The 2012 GSWS is officially in the books. Many thanks to the local host committee from the Twin Cities Goodtimes Softball League and their cast of dedicated volunteers. They’ve made the past week a very special event for all the players, fans, and officials. Thank you!

Congratulations to the trophy winners too:

 
A Division

1st: Atlanta Sluggers
2nd: Phoenix Roscoes Coors Light HP2 Toros
3rd: Chicago Menace
4th: Fort Lauderdale Noize

B Division:

1st: Long Beach Rounders 2.0
2nd: San Diego Spikes
3rd: Boston Cafe Club Angels
4th: Portland Brewers

C Division:

1st: Tampa Venom
2nd: Orlando Royalty
3rd: Atlanta Menace
4th: Houston Toros

D Division:

1st: Seattle Inferno
2nd: Tulsa Razors
3rd: Philadelphia Honey Badgers
4th: Twin Cities Titans

Masters Division:

1st: Seattle Strokes
2nd: LA Gang Grey
3rd: Chicago Sidetrack
4th: Twin Cities Line Drive

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 8:36 p.m. — We’ve been getting great feedback about how much you’re enjoying myGSWS.com as a tool for keeping track of your tournament experience. As we head into Friday, though, we wanted to issue a reminder that team managers should also consult their official schedule provided at the Managers Meeting on Monday (Tuesday for the “A” & Masters Divisions).

Link: Official Friday / Saturday Schedule Grid

Friday is the day when teams could face multiple games working their way up through their division’s losers bracket. So far, we haven’t had any major issues with the system — but the stakes are much higher on Friday when teams could potentially play up to five or more games.

For players and fans, continue enjoying all the new possibilities provided by myGSWS.com, but team managers should continue to consult their official paperwork to make sure things move smoothly for the rest of the tournament.

Link: Traditional Bracket Formats — A Division — B Division — C Division — D Division — Masters Division

THURSDAY, 7:40 p.m. — Earlier tonight, NAGAAA announced the double-elimination seed assignments for both the A Division and Masters Division. Double elimination play for these divisions begins on

Masters Division bracket: http://mygsws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Masters-Division-Bracket2.pdf
“A” Division bracket: http://mygsws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/A-Division-Bracket2.pdf

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 10:26 PM — Double elimination seeds were released just a few minutes ago. To learn your team’s seed, simply go to your team’s customized results page. From the links at the top of this page, just select “Team Pages” and click the link for your favorite team.

B Division Bracket: http://mygsws.com/?attachment_id=544

C Division Bracket: http://mygsws.com/?attachment_id=545

D Division Bracket: http://mygsws.com/?attachment_id=546

Did you just buy your Double Elim seed at the Talent Show? Check out your spot in the bracket with the links above.

UPDATED — WEDNESDAY 8:15 a.m. – Due to the rain this morning in the Twin Cities, the GSWS will be operating as follows:

Teams should be prepared to begin games at 10:00 a.m. at ALL VENUES.

• Rich Valley: First games were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. This means a two-hour delayed start.
• Northview: First games were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. This means a two-hour delayed start.
• Lexington-Diffley: Because games at this venue are not scheduled to start until 9am, this means a one-hour delayed start.

Games will start based on a game-time decision. Stay tuned to myGSWS.com for further updates as they develop.

Note: This is updated information from the original announcement made at 7:58 a.m.

On Tuesday night NAGAAA Assistant Commissioner James Williamson issued an announcement about a special exemption from testing on a limited number of bat models, based on a recommendation from ASA. These bats will still require inspection and certification and must receive a label before it may be used in play.

This is an announcement about bat testing at the Series and an update regarding three specific bat models. As of today, ASA has issued documentation that recommend exemption from the barrel compression testing for the following bat models: Louisville Slugger Z1000 series, Louisville Slugger Z2000 series, and the DeMarini Flipper.

Beginning Wednesday morning, any player wishing to use one of these models may re-submit their bat to the bat testing officials to be reviewed by ASA umpire and receive a sticker certifying them for use in GSWS the remainder of the week. The bat MUST still have an official sticker before it can be used – any player using these models or any other bat without an official sticker will be ejected from the tournament.

The final times available for bat testing is tomorrow, Wednesday, at Lexington-Diffley complex from 7 am until 4 pm – no bats will be certified for play after this final testing period.

James Williamson
NAGAAA Assistant Commissioner

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14 – 9:15 a.m. THe first games are finishing up. The 2012 Gay Softball World Series is officially underway. Stay connected to your favorite team’s customized results page. Just click on the “Team Page” link from the menu at the top of the page, and select your favorite team.

Come back throughout the day and week to check on the progress of all your favorite teams.

MONDAY, AUGUST 13 — 9:52 a.m. We’re expecting long lines this afternoon for bat testing, so consider getting your bats tested THIS MORNING at the Crowne Plaza.

NAGAAA has implemented a new bat-testing procedure for the 2012 GSWS. This means that all bats (for all teams in all divisions) must be tested and approved before they can be used in the tournament this week. Once approved, a NAGAAA official will affix a small sticker to the bat indicating that it has passed the compression test.

Bat testing will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday at Lexington-Diffley only. However, NAGAAA will not delay the start of games due to long lines for bat testing. (Player registration will continue to be available at the complex hosting your team’s games those days.)

In short: Get your bats tested this morning! The sooner the better.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 — 5:34pm CT — Earlier today NAGAAA released pool play schedules to the delegates to NAGAAA Summer Meetings. The full schedule for pool play games is now available.

Check out your favorite team’s custom team page for a direct link to their schedule — and come back to those pages later in the week for scores and results.

myGSWS.com team pages — http://mygsws.com/teampages/