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APPLICATION TO HOST WIAA SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

EVENT OVERVIEW

Host Profile:
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) was founded in 1905 as a voluntary, self-supported non-profit organization to administer the junior and senior high school athletic and activities programs in the state of Washington. The WIAA currently serves approximately 400 member high schools and 400 member middle schools and operates over 120+ High School State Championship events each school year.

Event Profile:
The WIAA Slowpitch Softball State Championships are the culmination of the high school slowpitch softball season. Three of the WIAA's six classifications (4A, 3A, 2A) qualifies 8-20 teams to compete in a modified, double-elimination tournament played over two days. These championship events bring together student-athletes, coaches, fans, parents, officials, and other spectators from all over Washington state.

Event Extent and Corresponding Dates:
The WIAA is looking to secure a facility for four (4) consecutive fall seasons, with each tournament taking place at the end of October from 2024 to 2027.

Projected Team & Attendee Profile (Subject to Change):
  • 4A, 3A, 2A: 16 teams + coaching staffs/classification
  • 12 high school slowpitch softball officials from across the state
  • Families and classmates of the participating student-athletes
  • WIAA Staff, Event Staff, Sponsors and Vendors
Facility Requirements: Four (4) approved competition fields (turf or high-quality natural grass). Fields must be capable of withstanding multiple games in two days. 

  • Fully fenced facility with ticket gate / pass gate entrances with ease of managing and separating participants and spectators.
  • Warm up space outside of the playing field.
  • Ability to have outfield fences set at 220-230’ distance.
  • Restrooms.
  • Lights / Scoreboard / Sound System 
  • Internet Access (open for streaming, live scoring, and social media)
  • Booth / Designated area for media, streaming, event staff. Accommodate up to 6.
  • Private meeting area for up to 12 officials.
  • Sufficient Parking for spectators and participants including school busses.
  • Sufficient Seating for spectators including space for students and ability to adequately separate school communities. 
  • Emergency Action Plan 
  • Space for vendors / sponsors to set up.
Additional Preferred Amenities:

  • Ice / water on site for sports medicine.
  • Concessions for spectators or allowance for outside vendors.
  • Covered / netted seating for spectators.
Host Responsibilities
  • On-site Event Manager
  • Facility maintenance, set-up and management
  • Ticket sellers / ticket takers
  • Pass gate attendee / greater for teams and officials
  • Parking attendants / traffic flow
  • PA Announcer
  • Score clock operator
  • Scorebook keeper
  • Custodial / clean up 
  • Field upkeep between games
  • Security
  • Hospitality area (with food and beverages) for working media and tournament staff
Hotel Requirements: The host city must have access to safe, reasonably priced hotel rooms for schools that must travel. Each team will have approximately 15-20 student-athletes, 2-4 coaches, 2-4 school administrators. In addition, there may been the need for up to 14 hotel rooms for two nights for officials, event staff or WIAA executive board members. 

Community Involvement: Seeking community involvement is encouraged to enhance the event for participants and spectators alike. Hosts that can provide meals, gifts and courtesy relationships are preferred. The WIAA reserves the right to determine any promotion of such involvement and to review the details of any agreements. 

Recent Sites/Current Sites: Gateway / Kiwanis (Yakima)

Financial Agreement: It shall be the decision of the bidding organization as to the amount of the financial aspect / agreement in their bid, and if so, what that amount shall be. Any costs to the WIAA must be outlined in the proposal. The host can retain all parking and concessions, provided that complimentary parking is provided for WIAA staff and officials, as well as team busses. If charging for parking, the rate must be included in this bid for review. The WIAA retains the right to establish ticket prices.

BID TIMELINE: Open June 22, 2023 – Closes August 1, 2023
SITE VISIT(S): August/September as needed
BOARD DECISION: September 2023
SPORT CONTACT: Cindy Adsit, WIAA Assistant Executive Director