FAQs
Q: Are the World Series dates set for 2011 yet?
A: Yes. The dates have been set for May 2-7, 2011. The annual coaches meeting will be on Sunday, May 1, at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
Q: May fans bring canopies, shade awnings, and chairs?
A: Yes. There is lots of room for these types of items. There are also "covered" aluminum bleachers at each field, but fans are still allowed to bring their own lawn chairs, umbrellas, canopies, etc.
Q: What about coolers?
A: Since there is a working concession stand available, park policy disallows "personal" coolers into the fan areas. However, we will allow "team" coolers for the dugouts. There will be iced-down water jugs and paper cups available to the teams in the dugouts. Fans can bring their "personal" coolers and food items/drinks into the outlying picnic areas and parking lots.
Q: How are the teams "seeded" this year?
A: There are two phases of seeding: (1) Pre-Tournament Pool Play Seeding; and (2) Post-Pool Re-Seeding. Pre-Tournament Seeding is based upon each team's finish the previous year at the HWSA Tournament. The Re-Seeding is performed by the coaches on Tuesday night at The Gathering. Teams do not need to submit a Seeding Form prior to the tournament.
Q: Do all teams have an opportunity to compete at the Championship level, or are teams split up in the beginning based upon their skill level?
A: All teams have an opportunity to win the Cochran Cup. After Pool Play (and the accompanying Q-games), the teams will be placed into the different divisions. Any team can go "all the way" regardless of where they are "seeded" in the beginning. If a team does not win a game in Pool Play, it cannot advance to the Championship (Platinum) Division, but it still has a chance to win the Silver Division.
Q: When will the teams be placed into the bracket?
A: At the coaches meeting on Sunday night. Each head coach and one other representative (an asst coach or team rep) should attend, where there will be "random drawings" for the Pool Play slots based upon the Seeding Groups.
Q: When do the games begin each day?
A: On Monday, the Opening Ceremonies begin at TBD am. All teams are expected to attend in uniform. The games begin each day: Monday (TBD); Tuesday (10 am); Wednesday (no games); Thursday (9 am); Friday (10 am); Saturday (9 am)
Q: When will we be finished on Saturday?
A: It depends upon which division your teams finishes. If you are in the top division (Platinum), the Championship Game is at 2:30, and the Awards Ceremony begins at 4:45. If you are in one of the other divisions (Gold or Silver), the Awards Ceremony is at 1:45.
Q: Are there practice facilities available to the teams on Sunday and Wednesday?
A: Teams should make their own arrangements for practice facilities if they so desire. It would be a scheduling nightmare for HWSA to try to take that on for 23 teams. The Lake Myrtle fields will not be available for practice, but the batting cages are available to teams on a first come/first serve basis. There are six batting cages at the complex.
Q: What if it rains during the week?
A: One of the reasons we chose this venue and this part of the country is because of its very favorable weather conditions. We, of course, cannot predict the weather, but based upon past weather patterns in the Orlando area, there may be small showers throughout the week. The fields drain extremely well, and the tournament should remain on schedule even if it rains some. In the unlikely event of rainout days, we have weather contingency plans to ensure that the tournament is finished. In the very unlikely event that the whole week is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, teams will receive a refund.