Tournament Rules
Coolers
No coolers allowed in ball parks! Team coolers with water, ice and cups will be provided in each dugout for the entire tournament. Coaches may bring their own water or gatorade, as long as it is in a large liquid form. No bottles or cans allowed!! Towel buckets for coaches and players are permitted.
Food/Drinks
No picnicing allowed in any ballpark. No alcohol of any kind allowed at any tournament property.
No Pets Allowed
Pets of any kind are not allowed during tournament play in all ball park venues.
Violation of Policies or Tournament Rules
Any parent, coach, team member, or fan that violates policies or rules of the AAU Tournament will be removed from any and all venues for the tournament.
Head Coaches Responsibility
The head coach of a team is held responsible for the conduct of his assistant coaches, players, parents, and fans. He should make sure that all rules of the tournament are explained to each member above.
Tournament Director
Tournament Director always has the authority to revise or change the format due to rain or any other reason that he feels is necessary, in the best interest of the tournament.
Tournament Format
Three (3) day tournaments are three (3) games scheduled. Four (4) day tournaments are four (4) games scheduled. These are scheduled games but we will not guarantee that amount. There are no refunds after each tournament deadline date, for any reason!
Teams Arriving for Games
Teams should be present 45 minutes before schedule starting game time.
Early Game Starting Time
Games may be started early if fields are ready. No game will be started more than 45 minutes early.
Coin Flipping
Umpires will flip at Home Plate prior to start of game to determine Home & Visiting Teams.
Batting Cage
Visiting team has batting cage first, for 15 minutes after flipping of coin, followed by the home team 15 minutes of the batting cage.
Clean Dugouts
Coaches clean your dugouts after each game.
Line-up Cards
Get your line-up cards from the site director at you game site
Run Rule
The AAU will use the 12, 10, and 8 run rule in all tournament play. If one team is 12, 10, or 8 runs ahead after 3,4 or 5 innings, or after 2.5, 3.5, or 4.5 innings, if the the home team is ahead by 12, 10, or 8 or more runs respectively, the team with the 12, 10, or 8 run lead will be the winner.
Home Plate Slide
No head first slides at home plate. Penalty is the runner is out and the run will not count. Ball remains alive.
Time Limit is in Effect
All Regular games are 1-1/4 hour time limit. No new innings will be started after 1 Hour and 15 Minutes.
Championship Game Time Limit
Time limit will be 1.5 hour time limit.
AAU Patch
All Athletes and Coaches will be required to wear the AAU Patch. Athletes should wear patch on the left front short leg and all coaches should wear patch on left shirt sleeve. Penalty for not wearing a patch will be ejection of head coach from ball game.
Eligibility of Players
Any questions pertaining to the eligibility of a player at the tournament may be referred to the North Carolina Softball Chairman. If a player is found to be ineligible prior to the start of the tournament, the player will be expelled from the tournament. If a player is found to be ineligible after the start of the tournament, the team will be disqualified. Coaches are responsible to see that their team meets all eligibility requirements.
National Federation High School Rules
National Federation of High School rules will be used with the AAU Exceptions, and the AAU National Code Book.
Forfeits
All Forfeits are subject to review by the tournament director, and may result in the offending team being declared ineligible for any future tournament play.
The tournament committee shall administer the rule so that any team which forfeits will not benefit and may not advance to championship pool or bracket play, unless the tournament committee determines there were extenuating circumstances causing the forfeit.
Teams not having enough players to participate from either starting or ending a game, will "not" be considered extenuating circumstances.
Ejection - 1st Ocurrence
Manager, coach, or players in all age divisions, the first occurrence results in the suspension for the game and removal from the game venue, and also the next scheduled game. The coach is not permitted at the game venue for his suspension game.
Ejection - 2nd Occurrence
The 2nd occurrence during the tournament results in suspension for the remainder of the tournament as well as possible impositions of further sactions subject to the review of the AAU Tournament officials.
Protests
Protest must be made verbally with the umpire by the offended team at the time of the play and before the next pitch is thrown. A fee of $100.00 cash (refunded if upheld) must accompany the protest. All decisions of the protest committee shall be final. Only the decision involving the misinterpretation or misapplication ofa rule may be protessted. No protest shall be allowed in matters involving solely the officials judgement.
Rain
(See Rain Policy also)
Teams should report to venues, if there is any doubt of games being played. The responsibility will be on the head coach to find out if games are rained out or being moved. Coaches must come to the venues to find out if games will be played, or if a game has been rescheduled. If at all possible, games will be played in complete. Games that are stopped will be continued from the point of stopping, if not reached official game status. Rain delays could last for any period of time. The tourament director has the authority to change the format of the tournament due to inclement weather or any other reason deemed necessary.
Official Game Status
If rain occurs after official game status has been reached, and the games ccannot be continued due to rain and field conditions, that game will be called, and become a complete official game. The tournament directors will make that decision only.
AAU Rules Not Listed
Refer to www.aausports.org for rules.
North Carolina Softball Chairman
The North Carolina Softball Chairman shall investigate complaints regarding the violation of association rules, national committee rules, or the AAU codebook, by NCAAU athletics, coaches, volunteers or clubs.
If the Chairman determines that a violation has occurred he may impose penalities as provided by the AAU code and the NCAAU rules.
Penalties imposed by the North Carolina Softball Chairman may be appealed to NCAAU board of review and subsequent appeal bodies as provided by the AAU code.
The Chairman may delegate these duties to an infraction committee appointed by him to consider code/rules violations, or they may refer cases directly to the board of review.
Conduct
Teams, coaches, players and organizations are subject to sanctions imposed by the softball Chairman for misconduct. Sanctions may be appealed to NCAAU review committee and may includ fines, suspension, forfeiture, probation, or other appropriate action. Misconduct includes but is not limited, destruction of property, intoxication, possession of alcohol, drugs, weapons, or commission of crime during any AAU competition. Sanctions may be imposed for failure to comply with this publication of the NCAAU softball rules or the AAU code. Coaches are expected to comply with the national committee statement of the coaches ethics, which is printed in the national handbook.
Coaches/Volunteer Code of Honor
I promise upon my word of honor to help to create an environment which primary emphasis is placed upon the emotional and physical well being of AAU Athletics, rather than winning. I will lead, by example, and will demonstrate the value of fair play and sportsmanship to all participants. Lastly, by becoming an AAU member, I agree to be bound by the AAU code as well as all procedures and policies.
Tournament Awards
First through fourth place teams will receive team trophies. First place teams will be awarded individual (gold medals), and the second place teams will be awarded individual (silver medals).
Coaches' Dress
All coaches shall be dressed similarly, meaning coaches should have on same color shirts, etc.
Age Requirements
Girls 10:U cannot turn 11 before January 1, 2007
Girls 12:U cannot turn 13 before January 1, 2007
Girls 14:U cannot turn 15 before January 1, 2007
Girls 16:U cannot turn 17 before January 1, 2007
Age Groups, Base Path & Pitching Distance
