2011 Softball Credential Application Form

2010-11 Media Regulations

The following information was prepared to assist you with your coverage of the upcoming OHSAA softball state tournament. Please contact Tim Stried (tstried@ohsaa.org or 614-267-2502, ext. 124) at the OHSAA office should you have additional questions. Previews and additional information will be posted on the OHSAA web site (www.ohsaa.org) the week of each state tournament.

YOUR HOSTS: State Tournament Manager Dave Suncire (Office:330-375-2855, Cell: 330-812-7871, DSuncire@akronohio.gov), Media Coordinator Brittany Schmoekel (Office: 330-375-2854, Cell: 330-812-7874, BSchmoekel@akronohio.gov), OHSAA Director of Information Services Tim Stried (614-267-2502, ext. 124, tstried@ohsaa.org), plus OHSAA Assistant Commissioner Roxanne Price, the Association’s administrator for softball.

DATES: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 2-4

LOCATION: Akron Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Parkway, Akron, OH 44301

DIRECTIONS: Note – Firestone Stadium parking lot is under construction. Nearby parking is available and shuttles will be provided.
From the North: Take I-77 south or State Route 8 south to the Wilbeth Road exit. Turn right (west) onto Wilbeth and follow to South Main Street (approximately 1.25 miles). The stadium is at the intersection of South Main, Wilbeth and Firestone Parkway. Turn right onto Main and then a left into the Stadium parking lot.
From the West: Take I-76/I-277 east to the South Main Street exit. Turn left (north) onto South Main. The stadium is approximately one mile north at the intersection of South Main, Wilbeth and Firestone Parkway.
From the South: Take I-77 north to the Wilbeth Road exit. Turn left (west) onto Wilbeth and follow to South Main Street (approximately 1.25 miles). Turn right onto Main and then a left into the Stadium parking lot.
From the East: Take I-76 west to I-77 south to the Wilbeth Road exit. Turn right (west) onto Wilbeth Road and follow to South Main Street (approximately 1.25 miles). Stadium parking is available in the lot located between Firestone Parkway and Main Street.

TIMES AND FORMAT:

Thursday, June 2 - Semifinals
10:00 a.m. - Division III Game #1
12:30 p.m. - Division III Game #2
3:00 p.m. - Division II Game #1
5:30 p.m. - Division II Game #2

Friday, June 3 - Semifinals
10:00 a.m. - Division I Game #1
12:30 p.m. - Division I Game #2
3:00 p.m. - Division IV Game #1
5:30 p.m. - Division IV Game #2

Saturday, June 4 - Championship Games
10:00 a.m. - Division III
1:00 p.m. - Division II
4:00 p.m. - Division I
7:00 p.m. - Division IV

CREDENTIALS: Using the official credential application form, fax your request form to Tim Stried at the OHSAA office (614-267-1677). The deadline to submit requests is 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. If the team you are covering wins its semifinal game, use the same credential for the championship game.

CREDENTIAL PICK-UP: Media credentials will be held for pick-up at the main gate directly behind home plate. Company identification is required.

NOTE ON MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Please note that parents, school photographers and coaches may not receive media credentials to OHSAA state tournaments. Media outlets found to be in violation of this regulation could have reduced access at future state tournaments.

CREDENTIAL CONFIRMATION: Upon processing a credential application, the OHSAA will send a confirmation email, which contains important information about the state tournament. In addition, the OHSAA will post a list on its Web site of those media members who have requested and been approved for credentials.

PARKING: Note – Firestone Stadium parking lot is under construction. Nearby parking is available and shuttles will be provided.  There is no reserved media parking area. Because of construction to the Bridgestone-Firestone plant, there is no parking available in the normal stadium lot other than by handicapped passes. All others shall park along Firestone Parkway in the median.

MEDIA WORK SPACE: Please see media coordinator Brittany Schmoekel for a seat at the media tables at Firestone Stadium. In addition, there are tables set up in the postgame interview room, which is located down the third-base line. The media work room will close 60 minutes following the conclusion of the last postgame press conference each day.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS: There will be an official postgame press conference following every game in the Hall of Fame room located down the third-base line. The head coaches and key players will be escorted to the press conference. Other team members will be available for comment outside of the playing area. Only credentialed photographers and TV cameras are permitted inside the gate after the game. No interviews are permitted on the field at any time.

WIRELESS AVAILABLE: Wireless internet access is available throughout the stadium. Please see Brittany Schmoekel for the password.

TELEPHONE LINES: Broadcast media needing a telephone line should check with Brittany Schmoekel for instructions and to find an available line. Stations must use a credit card, call collect or have the station call the broadcast crew.

SPORTSTIME OHIO TO TELEVISE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: The OHSAA’s official television partner, SportsTime Ohio, will provide exclusive TV coverage of the four softball championship games.

THREE ADDITIONAL NOTES TO BROADCAST MEDIA: Broadcast media must pay a rights fee prior to broadcasting. Fees will be collected by Brittany Schmoekel at your broadcast location. Broadcasters are asked to keep their postgame shows to a minimum if a crew is waiting for your seats to broadcast the next game. Video broadcast media may provide tape-delayed play-by-play coverage of the semifinal games. Please alert Tim Stried at the OHSAA as soon as possible of your intentions so coordination can take place with the state tournament staff in Akron.

PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE: Media outlets unable to send a full-time photographer to a state tournament are encouraged to use the OHSAA’s official photographer – Impact Action Sports Photography – for their photo needs. Their website is www.ImpactActionPhotos.com (click on the media request form). Contact Joe Maiorana (photojoe2707@yahoo.com) or Ben Barnes (barnziben@gmail.com) with any questions.

AP MARKETPLACE AVAILABLE: Media outlets that are Associated Press members will have access to regional and state tournament pairings, as well as box scores from all 12 state tournament games and recaps of the four championship games. The recaps will also be posted on the softball state tournament coverage page at OHSAA.org.

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