Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I register without submitting the fee?

A: Your registration will not be complete until we have received BOTH a registration form and payment. Unfortunately, we cannot hold spots for teams without payment.

Q: Who is eligible to play?

A: The teams can consist of any number of current law students, faculty, or staff.

Q: What are the Divisions?

A: There is a Regular Division and a Co-Rec Division. The Regular Division teams do not require a certain number of players from each sex, and can be any combination of men and women. The Co-Rec Division teams must play with at least four (4) women on the field and in the batting order at all times.

Q: What if my Division fills up before I register?

A: Every year, the Co-Rec Division fills up pretty quickly. We maintain a waitlist for those teams who registered after the Division filled, and if teams drop out from the Co-Rec Division, a team is called up from the waitlist. A Co-Rec waitlisted team may choose to play in the Regular Division if there is room and they are not able to get in the Co-Rec Division.

Q: Do teams need to send in completed rosters/waivers before the weekend of the tournament?

A: Team rosters/waivers do not need to be sent in ahead of time. Every player is required to sign the roster/waiver and present their School ID at Friday Night Registration. Registration will take place on March 30th from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. If for some reason a player cannot make it to Friday Night Registration, they must report to the Head Field Marshals at the Park Pavilion BEFORE their first game on Saturday, show their School ID and sign their school's roster/waiver. If a player does not sign the roster/waiver, they will NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY.

Q: What does our team get with the registration fee?

A: In addition to an entry in the invitational itself, each team will receive 15 tickets to the Saturday BBQ and the Saturday night party. If a team has more than 15 players, a team can purchase additional tickets to either of these events at the Pavilion. T-shirts are not included in the registration fee but will be available for sale at the Pavilion throughout the weekend.

Q: What is the Tournament's schedule of events?

A: A complete schedule of events will be made available to participants no later than March 25, 2012.

Q: What happens if it rains?

A: In case of rain, play will continue unless the fields are deemed unplayable by the umpires or grounds crew. Teams can get weather updates by calling the Weather Hotline at (434) 249-3937. In the unfortunate event part (or all) of the tournament is canceled due to rain, entry fees cannot be refunded. Should any team attempt to play on closed fields, a forfeit will be entered for each of its remaining games and the entire school will be banned from the tournament through 2013.

Q: Which bats are allowed in the tournament?

A: The Invitational requires compliance with the Amateur Softball Association's bat testing and compliance program (see their website and banned bats list.)

Q: Can a person foul out in the tournament?

A: Yes. Each batter is given one courtesy foul on two strikes; the second will result in an out. It does not matter how the batter got the second strike (i.e., that the second strike was the result of a foul), only that the batter fouls twice with a two-strike count.

Q: When can teams use pinch runners?

A: Pinch runners can only be used when a batter is injured. The person serving as the pinch runner must be the last batter of the same sex who got out before the injured batter, and they must start running from the backstop.

Q: What are the rules regarding batting substitution?

A: A team can have as many players in the batting order as they want. If a player plays the field, he or she must be in the batting order. A player not in the batting order at the beginning of the game may only enter by permanently replacing someone in the batting order either through pinch-hitting or replacing them in the field. A replaced player may only re-enter the game once and must do so by entering into the same spot in the batting order.

Q: Where can I see an updated copy of the pods/brackets?

A: An updated pod/bracket schedule will be made available to participants no later than March 25, 2012.

Q: Is there public transportation in and around Charlottesville?

A: There is a bus system that runs through Charlottesville. However, the easiest way to get around Charlottesville is by car or cab. Check the official program when you arrive for a list of taxi companies. Some of the fields are not within walking distance to the hotels or North Grounds, so expect to drive.

Q: Can my parents come watch me play? I am trying to relive my middle school glory days.

A: Yes! All of the fields have plenty of room for fans and groupies to watch. Our parents will be there.