Mesquite Fastpitch Softball Association Inc.: Tournament Tips

Never played a tournament?

Coaches if you have never taken a team to play in a tournament.?

You have know idea what your missing.?

It?s one of the best, easiest, and most fun way to improve your team, and players.

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Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about tournament play:

Q: ?When does MFSA hold tournaments?

A:? MFSA hold several tournaments throughout the year. To see when our next tournament in your age group go to the MFSA tournament page

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Q: How much do tournaments cost?

A: MFSA charges most teams $275.00 per team including a team gate fee. All MFSA teams get a $50.00 discount on the gate fee. So the cost per player comes to around $22.50 for 10 girls depending on how many players you are taking this could be less.

Q: What do we get for our money?

A: Each team will play a minimum of 4 games per tournament. 2 pool games and at 2 bracket games ?(more if you continue to win) All games will have score keepers and two umpires.

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Q: What level of ball can we expect to see in the tournament?

A: All tournaments are set up as either A, or B. A tournaments are for the more experienced teams that plays tournaments several times during the year. B tournaments are for teams just starting out and that have less experience playing tournament ball.

Q: How do we sign up for a tournament?

A: Most teams sign up for a tournament on the Virtual tournament Director site You can set up your team on there. You will also be able to see your game times and who else is signed up for the tournament. ?Or you can contact anyone of the MFSA board members and they will be happy to help you.

Q: How long does a tournament last?

A: That depends on how many teams are signed up to play. Most tournaments start Saturday ?morning around 8:00 and end late Sunday afternoon. So make sure you plan your weekend around the games. If it?s a large tournament MFSA will hold games starting Friday night.

Q: What do you do in between games?

A: This depends on how much time you have in between games. If you have a short break some teams will just have girls take a short break and relax before starting to warm them back up for the next game. During the longer breaks, Several teams will set up a pop up shelter out on the grass area around the ball park and have a team Picnic, or? have a Team BBQ and other teams go out to eat lunch as a team to one of the restaurants close by.? Either way it?s a great time to let the girls relax and enjoy them self?s and the parents to rest and get to know each other.

Things to take to a tournament
  1. Change of cloths (sweats, long sleeve shirts, jacket, and blankets) and something warm sometimes it's cool in the mornings then get s warmer as the day goes on. Also if your playing at night it may get a little cool.
  2. Cooler with lots of water and Gatorade
  3. Healthy snacks. Stuff for the girls to munch on in between games? that keep their energy up.
  4. Comfortable fold up chairs. (the bleachers get real hard after a few games)
  5. Pop up shelter (if one is available)
  6. First aid kit
  7. ??BBQ if you want to cook up some lunch for them hungry players and parents.

I hope this information helps some. If you still have any questions about tournaments please contact me at 214-282-4760. I think playing a tournaments are great way to spend a weekend with all your family and friends. Hope all the teams will ?give it try. ?

Tony Palacios

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