Guest players in tournaments

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #1

We found out weeks afterward one of our players helped out another team during an early season tournament. We were off that weekend.

Are there any rules for asking players to be a guest during a tournament?

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #2

Only concern it would be a qualifier and the player would haft to be re-released to you. Players are picked up as guest players all the time for tournys.

The player and/or parent should of let this be known though before hand just out of respect for the team/coach and to get permission granted.

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #3

As a parent I would have let the coaches know ahead of time - I found this behavior odd and thought I was over reacting.

As a coach I would have appreciated the courtesy of being informed ahead of time.

Also as a coach - I would have started by asking the coach of the guest players team.

On another note: we were a team of 11 this season and an injury by this player before our season even started would have hurt our team as well...

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #4

I did accidently ommit that from my post, nice catch Mike!

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #5

There are soooo many rules within each sanctions rulebook that the majority of softball families do not know or understand. It is probably a good bet that this family had no clue about the possible ramifications it could have.

I guess just add this topic to the already long list of things to go over with the families when try-outs are over.

 

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Member

• Jul 27, 2009

• #6

To be honest I know that a lot of teams pick up players and never put them on the roster. I lot of teams then try to talk the player in to playing for them if she does well. That is what I have seen in the past

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #7

So how do you pick up a player and never put them on your roster? What would happen if the other teams found out and asked the TD! I thought that everyone playing on the field had to be on the roster of the team in the tournament and only that team!

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #8

It is common practice to play as a guest player/Sub. 14U has this issue every year due to high school kids. My dd has played on for 5 different teams this year and no issues. Keep in mind they can move up and down age wise , just not NSA with no issues. Example play USSSA 16U on one team and USSSA 14U on a different team. Most coaches want kids to play and get better, if you restrict kids from playing for other teams as a coach, you are cutting your own throat so to speak with many good players. If you understand the rules its pretty easy. NSA, has cut it's own throat and that is why many NSA early tourneys cannot find teams to play, because teams cannot find enough players. Nationals are a different animal and almost every team picks up players.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #9

I thought ASA had the same rule! One team only! If this is common practice, why submit rosters at all!

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #10

semperfi1977 said:

So how do you pick up a player and never put them on your roster? What would happen if the other teams found out and asked the TD! I thought that everyone playing on the field had to be on the roster of the team in the tournament and only that team!

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They are supposed to be on a roster and can only show on one team. They can be officially released one time to play on an unqualified team, but they get one release and they can not go back to the team they have been released from.

I can only speak to USSSA rules but if it is brought to the attention of an official or director correctly, the penalties are pretty steep. Correctly meaning an official protest with the protest fee paid at the time of said protest. If this is protested and discovered during a game:The penalty is the offending team loses the game, is ejected from the tournament, placed last in the event, forfeits any awards and berths that would have been awarded. If this is discovered after the completion of a game: The game shall stand as played, however the offending team is ejected from the tournament and the same penalties regarding berths and awards apply.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #11

SBFAMILY said:

It is common practice to play as a guest player/Sub. 14U has this issue every year due to high school kids. My dd has played on for 5 different teams this year and no issues. Keep in mind they can move up and down age wise , just not NSA with no issues. Example play USSSA 16U on one team and USSSA 14U on a different team.

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The post regarding USSSA is not entirely accurate. A player can go up in age if eligible, but can not be on two rosters at the same team actively participating with both teams. If a player shows on a roster, they are restricted to that team unless released. If released, they can not go back to the team they were released from.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #12

I'm aware of that Mike and that is why many of us play USSSA over NSA.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #13

SBFAMILY said:

I'm aware of that Mike and that is why many of us play USSSA over NSA.

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Sorry SB, not sure what you are aware of? Sounds like both USSSA and NSA have the same rule; one player, one team?

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #14

I don't see a problem with guest players, as long as everyone maintains the same expectations. It is a way for the girls to make new friends, play more, and learn from other coaches. It also helps the team out by not having to miss tournaments due to injuries or other unforseen circumstances.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #15

No they don't. Example. I play 14U on team X, then I play 16U on team B, Then I play 14U on team Z, then finish the year on team A at 16U, Try that in NSA. She is released each time, to play on a new team..

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #16

So for USSSA, one can play for a different team or division each week all while being on the team roster they are with that particular week?

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #17

Yes, if you are released and do not go back to a team that released you. Someone can correct me, but NSA you were only allowed one release. Since I won't play NSA after Tealtown, I no longer buy a rule book. It may have changed.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #18

I know of SEVERAL kids that played entire seasons on a different team each weekend they played. Play a season of travel ball with out registration playing fees, why didn't I think of it? I don't know how they got away with it or maybe no one really cared it was at older age groups. I would get caught, just my luck.
I know one particular family that did this with a dd for couple years in a row.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #19

Who said anything about fees not being paid above. Some teams charge per game, some don't. You can still play on your main team and still sub, depending on what tourneys and organizations your main team plays in. Just keep in mind some teams can't play, and can't field a team unless they find a sub early in the year. So it's a win-win for those teams. KLUMP , hit it head on above.

 

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Member

• Jul 31, 2009

• #20

semperfi1977 said:

So for USSSA, one can play for a different team or division each week all while being on the team roster they are with that particular week?

Click to expand...

Players can play and be released from teams UNTIL one of two things happen; They are finally on a team that qualifies for a berth or they are picked up by a qualified team. At this point, the player has to follow rules for qualified teams/players.

When this occurs, the player gets one release and can not go to another qualified team nor back to any of the previous teams. This is regardless of whether the team accepts the qualfiying berth. The team is considered qualified at that point and the players are given qualified status.

I can give you a hint on a topic of discussion for rule changes this convention and that is to amend the rulebook in this area. To what I am not sure, but this topic has been discussed quite frequently lately as participation is increasing.

Trust me it is not to handcuff teams, it is to promote fairness for the whole.