Based on the participation of 2011, we have again divided the World Series
for 2012 into two weekends -- the 16u, 18u, and 18+, will be on the
weekend of July 20, 21, and 22, and the following weekend of July
27, 28, and 29 will be for the younger girls -- 8u, 10u, 12u, and
14u.
This was done for several reasons, primarily to allow us to concentrate on the
needs and desires of the older girls one weekend (including college
recruiting ), and the needs and desires of the younger girls the
following weekend.
Welcome to the information page for the Midwest All Sanctioned World Series for all 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U!
July 27, 28 and 29, 2012
Open to all sanctioned teams - ASA, USSSA, PONY, TRIPLE CROWN, NAFA, AAU, AFA, USFA, or any other recognized sanctioning body.
Are
you tired of wondering all summer if you'll earn a World Series bid or
if you know the right people? And then if you get a bid, you have to pay
an exorbitant fee to enter (or an exorbitant admission charge) for a minimum number of games and play 1 game a day
for 3 days while those hotel bills mount up? Well, so was I.
We
use a format where each team will play a minimum of 5 games in 3 days. And you don't have to worry about
qualifying as the only condition is that you finish in the top 6 of any
tournament you were in this year or last year (ie - no rec. teams). Also, no admission fee is
charged to your fans..... (the city of Columbus does collect a $5 per day
parking fee.) At 14 and under, we will offer pitching distances of BOTH 40' and 43'.
We will have the same amenities you'd expect at a World Series -
* Opening Ceremonies
-- We welcome all teams that are participating in the tournament to be a
part of the Opening Ceremonies. (Please note that participation is
optional and at no cost to the team.) Opening Ceremonies will consist
of a variety of events including a parade of teams and skill
competitions. For logistical reasons, we request that teams pre-register for all
Opening Ceremonies events. All Opening Ceremonies registration forms must be
submitted by July 13.
The Opening Ceremonies will start Thursday July 26 at 3PM at Berliner Park. The Parade of Teams will start at 3PM
followed by the Skill Competitions. Karaoke will be provided during the
Skills Competition. All events on Thursday afternoon, including Tournament Check-in, will be at Fields #10-13. The concession stand
will be available throughout opening ceremonies, but families are
welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy while watching the events. Games will
start on Friday at 8:00am.
- Parade of Teams - All teams are invited to come in uniform and be introduced over the PA system at 3PM.
Teams will be introduced by age group. Team Spirit and MVT award
winners will be announced during the Parade of Teams. (Please see below
for MVT and Team Spirit Award details.).
- Tentative Skills Competitions - All teams are invited to participate in our Skills Competition events.
Teams are permitted 2 entries per individual event and 1 entry per team
event. Certificates will be awarded to the winner of each event per
age group. Order of Skills Competitions will be determined based on
pre-registration. We will post approximate order of events one week
before the event.
- Home Run Derby
(Individual Event) - Each player will be pitched 8 balls. The winner
will be determined by the highest number of balls hit OVER the fence (or
furthest hit). In the case of a tie, 1 playoff round will be played. 2
players from each team may be entered. The player must provide their
own pitcher and catcher - coaches/parents are permitted.
- Fastest Pitcher (Individual Event) - Each pitcher will pitch 3
consecutive balls that will be measured for speed. Fastest pitch wins.
(Unfortunately, we cannot objectively measure movement, so pitching will
be judged solely on speed.) In the case of a tie, highest average of
all 3 pitches will determine winner. Playoff rounds of 3 pitches will
continue until tie is broken. 2 players from each team may be entered.
The player must provide their own catcher - coaches/parents are
permitted.
- Fastest Touch 'Em All (Individual Event) - Each
player will be timed on her speed running the bases (home to home).
Each player will get one attempt. All bases must be touched. Player
with the fastest speed is the winner. In the case of a tie, 1 playoff
round will be played. 2 players from each team may be entered.
- 'Round the Horn (Team Event) - Team will be timed based on the speed
in which they are able to throw the ball around the bases. Each team
will take their infield BASES with shortstop starting on second base.
The ball will begin with the pitcher. Pitcher will pitch the ball from
the mound to the catcher. Catcher throws to shortstop (standing on
second base), shortstop to first, first to third, third to second
(standing on second base), second to home. Time will be stopped when
ball is in catcher's glove. Each team will get 2 consecutive attempts.
Fastest time wins. In the case of a tie, 1 playoff round will be
played. Each team is allowed one entry. Each entry will be comprised of
six players.
- Outfield Accuracy (Team Event) - Each team is
allowed 1 entry. Each entry will be comprised of 3 players. Players
will attempt to hit a target at home plate from centerfield. Each
individual will get 3 throws. Team with the highest number of total
target hits will be the winner. In the case of a tie, 1 playoff round
will be played.
- Batting Screen Tear Down
Competition - A pop-up batting screen will be set up. The object of the
competition is to put the batting screen back completely in its
original sleeve in the quickest time. Fastest time wins. In the case
of a tie, 1 playoff round will be played. Each team is allowed one
entry. A coach or team representative may participate.
- Most Valuable Team Award -- Also again this year, MVT awards will be
given to qualified teams per age group based on academic success and
civic involvement. We truly believe
there is more to softball than just winning games. All MVT applications
must be submitted by July 13. The winners in each age group who meet or exceed the MVT
criteria will receive a certificate at the World Series and will be
announced at the Parade of Teams.
· Gift Swaps - A World
Series tradition, each team is encouraged to bring a small souvenir(s)
from their local area or hometown to present to all players on the other
team before the start of the first game. This is a chance to show pride
in your hometown and simply something each player will have in order to
remember this World Series experience. Please do not spend a lot of
money on this! Expect the opposing team to have 15 players.
·
Games - Other skill games will be available for the girls to
participate in between games (ex. dunk tank, speed pitch, etc.)
Team Spirit Award - To
enter
the Team Spirit Competition, please submit a video (no longer than 1
minute) to the Fastpitch Showdowns Facebook page. Like us on Facebook.
Then upload your video to our page. Please indicate your team name and
age group. All submissions must be posted to Facebook by July 13. Winning teams will receive a certificate at the Tournament. ·
Souvenir Program - There will be a program for the World Series and
all teams are invited to send their team picture and have it put in the
program at no cost. Team photos must be submitted by June 30 via e-mail at program@fastpitchshowdowns.com. Good luck ads are also available at a reasonable cost. Please submit your photos with the following qualifications: - JPEG file format
- 300 dpi (or better)
- Horizontal orientation
- Good Luck Ads are also available. Ads are available for $25 for 1/4
page or $50 for a1/2 page. Must be 30 words or less. Any photos
submitted must be in the above format. Good luck ad's must be prepaid by
credit card.
So we welcome the teams who wish to use this
tournament as an enjoyable and competitive tournament experience to end
the season. But we also welcome the teams who wish to use this
tournament in preparation for another World Series. Click on the following links for more Tournament Information -
- Directions to the fields - Lou Berliner Park, 325 Greenlawn Ave, Columbus OH 43223
- We
are proud to host the tournament at the Lou Berliner Park in Columbus,
Ohio. The complex is the largest in the United States, with 31 fields
all in one location. You do not have to park out in front and walk to
the fields as the complex has adequate parking close to each field!!
Berliner Park and the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation Department
is proud of their reputation in the fastpitch community and continues to
make improvements. Among other things, they are constructing an
additional permanent concession and restroom
facility and addiing lights to 2 more fields. Based on the success of
the installation of 4 turf fields in 2011, the most impressive
improvement for the 2012 season is the
installation of 4 additional state-of-the-art infield turf (called FieldTurf
- the same surface that has been installed at the University of
Louisville) which will make a total of 8 turf fields! This will make
more turf fields than any single location in the United States. This
will allow even more teams to play immediately after rain stops. It is
the next step in their long range plan of continuous improvements to the
Park.
Local Resources - If,
as in every previous year, the tournament sells out, all schedules and
pools will be emailed to the coaches at least 30 days before the
tournament. If you believe you are registered for the tournament and
you have not received the schedule by then, please let us know.
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