FAQs, You Got Questions, We Got Answers!
When is the Las Vegas Gay Softball World Series?
The Gay Softball World Series, hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada, will start on October 14, 2024 with the closing ceremonies beginning on October 19, 2024.
How do I play in GSWS?
You must qualify with your team from one of International Pride Softball’s 54 Member Associations.
When will Hotel Room Reservations Open?
Typically, the host hotel room block will open to membership approximately 2 months prior to GSWS. Announcements will be made to your iPrideSoftball delegates and Commissioners once the room blocks have opened.
Where are the fields in Las Vegas?
The field complexes that will used for the GSWS tournament will be announced shortly after the Host Hotel Room Reservation block is opened. All field complexes are no more than a 30-minute drive from the host hotels
At what fields will my division be playing?
The Pool Play Schedule and field assignments will be released on Sunday 10/13/2024 via Sports Engine Tourney. Please subscribe to our page and follow social media for updates
When will my division start play?
The final determination of when each division will start will not be made until the final schedule is completed just 2 weeks before we all arrive in Las Vegas in October. All teams, in all divisions, except for the A division, should plan to start play on Tuesday.
Is there a Coaches/Manager meeting?
YES – There will be a Managers/Coaches meeting on Monday 10/14/2024. It will be held at Planet Hollywood Hotel. Time is yet to be determined. Additional information will be provided as we get closer to the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS).
NO MORE THAN 2 REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH TEAM WILL BE ADMITTED INTO THE MEETING.
The $500 hotel deposit for the World Series, is that per team or for each League?
The $500 hotel deposit is per team.
At the conclusion of the GSWS each league must provide the International Pride Softball (iPride) Treasurer with receipts from the host hotel of 15 room nights booked via the provided host hotel link per team to receive a refund of those deposits.
If teams decide to use lodging other than the host hotels, the hotel deposit will be forfeited for those teams. Also, teams from the host city who would not be staying in the host hotels are not required to pay a hotel deposit.
How do I complete participant registration?
Participant registration will allow all participants to register via an online portal where they can review and acknowledge the participant waiver, answer some demographic questions, and pay the participant fee. A registration link will be sent in an email to the address you’ve provided to your league, approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the GSWS.
When is Participant Check-In?
Check-In will be available at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino starting Sunday, Oct. 13 (time TBA). Check-In will be available Monday at Planet Hollywood (time TBA) as well as at the Opening Party (location & time TBA). After Opening party, check in will only be available at any of the GSWS official fields, starting an hour before the first pitch each day.
All participants MUST be checked-in prior to taking the field to play, or penalty could result in individual or team elimination from the GSWS. Check-In closes (and does not re-open) at the scheduled start time of the first game of Double Elimination in the division that they play in to be eligible to play. Meaning, if they play in D, they must be checked-in prior to the first double elimination game for ANY team in the D division, not for their team, but any D Team. More information will be provided to team managers in the weeks leading up to the GSWS.
I may arrive late: What is the latest that I can complete check in and still be eligible to play?
All participants MUST be checked-in prior to the scheduled start time of the first game of Double Elimination games in the division that they are participating/playing in to be eligible. Meaning, if they play or support a team in D, they must be checked-in prior to the first scheduled double elimination game for ANY team in the D division (not for their team, but any D Team), typically by 7:50am local time on Thursday (for B, C, D, E, LD, and LC).
When does Double Elimination start?
Double Elimination games start for most divisions at 7:50 A.M. on Thursday. Check your division schedule to find your actual start time for your division.
Is there a calendar of events?
A program of events will be posted soon! Keep an eye on the website at https://gaysoftballworldseries.com/ as more details will be posted there as they become available.
What is the rule on video recordings at the field?
All complexes, with the exception of Big League Dreams allow the attachment of video recorders to backstops with a chain link style fence. Cameras must not be affixed to any net backstops in any manner. As a side note, no cameras may interfere with the equipment placement of our live stream vendor, Cloud Sports Network.
What is Pick A Stick?
International Pride Softball utilizes pick a stick as a fair play tool, ensuring that everyone uses the same equipment. Bats will be attached to the back of the backstop on bat racks or will be placed in buckets. No Pick A Stick bats can be brought into the dugout, or it will result in an immediate player suspension. Also, no personal bats can be out or visible in the dugout at any time, this will result in an immediate ejection.
What type of bats will be provided this year?
We are using the same Monsta bats as in 2023:
2-piece bats
1 25 oz Torch bat (NAGAAA blue color bat)
1 26oz Fallout bat (NAGAAA blue color bat)
1 27oz Fallout bat (NAGAAA blue color bat)
1-piece bats
1 25 oz Sinister (NAGAAA red color bat)
1 26oz Bombardier (NAGAAA red color bat)
Will first time GSWS participants receive a medal?
YES – We will be awarding the first time GSWS medals again so please indicate when you register if it is your first year and pick this up during check-in.
How do I find the rules for the GSWS?
GSWS rules will be posted on the iPrideSoftball.org website and emailed to all Coaches/Managers. A copy of those rules will also be provided to Coaches/Managers at the Coaches/Manager meeting.
What is Friday Night Lights?
Friday Night Lights has become a tradition at the GSWS. Winners bracket games are played into the night, under the lights to determine who will be playing on Championship Saturday!
How will we know when we play our next and where can we see brackets?
Download the Sports Engine Tourney app on your phones to keep up with scores, next game, and brackets of all divisions. The Sports Engine Tourney App will go live on Sunday, 10/13 when the pool play schedule is released. There will be NO PAPER brackets posted at any of the complexes.
Will iPrideSoftball be providing scorebooks?
More information will be provided this summer!
Will water be provided at the fields during the GSWS?
Details will be out shortly on this.
When will I know what teams are in my Pool?
This information will be released once Rosters have been submitted and Roster lock has occurred. We will then know what teams are coming to the GSWS. This is usually announced via social media. So be sure to follow all that’s happening at https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasGSWS
What are the pool play assignments for All Divisions?
Where will I pick up my players approved Player Inclusion Policy (PIP) Accommodation card (formerly known as ADA)?
These MUST be picked up at the coaches meeting on Monday.
Is there a gate fee charged to get into any of the complexes?
The only complex that charges a fee for admission is Big League Dreams. If players have a tournament wristband that fee will be waived. ANY PLAYER WHO FORGETS, LOST, DOES NOT HAVE THAT WRISTBAND will have to pay an $8 entry fee to Big League Dreams. In & Out privileges will be allowed each day for those that request a stamp.
My Team Qualified, how can we get our team pic on the website and social media?
Please send qualifying team pictures to pictures@gaysoftballworldseries.com and include League & Team name as well as division.
I want to volunteer. Where do I sign up?
Look for more information on our website https://gaysoftballworldseries.com and social media pages this spring and summer!
Is there a pickup list, page or forum on the site or social media?
There is no pick-up player list for the GSWS. Players, except for the A, B and Legends divisions must play with a team in your league. There are limited exceptions to this rule. Please contact the commissioner of the league you are registered and play in for more details on teams looking for players for the tournament.
I DIDN’T GET THE REGISTRATION LINK, WHEN WILL THEY GO OUT?
TBD – More information will be out shortly on this.