Rules, Policies & Waiver | Own The Courts

Registration

Payment, no-hold and first-paid policies

Filling out a registration form does not reserve a spot. A spot is only secured after full payment is received and confirmed by Own The Courts.
Payment confirmation is completed manually. This website does not automatically verify Cash App or Venmo transactions.
No spots are held by verbal agreement, direct message, phone call, partial payment or promise to pay later.
Open tournament places are awarded first-paid, first-served based on the time full payment is received and matched to a completed registration form.
The participant or team name must be included in the payment note so the organizer can match the payment accurately.
A confirmation message from Own The Courts is the proof that a place is secured. Participants should keep that message for check-in.

Changes after payment

Refund policy and waitlist

Confirmed tournament entry fees are generally non-refundable because a limited place is removed from availability once payment is accepted.
If Own The Courts cancels an entire paid tournament and does not offer a replacement date or accepted alternative, the affected entry fee will be returned.
Schedule adjustments, opponent changes, bracket adjustments or participant removal for violating rules do not create an automatic right to a refund.
Any transfer or roster change requires prior approval from Own The Courts and is not guaranteed.
After the 32-player gaming field fills, up to four additional players may be placed on the gaming waitlist. A waitlist position is not a secured tournament place.
A waitlisted participant should not send payment unless instructed. If a place opens, the organizer will contact the next eligible person with payment instructions and a response deadline.
For the Round 1 gaming buy-back only, if no eligible opponent is available, the $20 redemption payment is returned.

Be ready when called

Late arrival and forfeits

Participants and team captains are responsible for following the confirmed check-in instructions and arriving with enough time to be ready.
The Video Game Tournament uses a five-minute late-forfeit rule. A player who is not present and ready within five minutes after being called may lose the match by forfeit.
3v3 basketball check-in timing and the finalized game format will be emailed to confirmed team captains before the event.
A participant or team that leaves the event area, misses repeated calls or refuses to begin may be recorded as a forfeit.
Technical, weather, safety or operational delays may change estimated start times. Participants must remain reachable and follow organizer announcements.

Protect the experience

Sportsmanship, player and spectator conduct

Players, team members and spectators must treat opponents, officials, organizers, volunteers, venue staff and guests with respect.
Threats, fighting, harassment, intimidation, discriminatory language, deliberate equipment damage, cheating or repeated disruptive behavior are prohibited.
Competitive celebration is welcome, but taunting or behavior intended to provoke a confrontation may result in a warning, penalty, forfeit or removal.
Only authorized players may touch tournament consoles, controllers, scorekeeping devices or other event equipment.
Participants are responsible for their personal items. Own The Courts is not responsible for unattended, lost, stolen or damaged property.
Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising minors and ensuring they follow event and facility rules.

Participation acknowledgment

Injury participation waiver

By registering, checking the waiver agreement or participating, the participant—and a parent or legal guardian when the participant is a minor—acknowledges that tournament activities can involve risks, including physical contact, falls, collisions, overexertion, outdoor conditions and other foreseeable or unforeseeable injuries.

The participant states that they are physically able to take part and accepts responsibility for deciding whether participation is appropriate.
The participant agrees to stop participating and notify an organizer if they feel unsafe, injured or unable to continue.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the participant accepts the ordinary risks of voluntary participation and releases Own The Courts, its organizers, volunteers, venue partners and event personnel from claims arising from those ordinary risks, except where a release is not permitted by law.
This website does not provide medical advice. Participants with health concerns should consult an appropriate medical professional before taking part.

Event coverage

Photo and video consent

By agreeing to photo/video consent or entering designated event areas, participants authorize Own The Courts to photograph or record tournament activity and to use those images or recordings for event recaps, social media, website content and future promotion without additional payment.

Parents or legal guardians provide consent for minors they register. Anyone with a specific privacy concern should contact Ownthecourts@gmail.com before the event so the organizer can discuss reasonable options; complete exclusion from incidental crowd footage cannot be guaranteed.

Operational updates

Weather and schedule changes

Outdoor basketball activities may be delayed, shortened, moved, reformatted or rescheduled because of rain, heat, lightning, unsafe court conditions or other weather concerns.
Event times, check-in windows, station assignments, opponents and match order may change when needed for safety or smooth operation.
Own The Courts will use the submitted captain/player contact information and official website channels to communicate material changes.
Participants are responsible for checking messages and arriving according to the latest confirmed instructions.

Venue and concessions

Facility rules and food allergy notice

All guests must follow Morse Park rules, posted restrictions, parking instructions and any directions from venue staff or event organizers.
Keep courts, gaming areas, walkways and emergency access points clear. Dispose of trash and respect park property.
Food is prepared and served in an environment where common allergens may be present, including milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish.
Ingredient descriptions are informational and do not guarantee an allergen-free meal or prevent cross-contact.
Guests with allergies or dietary concerns should ask before ordering and make their own informed decision about whether an item is appropriate.
Walk-up food is available while supplies last. Preorder items are preorder or limited quantity, and prices will be announced before ordering opens.

Fair and safe administration

Organizer authority and format adjustments

Own The Courts may warn, penalize, forfeit or remove a participant or spectator whose conduct threatens safety, fairness, equipment, the facility or the event experience.
Removal for rule violations may occur without a refund.
The organizer may correct obvious registration errors, resolve disputes and make reasonable final decisions when a situation is not specifically addressed in the written rules.
Brackets, station assignments, match order, side-contest structure or tournament format may be adjusted when needed because of attendance, withdrawals, delays, equipment issues, weather, safety or operational needs.
No detailed 3v3 game-day schedule or special basketball format is promised on this page. Final format and check-in instructions will be emailed to confirmed teams.
Rules and policies may be updated before the event, and confirmed players or captains will be notified of material updates.