manager obligated to acquire sanction from the State Office. This provision applies to regional tournament coverage.

The IGHSAU strongly encourages the chalking of a media area on the playing diamond at all host sites.

Television stations are not obligated to acquire sanction from the State Office to tape highlights, but any outlet wishing to tape or stream a game for rebroadcast must have written permission from the Iowa High School Sports Network (515-276-4111). Do not permit such rebroadcast without written permission from the IHSSN.

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Presentation of the National Anthem may be made before the first game of the session. Any live presentation of the Anthem involving more than twelve individuals requires prior approval of the State Office.

Music may be played prior to the game, between innings, and after the game. No music shall be permitted during play.

OFFICIAL PROGRAMS FOR TOURNAMENTS

Any host school may furnish the official programs for its tournament either on a gratis or sales basis and may retain any profits derived from the sale thereof. Fans and guest teams appreciate the use of the official programs.

PROTESTS

The IGHSAU does not recognize any protests.

FURTHER QUESTION

Any question not answered in this manual should be directed to the Athletic Union, phone 515-288-9741. Questions may also be sent via e-mail (joel@ighsau.org).