Grapevine Softball Santa Cops - REC Tournament

GBS SANTA COPS SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Registration will open on October 1

EVENT ELIGIBILITY 

The GBS Santa Cops Tournament is for Recreational and Advanced Recreational (Premier) teams only. 

Tournament Dates: November 14-15

NO SELECT TEAMS OR SELECT PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED.

This tournament is designed specifically for true recreational softball teams. No club teams or independent teams are allowed.

A player is not eligible if they have played or guest played on a Select roster during the current season, beginning August 1, 2026. This includes Select rosters through organizations such as:

• NCS
• USSSA
• Other Select/Travel organizations

There are no exceptions to the Select player restriction.

Teams must also have valid insurance and rosters on file through NCS prior to participating in the tournament.

REGISTRATION PRIORITY

GBS is giving priority to other city softball associations that participate in the Mid Cities Softball Interlock. Priority Association teams will have registration priority from October 1 – October 7. On October 8 at 9am, registration will open up to all other Recreational teams.All teams will initially be placed on the waitlist, and the tournament director will manually confirm teams based on the following criteria:

1. DFW Softball Interlock Priority Teams
   Each DFW Interlock association will initially be allowed one (1) Premier team and one (1) Rec All-Star team within the applicable division.
2. Additional DFW Interlock Teams
   After the initial priority spots have been filled, additional participating DFW Interlock teams will be considered who do not have teams within the age division, space permitting.
3. Outside Teams
   Once DFW Softball Interlock teams have been accommodated, registration will open to teams from outside recreational associations, space permitting.

How Registration Works

All teams will initially register through the NCS platform and be placed on the Waitlist. The tournament director will manually review registrations and move teams from Waitlist to Confirmed status based on the priority order above.

Not a DFW Softball Interlock team? You may still register during the registration period and will be placed on the waitlist. Teams will be confirmed according to the priority structure above and available space.

Please note: This registration process is slightly different from last year. This same priority structure will also be used for the GBS All-Star Tournament.

• Priority Association teams have registration priority from October 1 – October 7. 
• During the priority window, each Priority Association can register 1 Premier team and 1 Rec All-Star team (host city teams are exempt from this limit).
• Before opening registration to all other teams, additional Priority Association teams on the wait list will be confirmed, space permitting.
• If your team does not qualify for priority registration, you are still welcome to join the wait list. Please note that participating interlock teams will be given first consideration, and any remaining openings will then be offered to additional outside recreational teams as space allows.

AGE DIVISIONS & TEAM LIMITS

Price per Team: $350

• 6U: 4 Teams
• 8U: 14 Teams
• 10U: 10 Teams
• 12U: 6 Teams 

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

All teams should play at least three (3) games:

• Two (2) pool games
• Single-elimination bracket play based on pool-play seeding

Softballs game balls will be provided on the field.

SCHEDULE REQUESTS

Schedule requests must be submitted using the "Schedule Request" tab no later than Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

We will do our best to accommodate schedule requests; however, requests are not guaranteed.

REGISTRATION & NCS REQUIREMENTS

All tournament registration will be completed through PlayNCS.com.

Coaches are required to pay a one-time $40 NCS sanction fee (discounted from the standard $80 fee) in addition to the tournament registration fee.

The one-time sanction fee applies to other participating tournaments using the PlayNCS platform as well.

During registration, coaches will also be required to complete a background check as part of NCS tournament requirements.

Save on Your NCS Fees

Use promo code (Will annouce at a later date) at checkout to receive the available sanction fee and background check discounts.

FACILITY RULES FOR GRAPEVINE COMPLEXES

• NO METAL CLEATS are permitted on any field.
• Teams must remove all items from dugouts and properly dispose of all trash.
• No sunflower seeds, spitting, or chewing tobacco/gum by teams or spectators.
• No cameras or other items may be hung from backstop netting. (We recommend tripod or magnetic mounts instead)

TOURNAMENT RULES

We will follow the Mid-Cities Interlock aging date, September 1, 2026. We will also follow all DFW Softball Interlock 

Tournament play will be governed first by the posted tournament rules, followed by DFW Softball Interlock rules. NCS/USSSA rules will only be referenced if a situation is not specifically addressed within either of those rule sets. This rule hierarchy will be used throughout the tournament for all rule interpretations and protest decisions.

POOL PLAY TIME RULE: NO NEW INNING MAY START WITH FIVE (5) MINUTES OR LESS REMAINING ON THE UMPIRE’S OFFICIAL GAME CLOCK. This rule applies only to pool play games in order to help keep game times on schedule. Bracket play games will be played until time expires.

The NCS software uses the following bracket seeding sequence which will be followed and used in this tournament:

• Record
• Head-to-head (when only two teams are tied)
• Runs allowed
• Run differential (maximum of 10 per game)
• Runs scored
• Automated coin flip

Division Tournament Rules:

• Softball Tournament Rules
• 6U Softball
• 8U Softball
• 10U Softball
• 12U Softball 
• DFW Softball Interlock Rules

BEHAVIOR & SPORTSMANSHIP

The City of Grapevine has a zero-tolerance policy toward disrespectful or abusive behavior. Any fan, parent, player, or coach will be ejected from the event for such behavior toward a tournament official, umpire, or another team.

Anyone ejected must immediately leave the facility and will be ejected for the remainder of the tournament. Depending on the severity of the behavior, the ejected person may also be subject to a permanent ban.

Good sportsmanship is always expected in a youth sports environment. Remember, these are games played by children. Be your player's biggest fan.

The head coach of each team is responsible for the sportsmanship of their players, parents, assistant coaches, and fans. Coaches are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and set a positive example for others to follow. 

INTERACTION BETWEEN COACHES AND UMPIRES

Only the head coach may interact with the umpires regarding questions, appeals, rules challenges, or other game-related issues.

Please allow the head coach and the umpire to work through any issues that may arise. We ask that all participants respect the umpires and game officials throughout the tournament. 

TOURNAMENT PAYMENT & REFUND INFORMATION

If an event is canceled due to weather, teams will be eligible for refunds based on the number of games started:

SANTA COPS TOY DRIVE

Every year, GBS partners with the Grapevine Santa Cops toy donation program to help provide toys to local families during the holiday season.

Each player is asked to bring one (1) new, unwrapped toy valued at approximately $20.

Toys will be collected during the tournament and donated to the Grapevine Santa Cops program. GBS will not check player names or rosters at the gate as part of the gate fee, and participation in the toy drive will not be tracked by individual player.

Players who are unable to participate in the toy drive will not be penalized, denied entry, or asked to provide a donation. We simply only encourage families to participate.

City of Grapevine – Athletic Supervisor
Blake Benavides

Email: bbenavides@grapevinetexas.gov
Phone: 817-410-3460