***REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Registration forms are available for download HERE.***

Dear Softball Enthusiast,

On behalf of the Commissioners of the North Grounds Softball League at the University of Virginia School of Law, we invite your law school to enter the 29th Annual Virginia Law Softball Invitational, scheduled to be held Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1, 2012. Last year over 115 teams from across the country gathered in Charlottesville to compete for the title and year-long bragging rights. As in past years, the majority of the proceeds will be donated to the Children, Youth and Family Services, Inc. of Charlottesville (CYFS). Please visit their website to learn more about this wonderful organization that serves thousands of area children each year. Last year, the Invitational donated $20,000 to CYFS. We expect this year's tournament to be better than ever, and we hope that you can join us.

Registration

To enter, complete one entry form per team. Click HERE for this year's entry form. The registration fee for the 29th Annual Invitational is $450 for those teams whose registration is postmarked by December 9, 2011 and $500 for those teams registering after that date. The fee is per team, not per school.

Registration forms and entry fees must be returned to NGSL no later than Friday, March 2, 2012.

Each school may enter only 4 teams, with no more than 3 teams in any one division (Co-Rec or Regular). Teams will not be considered registered until the full entry fee is received. Because field space is limited, teams will be entered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Team Sizes

The registration fee covers the tournament benefits for the first fifteen players. Those benefits include BBQ tickets, party tickets, and other individual items provided by the tournament. Additional BBQ and party tickets may be purchased at their regular cost.

Although the registration benefits are limited to the first fifteen players, there is no limit to team size. Only current law students, professors, or administrators are eligible to play.

Entry Fee Refunds

As in past years, NGSL will refund one entry fee to one team from the school that travels the greatest distance to the tournament. An entry fee refund of $50 also will be offered to the first 20 teams who indicate on their entry form they will be able to play beginning at 6:00 pm Friday, March 30. Teams qualifying for the refund would play one game on Friday night, with a start time sometime between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

Teams that withdraw from the tournament after the registration deadline has passed are not eligible for refunds.

Tournament Format

This year's tournament format will again consist of a first round round-robin with the top three teams from each four-team pod advancing to a second round single elimination bracket.

Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, play will continue unless the fields are deemed unplayable by the umpires or grounds crew. In the unfortunate event part (or all) of the tournament is canceled due to inclement weather, 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. The University of Virginia and City of Charlottesville may also bring trespassing charges at their discretion.

Social Activities

In keeping with UVA tradition, NGSL will host a barbeque on Saturday afternoon as well as a tournament party on Saturday night RAIN OR SHINE. Tickets to both of these events are included in team entry fees for 15 roster members. Beer will also be provided at the Friday night registration party. We hope that you will accept our invitation to join us for the weekend. Further information regarding accommodations, rules, etc. will be posted on this website as the tournament approaches.

We are working hard to ensure that this year's tournament will be a great success, both for tournament participants and CYFS.

If you have any questions, please e-mail UVALawInvitational@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Jen Becker & Blaire Hawkins
2012 Tournament Directors