We applaud NAFA for coordinating their 2005 World Series in Mankato, MN with the ISC World Tournament and ISC II dates, designed to save teams a substantial amount of money by piggy-backing their trip to Mankato MN with the one they are making to the ISC events in Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls, WI. (The two host cities are just a few hours drive apart).
The 2005 NAFA World Series will be held in North Mankato and Mankato, Minnesota from August 18-28, with six divisions of play being contested. Important information for each class is available below. You can also visit www.nafafastpitch.com or contact NAFA via e-mail at nafafastpitch@aol.com with any questions.
NAFA will use Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport as it’s base airport this August. This airport is the same that will be used by the ISC and ISC II for their World Tournament and Tournament of Champions respectively, which begins one week before the start of the NAFA World Series. With this first time occurrence, NAFA will be using flexible scheduling of first round games so teams that wish to play both NAFA AA and ISC II and NAFA AAA or Major/Open will be able to. NAFA AA teams competing in the ISC II Tournament of Champions will start NAFA play later on Friday August 19. Teams competing in the ISC World Tournament and then either NAFA AAA or Major/Open will play their first games later in the day on Saturday August 20.
“This service NAFA is providing will benefit all of mens’ fastpitch and the players who play the game by allowing them to combine two ‘World Events’ into one trip,†says NAFA Executive Director Benjie Hedgecock. “This will save each team several thousand dollars and give them the chance to play in both events, which their finances don’t usually allow.†Hedgecock says teams will be able to fly into Minneapolis to begin their ISC play and then drive to the Chippewa Valley. Upon completion of play in Wisconsin, teams can then drive the three hours to Mankato for NAFA and then complete their travels by driving the 70 miles back to Minneapolis upon the completion of their schedule.
Schedule of Events 2005 NAFA World Series August 18-28 North Mankato and Mankato, Minnesota Caswell Park and Jaycees Park
* 23-Under Division August 26-28 4 games guaranteed-two round robin games that will seed all teams into double elimination Entry fee $400 Coaches Meeting: Friday August 26, 6:30 pm, Caswell Park Firehall First Game Start Time: Friday August 26, 8:00 pm Championship Game: Sunday August 28, 2:00 pm with “If Necessary†game to follow, done by 6:00 pm
* Class “A†August 25-28 NAFA 3-Game Guarantee Bracket Entry fee $400 Coaches Meeting: Wednesday August 24, 8:00 pm, Caswell Park Firehall First Game Start Time: Thursday August 25, 9:00 am Tournament Ceremonies: Thursday August 25, 6:00 pm, Caswell Park, games to follow Championship Game: Sunday August 28, 2:00 pm with “If Necessary†game to follow, done by 6:00 pm
Class “A-Major†August 18-21 NAFA 3-Game Guarantee Bracket Entry fee $400 Coaches Meeting: Wednesday August 17, 8:00 pm, Caswell Park Firehall First Game Start Time: Thursday August 18, 9:00 am Tournament Ceremonies: Thursday August 18, 7:00 pm, Caswell Park, games to follow Championship Game: Sunday August 21, 2:00 pm with “If Necessary†game to follow, done by 6:00 pm
* Class “AA†August 19-22 NAFA 3-Game Guarantee Bracket Entry fee $400 Coaches Meeting: Thursday August 18, 8:00 pm, Caswell Park Firehall First Game Start Time: Friday August 19, 8:00 am for non-ISC II teams, flexible starting time for ISC II teams Tournament Ceremonies: Thursday August 18, 7:00 pm, Caswell Park, games to follow Championship Game: Monday August 22, 2:00 pm with “If Necessary†game to follow, done by 6:00 pm
* Class “AAA†August 20-22 4 games guaranteed using new format-see below Entry fee $400 Coaches Meeting: Saturday August 20, 10:00 am, Caswell Park Firehall First Game Start Time: Saturday August 20, 11:30 am for non-ISC teams, flexible starting time for ISC teams Tournament Ceremonies: Friday August 19, 7:00 pm, Caswell Park, for teams present Championship Game: Monday August 22, 4:00 pm with “If Necessary†game to follow, done by 8:00 pm
* “Major/Open†Division August 20 and 21 – 4 games guaranteed using new format-see below Entry fee $400 Coaches Meeting: Saturday August 20, 10:00 am, Caswell Park Firehall First Game Start Time: Saturday August 20, flexible starting time for ISC teams Tournament Ceremonies: Friday August 19, 7:00 pm, Caswell Park, for teams present Championship Game: Sunday August 21, 6:00 pm with “If Necessary†game to follow, done by 10:00 pm
New Format for “AAA†and “Open/Major†at the 2005 NAFA World Series Three round robin games will seed all teams into an elimination bracket. Pool winners are placed into a double elimination bracket. The number three and four seeds will play each other in the first round of the single elimination loser’s bracket, with the number two seeds playing the winner of the first round loser’s bracket games. The format is very similar to the “Double Page†system previously used by the ISC World Tournament and that is currently used by the ISF One change is that the championship game will be double elimination, so if the team out of the loser’s bracket defeats the undefeated team, the “If Necessary†game will follow.