FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • WHAT IS THE MASSACHUSETTS AMATEUR SPORTS FOUNDATION?

    The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1982 to host the first sanctioned state games of the Commonwealth. It operates with the mission of promoting personal development, education, physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship to Massachusetts citizens of all ages and abilities. The Foundation is recognized nationwide for holding high-quality, Olympic-style events through the Bay State Summer and Winter Games, as well as educational programs including the High School Ambasador Program, Internship Program, Sports Medicine Program, and Future Leaders Scholarship. With more than 5,000 participants from 300 cities and towns directly participating in its programs each year, the Foundation is an integral part of the lives of citizens across the Commonwealth.

  • WHO CAN COMPETE IN THE BAY STATE GAMES?

    The divisions and eligibility requirements vary for each competition. Please check sport specific pages for eligibility information. 


    For a list of summer sports, click here.

    For a list of winter sports, click here.

  • WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE BAY STATE GAMES HELD?

    The Bay State Summer Games are annually held during the months of June and July in locations across Eastern and Central Massachusetts. The Bay State Winter Games are annually held during the winter months in the Berkshire Region of Massachusetts.

  • HOW DO I REGISTER?

    Each sport page has a specific link for even registration. Please visit the sport specific page for information about registering. Athletes are encouraged to register early for the competition as late fees will be applied. 


    For a list of summer sports, click here

    For a list of winter sports, click here

  • WHAT IS THE COST TO REGISTER?

    Registration fees vary depending on sport. The Bay State Games prides itself on producing high quality competitions for an affordable price. For select sports, athletes are required to pay a tryout or qualifier fee and a separate finalist fee if they qualify for the finals.

  • IS THERE MEDICAL COVERAGE PROVIDED AT EVENTS?

    The Bay State Games has a comprehensive sports medicine program to provide medical care for participants at most events. All athletes are required to provide their own personal medical insurance. For more information on the Bay State Games Medical Program, click here. 

  • WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

    THERE ARE NO CASH REFUNDS


    There will be NO REFUNDS of entry fees or purchase of special event tickets because of weather, acts of nature, communicable disease outbreak, or lost/stolen passes/tickets.


    The only exceptions to the no-refund policy are:


    • Entries received after the entry deadline.
    • Entries received after the maximum number of teams/athletes is bracketed, or if there are not enough teams or individuals to form a division.
    • Entries of non-qualified entrants.
    • Special circumstances determined on an individual basis by the Bay State Games staff

    Any athlete removed from a team due to disciplinary reason(s) by a coach, official or Bay State Games representative will not receive any refund of entry or finalist fees. Athletes removed due to disciplinary reasons may also be barred from entering any future Bay State Games events. 


    NO REFUNDS WILL BE PERMITTED SIMPLY BECAUSE AN ATHLETE FAILS TO PARTICIPATE OR IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.


    NO REFUNDS FOR LOST OR STOLEN PASSES OR OTHER EVENT TICKETS.


    DEFERRALS:  

    Event participants may defer their event entry fee to the following year for legitimate medical or medical emergency reasons if corroborated with documentation from a physician which includes producing a doctor's note verifying the illness or injury. Deferral requests will only be considered if received 6 weeks prior to the date of the competition. This deferral can only be used by the original registered athlete. The value of the deferral will be the amount originally paid by the participant to be in the Games less the credit card processing and late fees. Deferrals will only be accepted if requested two weeks prior to the start of the competition. 


    All refund requests must be submitted in writing for review by the Executive Director. Please submit requests via email to info@baystategames.org

  • WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER?

    Sports utilizing outdoor sites are subject to inclement weather. Competitions will be conducted unless Bay State Games staff declare conditions potentially dangerous or a threat to bodily harm. Due to facility and scheduling conflicts, the Bay State Games has little or no rain dates. Inclement weather may force changes in the tournament format or number of games each team plays. With few exceptions, games lost due to inclement weather will not be rescheduled, they will be cancelled. There will be no refunds given if events are cancelled due to weather. 

Bay State Games Need to Know: Showcase Sports

  • WHAT IS THE BAY STATE GAMES TEAM SPORT FORMAT?

    Teams are assembled by region. Massachusetts is divided into regions - Metro, Northeast, Southeast, Coastal, Central, and West. Most sports have teams for each of the 6 regions. In some sports, select regions are combined. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for the specific regional breakdown for your sport. 


    In order to be selected for the team, athletes must try out. 

  • WHAT ARE THE DATES?

    There are two important sets of dates to know. 


    The tryout dates are only for athletes in that particular region to attend. Athletes must attend at least one tryout to be considered for the team. The tryout dates can be found on the “Tryout Dates” tab on the specific sport’s website page.


    The finals date is the date of the tournament. This date can be found in big blue letters at the top of each sport’s website page. 

  • HOW DO I KNOW WHAT REGION TO TRY OUT FOR?

    Athletes are eligible to try out for a specific region based on where they live or go to school. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for the specific eligibility rules for your sport.


    If you live in one region and attend a school in a different region, you may try out for either one of the regions, but not both. 


    If you need to know which region your town is in, click here.

  • WHO IS THE COACH OF THE REGIONAL TEAM?

    In each region, a coach is appointed to oversee tryouts and coach at the competition in July. All coaches are volunteers and may secure additional coaches to assist them. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for a list of confirmed coaches. If a coach is not listed for a particular region, the coach selection process is ongoing for that team. Contact information for your regions coach is listed under the “coaches” tab on the specific sport’s website page

  • WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT TRYOUTS?

    In each region, athletes who register must attend at least one (1)  tryout. Tryouts are typically held in June. Tryouts for a particular region will be held in that region if a facility is available. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for a list of confirmed tryout sites. If a tryout site is not listed for a particular region, the site selection process is ongoing for that team. Our goal is to have most tryouts sites confirmed by May 1.

  • HOW WILL I KNOW IF I MAKE THE TEAM?

    Once tryouts are completed, the coaching staff will pick the regional team. By sport, squad sizes can vary and there may be restrictions on the number of athletes from the same high school or club team that can be selected for the same Bay State Games team. Restrictions may be amended based on the number of athletes that register. These restrictions are to promote fairness, regional representation, and compliance with MIAA out of season regulations. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for a list of team selection criteria.

  • WILL THERE BE PRACTICES?

    Once teams are selected, teams are allowed to practice as a unit to prepare for the competition in July. For some sports (ex. Ice Hockey) there are limits on the number of hours a team can practice. For other sports, there are no minimum or maximum practice requirements. Coaches can schedule practices based on their and their team members schedules.

  • IF I MAKE THE TEAM, WHEN WILL THE SHOWCASE TOURNAMENT TAKE PLACE?

    Competitions for all team sports will take place in July. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for the competition dates and location. These dates are posted on the very top of the sport page. Teams will play against the other regions across the state. After round-robin play, select teams will advance to medal rounds. While there is no specific playing time or “minutes” requirement for any sport, it is emphasized that all coaches provide playing time for all team members.

  • WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO PAY TO PARTICIPATE?

    In each team sport, the initial athlete registration fee (called the tryout fee) allows for participation in all scheduled tryouts. If an athlete is selected to compete in the July competitions, they must pay a finalist fee. The finalist fee covers the cost for all games played, participant liability insurance, game uniforms, an athlete gift, medals for the top three teams, and additional amenities that could include game film, listing in a coaches scouting guide, and a free CaptainU athlete profile. Refer to your sports page on the Bay State Games website for the specific amenities for your sport. 

  • ATHLETE WAIVER

    AMATEUR ATHLETIC WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY


    In consideration for permitting the undersigned to participate in the BAY STATE GAMES, (the “Participant”), athletics/sports programs, and related events and activities (collectively, the “Event”), the Participant, and, if the Participant is less than 18 years old, the Participant’s parent or legal guardian (collectively, the “Applicants”), for themselves and for their respective heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators and assigns, agree as follows:


    1. Good Physical Condition:  The Applicants hereby acknowledge and agree that the Participant is in good physical condition and has no disease or injury that would impair his/her ability to compete in the Event.


    2. Assumption of Risk:  The Applicants hereby acknowledge and agree that the Participant understands the nature of the Event and is participating voluntarily in the Event; that there are certain inherent risks and dangers associated with the Event; and that, except as expressly set forth herein, Participant, knowingly and voluntarily, accepts, and assumes responsibility for, each of these risks and dangers, and all other risks and dangers, whether known or unknown, that could arise out of, or occur during, Participant’s participation in the Event.  


    3. Release and Waiver:  The Applicants hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the BAY STATE GAMES, its affiliated programs and parent company, their respective administrators, directors, agents, coaches and other employees of the organization, other participants, sponsoring agents, advertisers, volunteers, and, owners, operators and lessors of premises used to conduct the Event (collectively, the “Releasees”), from and for any liability resulting from any personal injury, accident or illness (including death), and/or property loss or damage, however caused, arising from, or in any way related to, Participant’s participation in the Event.


    4. Indemnification and Hold Harmless:  The Applicants hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold the Releasees harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees, arising from, or in any way related to, the Participant’s participation in the Event.


    5. Insurance:  The Applicants hereby acknowledge that the Participant currently has and agrees to maintain throughout the time of the Participant’s training for and competition in the Event, valid and sufficient medical and accidental insurance.  The Applicants understand that the foregoing is their sole responsibility and the Applicants release all persons and entities, including, but not limited to, the Releasees, from providing coverage for the Participant.


    6. Policy Compliance:  The Applicants hereby agree to read and abide by the policies, rules and regulations adopted in connection with the Event and outlined by the BAY STATE GAMES on www.baystategames.org.  The Applicants agree that the Participant shall refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages or non-prescribed drugs at all BAY STATE GAMES events.  The Applicants understand that the Participant’s participation in the BAY STATE GAMES is a privilege which can be revoked at any time for inappropriate behavior as determined by the BAY STATE GAMES in its sole but reasonable discretion.


    7. Apparel and Awards:  The Applicants hereby agree that all uniforms, jackets, and other awards are property of the BAY STATE GAMES until all final competitions and discipline/eligibility matters have been resolved.  The Applicants agree that individuals or teams shall forfeit jackets, medals and other awards if such action is deemed appropriate by the BAY STATE GAMES.


    8. Lodging and Expenses:  The Applicants hereby agree that the Participant is responsible for all housing, transportation, food, and other related expenses to the Event.  The Applicants acknowledge that the BAY STATE GAMES do not provide chaperones or any supervision for participants related to their travel, lodging, or transportation.


    9. Likeness:  The Applicants hereby agree, without compensation, to allow the Participant’s image, photograph, video reproduction or likeness, and associated personal information to appear in publications, social media, advertising, and/or television and online coverage in any and all manner incidental to his/her participation.


    10. Information:  The Applicants hereby agree that BAY STATE GAMES may provide the Participant’s contact information to sponsors, other event partners of the BAY STATE GAMES, BAY STATE GAMES medical staff, accredited media, college coaches, registered sports scouts and for his/her entry into the State Games of America.  The applicants also agree that BAY STATE GAMES may provide the participants contact information for the purpose of contact tracing.  Additionally, the Applicants hereby agree that BAY STATE GAMES may share certain, non-health-related personal information about the Participant for purposes of marketing and advertising, including on social media and to social media vendors and other advertising vendors.  Finally, the Applicants hereby agree that BAY STATE GAMES may share any and all personal information about the Participant with any entities or individuals for purposes of the provision of health care and related services.  The Applicants confirm that they understand that such personal information may include information about the Participant’s sensitive health conditions and medical history.


    11. Permission to Treat in Medical Emergencies:  If the Participant is less than 18 years old, the Applicants hereby agree and acknowledge that BAY STATE GAMES will use its best efforts to contact the Participant’s parent or legal guardian in the event of a medical emergency.  However, if the parent or legal guardian cannot be reached, the Applicants authorize the BAY STATE GAMES, its staff, and medical personnel to transport the Participant to the nearest medical care facility and secure emergency medical treatment, including hospitalization, injections, anesthesia, or surgery.  


    12. Severability:  The Applicants expressly agree that the foregoing assumption of risk, release and waiver of liability, indemnity and consent agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.


    13. Acknowledgment of Understanding:  The Applicants have read this assumption of risk, release and waiver of liability, indemnity, and consent agreement, and have had the opportunity to ask questions about the same.  The Applicants fully understand this assumption of risk, release and waiver of liability and indemnity agreement, that the Applicants are giving up substantial rights in connection therewith, and that its terms are contractual, and not a mere recital.  The Applicants acknowledge that they are agreeing to this agreement freely and voluntarily and that no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement have been made.


    14. The Bay State Games reserves the right to bar any participant, coach, organizer, or any other constituent (each individually, a “Constituent”) from any Bay State Games event if it is reported to and confirmed by organizers that such Constituent is a registered sex offender.


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