The Warren Jaycees' 33rd Annual Terry F. Ristau Memorial Industrial Slow Pitch Softball Tournament, which benefits local charities, is scheduled to be played August 17 through 19 at Betts Park.
A mandatory meeting for representatives of all teams is set for 6 p.m. Monday, August 13, at the Warren Elks Lodge No. 223. The drawings for separate men's and co-ed brackets will take place.
One of the biggest changes this season is the cut-off date for entry into the tournament. According to tournament organizer Jason Harkins, in the past teams had been able to enter up until the night the drawings were held. This year, the absolute cut-off date for entry into the tournament will be Thursday, August 9. No teams will be accepted after that time.
Many of the details remain unchanged from last year.
Like last year, there will be four divisions. There will be two men's brackets (Industrial and Open) and two co-ed brackets (Industrial and Open).
The winners of each bracket will receive a first-place prize trophy and charity money to be donated. Trophies and payouts will be awarded for the top three teams in each of the four divisions.
To qualify for an Industrial team, players must work for the company playing. All rosters must be on company letterhead with names, addresses, telephone numbers and place of employment.
If one or more players do not work at that company, that team will be deemed an Open division team. If a player's company fields a team, however, that player must play for that team rather than an Open team. A woman can play on an Open co-ed team if their company fields just a men's team.
Players must be 16 years of age or older and there is no restriction on how far away a player lives.
Co-ed teams must have a minimum of four women on the field and in the batting order at all times.
An entry of $250, and rosters, must be submitted to the Warren Jaycees at P.O. Box 487, Warren, Pa. 16365, and are due by August 9 (include a contact e-mail for each team).
The Warren Jaycees reserves the right to not accept any team or player into the tournament, and/or bracket the tournament as the Jaycees see fit.
The tournament's proceeds, minus tournament expenses, will go to local charities on the Jaycees' list of charities. A home run derby will also be held.
For information, contact Harkins at 706-2789, or e-mail softballeromar@yahoo.com.
Last season, all bats for the tournament were supplied by the Warren Jaycees. This year, teams can use their own ASA aluminum, metal shell or half and half bats only. This bat rule is comparable to that used by the local recreational softball leagues.