2014 National Championship Opening Round

SOFTBALL OPENING ROUND BID FORM

2014 National Championship Opening Round

HOST SITE QUESTIONNAIRE AND OFFICIAL BID

The NAIA Softball National Championship begins with a field of 40 teams. 40 teams will play in 10 Opening Round national championship tournaments at designated sites. Winners of the 10 national championship opening round tournaments advance to the 10-team national championship.

The following questionnaire and official bid solicits information from NAIA member institutions, Affiliated Conferences/A.I.I./unaffiliated groups or Convention and Visitors Bureaus/Sports Commissions interested in hosting a NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round tournament. Please complete this form and return to the NAIA national office by April 1.

The NAIA National Championship Staff will determine game sites based on the following criteria collectively:

1. Exclusive availability of the facility for practice (Saturday-Sunday) and competition (Monday-Wednesday) for the duration of the championship. The 2014 Softball National Championship Opening Round dates are May 12-14.

2. A championship-caliber field/facility equipped with lights and a tarp.

3. Minimum guarantee of $6,000.00.

4. Hotels of excellent quality hotel and proximity to the tournament venue. The Host will be required to reserve/block a minimum of 12 double-double, non-smoking rooms for each team. Minimum room block of 48 rooms (36-40) if there is a host team that will not need housing).

5. An alternate/back-up championship field/facility within driving distance to the primary venue.

6. A minimum of two practice fields located near the championship venue/facility and the host hotel(s).

Institutions, conferences/groups or CVBs that bid at least $6,000 to host an Opening Round Tournament and meet all other requirements can designate a local “host” team; provided that institution/team is a national qualifier and the bid is accepted. If an accepted bid is from an institution whose team does NOT qualify as automatic or at-large qualifier, then that team will receive a “host” (at-large) berth into the field of 40.

Unlike other NAIA National Championship Opening Round events, top seeds/teams that submit a bid will not be guaranteed to host an Opening Round tournament. Bids will be selected based upon the overall quality of the bids and geographic locations. Bids submitted by Affiliated Conferences can list more than one potential “host” team; however, they must guarantee that each potential host can adhere to all hosting requirements (facilities, housing guidelines, etc.). Host sites are expected to uphold the terms and conditions outlined in the Opening Round Host Manual and Questionnaire.

For questions relative to the completion of this bid or about the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round in general, please contact:

Austin Bennett,

NAIA National Office, 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106

Phone: (816) 595-8109, FAX: (816) 595-8200

Please return a copy of this completed form no later than April 1 to:

NAIA National Office:

Attn: Austin Bennett

1200 Grand Blvd.

Kansas City, MO 64106

(816) 595-8200 fax

Please keep a copy of this for your institution's/company’s files.

DESIGNATION OF BID AND GUARANTEE

This official bid is submitted by on behalf of to host a 2013 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round tournament.

Bid Guarantee: / $
Estimated Expenses: / $
Estimated Income: / $
Designated Host Hotel
Designated Host Site Coordinator (cell phone #)

STATEMENT/ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF EVENT POLICY:

The official name of the event shall be the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round and must be conducted under the direct control and supervision of the NAIA and the NAIA’s designated site supervisor. The host site coordinator will work with the NAIA National Office sport manager in organizing and conducting the championship. Failure to meet the criteria specified in the host manual and survey/bid forms will impact a party’s future hosting opportunities in this and other NAIA Championship sports/events.

In submitting this bid, the prospective host site agrees to the following NAIA policies by initialing on the line provided in front of each section:

A. / To indemnify fully and save harmless the NAIA, its officers, agents and employees of and from any and all claims, demands and causes of action, including cost of attorney's fees arising out of anything done or purported to have been done by the host or any of its agents.
B. / To provide the NAIA Department of Championships with a copy of the insurance certificate verifying they are insured for the facility in which any games of the championship are being played. Insurance certificate should provide spectator liability at a minimum of $1,000,000.00 and related insurance for the facility and name the NAIA as an “additionally-insured’ party.
C. / Corporations with business interests beyond the local area of the opening round championship site shall not be solicited for financial support without the prior approval of the NAIA.
D. / Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products of any form shall not be advertised, sold, disbursed or brought into the site of the opening round championship event.
E. / To honor all NAIA membership cards, passes and credentials for admittance to the event.
F. / The NAIA shall be responsible for any and all negotiations for radio and television rights in consultation with the host, and such rights shall be designated as event income.
G. / The sale of promotional items denoting "NAIA" or approved complimentary items given to officials and volunteers (i.e., t-shirts, caps, etc.) shall be marketed, sold and/or purchased only by or through an authorized licensee of the NAIA. Opening Round hosts will have the option of pre-ordering an apparel package from the “official merchandiser” of the NAIA and sell at the opening round tournament. Income derived from apparel sales will be considered event income and shall be retained by the host.
H. / The name, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and initials, NAIA, logo, and other NAIA symbols and insignia are the registered and exclusive property of the Association. As a host site for the NAIA National Championship opening round, the host institution is awarded all rights and privileges in using the NAIA name, initials and marks to promote and market the Championship. Such use is restricted in the following areas, which require written approval by the NAIA:
(a.)  Commercial Sales: Any product featuring the NAIA name or marks and being sold prior to or after the opening round.
(b.)  Promotional Items: Any product featuring the NAIA name or marks which is given to fans, coaches or athletes before, during or after the opening round.
National championship merchandise featuring the NAIA name or marks for commercial sale will be available online through the NAIA website. Instructions will be provided by the NAIA on how to purchase apparel online.
I. / The host will organize a pre-tournament celebration for participating student-athletes from both teams and game officials. Opening round celebrations should consist of a minimum of a meal function, presentation of Champions of Character awards as well as certificates of participation. This can be in the form of a dinner, breakfast or a social for all participating teams, and may be held the evening before or the day of the championship game. Twenty-three tickets are provided to each institution, as well as complimentary tickets for officials and the NAIA site supervisor.
J. / Ticket price for daily admission into the championship opening round will not exceed $10 for adults and $6 for students/youth.

INSTITUTIONAL/CONFERENCE/GROUP DATA

PLEASE NOTE – This page must be completed for each venue if this bid includes more than one potential site.

Athletic Department Mailing Address:
Telephone Number:
Athletics Director:
Softball Coach:
Designated Site Supervisor:
Site Supervisor Email:
Does the Institution Employ a Certified Athletic Trainer? / Yes No
Does the Institution Employ a Full-Time Sports Information Director? / Yes No
Please List any Special Plans or Events that will Enhance this Opening Round Game if your Bid is Selected
Are you interested in receiving information about merchandise sales from Fine Designs? / Yes No

COMMUNITY

Name of City:
Name of Closest Major Airport:
Major Airlines Serving Airport:
Distance from Airport to Championship Venue:

HOTEL

Designated Host Hotel: / Team Rate: / $/night
Fan Rate: / $/night
Distance from Airport to Housing:
Distance from Housing to Venue:

FACILITY

Name of Facility:
Championship Field seating capacity:
Alternate Field seating Capacity:
Is your Playing Surface Dirt? / Yes No
Field Dimensions:
Does the Field/Facility Meet NCAA Regulations? / Yes No
Does the Facility Have an Electronic Scoreboard? / Yes No
Does the Facility have lights? / Yes No
Does the Facility have a tarp? / Yes No
Does the Facility Have a designated Press Area (Press Box or Press Row) / Yes No
Will the Institution Provide Live Statistics hosted by DakStats? / Yes No
Is There Video/Webstreaming Capability? / Yes No
Is There a Parking Lot Close to the Facility? / Yes No
Does the Facility Have Home/Visiting Locker Rooms Available? / Yes No
Additional Site Data Which Would be Helpful:

ATTENDANCE AND TICKET SALES

Average Home Game Attendance this Season:
Estimated Attendance if Hosting Opening Round Tournament:

We, the undersigned, have read and understand the financial and administrative commitment to hosting a NAIA Opening Round Tournament.

President/ Chief Executive Officer / Director of Athletics
AD Telephone Number / AD Email Address
Date

NAIA National Office • 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 • 816.595.8000 Softball Opening Round Bid Form / 2014