Safety & Municipal Authority
- Safety First: Sunshine Events Group prioritizes the safety and well-being of all players, coaches, referees, and spectators.
- City & Facility Jurisdiction: The host city, local parks department, and facility management hold the ultimate authority regarding field playability and venue closures. If municipal or venue officials close the fields to preserve turf or ensure public safety, Sunshine Events Group cannot override their decision.
- Tournament Director Discretion: The Tournament Director reserves the sole right to adjust, postpone, relocate, or cancel games to maintain participant safety and comply with city/facility mandates.
Severe Weather & Lightning Procedures
- Immediate Stoppage: Play will halt immediately upon any visual sighting of lightning, audible thunder, or an alert triggered by on-site weather detection systems.
- Mandatory Shelter: All participants and spectators must immediately clear the fields and seek shelter inside fully enclosed vehicles or permanent venue buildings. Dugouts, pop-up canopies, and open pavilions are not safe shelter options.
- 30-Minute Restart Rule: Play will not resume until 30 consecutive minutes have passed since the last observed lightning strike or clap of thunder. Any new lightning or thunder during the waiting period automatically resets the 30-minute countdown.
Game Adjustments & Official Results
- Schedule Modifications: In the event of delays, the Tournament Director may shorten halves, eliminate halftimes, or utilize a running clock to keep the tournament moving forward.
- Official Game Threshold: If a match is stopped early due to weather or field conditions and has reached at least halftime, the game is deemed official and the score at the time of stoppage will stand. Matches halted prior to reaching halftime will be resolved, rescheduled, or recorded as a tie at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
- Unequal Games & Standings: If weather forces an unequal number of games played across a division, seedings and playoff advancements will be calculated using an average points-per-game (PPG) system rather than cumulative point totals.
- Festival Format: If severe, prolonged weather disrupts bracket play, the tournament reserves the right to switch to a showcase or "festival" format to maximize playing opportunities over playoff results.
Official Communications
- Primary Notification Channels: All weather updates, schedule adjustments, field changes, and delay notices will be communicated exclusively through Whistle Ready and the official tournament website.
- Team Readiness: Teams must monitor Whistle Ready during weather delays and report to their designated field ready for play within 15 minutes of an "all clear" notification. Failure to report on time may result in a forfeit.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Sunshine Events Group commits substantial financial resources and operational expenses well in advance of the event (including facility rentals, referee assigning, staffing, insurance, and administrative costs). Because these expenses are non-recoverable, all registration fees are strictly non-refundable. Sunshine Events Group is not liable for schedule changes, shortened games, or cancellations resulting from adverse weather, municipal/facility closures, or Acts of God. All decisions rendered by the Tournament Director are final.