FORMAT

The playoffs will feature the top six teams, beginning with single elimination quarterfinal games at seeds #3 and 4 on Thursday, followed by a four team single elimination event on Saturday at the #1 seed.

UMPIRES

Each contest will be staffed with three umpires. All umpires will be assigned through the conference office. The MIAC Office will pay umpires directly, following the playoffs. Assignments will be available in refquest.com once locations are set.

ROSTERS

The roster limit that was used for visiting teams during the MIAC regular season applies to both home and away teams in the MIAC playoffs (sport code 3.6). The roster MAY change for each game.

SOFTBALLS

The MIAC will provide balls for the playoffs. Six balls will be provided to each quarterfinal host (given at Tuesday AD Council meeting), with the remaining balls brought to the #1 seed site (or provided on Tuesday at the AD Council meeting). 

MIAC PLAYOFF POLICY

The MIAC Softball Policy is linked here. The playoff section is found in 7.0.

- The international tiebreaker rule is NOT used in the MIAC playoffs.

SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT

Expectations remain high for good conduct and positive sportsmanship by all participants.

BANNERS

If you are hosting a playoff contest, please display MIAC Championships banners that were provided to your campus over the last few years at your venue.

Semifinals/Championship Game Protocols

Team Warm-Up Areas * Map of Campus

On Saturday, Saint Mary’s will conduct bat testing prior to semifinal games for the remaining four teams, but will not do bat testing prior to the championship game. The MIAC will supply bat stickers for the games on Saturday only (quarterfinal games follow regular season procedures). Bat testing will be conducted outside the third-base dugout XX minutes before game time. There will be a tent/table set up where this will take place

The Saint Mary’s Athletic Training Room (located in the basement of the Toner Center) will be open 2 hours prior to the first game at 11 a.m. The Athletic Trainer will be at the field around 1 hour prior to the first pitch and will remain at the field the rest of the day. They will be located on the home side of the field. 

Saint Mary's Trainer on site: Mary Kate Sulikowski * cell: 708-990-2732 | email: msulikow@smumn.edu

Teams traveling without an athletic trainer: Visiting athletes will have access to heat and ice. The use of any modalities and/or any taping will require communication from the team’s ATC. (Phone call, email, or signed letter) Teams must bring their own stocked athletic training kit.

The following with be available for you and your team during the duration of your visit: 

Sideline/Bench Area: 10 Gallon (Water) |  Cooler of ice behind both benches | Ice Bags/Wrap | Taping/Treatment table

Athletic Training Room: Electrical stimulation | Ultrasound | Heat | Ice | Foam rollers

Emergency equipment/AED are located in home dugout

Towels and cups WILL NOT be provided for the visiting teams

Saint Mary’s will provide live stats and streaming video (including play-by-play) of both semifinal games, as well as the championship game. No printed copies of box scores will be available after the contests. Saint Mary's will also have a photographer on-site for all three games and will provide images for all four teams during and after each contest.

The MIAC has a website dedicated to the MIAC Softball Playoffs: https://miacathletics.com/tournaments/?id=36 The site will detail playoff match-ups along with location, times, and results.

BUS PARKING

Buses can drop off athletes/teams in front of softball field, but will then be directed to a bus parking lot across Hwy 14. Buses can return to campus to pick teams up after completion of contests. See campus map

FAN PARKING

Fans can park in any of the available visitor parking lots, located across from the softball field, and adjacent to the baseball field. All lots are free of charge.

Admission will be charged by the day. The rate is $10 for adults and $2 for any student (5 years old and younger are free). You will receive a red wristband that is good for the entire day of games. There is no senior discount. MIAC Passes will be honored. No other passes are to be accepted. Please note, admission is CASH ONLY.

Saint Mary’s will provide a concession stand, which will be set up in the red gazebo between the baseball and softball fields. Hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, candy and an assortment of drinks will be available for purchase. Please note, the concession stand is CASH ONLY.

Saint Mary's Visitor Guide