Coaches,

Our goal is to provide a well-organized, enjoyable, and safe event for everyone involved. We understand that games can be delayed for various reasons, but please review the following information carefully and share it with your coaches, players, and families.

GAME DAY

• Teams must be at the field and ready to play 20 minutes prior to their scheduled game time to avoid a forfeit.
• The first game of the day may begin as soon as both teams are ready, but no earlier than 5 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• When leaving the field and dugout after a game, please do so quickly and remove all trash.
• Complete as much of your warm-up as possible between games. This includes pitchers who are not currently in the game during back-to-back contests.
• Umpires have been instructed to keep games moving. Please do not delay play or argue with umpires regarding pace of play. Any concerns should be directed to the Tournament Director, Site Director, or Umpire-in-Charge.

TOURNAMENT CONTACTS

Lori Strode
State Director/Tournament Director
217-840-7929

Jenn Gallo
State UIC/Umpire-in-Charge
618-927-6534

ROSTERS & GUEST PLAYERS

• Guest players must be added through your Team Manager page by 11:59 PM on June 19, 2026.
• Once a team has played its first game, no guest players may be added.
• All players must be listed on your permanent roster or as an approved guest player.
• If a protested player is not rostered and is not eligible to play in your division, the team will be ejected from the tournament in accordance with the USSSA Rulebook.
• If the player would have been eligible, had they been added, to participate in your division, the player and head coach will be ejected.

Please verify your roster for accuracy before the tournament begins.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

• This State Tournament does not include pool play.
• Format: 3-Game Guarantee Bracket
• Every team is guaranteed to play three games in bracket.

Game Length

• Bracket Games: 7 innings or 75 minutes, finish the inning.
• Championship Games: 80 minutes, finish the inning.
• If Necessary ("IF") Championship Games: 3 full innings.

International Tie Breaker (ITB)

This event will use the following variation from the USSSA Rulebook:

• 1st ITB inning: Runner on 2nd base, no outs.
• 2nd ITB inning and beyond: Runners on 2nd and 3rd base, no outs until a winner is determined.

SEEDING & HOME TEAM

Teams were seeded based on their USSSA points and power ranking. Your initial seed will remain your seed throughout the tournament.

Higher seed will be the home team except:

1. In the Championship Game, the undefeated team from the winner's bracket is home regardless of seed.
2. In the IF Game, teams will flip for home team designation.

COURTESY RUNNER RULE

If you are not batting your entire roster, an unused substitute must be used first as the courtesy runner.

An unused substitute is a player who has not entered the game in any capacity other than as a courtesy runner.

If no unused substitute is available, the last completed at bat will go into affect and you will use the courtesy runner procedure below:

• Start with the player needing the courtesy runner.
• Move backward through the batting order.
• Skip any player who:
  • Is currently the pitcher.
  • Is currently the catcher.
  • Has already run for the opposite position during that half inning.
  • Is currently on base.

The first eligible player found becomes the courtesy runner.

Example

Lineup:

1. Sally
2. Suzy
3. Samantha
4. Sara
5. Shelby
6. Sadie
7. Sierra (already ran for the pitcher)
8. Sandy (Pitcher)
9. Skylar (On Base)
10. Storm (Catcher)

If Storm needs a courtesy runner:

• Skip Skylar (on base)
• Skip Sandy (pitcher)
• Skip Sierra (already ran for the pitcher)
• Sadie becomes the courtesy runner.

Penalty: If an illegal courtesy runner is discovered while the ball is live, the runner is declared out and the coach receives a warning.

Please submit lineups with:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Jersey Number
• Defensive Position

TOURNAMENT RULES

• All fields are turf. No metal cleats allowed. No sunflower seeds or gum allowed
• No warming up from the opposite on-deck circle.
• No buckets on the field.
• Defensive coaches must remain in the dugout or behind the fence.
• A maximum of two offensive base coaches may be on the field.
• All bats must display the USSSA certification sticker ("thumb print").

Illegal Bat Penalty

If a player enters the batter's box with an illegal bat:

• The player is ejected.
• The head coach is ejected for the remainder of that game and the next game.

SPORTSMANSHIP & FAN CONDUCT

Umpires manage the game.

Coaches are responsible for:

• Their players
• Their own conduct
• Their spectators

Consequences:

• Fan Warning = Coach Warning
• Fan Ejection = Coach Bench Restriction
• Coach Ejection = Suspension for the remainder of that game and the next game

WEATHER POLICY

• Refunds will only be issued if games are cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Game completion status will follow USSSA Rulebook Rule 4, Section 6(C)(1-2).
• Refunds will be prorated based on games played versus the tournament guarantee.

EVENT INFORMATION

• Play It Forward Sportz will provide all game softballs.
• Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash.
• Overnight RV parking is NOT permitted at Oasis Sports Complex.

T-SHIRTS & TRADING CARDS

Pre-ordered shirts and trading cards may be picked up at the sales tent located between Fields 1 and 2 near the Red and Blue Quad.

If shirts are not picked up during the event, a $10 shipping fee will apply.

The deadline for ordering shirts for this event has passed.

Future event apparel can be ordered at:
https://www.playitforwardsportz.com/tournament-t-shirts-and-sweatshirts

USSSA APP

Please encourage all coaches, players, parents, and spectators to download the USSSA App.

Through the app, users can:

• Search for the tournament
• Add the event to Favorites
• Receive push notifications

All tournament communications will be distributed through the USSSA App.

8U RULES

Click Here for 8U Rules

DOME INFORMATION

• The Dome has turf fields.
• Turf shoes, tennis shoes, and molded cleats are permitted.
• No sunflower seeds or gum allowed.
• Snack bar available.
• Restrooms available.
• Air-conditioned facility.
• Teams may warm up between the two fields behind the outfield fences (200-foot fences).

GATE FEES & COACH PASSES

Gate Fees

• $10 per day
• Weekend Pass (Friday purchase only): $25 per person
• Children 12 and under are free

Coach Passes

Each team will receive three coach passes.

A team representative must check in to receive passes.

Coaches will not be admitted without a pass.

Check-in will be located at the north end of the complex behind the Purple and Black Quad (Fields C1-C4).

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please contact me:

Lori Strode
Tournament Director
217-840-7929
[email protected]

Good luck to you and your team!

Thank you,

Lori Strode
Tournament Director
Play It Forward Sportz / USSSA

DOWNLOAD THE USSSA APP TO RECEIVE UPDATES AND INFORMATION ON YOUR EVENT. THE APP WILL SEND PUSH NOTIFICATIONS TO YOUR PHONE AND AN EMAIL WHENEVER THE DIRECTOR SHARES INFORMATION - THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT DURING BAD WEATHER. STAY INFORMED - DOWNLOAD THE APP! PARENTS, AND SPECTATORS WILL KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AS SOON AS THE COACH.