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GUIDELINES FOR GAME DIRECTORS AND TEAMS ENTERING THE DIVISION II SOFTBALL SUB-STATE SERIES

  1. In Class A, the top five teams from the West Region and the top three teams from the East/Middle Region shall be eligible to enter the state tournament. The sub-state series of the State Tournament shall be as follows:

    Site 1: #4 West @ #1 East/Middle
    Site 2: #3 East/Middle @ #2 West
    Site 3: #3 West @ #2 East/Middle
    Site 4: #5 West @ #1 West

    In Class AA, the top five teams from the East/Middle Region and the top three teams from the West Region shall be eligible to enter the state tournament. The sub-state series of the State Tournament shall be as follows:

    Site 1: #5 East/Middle @ #1 East/Middle
    Site 2: #3 East/Middle @ #2 West
    Site 3: #3 West @ #2 East/Middle
    Site 4: #4 East/Middle @ #1 West

    The Executive Director has the authority to select another site if the host's facilities are not adequate to host the series. The host school should contact the visiting team as soon as possible concerning the site and time of the sub-state series.

    The sub-state winners will advance to the central tournament site, May 20-23, at the Murfreesboro Sports Complex and McKnight Fields in Murfreesboro, TN. The bracket shall be set by the Executive Director upon completion of the sub-state series.

  2. The sub-state is a best-of-three series with two games to be played on Friday, May 16, 2008, and the if necessary game to be played on Saturday, May 17, 2008.

    If the established starting time of a sectional contest between two schools conflicts with the previously 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 site that falls within the playoff timeline 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 game time and site.

  3. Please refer to the "Tournament Softball Regulations" in your 2007-08 TSSAA Official Handbook.

  4. In the sub-state series and in the championship series, the umpires shall be assigned by the state office. If the sub-state series is hosted by a school in East Tennessee, the school should contact Terry Cordell (Chattanooga). If the sub-state series is hosted by a school in Middle Tennessee, the school should contact Ken Chapman (Murfreesboro). If the sub-state series is hosted by a school in West Tennessee, the school should contact Tony Walsh (Memphis). Contact information can be found here.

  5. In the sub-state series, it shall be the responsibility of the host school to set the time and site of the games. It is the responsibility of the host school to notify the visiting team of the game times and game site. In the first game, the higher seeded team shall be the home team. In the second game, the lower seeded team shall be the home team. If a third game is played, the higher seeded team shall be the home team.

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

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

  8. After game expenses have been paid in the sub-state games, the remaining receipts shall be divided 1/3 going to each participating team and 1/3 to TSSAA.

  9. 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.

  10. 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 4½ (with the home team leading) or 5 innings.

  11. 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 games and to make financial reports to the state office and participating teams.

  1. In sub-state softball games, the umpires shall receive $60.00 per game, plus 15¢ per mile per official when an umpire lives outside the county for a two person crew. The fee for a three person crew shall be $55.00 per game, plus 10¢ per mile per official. Mileage is to be paid if an umpire travels outside of the county in which he or she resides.
  2. Tickets and Passes:
  1. At the sub-state series, admission will be charged. All tickets are $6 and everyone must have a ticket.

  2. Game directors shall furnish tickets for the sub-state series.

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

  4. Admit working press and radio

  5. The 2007-08 Championship Event Card will provide complimentary admittance for the sub-state softball games. Each member school received two event cards. This card admits ONLY ONE PERSON PER CARD and replaces the use of the TSSAA Directory for school's complimentary admittance. This is the ONLY acceptable card/pass for complimentary admittance to the sub-state softball games.

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

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

  3. 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 Optic Yellow Worth "K-Master" softball (COR .47) will be used in the state tournament.

  4. Financial Report:
  1. Please make a copy of the financial report form. This is for the Game Directors that host the sub-state series. The Game Director will issue checks for all expenses.

  2. After game expenses have been paid in the sub-state series, the remaining receipts shall be divided with 1/3 going to each participating team and 1/3 to TSSAA.

  3. In the sub-state series, the umpires and administrative cost shall be paid first. If receipts are not sufficient to pay the umpires and game expenses, the host team and TSSAA shall share these costs, and no team expenses shall be allowed.

  4. Team expenses for the sub-state series are outlined below:

    Teams within the county where the game is being played shall receive no expense allowance. Visiting teams shall have a mileage of 40¢ per mile round trip. Teams within 150 miles of a game site will receive mileage and $4 per person for food for a maximum of 18 people. Teams over 150 miles from the game site and who spend the night will receive mileage, $6 per person for food for a maximum of 18 people and $5 per person for lodging for a maximum of 18 people for one night.

  5. Necessary local expenses will be paid from gate receipts. Other expenses such as officials, stadium costs, etc., shall be determined by the local game director and TSSAA.

  6. All checks for district, regional, and sectional tournaments and playoffs must be distributed within 10 business days of the completion of the tournament or game. Failure to do so will result in a $100.00 late fee to be paid to TSSAA and is to be used in the A.F. Bridges sportsmanship program to go to schools or students receiving awards. Failure to distribute funds within 20 business days will result in an additional $200 late fee (total $300.00). Failure to distribute funds within 40 business days will result in an additional $200.00 late fee (total $500.00). The school may not host any tournament or playoff until the principal or athletic director appears before the Board of Control to explain their reasons for not distributing the checks within the required time frame. The Board would then determine whether the school can host tournaments or playoffs in the future.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

It is important that the coach of the team winning the sub-state series contact the TSSAA Office immediately following the series to report the scores and the winner of the series. This information may be faxed to (615) 889-0544 or e-mailed to tssaa@tssaa.org.