AYSA Frequently Asked Questions


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AYSA Girls Softball - Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links: Tournament FAQs

General

What is the non-resident fee?

The non-resident fee is 75% of the base AYSA program fee. This fee was instituted by the Alpharetta City Council for any participant in the recreational leagues at Alpharetta City Parks that are not city residents (i.e. participants that do not live within the city limits/pay City of Alpharetta property taxes). The fee is for non-residents to compensate the city for services and maintenance costs of the park.

Mailing address does not constitute residency. The fee is required to be collected by the volunteer organizations, such as AYSA, and paid to the city. Should AYSA not collect the fee, AYSA is still held accountable for payment. Every player registered has her address confirmed by the city for potential residency.

Winning vs. Development...

The philosophy of the Board is that the development of the players and their enjoyment is the most important goal of the program. This is reviewed every season with the coaches in the team drafts, coaches meeting and communications through out each season.

What is included in Recreational program fees?

The fees collected by AYSA cover the costs of playing regular season and tournament games, including uniforms (player's jersey), balls, umpires, scorebooks, lineup cards and trophies/medals. The fees also cover the cost of equipment purchase/replacement including bats, helmets, catcher's gear, equipment bags, practice balls, wiffle balls, tees, nets, etc. In addition, fees cover general costs including insurance, equipment maintenance, banking expenses, etc.

Can my daughter play-up or play-down in a different age group?

Out of age placement (play-up or play-down): At the request of a player's parent, a player may be considered to play in a younger or older age group. The player MUST evaluate in BOTH the appropriate age group AND the requested age group. You must check-in and receive evaluation numbers for both groups. Failure to participate in both evaluations will result in the request being denied.

After evaluations, the Board will assess the player's skills in both age groups. Play-up consideration: The player must be in the top 30% of the age appropriate group and cannot be in the lower 20% of the older age group. Play-down consideration: The player must be in the lower 20% of the age appropriate group and cannot be in the top 30% of the lower age group.

Any player moved to a different age group will NOT be able to participate on a Select/All-Star team for that season. No player will be moved if it will result in another player not being able to participate in an age appropriate group.

The intent of this out-of-age placement is to provide an appropriate skills opportunity for the player.

Can you provide more information on Helmet face guards?

Face guards on helmets provide added protection for players. We have had instances of players getting hit in the face during practice and in the on-deck circle, face guards on the helmets may help prevent injuries. All players are required to have face guards on their helmets. All helmets provided by AYSA for use during the season will have face guards installed. If you currently have a helmet without a face guard, you can purchase and install a face guard separately. Different guards are available depending on the brand of your helmet and may require drilling a hole in the helmet.

What is jersey sizing this season? We have changed jersey styles, sizing is indicated below:

	YS - Chest 28-30 (size 6-8)
	YM - Chest 32-34 (size 10-12)
	YL - Chest 36-38 (size 14-16)
	AS - Chest 34-36 (shirt longer than YL)
	AM - Chest 38-40
	AL - Chest 42-44
	AXL - Chest 46-48
	AXXL - Chest 50-52
	A3XL - Chest 54-56

What is a Special Request?

Several seasons ago, AYSA incorporated the ability to make special requests in order to help our families. Requests were intended to help those families who may have medical considerations, transportation difficulties, etc. However, since there was not a process in place, we did not a means to understand the "NEED" of the request. In Spring 2010, we have implemented a process in order to ensure that correct priorities are given to the requests. Please note, that AYSA will work to fulfill all requests, however, we cannot make any guarantees. Our number one goal remains to have equally skilled teams with an equal number of coaching volunteers.
The following form must be completed and turned in at the Registration Table during Evaluations (copies will be available day of evaluations). CLICK to download form.

What is the AYSA Registration Refund Policy?

Click for the .pdf version of the Refund and Withdrawal Policy

How will AYSA use Twitter?

If you choose to follow AYSA Softball on Twitter and have 'tweets' sent to you phone, you will receive messages updating field closings.

Recreational Softball

End-of Season Tournament

How are tournament seedings determined?

Age groups with more than one regular season division: Tournament seedings are based on win/loss record, regular season standings do not impact tournament seedings.

Win percentage is used to determine standings. Win percentage is calculated by dividing # of wins by the total games played. Ties count as .5 win (For example a team with a record of 5-4 would have a winning percentage of .556 (5/9). A team with a record of 5-3-1 would have a winning percentage of .611 (5.5/9).)

What tie-breakers are used?

Breaking Ties: All ties will be broken in the order which they occur, from top to bottom, in the standings. When comparing tied teams against positions lower in the standings which are also tied, those lower tied positions shall be considered as a single position for purposed of comparison. (Example: Team A and Team B who are tied for 2nd place, would compare against Team X and Team Y who are tied for 6th place as follows: Team A would compare its combined record against both Team X and Team Y against Team B's combined record against both X and Y.)

Two-Team Ties: If two teams tie, the one with the best head-to-head record receives the higher seed. If the two teams split, compare each tied team's record against other teams from the top seed down until one team gains advantage, thereby drawing the higher seed. (Note: if tied teams did not play an equal number of games against an opponent, that opponent will not be used in the tie-breaking process unless there is a clear advantage; i.e. 2-0 vs 0-1 or 0-2 vs 1-0.

Multiple (3 or more teams) Ties: Compare the combined record of each of the tied teams against the other teams involved in the tie until an advantage is gained. If multiple tie still exists, compare each of the tied teams' record against other teams from the top seed down until one team gains advantage and the tie is reduced to a two team tie, at which time revert to the two-team process until the tie is broken.

What if there is inclement weather?

Inclement Weather: Games will be made up the following day in order to keep the games on schedule as much as possible. (i.e. If Tuesday games are cancelled, they will be made up on Wednesday, if Thursday games are cancelled, they will be made up on Friday and if Saturday games are cancelled, they will be made up on Monday.) If games can be made up prior to the next set of scheduled games, then all remaining games will remain on schedule.

Are there any changes to the rules during the tournament?

As stated in the AYSA rules, Section 4.2.G, Tournament Games must be played until a winner is determined. Game time limits, max. innings and open inning rules remain in effect. Drop Dead time is NOT in effect.

	More than one inning will be played in case of a tie
	Once an inning is started it must be played to completion, drop dead time is NOT in effect.
	ROTATION RULES REMAIN IN EFFECT - EVERY PLAYER MUST PLAY AT LEAST ONE INNING IN THE OUTFIELD AND ONE INNING IN THE INFEILD WITHIN THE FIRST FOUR INNINGS OF EVERY GAME.

*	How to Read the Tournament Schedule.
		Game Number: The number found above the game date/time/field represents the GAME NUMBER, NOT a specific team. B1 = game #1 for the B (7-8) age group. B3 = game #3 for the B (7-8) age group. Teams Playing: GAME B1 will be played on Sat, 5/8 @ 4:00 on Field 6 between the teams ranked 8th and 9th at the end of the regular season. GAME B2 will be played on Mon, 5/10 @ 6:00 on Field 7 between the Winner of GAME B1 and the team ranked 1st at the end of the regular season.
		Concession Duty: 5:45-7:30 - All teams playing in GAME D5 (Loser of GAME D2 (LD2) and Loser of GAME D3 (LD3)) and GAME D6 (Loser of GAME D1 (LD1) and Loser of game D4 (LD4)) must each have 1 volunteer (over age 16), therefore the concession stand will be staffed by 4 adult volunteers. 7:30-9:00 - All teams playing in games B3 (Seed#1 and WB1) and B6 (Seed#2 vs WB2) must each have 1 volunteer (over age 16), therefore the concession stand will be staffed by 4 adult volunteers.