Who will be participating in the State Tournament?
A maximum of 5 teams will participate in each age group of the State Tournament. First and second place teams from each District - Eastern and Western - will advance and may be joined by one team from El Paso. For the Fall 2009 State Tournaments, El Paso will have a team participating in the BU11, BU14 and GU11 age groups of Division II play.
What do I need to bring with me to check-in for the tournament?
* A roster (signed by your Assn Registrar or his/her designee) that includes all players who were rostered to your team as of November 1.
* ID Cards for all players - cards must include a recent photo, be signed by the player and the registrar, and be laminated. Improperly prepared cards will result in the player not being allowed to participate.
* Penalty Point Report that includes a record of all cards issued to players and coaches. For teams that played in District Tournaments the previous weekend, an updated Penalty Point Report will be provided to the State Office by the District Site Coordinator. These reports will be provided to the State Coordinator prior to the tournament.
* Adult Participation (Kidsafe) Pass that was printed from the Affinity registration program. Only the blue Adult Passes are valid and coordinators have been instructed to reject any cards that were not printed from the Affinity program. Affinity is the official state database and the only valid source for background checks or coach license verification.
When and how do I need to check-in my team for the StateTournament?
Each site wll designate the time and location of check-in. Some will offer early check-in on Friday evening for those arriving early. Other sites will do check-in one hour before the team's first game of the tournament. Information will be posted on the Information page as to each site's check-in time and location. The advantage of Friday night check-in is the additional time available to correct any discrepancies or obtain missing paperwork.
Please check your paperwork before leaving for the tournament to be sure you have everything in order. Every year at least one team discovers at check-in that a player who has been participating with the team all season is missing from their roster. There is no guarantee that such a problem can be resolved in time to allow a player in this situation to participate in the playoffs.
Can I invite guest players to play with my team if some of my players are out of town?
Absolutely not. This is a playoff tournament and only players on the team that competed in the Fall 2009 season are eligible to participate. All rosters were frozen as of November 1. Any players added to the roster after that date are not eligible to participate.
If my coach/assistant coach does not have an Adult Participation Pass will they be allowed on the sideline?
For District and State sponsored tournaments, only four (4) adults will be allowed on the team sideline. STYSA rules require that every adult working with players clear a background check and that all coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers have a coaching license or be wthin their first year of coaching. The Adult Participation Pass serves as confirmation that both the background check and coaching license requirement have been met. The only Adult Participation (Kidsafe) Pass valid for the Fall 2009 season is Blue and must have been printed from the Affinty system.
If my coach/assistant coach does not have a coaching license will they be allowed on the sideline?
STYSA Rule 3.1.16 requires that all coaches obtain a coaching license within one year of beginning to coach. Coach is defined as coach, assistant coach, trainer or any adult who works with the team. The Affinity system requires either a coaching license or verification that the coach is in their first year of coaching in order for the registrar to print an Adult Participation Pass. If an adult does not currently have a blue Adult Participation Pass, they need to provide a copy of their current coaching license to the State Office immediately so that their record can be updated in order for the Association Registrar to print their pass. Cards will not be printed at Team Check-in.
I am the manager but I am not listed on the roster and do not have an Adult Participation Pass. Can I be on the team sideline to assist with the management of the tea?
Adults who are not on the team roster and do not have an Adult Participation Pass will not be allowed on the team sideline.
Who receives awards?
An Awards Ceremony will be held immediately after the final game of the age group. All teams will receive medals and participation passes so please have your team participate in the ceremony.
What happens if the weather is bad the weekend of the State Tournament?
Every effort will be made to play the games including relocation to other fields or an adjustment to the game times. Decisions will be made as early as possible; however, this is Texas where you never know what to expect weather-wise. It could rain at one park and not at the one across the street. Site Coordinators will confer with the District Vice President regarding field conditions before any decision is made. Should it become necessary to reschedule, the following weekend is the rainout date - every effort will be made to avoid the reschedule as teams would be affected the holiday travel plans of many families. With teams from El Paso having already made flight and travel arrangements to the State Tournaments, a decision to reschedule the event will only be made if there is no other alternative.
