Name of the event: New Jersey “Last Dance” Tournament sanctioned by USSSA
Assumptions:
• At some point between now and July 1, 2020, Governor Murphy allows the resumption of youth baseball games
• Baseball has been deemed a moderate risk sport in the initial roadmap back, but can be in the low risk category with proper sanitizing of equipment
• The framework and rules utilized in states where youth sports have resumed (i.e. Texas, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, etc.) have already provided a roadmap for following guidelines and playing baseball.
• With Diamond Nation and other prominent club venues shifting key recruiting tournaments and the NCAA Dead Period extended to July 31, 2020, we can conduct this tournament with interest from the top-level HS players without a massive disruption of the club structure and/or additional programming high school
• We can locate and secure 16 of our home field sites to serve as tournament sites and regional hosts
Purpose: The baseball tournament aims at bringing teams to play for their HS. We are only looking to help bring these boys to play ball and play with seniors one last time. The goal is not to lobby the Governor for an ability to run this tournament.  We want to be prepared and have a turnkey, viable tournament option for our 2020 spring rosters to enjoy if baseball is back in July.  We want to use baseball as a sanctuary in a return to our new normal that is hopefully coming this summer.
Structure: North tournament (up to 64 teams), South tournament (up to 64 teams)
North defined as varsity level teams from Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Somerset, Monmouth, Ocean, Union, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Essex, Morris counties
South defined as varsity level teams from Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Salem counties
Register: If you are interested in participating, your team needs to fill out the google doc below by June 10, 2020.
Seeding: Using a seeding tournament committee, teams will be seeded on June 12, 2020 into four team regionals.  We will do our best to seed teams appropriately, but hey, it’s a pandemic, so if we are a little off we will settle it on the field.
The regional format will guarantee all entered teams three pool play games to make sure that Seniors get to play and that guys have an opportunity to enjoy a three day stretch together.  The winner of each four team regional will be regional champion and will be seeded in the single elimination North Round of 16 and South Round of 16. From there out, it is a single elimination tournament.  We will play down to a North tournament champion and a South tournament champion.  Both of those champions will receive championship rings.  A North vs. South final will be contested to get down to a single winner.  Trophy provided for overall champion.
Date(s)of the event: Pool Play Regionals (Tuesday July 7, Wednesday July 8, Thursday July 9), Rounds of 16 and 8 (Tuesday July 14, Wednesday July 15, Thursday July 16 Rain date), Final Four and North & South Championships (Tuesday July 21, Wednesday July 22), North vs. South Overall Champion (Thursday July 23, 2020)
Event Planning Details:
• Regionals will be held at available venues and facilities throughout the state.  These venues will be determined as restrictions are lifted over the next month
• We are working with a couple of potential venues for hosting the Final Fours
• Teams should designate a player to take video for social media during the games
• At the time of seeding, the committee will also be ironing out some rules modifications to make play safe.  This includes enforcing any blueprint for social distancing around the field and limits on additional players in dugout and spectators, as well as pitching limits to ensure we do this safely and in the best interests of our players
• This is a HS summer tournament, not a club tournament. You will be entering your team into this Last Dance NJ tournament sanctioned by the USSSA and playing under NFHS rules
• There are a few things concerning the NJSIAA.  This is a summer tournament and would be run the same way a legion or HSDL tournament would be run.  We all know the goal here is to simulate as close to our spring 2020 varsity squads as we have available to us, but we do need to be mindful of the NJSIAA regulations on not wearing school issued uniforms etc.  It is my sincere hope the NJSIAA would understand what we are trying to do here, but I would like to make sure we do not create any unnecessary hurdles or hiccups.
• Warren Bennett of the GMC and his chapter of umpires will assign UMPIRES.  
Estimated Budget/Costs for the Event:  Teams are responsible for paying one umpire in each of their games.  That would mean a minimum of $240 for the three pool play games.  Max out at $640.00 if you advanced through the entire tournament.  Teams are responsible for game balls and making sure their team is in a shirt/hat that doesn’t violate NJSIAA rules.
Utilizing the USSSA as a sanctioning body, the USSSA will provide scheduling software/website tracking, team insurance, COVID-19 waivers to be signed by parents/guardians, provide the championship rings for North/South champions, and site supervision, for $125.00 a team.  This partnership allows us to answer many questions about the insurance piece of the tournament and ensures a smooth tournament experience.  
Immediate Need: Interested teams to complete the google form above to get into the list of teams interested in participating.