SportsFest 1551 Handbook

The games are financed by entry fees and sponsorship contributions. SPONSORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE…

The primary funding source for SportsFest 1551 is team entry fees. In our effort to keep these fees as low as possible, we offer sponsorship opportunities. A sponsor’s financial commitment goes directly to help offset the costs that are not covered by these fees. If you want to reach residents in Brazoria county and beyond, then becoming a SportsFest 1551 sponsor is for you! Click Here For Sponsorship Info.

1. In order to compete for the Championship Cup trophy, companies and organizations must enter the full SportsFest 1551 competition and participate in all 5 tournaments.
Cost: $1550 per team (Max 3 teams)

2. Companies and organizations not vying for the Championship trophy may enter individual tournaments. Only companies competing for the championship trophy will be awarded points. Enter up to 3 tournaments only.
Cost is : $350 per tournament (Max 2 teams per tournament)

SportsFest 1551 is open to businesses and organizations of all sizes and industries. Companies participate by sending a team of employees to each event to compete in the competition.

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum age is 18
• Must not be attending high school
• Work at least 20 hours per week
• A player cannot participate on more than one team/company regardless of work situation.

IDENTIFICATION:
Participants must carry proof of employment at all times. Acceptable identification is either a work photo identification card or a driver’s license with current paycheck stub.

SUBSTITUTE:
Any employee who meets the above requirements and has signed a waiver may compete. Retirees may compete for the company from which they retired. They must carry photo identification plus a letter on official company stationery stating…
• that they are retired
• the date of retirement, and
• the length of employment with the company.
They may be asked to present this letter at the events.

NOTE: If a protest regarding eligibility arises, the burden of proof will rest on the participant and the company’s coordinator. Pay stub plus driver’s license or a work ID card, which includes a picture, will be required.

Each company selects a company coordinator to serve as the liaison between the company and the SportsFest 1551 Office.

THE COMPANY COORDINATOR...
• Handles company registration
• Attends virtual Coordinators’ meeting
• Selects team captains

Gauge Company Interest
Each event requires a certain number of players to field a team. By gauging the interest of employees at your company, you can then use this information to register for the correct events. (The largest team size is 10 players).

Select Team Captains
Selecting a captain for each team will help you spread the responsibility around. The Team Captain responsibilities are listed below.

Schedule a JumpStart Meeting!
Need help generating interest or sharing information? Schedule a Kickoff Meeting and bring the SportsFest 1551 team to your office! We’ll work with you to create a custom meeting dedicated to getting your company ready for the upcoming SportsFest 1551 competition! Click HERE to submit a request!

Attend Virtual Coordinator’s Meeting
Prior to the start of each season, we will host Company Coordinators for a short informational presentation on the upcoming season. 

THE TEAM CAPTAIN…

• The Team Captain assists the Company Coordinator in leading the team through a particular event.
• Recruits team members (correct number of males/females required)
• Prepares the team to play
• Communicate Schedule for the event to teammates.
• Communicate Rules of Play for the event to teammates.
• Communicate Practice Opportunities for the event to teammates.
• Checks in at the check-in table the day of the event.
• Ensures the team is ready and prepared to play at the assigned time
• Ensures waiver is signed by all participants before the start of the event.

INSURANCE AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Insurance is the responsibility of each team and individual player. There is no event coverage provided by the Brazoria County Department of Parks and Recreation. All participants must sign a waiver of liability when registering at the beginning of the Games.

TEAM SUPPLIES:
Teams must supply their own uniforms and equipment, unless stated otherwise in the games Handbook. Teams must also provide water or supplemental drink for their athletes.

UNIFORMS:
We encourage teams to get creative with their t-shirts. Let’s see which team can come up with the best t-shirt design.

CHECK IN:
Team captains are responsible for checking in their team with the Event Coordinator 20 minutes prior to the start of an event, unless stated otherwise in the handbook.

FORFEIT TIMES:
If a team fails to show at the scheduled starting time, a forfeit will be declared
by the official

PROTESTS:

All protests must be submitted in writing and accompanied by a $25 filing fee, except as noted in the Kickball rules. This filing fee is refunded if the protest is allowed. A protest can be filed on a question of the eligibility of an opponent or other game rules. Protests based solely on judgment calls are not accepted. (On judgment calls, the referee’s or judge’s decision is final.) The authority to determine all protests rests with the SportsFest 1551 coordinator and/or appointed committee. All decisions will be rendered in a timely manner.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
The SportsFest 1551 staff shall have the power to disqualify, suspend, or remove any manager, coach, player, spectator, or team and/or company that exhibits unsportsmanlike behavior before, during, or after the game.

Individual points determine the winning team in an event. Only the top six teams in each event receive team points. Team points determine team standings. In the case of a tie, points are divided.

POINT SYSTEM:
• 10 points for 1st place
• 8 points for 2nd place
• 6 points for 3rd place
• 4 points for 4th place
• 3 points for 5th place
• 2 points will tie for 5th place*
• 1 point for 6th place

* In the event that there is a tie for fifth place, each team will receive two points
and no points will be awarded for sixth place.

TIES:

Ties in the championship standing will be broken in the following order:
1. The team with the most first places.
2. The team with the most second places.
3. The team with the most third places.
4. The team with the most fourth places.
5. The team with the most fifth places.
6. The team with the most sixth places.

BONUS POINTS:
Companies can earn one bonus point for:
• Attending the Company Coordinators’ meetings
• Attending Team Captains’ meetings
• Participating in the Charity Challenge

The schedule for the event will be posted on the website Schedule page 1 week prior to the event.

Tournament Time
At the start of each event, each member of your team must check-in and complete a Participation waiver. We have waivers available on-site.

CHECK – IN MUST BE COMPLETE PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION, PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY.

Weather Delay / Cancellation
In the event the tournament is cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather, the following notifications will be sent out:

• Company Coordinator for each company will be contacted via email and text message to relay the message to the rest of the team.
• The Schedule page will be updated accordingly. 
• A notification will be posted to all social media pages.

If the event is cancelled due to weather conditions or unseen/unavoidable situations, we will do everything we can to reschedule.

Earn points for your team by registering as a volunteer.

2 points will be awarded for each volunteer who assists with the Games. Each company is allowed up to 3 volunteers for a total of 6 volunteer points.

To register as a volunteer complete our Volunteer form.

SportsFest 1551 Championship

• Top 3 teams in each tournament event will be awarded gold, silver or bronze medals
• The top team overall will be awarded the Championship Cup traveling trophy, a customized commemorative plaque and gold medals.
• The 2nd and 3rd place teams will be awarded silver and bronze medals respectively and a customized commemorative plaque.

$100 of each registration fee is set aside for donation to charity.

Each company entering the full SportsFest 1551 Championship will be encouraged to pick and play for a charity of their choice. The overall winner will have a donation made in their name to their charity!