Region VIII Tournament Information

2008 NAIA REGION VIII TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
SPRING SPORTS

SID GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING REGIONAL EVENTS

SOFTBALL

Tournament Dates: May 6-8, 2008 (Rain Dates: May 9-10)
Host: MCC Regular Season Champion

No. of Team in Tournament: 6

Tuesday (May 6)
G1: #2 Aquinas vs. #3 Huntington, 12:00 pm
G2: #2 Spring Arbor vs. #3 Indiana Tech, 12:00 pm
G3: #1 Bethel vs. Winner G1, 2:00 pm
G4: #1 Madonna vs. Winner G2, 2:00 pm
G5: Loser G1 vs. Loser G4, 4:00 pm
G6: Loser G2 vs. Loser G3, 4:00 pm

Wednesday (May 7)
G7: Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 10:00 am
G8: Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 10:00 am
G9: Loser G7 vs. Winner G8, 12:00 pm
G10: Winner G7 vs. Winner G9, 2:00 pm
G11: Winner G10 vs. Loser G10, 4:00 pm (if necessary)

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION: Top 3 teams from MCC, Top 3 teams from WHAC

METHOD OF SEEDING & PAIRINGS: MCC #1 vs. WHAC #3; MCC #2 vs. WHAC #2; MCC #3 vs. WHAC #1

APPROVED ALTERNATE SITE: Indiana Wesleyan University will serve as alternite site host if necessary.

CONDUCT OF CHAMPIONSHIP:

a.       The Regional Tournament will consist of a six team double elimination format with three team from each conference. Each conference is responsible for determining the three conference representatives. If independence qualifies, will replace one of the lowest ranked teams.

b.       Criteria for Independent participates

                                                               i.      Must be ranked in the top 6 of the final Regional Ranking.

                                                             ii.      Must complete above a .500 win percentage against teams with a winning record.

c.       Rain Policy -

                                                               i.      Every effort will be made to complete the tournament as structured.

                                                             ii.      If rain out occurs on 1^st day, the tournament will be completed on 2, 3, and 4.

                                                            iii.      If rain out occurs on 1^st day and 2nd, the tournament will be completed on day 3 and day 4 in a single elimination format with times being subject to change as needed unless a second field is available to complete the double elimination format.

                                                            iv.      If rain out occurs on the last 2 days, the champion will be the highest ranked team at the last regional rating unless they have been beaten. Should the highest seed be in the loser's bracket, the highest undefeated seed will be the champion.

                                                              v.      If the tournament is completely rained out the highest ranked team in the final regional ranking will advance to the National tournament.

CONTEST PROCEDURES

a.       Host institution will need to provide one regulation field for competition. A second field should be determined in case of rain.

b.       NCAA rules will be used in tournament play.

c.       The Wilson 9010 BSST-NAIA softball will be used in tournament play.

d.       The 8-run rule will apply after trailing team has batted five times (in 7-inning game).

e.       A game that has been suspended due to weather or darkness will be restarted at the point of suspension (contrary to NCAA rules).

f.         Tournament Protest -

                                                               i.      Tournament protests will be handled by a committee of three

                                                             ii.      Committee shall consist of the two non-participating coaches in the tournament and the sport coordinator.

                                                            iii.      The protest committee will deal with the protest immediately and make a decision based upon the information available. The game will be stopped until a ruling can be made.

TOURNAMENT SEEDING

a.       WHAC Conference #1 vs. winner of WHAC #3 or independent vs. MCC #2

b.       MCC Conference #1 vs. winner of MCC #3 or independent vs. WHAC #2

      c.     If the Independent qualifies for the Region Tournament they would be 6th seed and displace either #3 finisher in WHAC or in MCC

OFFICIALS

a.       The selection and assignment of officials shall be made by the Tournament Director.

b.       Officials' expenses shall be paid by as per contract by host institution.

c.       Expense fee's are $70/game and $25/diem.

ALL REGION TEAM

a.       All Region Team of 18 players will be selected.

b.       Regional Player and Pitcher of the Year will be selected at the Regional Coaches Meeting.

c.       Coaches at the Regional Meeting will select players.

d.       The All-Regional team will be announced after the championship game.

e.       Region will provide and pay for the Region Team championship awards and 18 individual all region awards including Player and Pitcher of the Year.

REGIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

a.       An All-Tournament team of 16 players will be selected at the conclusion of the regional tournament.

b.       Coaches will submit the name(s) of players they would like placed on the all-tournament team.

c.       The following format will be used to select the all-tournament team.

                                                               i.      the winning team will get 5 players on the all-tournament team

                                                             ii.      the runner-up team will get 4 players on the all-tournament team

                                                            iii.      the 3^rd place team will get 3 players on the all-tournament team

                                                            iv.      the 4^th place team will get 2 players on the all-tournament team

                                                              v.      the 5^th & 6^th teams will get 1 player on the all-tournament team

COACH OF THE YEAR

a.       The coach of the year will be given to the coach of the region champion.

EXPENSES

a.       An entry fee will be established by host institution.

b.       This fee will be divided among the teams to pay for officials.

c.       Host team will absorb additional costs due to not having travel or meals expenses.

d.       Expenses (Hotel, food, and gas) for the Softball Region Chair will be paid by the host school.

e.       Admission will be charged daily.

                                                               i.      $5 for adults

                                                             ii.      $3 for students and senior citizens.

BALLS

a.       The official ball for the NAIA will be used.

b.       NAIA will supply the game balls.

MISCELLANENOUS

a.       Home team will be determined by coin toss.

b.       Regional Tournament Champion will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.

c.       Top seed has the choice of dugout.

BASEBALL

Tournament Dates: May 7-9 (raindate May 10)
Host: MCC Regular Season Champion

No. of Team in Tournament: 4

Wednesday (May 7)
G1: # 1 Huntington vs. #4 Indiana Tech, 1:00 pm
G2: #2 Madonna vs. #3 Spring Arbor, 4:00 pm

Thursday (May 8)

G3: Loser G1 vs. Loser G2, 11:00 am

G4: Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 2:00 pm

G5: Winner G3 vs. Loser G4, 5:00 pm

Friday (May 9)

G6: Winner G4 vs. Winner G5, 11:00 am

G7: Winner G6 vs. Loser G6, 2:00 pm (if necessary)

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION: Top 2 teams in MCC and top 2 teams in WHAC (Independent compared to WHAC #2)

METHOD OF SEEDING AND PAIRING: MCC #1 vs. WHAC #2; MCC #2 vs. WHAC #1

APPROVED ALTERNATE SITE: Indiana Wesleyan University will serve as an alternative site.

CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER: A certified athletic trainer will be present.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:

I. If the tournament cannot be played at all, then the region tournament winner will be the highest ranked team in the last region ranking participating in the Region Tournament.

II. If day one is started but cannot be completed during the tournament, then Rule I still applies. (Day one includes Games 1 & 2 of the NAIA 4 Team Tournament Bracket)

III. If day one games can be completed, then the winner of the tournament will be the remaining undefeated team. (Games 1 & 2)

IV. If day two games are completed, then the winner of the tournament will be the remaining undefeated teams. (Games 3 & 5)

V. If day two games are started but not completed, then the winner of the tournament will be the highest ranked team that is undefeated.

VI. If the tournament cannot be completed after Game 6 has been played, then the tournament winner will be the higher ranked team of the two teams remaining.

VII. If the tournament has to be played on limited days, then the tournament will become a single elimination tournament with the top ranked team playing the 4th highest ranked team and the 2nd highest ranked team playing the 3rd highest ranked team. The winners of those two games will play a single game for the Region Tournament Championship.

VIII. If weather only allows one game to be played, then the two top ranked teams will play a single game to determine the Region Tournament Championship.

TENNIS (MEN & WOMEN)

TOURNAMENT DATES: April 24-25, 2008
TOURNAMENT SITE: Marion, Indiana (hosted by Indiana Wesleyan)

METHOD OF SELECTION: Top 3 teams in the MCC and 1 remaining team between independents and number 4 MCC team
METHOD OF SEEDING AND PAIRING: National and regional rankings; Head to Head competition; Results versus common opponents.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT: In the 1st round the #1 seed will play the #4 seed; the #2 seed will play the #3 seed. The 2nd round will be played between the two remaining teams.

MEN'S BRACKET

FIRST ROUND (Thursday April 24)
#1 Aquinas vs. Indiana Wesleyan, 9:00 am
#2 Taylor (Ind.) vs. #3 Marian (Ind.), 9:00 am

CHAMPIONSHIP (Friday April 25)
Winner vs. Winner, 9:00 am

* All matches played to completion (9 points) and will consist of regular scoring according to ITA guidelines.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE: Two different indoor tennis facilities have been reserved. Tournament will be played as scheduled.

ENTRY FEE: No entry fee will be charged. Region VIII will pay for all indoor expenses.

ADMISSION FEE: It is agreed that spectators will not have to pay admission to view the tournament.

AWARDS: Team championship plaques and region coach of the year awards will be purchased by the region. They will be at the site for presentation.

CERTIFIED TRAINER: Indiana Wesleyan will staff site with a certified athletic trainer.

GOLF (MEN)

Tournament Dates: April 28-29
Host: MCC (at Rock Hollow Golf Club - Peru, Indiana)
No. of Teams in Tournament: 18

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION: All teams participate on both days.

METHOD OF SEEDING & PAIRING: No seeding necessary.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:

1. If day one is raned out, the tournament moves to Day two and Day three (rain date). The format remains the same.

2. If day #2 is rained out, the tourney will be played on Day #1 and Day #3. (Same format)

3. If Day #2 and Day #3 are rained out, the results from Day #1 will determine champion.

4. If Day #1 and Day #2 are rained out, the tournament will be played on Day #3 (either 18 or 36 holes depending on course condition)

5. If the entire tournament is rained out, the top region seed entering the tournament will advance to the national tournament and represent Region VIII.

GOLF (WOMEN)

Tournament Dates: April 24-25
Host: Knoblehawk Golf Course (Kendalville, Indiana)

No. of Teams in Tournament: 11

FINAL REGION VIII GOLF TOURNAMENT RESULTS
TEAM RESULTS
1. Bethel (Ind.) - 328, 314 (642)
2. Marian (ind.) - 338, 339 (677)
3. St. Francis (Ind.) - 337, 349 (686)
4. Aquinas (Mich.) - 392, 392 (784)
5. Madonna (Mich.) - 408, 389 (797)
6. Siena Heights (Mich.) - 412, 419 (831)
7. Indiana Tech - 435, 429 (864)

TOP 10 INDIVDUAL RESULTS
1. Angela Gauck, Marian (147)
2. Shanna Page, Bethel (149)
3. Lindsey Eaton, St. Francis (162)
4. Beth Slusher, Bethel (163)
5. Kara Ballinger, Bethel (165)
Brooke Gilbert, Bethel (165)
7. Katie Jones, St. Francis (169)
8. Kristen Welker, Marian (171)
9. Tricia Gregory, Bethel (172)
10. Hillary Bowman, St. Francis (175)

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION: All teams participate on both days.

METHOD OF SEEDING & PAIRING: 18 holes of play on two consecutive days. Cumulative scores used to determine champion.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:

1. If day one is raned out, the tournament moves to Day two and Day three (rain date). The format remains the same.

2. If day #2 is rained out, the tourney will be played on Day #1 and Day #3. (Same format)

3. If Day #2 and Day #3 are rained out, the results from Day #1 will determine champion.

4. If Day #1 and Day #2 are rained out, the tournament will be played on Day #3 (either 18 or 36 holes depending on course condition)

5. If the entire tournament is rained out, the top region seed entering the tournament will advance to the national tournament and represent Region VIII.

2007-08 NAIA REGION VIII TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
FALL SPORTS

VOLLEYBALL

Tournament Dates: Nov. 16-17, 2007

Host: WHAC Tournament Champion

No. of Team in Tournament: 6

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION:

Conference champion from MCC & WHAC as well as tournament runner-up and consolation winners from each conference. (Provided consolation match was necessary in respective tournaments... in event that regular season champion loses in semi-final of conference tournament, they auto advance to regional) Independents will be compared to #3 seeds based upon regional criteria.

OFFICIAL BRACKET:

Quarterfinals (Friday Nov. 16) at Madonna University
Indiana Tech def. Taylor (Ind.), 3-1
Bethel (Ind.) def. Cornerstone (Mich.), 3-0

Semi-finals (Saturday Nov. 17) at Madonna University
Madonna (Mich.) def. Indiana Tech, 3-1
Indiana Wesleyan vs. Bethel, 1:00 pm

Championship (Saturday Nov. 17) at Madonna University
Winner vs. Winner, 5 pm

SELECTED SITE(s):

The regional will be hosted by the WHAC Conference Tournament Champions.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS:

Certified athletic trainer will be present at all round of the tournament.

STATISTICAL/SPORTS INFORMATION GUIDELINES:

A sports information director (SID)/statistician shall be at each game (one at each venue for multiple field tournaments) for ALL games. Responsibilities of the SID include but are not limited to compiling LIVE statistics via either StatCrew (TAS) or DakStats software. Efforts will be made by host SID to either score the match live or gather statistics fro team bench prior to each match. If you can not score the matc live, you must communicate to participating coaches ahead of time that you will be using bench stats.

SID is responsible for gathering accurate roster and team record information prior to event.

SID is responsible for creating a tournament game program with at least each team's roster, athletic logo and the tournament bracket/game schedule.

SID is responsible to print out stats at each venue to be given to coaches/team representatives at the conclusion of each game.

SID is responsible for faxing out copies of game box scores to appropriate media outlets (provided by participating teams in advance) no later than two hours after the final game of the day. All efforts will be made to fax after each game to meet newspaper deadlines.

SID is responsible to e-mail a copy of the game stat file as well as game scores to the participating team SID and to the conference SID for each school as well as the Region VIII SID and NAIA National office. E-mails must be sent to these representatives at the conclusion of each day's events.

SID is responsible to coordinate with tournament organizers for presentation of Region Championship awards and All-Region team selections, including Public Address Announcing of players who are honored.

If host institution does not have a SID available, or can not meet requirement for multiple venue tournaments, it is up to the host SID to contact other SID's from participating institutions and or the Region SID for their availability in helping with the event (only trained SID's/statisticians are permitted to serve as official scorers for Region VIII championship events).

Expenses for travel for addition SID or Region SID to event to work is the responsibility of host institution. Cost is to be negotiated between host institution and SID being asked to work event, but must include at minimum mileage reimbursement, per-diem and any hotel costs.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Tournament Dates: Nov. 2-3, 2007

Host: WHAC Tournament Champion (Aquinas College)

No. of Team in Tournament: 4

2007 TOURNAMENT BRACKET:
SEMI-FINALS (FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd)
Saint Francis (Ind.) def. Aquinas (Mich.), 2-0

Cornerstone (Mich.) def. Indiana Wesleyan, 1-0

FINALS (SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd)

Cornerstone def. Saint Francis (Ind.), 1-0 (2 OT)

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION:

MCC #1 - MCC Tournament Champion

WHAC #1 - WHAC Tournament Champion

MCC #2 - MCC Regular Season Champion (if same as tournament champ, then MCC tournament runner-up becomes MCC #2 seed)

WHAC #2 - WHAC Regular Season Champion (if same as tournament champ, then WHAC tournament runner-up becomes WHAC #2 seed)

METHOD OF SEEDING & PAIRING:

Semi-Finals: MCC #1 vs. WHAC #2, WHAC #1 vs. MCC #2

Finals: Winners

DETERMINATION OF HOME TEAMS:

Home teams in semi-finals will be MCC #1 and WHAC #1

Home teams in final will be WHAC #1, if WHAC #1 is eliminated then MCC #1 becomes home team, if both WHAC #1 and MCC #1 are eliminated then home team becomes WHAC #2

SELECTED SITE(s):

WHAC tournament champion will host the final four. It will be their responsibility to make sure a proper site is approved through the Regional Chair.

APPROVED ALTERNATE SITE(s):

The WHAC regular season champion (or tournament runner-up) will become host if the tournament champion cannot secure a facility that meets the requirements in the NAIA Handbook. If neither team can meet the requirements, then it will be hosted by the MCC tournament champion.

WEATHER CONTINGENCY PLAN:

In case of inclement weather preventing play on the dates above, Monday November 5-6 will be used as make-up dates.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS:

Certified athletic trainer will be present at all round of the tournament.

STATISTICAL/SPORTS INFORMATION GUIDELINES:

A sports information director (SID)/statistician shall be at each game (one at each venue for multiple field tournaments) for ALL games. Responsibilities of the SID include but are not limited to compiling LIVE statistics via either StatCrew (TAS) software. No other software for soccer is acceptable.

SID is responsible for gathering accurate roster and team record information prior to event.

SID is responsible for creating a tournament game program with at least each team's roster, athletic logo and the tournament bracket/game schedule.

SID is responsible to print out stats at each field to be given to coaches/team representatives at the conclusion of each game. For soccer, the SID is charged with checking that any cards issued in game are accurate through consult of officials post-game and the official MUST sign one copy of the box score to be sent on to Region Chair.

SID is responsible to e-mail a copy of the game stat file as well as game scores to the participating team

SID and to the conference SID for each school as well as the Region VIII SID and NAIA National office. E-mails must be sent to these representatives at the conclusion of each day's events.

MEN'S SOCCER
Tournament Dates: Nov. 3 & 7 2007
Host: Top rated remaining MCC team
No. of Team in Tournament: 4

OFFICIAL 2007 BRACKET:
SEMI-FINALS (Saturday, Nov. 3)
Goshen (Ind.) def. Aquinas (Mich,), 2-0
Madonna (Mich.) def. Indiana Wesleyan, 2-1

FINALS (Wednesday, Nov. 7)
Madonna (Mich.) def. Goshen (Ind.), 1-0

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION:

Top two teams from WHAC and top two teams from MCC play in Regional Tournament.
Independent will be compared by criterion established by Region VIII with #2 seed from each conference.

METHOD OF SEEDING & PAIRING:

Semi-Finals: #1 MCC vs. #2 WHAC (or Independent), #1 WHAC vs. #2 MCC (or Independent)

Finals: Winners

SELECTED SITE(s):

Host will be the top rated remaining MCC team. If both MCC teams are eliminated, #1 WHAC team will host.

WEATHER CONTINGENCY PLAN:

In case of inclement weather preventing play on the dates above, November 5^th and 8^th will be used.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS:

Certified athletic trainer will be present at all round of the tournament.

STATISTICAL/SPORTS INFORMATION GUIDELINES:

SID is responsible for gathering accurate roster and team record information prior to event.

SID is responsible for creating a tournament game program with at least each team's roster, athletic logo and the tournament bracket/game schedule.

CROSS COUNTRY (Men & Women Combined)

Regional Date: Nov. 3, 2007

Host: Cornerstone University and Aquinas College

Site: Riverside Park (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

No. of Team in Tournament: 17

METHOD OF TEAM SELECTION:

All teams participate (17 men & 17 women)

METHOD OF SEEDING & PAIRING:

All Region VIII teams will participate.

SELECTED SITE(s):

The regional event will be hosted jointly by Aquinas College and Cornerstone University and will be run at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Men's event begins at 11 AM and women's event begins at Noon.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS:

THREE certified athletic trainer will be present at event due to size.

STATISTICAL/SPORTS INFORMATION GUIDELINES:

A sports information director (SID)/statistician shall be at each event. SID is responsible to gather and disseminate event results to each participating institutions SID upon conclusion of event (within 24-hour NAIA mandated time frame)

SID is responsible for faxing out copies of results to appropriate media outlets (provided by participating teams in advance) no later than two hours after the final event of the day. All efforts will be made to fax immediately after event to meet newspaper deadlines.

SID is responsible to e-mail final results to the participating team SID and to the conference SID for each school as well as the Region VIII SID and NAIA National office. E-mails must be sent to these representatives at the conclusion of each day's events.