How do you set up a 1-day "friendly" tournament?

I have been tasked with finding a few tournaments for our local rec. league for softball and I am suggesting that we just host one ourselves to start, figure out how to do it and then invite the other teams that come out to do the same. There really isn't much local to us tournament wise, but we have lots of rec. teams locally we could get to come out.

Just to give a little more play time, but not all of the pressure and money involved with travel so to speak.

We really would only want to do a 1-day to start. Is there a guide somewhere or place someone could point me too?

Thanks in advance.

GG

How many teams? How many fields? How long do you have the fields?

Here is a typical 3 team set up. In most friendlies, each team plays every other team.
A vs. B
B vs. C
A vs. C

If you aren't worried about having too many teams it's not too hard

1. figure out how much you want to charge per team to cover umps
2. Invite teams and make them commit to how many games they want to play (2 or 3 usually).
3. Put up a schedule. (We generally have 75 minute drop dead times) leaving 1:30 between games with an extra half hour after every 3 games so you have prep time.
4. Line up the umps
5. Check with league on insurance or require other leagues to verify their insurance will cover them.

You can ask them to bring a new game ball, too, if you want. You will go through several.

What are you serving at the concession stand? That is where you'll make your money.

Great suggestions. I have sent them a preliminary proposal to see if they are willing to pursue this idea. A few questions?

1. Where does one buy official "game" balls?

2. How do you work with 10U, 12U vs. minors and majors of LL teams. We are a LL group, but there is a Babe Ruth near us that would probably participate.

3. Do you ask leagues to bring the teams they play with only during rec season, filling in only if kids won't attend or do you allow them to put together their best of their group. Again, we are just wanting friendly games with little costs to the teams so I am not sure how to handle this. If a group brings their best then, they would have to have separate uniform from rec?? Again, would like to designate it one way or the other. Which is best?

4. Do you charge the parents entry? I was thinking no for this type of event?

Thanks again!

Where does one buy official "game" balls?

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I would just tell each team they have to provide the best ball(s) they have in their bucket, I would not use wrapped new balls. If you want to use new balls just ask your League what they use and maybe if they will sell you some and just add it to the cost per Team to play.

How do you work with 10U, 12U vs. minors and majors of LL teams. We are a LL group, but there is a Babe Ruth near us that would probably participate.

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You might be thinking too big, putting a tourney on is more work and headache then you think. Keep the ages together and keep it to you age group. If someone else wants to deal with 12U let them.

Do you ask leagues to bring the teams they play with only during rec season, filling in only if kids won't attend or do you allow them to put together their best of their group. Again, we are just wanting friendly games with little costs to the teams so I am not sure how to handle this. If a group brings their best then, they would have to have separate uniform from rec?? Again, would like to designate it one way or the other. Which is best?

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Bring their Team, fill-in as necessary. I am not concerned if all the uniforms match or not.

Do you charge the parents entry? I was thinking no for this type of event?

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No, it would be nice to find out a way to make a few bucks for your League. Like Amy mentioned if you have a concession stand that would work.

If you choose to bring different types of team, I.E. Babe Ruth or NSA,etc, you will have state any local rules you use. If there are any run limits, pitching limits,etc. Not as big an issue at 12U versus 10U, but still teams like to know the rules.

I am fairly sure that LL teams cannot play as a team, outside of sanctioned LL games. I thought that you were talking ASA or travel ball. So, LL can scrimmage within their league, but I am not certain you can invite Babe Ruth.

Ok. We can keep it to LL. There is just a Babe Ruth league in the county. But your are right I do want to keep it super simple, just don't want to tick anyone off since we all run in the same circles. LOL