Indoor tournament?

[frogs_mom_15]

We will be playing in our first indoor tournament in Jan and was wondering what kind of shoes to wear. Cleats, of course, would not be needed, are tennis shoes ok or turf shoes better? Also, what about sliding on the artificial stuff?

Thanks.

[Vegasdad]

Isn't there still dirt around the bases? MLB doesn't slide on artificial turf, that would take some hide off pretty quick.

[Mick]

What indoor facility are you playing in? The Dome in Ft Wayne has the infill artificial turf. Sliding on that stuff is no problem and I would say about 50% of the girls wear cleats.

If it is a facility with the old style turf then sliding is definately out and tennis shoes are fine.

[Intel]

For us west coasties, how do you play games indoor? Is it a regulation size field? A warehouse or a pole barn ? Any special rules?

[bucketboy]

For the westies us midwest folks play in the winter in various facilites depending on the location.

Two faciliteis one in Pekin, IL (Dragons Dome) and the other in Ft Wayne, IN (Dome at Ft. Wayne) are blow up domes with field turf as the playing surface. The ball is played off the inflatable roof in Pekin not sure about Ft.Wayne.

A facility in Indianapolis (Sportzone) is a free span steel building and if a ball hits the net above the field it is a foul ball roof is about 40'. The surface is the old hard astroturf and is worn out. They use a RIF 10 ball and fences are like 150' to 175'.

Another facility is in Akron, OH (Spano Dome). Two diamonds under roof and the entire surface is dirt both the infield and outfield. It is a real pleasant experience for any folks with allergies not, but provides an opportunity to play on dirt when there is snow on the ground and it is bitter cold.

All of the facilites I have mentioned have websites if you want to google them and check the indoor game out.

It's not the real thing, but all the facilities mentioned do provide the opportunity to play games in a tournament format and some even play around the clock so don't draw get in the loser's bracket and have to play the 4am game on Sunday morning. Each facility will have a set of rules that deals with nets and any other rules specific to the facility as well.

[coolstuff]

The ball is played off the inflatable roof in Pekin not sure about Ft.Wayne.

Yes, the ball is played off the roof in Ft. Wayne.

A facility in Indianapolis (Sportzone) is a free span steel building and if a ball hits the net above the field it is a foul ball roof is about 40'. The surface is the old hard astroturf and is worn out. They use a RIF 10 ball and fences are like 150' to 175'.

I think the foul ball rule has changed this year at Sportszone and fair balls will be playable off the net. Even with the close fence, the RIF 10 ball minimizes HRs. My DD one-hopped a line drive over the fence for a ground-rule double.

Another factor in indoor tournaments is the lighting. I think indoor lighting plays a factor and some players adjust well and some don't. It's just different somehow.

I have not seen any injuries from sliding on the turf because coaches usually (and should) warn players not to slide unless absolutely necessary. But I've seen a few injuries from hard hit grounders. They come off the artificial turf pretty quick.

It's not the real thing, but all the facilities mentioned do provide the opportunity to play games in a tournament format and some even play around the clock so don't draw get in the loser's bracket and have to play the 4am game on Sunday morning. Each facility will have a set of rules that deals with nets and any other rules specific to the facility as well.

The Ft. Wayne Dome has two fields so they don't play around the clock there. The Indy Sportszone has one field and plays around the clock. I hate it, but they try to schedule the games so no matter where you are in the bracket there is enough of a break that you can get some sleep. We will play at Sportszone in late February.

[flexman]

my DD played in pekin a couple of weeks ago...very nice place to play easy to slide on. didn't have her cletes on and should have. she covered 3rd on a steal and the girl slid into her foot and tore her big toenail off... needless to say it hurt like a mother. she did get the same girl in a pickle between 3rd and home the next play and ran and tagged her out to end the inning. she then came in and took off her shoe it had blood all over the inside. she didn't play anymore but she's ok now. pekin is great playing in 5 more tournaments this winter.

[frogs_mom_15]

We will be playing at the Sports Zone Jan. 16-18. 16U.