Blue Chip Softball – Summer Slam Tournament - July 10-13, 2025
General Information
The event is a college exposure tournament for 16U and 18U softball teams. Entry Fee: $995 with a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $75 required when you register on Tourney Machine. No Gate Fees Collected on Site. Minimum five games (Weather permitting). Over 200 college coaches in Michigan and other close by States will be invited to come and recruit. We cannot guarantee their participation. Last year, we had over 40 schools attend.
We will also offer a 14U division and the entry fee is $795 for minimum four games (weather permitting). Games for these divisions will start on Friday July 11.
We will accept a maximum of 32 teams at 14U, 64 at 16U, and 32 at 18U
Hosted at:
Whistle Stop Park, 2120 - 76th Street, Byron Center, MI 49315.
Bicentennial Park, 8189 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.
South Christian Sports Park, 7979 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Moline Softball Fields, 4373 12th st., Wayland, MI 49348
Byron Center Sports Complex, 8638 Byron Center Ave SW, 49315

We will have a licensed athletic trainer at each site throughout the tournament. Coaches and parents, if there is an injury minor or not, please let our expertly trained staff do their jobs and help your kids before you do.
Lodging – BCS, LLC and Byron Township have a stay to play policy. If you will be reserving hotel rooms, they must be done through our program or you will not be admitted to the tournament. If you change at any point and do not use this program, your team will be charged $225. Local teams not needing lodging are exempt. Reservation information will be available soon. Contact Matt Houseman at: matt.bluechipsoftball@gmail.com for questions or more information.

Blue Chip Entry Refund Policy: Refunds given to teams that withdraw less than 120 days prior to the tournament’s start date less $150 admin fee only if a replacement team is found. • Refund Policy once the tournament begins: - If no (0) games are played a refund of 60% of each team’s tournament registration fee will be given. If games are played (at least one round played to completion) the registration fee is fully earned and no refunds will be given. If tourney must be cancelled due to act of God, prior to the start, teams will be refunded 80% of their entry fee.

IN CASE OF RAIN…Tournament Director may have to adjust schedule – this procedure will not be debatable. Tournament updates will be on Tourney Machine, please check your inbox for messages regularly.


Tournament Format and Rules
For 16U and 18U, pool play with 3 games (weather permitting) with 80 minute drop dead time limit, finish the batter. For 14U, 2 pool games. Pool games are exposure games and wins and losses do not affect seeding. You may bat the roster and freely substitute (offense or defense) and make changes in order to give your athletes maximum exposure.

All teams then play in a pre-seeded, blindly drawn, single elimination Championship Bracket on Bracket games are 90 minutes, no new inning time limit. If you lose game one of bracket play, you then enter a Consolation Bracket that will be played out to a Consolation winner. For all consolation games, the time limit is 90 minutes, drop dead like pool play. In all bracket play, you may still bat the roster if you choose but no free substitution (on offense) as described below in pool play games. If you are batting the roster, you may sub freely on defense. No time limit for Championship game. ITB will be used in bracket play for all championship bracket games tied after 7 or after time expired, including the championship game. Always be prepared to start early if situation allows. Game results will be posted at the site and also on Tourney Machine app as close to real time as possible.

Your official roster will be submitted on Tourney Machine and can be adjusted up until time of your game 1. A player may play on more than one team during pool play. However, once bracket play starts, a player may only play on one team for the remainder of the tournament. Regardless of age group, for instance, a player may not play a bracket game for an 18U and then go play for a different 16U team.
Game results will be posted on Tourney Machine app as close to real time as possible.
MERCY RULE- 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings. Rule will apply to both Pool Play and Bracket

Tournament will follow NHFS Game Rules unless otherwise stated for special rules improvised by the tournament as follows:
Teams may bat the entire roster if they choose. Courtesy runners are allowed for the pitcher or catcher (and no one else) at any time. The runner must be someone who is currently not in the batting line up or if batting roster, the player who made the most recent out. In the event that both pitcher and catcher reach base in the same inning and a 2nd courtesy runner is needed, the out before the most recent should be used. The same girl shall not be the courtesy runner more than once per inning. We will also use the NCAA Look Back Rule at 1st base. The rule that allows the runner to run through the bag and advance to 2nd base prior to re-touching 1st base.
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WARM-UPS/HUDDLES BETWEEN INNINGS AND/OR OUTS - ALL GAMES
We are looking to keep games on time and play as many innings as possible. So, first inning each team will be allowed three (3) warm-up pitches and one throw down by catcher & infield and outfield warm-up allowed in first inning only. All innings after the first will be one warm-up pitch and throw down by the catcher and no infield-outfield warm-ups. NO DEFENSIVE HUDDLES AFTER THE THROW DOWN OR AFTER OUTS. Make sure your leadoff batter is prepared to step in box after the pitcher’s first warm-up pitch. REMIND ALL BATTERS TO KEEP ONE FOOT IN THE BOX AND BE PREPARED TO HIT AGAIN AFTER EACH PITCH IS COMPLETED. Play will be always resuming quickly –umpires will be enforcing these for it allows a better opportunity of teams playing their seven innings. PLEASE MAKE YOUR PLAYERS AWARE PRIOR TO GAME OF THIS WARM-UP RULE AND HAVE THEM HUSTLE ON AND OFF THE FIELD. EACH COACH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE THEIR TEAMS PREPARED TO RESUME PLAY QUICKLY FROM DEFENSE TO OFFENSE.

SPORTSMANSHIP DURING TOURNAMENT WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. All players and coaches are expected to behave in a professional manner. No inappropriate behavior will be tolerated. All games are to be played in a respectful manner towards players, coaches, umpires and fans. No profanity will be accepted. Umpire-in-chief will have final authority on all matters regarding a game dispute. ANY EJECTIONS … YOUR NEXT GAME WILL BE SAT OUT … NO APPEALS. We have a responsibility as coaches to set the example of proper game conduct. There will be no inappropriate behavior towards umpires, a judgment call is exactly that , an umpires judgment. You can make the players and fans have a respect for the game … if you display that respect in a leadership role.