Downloadable Tournament Forms

Here are downloadable versions of the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic Tournament forms…

Team Registration Form:

Official Team Roster/Liability Waiver Form:





Tournament Rules:

Click on the jpeg, save to your computer, and print.  Please contact us if you would like Microsoft Word versions of these documents.

Thank you!

Meet in the Middle Update #2

Welcome back to the Coach’s Box for another Meet in the Middle Pre-Tournament Update…

We would like to announce our newest confirmations for the tournament:

Killa Bees (Delano)

Delano Allies

These are well-established teams in the Fil-Am and Asian tournament circuit, with Killa Bees coming off championship runs in the Playhouse Las Vegas Labor Day Tournament and the Dream League Gold Rush Tournament.  Special thanks to Eddie Bustos of Killa Bees for his commitment to Filipino Basketball in the Central Valley.  We look forward to seeing many of the Filipino-American communities represented at the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic, including Fresno, Delano, and Long Beach.  We’re waiting on confirmation from teams in Fairfield, the Bay Area, Visalia, Lemoore, and Southern California.  We’ll keep you updated as more teams confirm…don’t wait too long!

Points of emphasis:

-     Non-Filipino Rule:  The mission of X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. is to bring and build up the Filipino-American community through basketball.  This also includes using basketball as outreach and a bridge to people of other cultural and national backgrounds.  That being said, X’s & O’s believes that there is always room for Non-Filipinos to share in our national pastime.  The Non-Filipino Rule for the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic is meant to preserve the integrity of fair participation for all groups.  Please be aware that the Tournament Rules explicitly states how the Non-Filipino Rule works and that the burden of proof of Filipino heritage is on the team in question. 

BOTTOM LINE…if your team is planning to participate in the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic and you think some members of your team may be questioned about their Filipino heritage, it would be wise to bring some form of proof or documentation (i.e. birth certificate, family picture) in order for that person to maintain eligibility to play.  Failure to provide said proof will result in automatic dismissal from the tournament. 

The Honor System means that all reasonable assumptions are made that your team is following the rules.  Wins become tainted and reputations tarnished when there is a suspicion that a team has to resort to bending the rules to win.  X’s & O’s intends to avoids any controversy and provide a fair and accountable field of play for all teams. 

Thank you for your cooperation…

-     Early Bird Registration is $275.00 if it arrives on or before January 7, 2011.  Check or Money Orders made payable to Russell Raypon.  Standard Registration is $300.00, due before your first scheduled game.  Early Bird Registration can be locked in by contacting X’s & O’s Basketball Staff.  Deposits can be made to lock in the Early Bird rate, with balances due before the first scheduled game.  Balances must be paid in full in order for your team to play.  Deposits are non-refundable.  Any questions about the policy or to make arrangements, send us a message. 

-    This is the official tournament flyer…feel free to copy and post this on your social media sites and email or share with friends…

January is approaching fast…enjoy a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  We’ll see you and your teams MLK, Jr. weekend!

Meet in the Middle Update #1

Welcome:

This is our first Meet in the Middle Tournament update.  As of 12/20/2010, these are the confirmed teams for the tournament:

XO Select (Fresno)

PAC Men (Fresno)

Full Effect (Fresno)

Dynasty (Fresno)

Icy Hot (Fresno)

Long Beach All Stars

We’re waiting for confirmation from team in from Delano, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Visalia, and Lemoore.  It’s shaping up to be a competitive tournament. 

We’ve posted the tournament rules and team registration form on the blog.  All you need to do is highlight and copy the registration form and paste it to Microsoft Word or another word processing program.  You’ll need to send or turn in the registration form, payment, and official team roster/liability waiver.  Please contact X’s & O’s Basketball for the liability waiver and we can email it to you. 

With so many events scheduled for the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, it’s important to plan wisely.  We’ll be posting hotel and accommodation information in the coming days.  If you want to play against good competition for an exceptionally reasonable price, play in the best collegiate student facility on the West Coast, and reduce your travel time, we invite you to play in the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic. 

Not to be overlooked…X’s & O’s Basketball has been asked to make recommendations to power brokers in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) regarding potential Filipino-American players.  If you think you have the game and skill that will translate in the Philippines, we’ll be watching and reporting about it. 

We look forward to seeing you all in January…check back frequently for more updates. 

Meet in the Middle Winter Classic Fil-Am Basketball Tournament Team Registration Form

Meet in the Middle Winter Classic Basketball Tournament

TEAM REGISTRATION FORM

(Please Type or Print)
Today’s date:
TEam INFORMATION
Team Name:
School/Organization:							Main Contact Person:
Street Address:							Home Phone Number:			Mobile Phone Number:
							(          )			(          )
City:			State:		ZIP Code:		Email Address:
Coach:			Mobile Phone Number:				Team Captain:			Mobile Phone Number:
			(          )							(          )
Questions/comments/scheduling requests
Please use this space to share any information or requests you have for Meet in the Middle Classic Staff.  Feel free to contact us directly at (559) 790-1436 or russell@xoevents.org
For internal use only
Date Form Received:	Fee Amount Received:	Payment Method		Check #		Balance Due:		Date of Deposit:	Received by:
Notes:

·         “EARLY BIRD” TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FEE = $275.00 (CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, or MONEY ORDER made payable to RUSSELL RAYPON) if received by January 7, 2011. You will get an email confirmation that your payment has been received.

·         LATE REGISTRATION FEE = $300.00 from January 8 – 15, 2011.  Any team that has not paid the full registration fee by its first scheduled game will forfeit its initial payment and be disqualified from competition.

·         Please mail Registration Form, Team Roster/Liability Waiver Form, and Registration Fee to:

Russell Raypon

X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc.

6150 North Dolores Avenue

Fresno, CA 93711

Meet in the Middle Winter Classic Fil-Am Basketball Tournament Rules

Meet in the Middle Winter Classic Basketball Tournament

January 15-16, 2011

Tournament Rules

High School Basketball Rules will govern all play with these exceptions

(Note: Rules are subject to change)

Tournament Format:  The Meet in the Middle Classic is meant to be a 16-team, 4-pool group tournament.  Each team has three (3) guaranteed games in group play.  Top three (3) teams in each group advance to the single-elimination playoffs on Sunday, January 16, 2011.  Top seeds in each group get a first-round bye.  Standings in each group are based on:

1.       Win-loss record

2.       Point differential

3.       Sudden death free throw contest between deadlocked teams (each team picks one [1] member to participate to shoot 10 free throws.  Best out of 10 wins)

***The format may change based on the number of teams participating***

Game Length:  The game will comprised of two (2) 20-minute running halves, stop time on fouls and dead ball situations in the last two (2) minutes of the 2^nd half (unless there is a 20-point lead).  Alternate possession rules enforced for held-ball situations.   Time allotment as follows:

­   8 minute pre-game warm up

­   4 minute halftime

­   3 timeouts (1 min) for the game (regulation time)

­   3 min/stop time in last minute 1^st overtime (1 timeout only)

­   3 min/stop time in last minute 2^nd overtime (1 timeout added)

­   1^st team to score (off jump ball) for 3^rd overtime

Team Composition/Non-Filipino Rule:  The maximum number of players on each team is thirteen (13).  Three (3 )players of Filipino heritage (on the honor system) must be on the court at all times.  You may carry as many non-Filipino players on your 13-man roster as you would like.  A maximum of two (2) non-Filipinos are allowed on the court at one time.  A tournament official or opposing coach has the right to stop game play to challenge.  If the opposing coach’s concern is justified, he will not be charged a timeout.  If the concern is unfounded, a timeout will be charged.  If a team is discovered to be in violation of this rule, the in-game penalty is a technical foul and possession to opposing team.  The post-game penalty is disqualification of that player from the tournament.   A repeat offense will result in team disqualification and a 1-year ban from future X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. events (i.e. tournaments, leagues, etc.).  The burden of proof of Filipino heritage is on the team in question. 

Fouls: Bonus (1 & 1 Free Throws) on 7^th foul; Double bonus (2 Free Throws) on 10^th foul.  Team and individual player fouls carry over into overtime session(s). 

Tournament Officials:  There will be at least one (1) tournament official directly supervising each pair of games.  An official scorekeeper, scoreboard operator, and a two-man referee crew will be provided for each game.  Any in-game or post-game questions, concerns, or protests are directed to the supervising tournament official or tournament director.  They will be observing games for adherence to tournament rules.  All protests or challenges must take place in-game or before the next game on the schedule starts.  

Height Limit:  There is a 6’ 3” maximum height limit with no-shoes.  Height will be checked and verified at the door by tournament staff before you are given your tournament bracelet, so please wear slippers or sliders before entering the gym.  These decisions are final.  All team members must be registered and have a bracelet in order to play. 

Wristbands & IDs:  COLOR CODED wristbands must be worn at all times for all competing players.  If there is a lost wristband, a $2.00 penalty will be assessed to the competing player.  If wristband is broken but still held, wristband will be replaced at no additional cost.  Wristbands and IDs will be asked and accounted for before every game.

Uniforms:  Each team must wear numbered jerseys with the same color.  Teams in violation of this rule will be penalized with technical fouls and possession of the ball to the opposing team. 

Player Eligibility:  Only players on the official team registration form are allowed to play.  A player has to play in a minimum of two group play games in order be eligible for playoffs.   An individual player can only play for one team.  If a player is a caught playing for more than one team, both teams will forfeit games and the player will be disqualified for the duration of the tournament.  All players must register BEFORE THEIR 2ND GAME in order to compete in playoffs.  Non-registered players caught competing will result in disqualification of the tournament.

Sportsmanship, Proper Etiquette, and Conduct:  The decision of the referee is final.  In the event any player earns two (2) technical fouls in a game, he is automatically disqualified from the game and is disqualified from the next game.  Any player who throws a punch regardless of contact, will be disqualified from further competition in the tournament incur a penalty of 1-year ban from future X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. events.  Only Coach and Team Captain designated on the scoresheet/team registration form is permitted to speak to referees, tournament officials, or the opposing team.  Any excessive arguing with or verbal abuse of a referee, tournament official, or opposing team will result in a technical foul and further penalties if inappropriate behavior persists.  If the coach earns two (2) technical fouls, the entire team is disqualified and forfeits the game. 

***Excessive & Dangerous Play:  X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. encourages competitive, physical, and highly-skilled basketball play.  Any action by a player that results in the potential or actual injury to an opposing player will result in automatic disqualification of said player from the tournament and a 1-year ban from future X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. events.  Any team attempting to use said player during this period will incur a penalty of 1-year ban from future X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. events.  Referees, game officials, and tournament officials will be instructed to be watching specifically for dangerous play and emphasizing safety for all players.   Tournament officials have the right to request referees to stop play to address dangerous or excessive actions on the court. 

Team Forfeiture:  If there is any case a team forfeits, the winning team will receive a win and twenty (20) points added to their point system.  The penalty for a team who is ten (10) minutes late for its scheduled game is forfeiture.  Tournament officials directly monitoring games, in collaboration with the referees, will keep the official clock.  A team can play with 4 players from their official team roster, in accordance with the Non-Filipino rule. 

Scheduling & Registration:  Game schedules are TENTATIVE until game day and may be subject to change.  Teams must register one (1) hour prior to their first scheduled game.  Team scoresheets for each game must be filled out ten (10) minutes prior to game time and in the hand of the tournament official directly monitoring games. 

Official Ball:  The official ball of the Meet in the Middle Classic is the Molten BGL7, used for FIBA International Competition.