Pitch for the Cure© Questions

When does the Pitch tournament take place and how long is it?
The 2012 tournament starts with games at 6pm on Friday, June 8th and runs through Sunday, June 10th. 

Will the Pitch tournament be cancelled if it rains on event weekend?
We do reserve the right to cancel in extreme circumstances and in that event, there will be no refunds.  Your entry fee can be used as a donation to the Pitch tournament in your team name, if you wish.
A weather update phone number will be published a few days before the event.

What restrictions are placed at the Pitch tournament?
Our facility posts that no inline skates, bicycles, skateboards are permitted.  Our tournament is a life positive event  so alcohol, smoking or tobacco of any kind is not permitted on the property.  Appropriate dress is required.
In regards to game play, USSSA rules apply.

What are the gate fees?
For our 2012 event, gate fees were included in the team registration payment.  There will not be gate attendees at the event....bring everyone in the family.  Bring the whole neighborhood!

Are pets allowed at the parks?
Each of the parks allow for pets as long as they are leashed at all times.

Can we bring in coolers or outside food and drink?
Yes!  All of the parks will have concession stands, but will allow you to bring other items.  We hope you'll use our recycle bins while you help us keep the parks clean!  Please - no alcohol.

Is there room for RVs?
We do get this question every year.  Here is the short of it:

The parks departments won't ask you to move the RV's at night, but please understand:  

My team is not USSSA registered.  How do I do that?
The fee for registering is $30.00 per team.  Team managers can go to the USSSA website to register your team.  That link is:  USSSA Create UserID    Additionally, if your team is not already registered with USSSA, you can include it with your Pitch 2012 team registration.  You will be required to login in and enter your 2012 online roster.

What format do you use for the tournament?
The standard USSSA "3 game bracket guarantee" format will be used for the sixth year at Pitch for the Cure 2011.
This format works similar to a "double elimination" bracket with the exception that -if- a team loses their first two games in a row, they are not eliminated and still have a chance to play their way to the championship game.  After losing game #1 they drop into the "loser's bracket".  If the lose the next game, they are still alive and are moved ahead one tier in the loser's bracket.  If the next game (their 3rd) is lost, they are eliminated.  If they win this 3rd game, they will remain in the tournament from that point until they lose again.
If a team wins one and loses one of their first two games, they  will continue to play until they lose again which eliminates them from the tournament.

NOTE-- this NOT a triple elimination event.   Some teams will be eliminated at 0-3, while others may go out at 1-2.

Based on numbers of teams entering a division, it is sometimes possible that a team could lose a 3rd game and remain in the bracket until another loss.  This happens when a bracket arm is added to insure all teams get the minimum 3-games guaranteed.  While rare, this occasionally happens meaning one team may have to play an additional game from one side of the losers versus the other side of the losers bracket.

Seeding is handled by the State USSSA representatives.

What are the rules for the 8U machine pitch division OR 6U T-Ball division?

You can find these at:  USSSAinfo! 

Do I have to collect pledge money to participate in the Pitch tournament?
We challenge each team to bring a Team Challenge Donation.  We encourage everyone to raise as much as you can to increase our contribution to the fight against breast cancer.  If every team collected just $200 (for example) in pledges, we would raise over $42,000 for Komen Ozark for the Cure, in team donations alone!  On top of that, we donate 20% of event profits and add other funds that are raised to benefit Komen 100%!

See our tips for fundraising. 

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
- Vincent van Gogh 

Are men allowed to participate?
Yes.  Breast cancer affects everyone!  Men, women and children are invited and encouraged to participate in the Pitch for the Cure© to help us fulfill our mission to encourage girls in sports and to eradicate breast cancer.  Many of the girls' teams are coached by men.  We are also happy to have men volunteers!  Just coming to the event and supporting the cause is a great gesture.  Also, feel free to find a team to sponsor.

How can I honor someone I know that has dealt with breast cancer?
For a $5.00 contribution you can honor someone that has battled breast cancer.  We will light a pink votive candle in the name of your tribute during our balloon release ceremony on Saturday night and their name will be read aloud.  All names that are received by the print date of our program book will also be listed in the book and all names are listed on our website.

How do I become a sponsor?
Please check out Sponsors page for info and then email us with your interest.  You can also make an online donation.

How do I become a vendor?
Please check out Vendors page for info and then email us with your interest.

Is my registration fee tax-deductible?
Your Pitch registration fee or gate fees paid by attendees are not tax-deductible because you receive goods and services in return for your registration, but all pledge contributions, Team Challenge Donations and other donations (to the Springdale Chicks OR to Ozark Komen for the Cure) are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

How much of my registration fee goes to finding a cure for breast cancer?
A portion of your registration fee is used to offset the cost of producing the Pitch tournament and the Springdale Chicks, which is why team pledging is so important.  At least 20% of the profits from all registration fees, gate fees, program sales, advertising, sponsorships, silent auction, event t-shirt sales, and vendor fees will be given to the Komen Ozark Affiliate.  100% of all pledged funds (Team Challenge Donation) plus 100% of all funds raised by the Top Gun Pitching Contest will go directly to the Komen Ozark.  Komen Ozark is unique in that of all the funds designated to them through the event, up to 75% is dedicated to outreach and awareness programs here in NW Arkansas.  The remaining 25% supports national breast cancer research to find a cure. 

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