Birthplace of Volleyball Summer Classic Grass Tournament
Presented by the International Volleyball Hall of Fame & Pioneer Valley Volleyball Academy
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Western Massachusetts is the birthplace of volleyball and the Birthplace Summer Classic is a 2-day, fun filled, event with players of all ages competing for amazing prizes in the largest grass doubles volleyball tournament in Western Massachusetts!
Aug. 5-6, 2023 |
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REGISTRATION
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PLAYING DIVISIONS
Sat. 8/5 - Men's Doubles |
Sat. 8/5 - Women's Doubles |
Sat. 8/5 - Juniors Doubles |
Sun. 8/6 - Adults Doubles |
Sun. 8/6 - Juniors Doubles |
Men's Open |
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DIVISIONS AND “SANDBAGGING”
We offer a wide variety of divisions including B, BB, A, AA, and Open. Register for the appropriate division. Playing below your level ("Sandbagging") will not be tolerated. This should be determined by the STRONGEST player on your team. If you are an experienced AA player but your partner is a weak A player, you must play AA…up to the skill level of the strongest player. Not sure what division to register for? Please check the breakdown below to properly gauge where you should be playing.
WHAT IS REVERSE COED!?
We offer a wide variety of divisions including B, BB, A, AA, and Open. Register for the appropriate division. Playing below your level ("Sandbagging") will not be tolerated. This should be determined by the STRONGEST player on your team. If you are an experienced AA player but your partner is a weak A player, you must play AA…up to the skill level of the strongest player. Not sure what division to register for? Please check the breakdown below to properly gauge where you should be playing.
- Juniors - Current high school and younger players
- Open - Generally current & former collegiate players. Extremely skilled in all aspects of the game. This is the highest level possible and you should be confident in most if not all areas of the game.
- AA - Very skilled in all aspects of the game. Should be able to top spin or float serve with great control and power. Comfortable hand setting, being able to attack with great control and power. Understands the game at a high level.
- A - Skilled in all aspects of the game. Can rally consistently, and adequately bump, set, and hit.
- BB - Has played a bit. Knows the game and is skilled in some aspects. Can rally and adequately bump, set, and hit.
- B - Playing for fun & recreational players. New to the game, haven't been playing the sport for long or are still learning. Can't consistently bump, set, and hit; not much control overall.
WHAT IS REVERSE COED!?
- It's still 2v2 - one male and one female
- The game is played on a women's height net for all divisions
- Men must jump to hit from behind the 10' line (which will be painted on the court). If a male is attacking a ball in front of the 10' line, his entire hand must be below the top of the net
- Men cannot block
- There are no other special rules (i.e. - you can serve whoever you want, you can hit on 2, etc.)
Grass courts make for a game that is fast and powerful. Players must be able to pass dropping jump serves and dig hard-driven attacks. Defense is tough because two players have to cover the entire court. The fast play, competition, prize money, and bragging rights, make for the perfect storm of memorable battles.
Playing volleyball outdoors is a great way to work on all phases of your game. Multiple divisions ensure you can find the skill level that best suits you, from High School & Juniors players all the way up to Professional.
Center Court will have music and an announcer all day to highlight the exciting plays and keep the crowd energy at a peak.
Men’s & Women’s Open Division’s have a 100% payout while amateur divisions have the chance to win amazing prize packages that include volleyballs, gear, and so much more!
Playing volleyball outdoors is a great way to work on all phases of your game. Multiple divisions ensure you can find the skill level that best suits you, from High School & Juniors players all the way up to Professional.
Center Court will have music and an announcer all day to highlight the exciting plays and keep the crowd energy at a peak.
Men’s & Women’s Open Division’s have a 100% payout while amateur divisions have the chance to win amazing prize packages that include volleyballs, gear, and so much more!
IMPORTANT DETAILS
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
8:15am Team Check-in
8:50am Player Meeting
9:00am First Serve
5:00pm Approximate End (may finish sooner)
Please contact us with any questions at:
events@volleyhall.org
text: 413-250-1196
- Entry Fee: $50/Team
- $60 if paid onsite
- Cash prize for open: 100% payout
- All teams qualify for playoffs
- Juniors are allowed to play with the adults!
- Start in B
- If both team members are strong varsity/club players, then start in BB
- Need a minimum of 4 teams to run a division
- If less than 4 teams, divisions will be merged
- Format
- 2v2
- Long court
- Rally scoring
- No let serves allowed - ball cannot contact the net on a serve...even if it goes over and lands in bounds
- The Wilson AVP Ball will be the official game ball
- All ADULT participants must have active AVP “Silver” Memberships Divisions
- All divisions will receive AVP Grass points
- All participants will receive free passes for a future visit the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, MA
- We will play RAIN OR SHINE. No refunds.
- Alcohol/smoking is prohibited at School Street Park. No exceptions.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
8:15am Team Check-in
8:50am Player Meeting
9:00am First Serve
5:00pm Approximate End (may finish sooner)
Please contact us with any questions at:
events@volleyhall.org
text: 413-250-1196
TOURNAMENT RULES
The Birthplace of Volleyball Summer Classic will follow the AVP Grass Rulebook (last updated 3/3/2021) with the following exceptions, amendments, and highlights:
Tournament format: Round robin format with single elimination playoffs
Court Size: Courts are full size (“Big” Court)
Antennas: The net posts, and their imaginary extension, shall serve as antennas in the absence of true antennas.
Roster: Roster maximum of 2 players. Two players on the court per team. Teams with less than the required number of players must forfeit.
Scoring: All games will be played using rally scoring. 2-point cap in pool play. No cap in playoffs.
Tips: No open hand tips. Knuckles, roll shots, and poke shots with firm fingers are allowed.
Double Contact: Players may double contact a hard driven ball only. The serve is never considered a hard driven ball. It is LEGAL to receive serve “open handed with finger action,” but strict hand-setting judgment must be applied to the contact.
Let Serves: Let serves are NOT legal. A serve contacting the net ends the rally and results in a point for the receiving team.
Net Contact: It is a fault to contact any part of the net (including ropes & net outside the antenna) during the action of playing the ball. The action of playing the ball includes (but is not limited to) takef off, hit (or attempt), landing, and follow-through. If your momentum carries you into the net it is still a violation.
Blocking: The block contact does NOT count as the first team contact; either player may make the 1st team contact.
Joust: If there are simultaneous contacts by two opponents over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits.
Foot Digs: Foot Digs are legal.
Setting Over: When the ball is set into the opponents’ court, the setters shoulders must be “squared up” or perpendicular to the line of the flight of the ball.
Time Outs: Each team is allowed one 60 second timeout per set. Time out may be requested by the players only when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service by showing the timeout hand signal.
Side Changes: Teams should switch sides of the court after every 7 points in games to 21 and every 5 points for games to 15 & 25.
Forfeit Rule: A 10-minute forfeit rule is in effect
Playing Area: Players may not enter into another court, before, during, or after hitting the ball.
Players’ Equipment: Players may play barefoot or with shoes not consisting of hard/sharp plastic/metal spikes. Soccer turf shoes or trail runners are acceptable.
Play Under the Net: There is no centerline. Players may contact any part of the opponents’ court as long as they do not interfere with the opponents’ next play. Incidental contact between opponents does not constitute interference (bump knees, briefly step on toes, etc.)
Pursuit: Pursuit is legal for any 1st contact balls that pass over or outside an antenna. A player may pursue the ball by any route including under the net and/or through the opponents’ court. The ball must be played back over or outside the antenna and the 3rd contact must be sent legally through the crossing space.
Court lines: If the lines come up during play, continue playing. If the lines coming up affects the outcome of the point, the point must be replayed. If the lines do not affect the play, the play is legal.
Ball
Errant Ball on Court: A “ball on!” call is an automatic stoppage of play. If there is a ball on the court and nobody calls “ball on!”, then it is up to the referee discretion whether or not the ball affected play.
WARMUPS
Once the match before yours ends, you will have 5 minutes of warm up times. Penalty points will be given to teams who are not starting on time. If a team is late to their next match text 413-250-1196 or let the tournament tent know, they will be docked 1 penalty point per minute they are late.
REVERSE COED RULES
All other rules above apply the same for reverse coed. We've clarified the differences in Reverse Coed below:
TIEBREAKERS
Tiebreaking playoff games will NOT be played after pool play - teams may advance to their respective playoffs based on points. YOU MUST RECORD THE CORRECT SCORE AFTER EACH MATCH.
1) Head to Head Record
2) Head to Head Point Differential
3) Total Point Differential
4) Coin Flip
If three teams are tied and there's no clear head to head winner, we move to points to determine all of their spots.
1) Total Point Differential Between Tied Teams
2) Total Point Differential in pool
3) Coin Flip
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION/FAQ
Tournament Director The tournament director has the authority to alter rules and make decisions not covered in the rules. If the tournament director does alter the rules, the tournament director will advise the participants of those changes prior to the start of the event if possible. The tournament director has absolute authority over players, game officials and spectators, on and off the court at a tournament, where the maintenance of order is concerned, and may impose disciplinary measures as needed. The tournament director has the authority to make any necessary decisions regarding entries and seeding. The tournament director may change the format of the tournament if, in his opinion, conditions warrant it. The tournament director has the authority to settle any and all disputes. The tournament director is the sole authority who determines if weather conditions warrant a suspension or cancellation of play. The tournament director is the final authority in determining if courts are safe and playable.
What is the weather policy?
This is a Rain or Shine event. Play will continue through inclement weather as much as possible - if it's necessary to stop play, it will be postponed in 30 min. increments until conditions are suitable to resume play. It's very important that all teams remain close to the event site so that games may resume in a timely manner once the weather has improved enough to resume play!
After the 2nd delay, the tournament may be moved to the following day for completion. This decision will come from the tournament director. This would be determined by safety, weather, and playing conditions.
Tournament format: Round robin format with single elimination playoffs
Court Size: Courts are full size (“Big” Court)
Antennas: The net posts, and their imaginary extension, shall serve as antennas in the absence of true antennas.
Roster: Roster maximum of 2 players. Two players on the court per team. Teams with less than the required number of players must forfeit.
Scoring: All games will be played using rally scoring. 2-point cap in pool play. No cap in playoffs.
Tips: No open hand tips. Knuckles, roll shots, and poke shots with firm fingers are allowed.
Double Contact: Players may double contact a hard driven ball only. The serve is never considered a hard driven ball. It is LEGAL to receive serve “open handed with finger action,” but strict hand-setting judgment must be applied to the contact.
Let Serves: Let serves are NOT legal. A serve contacting the net ends the rally and results in a point for the receiving team.
Net Contact: It is a fault to contact any part of the net (including ropes & net outside the antenna) during the action of playing the ball. The action of playing the ball includes (but is not limited to) takef off, hit (or attempt), landing, and follow-through. If your momentum carries you into the net it is still a violation.
Blocking: The block contact does NOT count as the first team contact; either player may make the 1st team contact.
Joust: If there are simultaneous contacts by two opponents over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits.
Foot Digs: Foot Digs are legal.
Setting Over: When the ball is set into the opponents’ court, the setters shoulders must be “squared up” or perpendicular to the line of the flight of the ball.
Time Outs: Each team is allowed one 60 second timeout per set. Time out may be requested by the players only when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service by showing the timeout hand signal.
Side Changes: Teams should switch sides of the court after every 7 points in games to 21 and every 5 points for games to 15 & 25.
Forfeit Rule: A 10-minute forfeit rule is in effect
Playing Area: Players may not enter into another court, before, during, or after hitting the ball.
Players’ Equipment: Players may play barefoot or with shoes not consisting of hard/sharp plastic/metal spikes. Soccer turf shoes or trail runners are acceptable.
Play Under the Net: There is no centerline. Players may contact any part of the opponents’ court as long as they do not interfere with the opponents’ next play. Incidental contact between opponents does not constitute interference (bump knees, briefly step on toes, etc.)
Pursuit: Pursuit is legal for any 1st contact balls that pass over or outside an antenna. A player may pursue the ball by any route including under the net and/or through the opponents’ court. The ball must be played back over or outside the antenna and the 3rd contact must be sent legally through the crossing space.
Court lines: If the lines come up during play, continue playing. If the lines coming up affects the outcome of the point, the point must be replayed. If the lines do not affect the play, the play is legal.
Ball
Errant Ball on Court: A “ball on!” call is an automatic stoppage of play. If there is a ball on the court and nobody calls “ball on!”, then it is up to the referee discretion whether or not the ball affected play.
WARMUPS
Once the match before yours ends, you will have 5 minutes of warm up times. Penalty points will be given to teams who are not starting on time. If a team is late to their next match text 413-250-1196 or let the tournament tent know, they will be docked 1 penalty point per minute they are late.
REVERSE COED RULES
All other rules above apply the same for reverse coed. We've clarified the differences in Reverse Coed below:
- It's still 2v2 - one male and one female
- The game is played on a women's height net for all divisions
- Men must jump to hit from behind the 10' line (which will be painted on the court). If a male is attacking a ball in front of the 10' line, his entire hand must be below the top of the net.
- Men cannot block
- There are no other special rules (i.e. - you can serve whoever you want, you can hit on 2, etc.)
TIEBREAKERS
Tiebreaking playoff games will NOT be played after pool play - teams may advance to their respective playoffs based on points. YOU MUST RECORD THE CORRECT SCORE AFTER EACH MATCH.
1) Head to Head Record
2) Head to Head Point Differential
3) Total Point Differential
4) Coin Flip
If three teams are tied and there's no clear head to head winner, we move to points to determine all of their spots.
1) Total Point Differential Between Tied Teams
2) Total Point Differential in pool
3) Coin Flip
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION/FAQ
Tournament Director The tournament director has the authority to alter rules and make decisions not covered in the rules. If the tournament director does alter the rules, the tournament director will advise the participants of those changes prior to the start of the event if possible. The tournament director has absolute authority over players, game officials and spectators, on and off the court at a tournament, where the maintenance of order is concerned, and may impose disciplinary measures as needed. The tournament director has the authority to make any necessary decisions regarding entries and seeding. The tournament director may change the format of the tournament if, in his opinion, conditions warrant it. The tournament director has the authority to settle any and all disputes. The tournament director is the sole authority who determines if weather conditions warrant a suspension or cancellation of play. The tournament director is the final authority in determining if courts are safe and playable.
What is the weather policy?
This is a Rain or Shine event. Play will continue through inclement weather as much as possible - if it's necessary to stop play, it will be postponed in 30 min. increments until conditions are suitable to resume play. It's very important that all teams remain close to the event site so that games may resume in a timely manner once the weather has improved enough to resume play!
After the 2nd delay, the tournament may be moved to the following day for completion. This decision will come from the tournament director. This would be determined by safety, weather, and playing conditions.
Thank you to our great event partners!
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