Amateur Athletic Union Baseball

Policy Updates / Rule Changes
and other updates
from our 2005 National Convention!
(All updates are subject to final approval.)

2006 ENTRY FEE ADJUSTMENTS

DIVISIONS IN AAU BASEBALL

Each District Sports Director shall have the right to define each division as well as classify each team as either Division 1 or Division 2. These definitions MAY take place prior to the National Championships.

EJECTION (manager, coach or players)

In all age groups, the first occurrence results in suspension for the rest of the game (removal from game site) in which ejection occurs and the next scheduled game.

The second occurrence during the same tournament results in suspension for the remainder of the tournament as well as possible of further sanctions subject to the review of the District level AAU tournament official for District and Regional competitions or the National AAU Tournament Official for National Championships.

***If all coaches are ejected from a team during a game then that team must forfeit that game.

FORFEIT

The National High School Federation rule shall apply and AAU tournament officials shall administer the rule so that any team which causes a forfeit 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 that receive a forfeit shall be credited with a win, but runs scored and runs allowed will be based on actual games played.

Teams or coaches who fail to compete in ALL scheduled games are subject to sanctions, which may include suspension from current and future national championship play.

Coaches may NOT mutually agree to end a contest without first receiving the approval of the respective AAU Baseball tournament committee.

***If all coaches are ejected from a team during a game, then that team must forfeit the game.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

1. The AAU Baseball Program utilizes the double pool play to medal round bracket play format in all National Championships.
2. Teams will be placed in pools based on the AAU Baseball pool placement system and play a round robin within their pool.
3. The top teams in each pool will then advance to a second round of pool play in the championship bracket. Following the second round of championship pool play, the top teams will advance to medal round championship bracket play.
4. Teams not qualifying for the second round of pool play in the championship bracket will play in a second round of pool play in the classic bracket. Following the second round of classic pool play, the top teams will advance to single elimination medal round classic bracket play.
5. The 5th-8th place medal games in all age groups will be eliminated starting in 2006. However, individual medals and team trophies will still be presented. Ranking for 5th-8th place will be determined as follows:
   1. runs allowed (all games)
   2. runs scored (all games)
   3. head to head (if applicable)
   4. higher seed (championship bracket round seed)
   5. coin flip

The exact format of the tournament, including number of pools and number of teams in each pool, will be set by the Tournament Director, National Baseball Committee Representative and National Baseball Executive Committee and will also depend on the number of entries and other extenuating circumstances.

AAU BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

The AAU Baseball Awards Committee Awards will induct:

"AAU Baseball Hall of Fame Inaugural Class of 2006."

Eligibility requirements are:

1. 15 years for an administrator
2. 5 years for a coach
3. 3 years for a player
4. Or any combination of the three.

Nominations from all AAU Districts, players, coaches, parents, etc are welcome.

For a nomination form please contact:
AAU Baseball Hall of Fame
Attn: Jeremy T. Bullock
P.O. Box 22409
Lake Buena Vista, Fl 32830
407-934-7200 (Office)
407-934-7242 (Fax)
jeremy@aausports.org

INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY

The age determining date for ALL age groups will be May 1.

1. An athlete must participate in the District of his/her bona fide residence or as outlined in item L. Legal guardianship does not fulfill the requirement of residency by itself, although it could be a factor in determining residency.
2. A team member on the roster of a District team that qualifies for and COMMITS to the National Championship may not be picked up by another team. NO EXCEPTIONS, unless approved by the District Registrar or the AAU Baseball Executive Committee.
3. Any player competing in the AAU Baseball program must remain in the same age group throughout District and National competitions, subject to the exception in item N. A player may play in an older age group; i.e., a 16-year-old could play in the age 17:U group, but never a younger age group, such as a 14-year-old playing in the age 12:U group.
4. A player may play in only one (1) age group (District championship qualifier and corresponding National competition) per membership year and be listed on the roster of ONE team during the District championship or corresponding National competition.
5. At the National Championships in ALL AGE GROUPS, all team members must be on the roster presented at the time of team registration. Even though a player(s) may not be physically present at time of team registration, the player(s) will still be eligible to play if the player(s) check-in with AAU Tournament Officials prior to the start of the team's first (1st) game in the second (2nd) round of pool play. All player(s) must be listed on the roster submitted at the time of team registration.
6. 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 tournament has begun, not only will the player be expelled, but also the team will also be expelled from the tournament and MAY be subject to further sanctions. Coaches are responsible to see that their team meets all eligibility requirements.
7. Team members do not have to physically play in the District Championship as long as they are otherwise eligible, are listed on the team's District Championship roster at the time of the District Championship, and have purchased an AAU membership card prior to the start of the District Championship. Examples include players who are out of town at the time of the District Championship or who are injured and unable to play at the time of the District Championship but who would be ready to play at the time of the National Championship.
8. An official "AAU Baseball Patch" must be affixed to the left sleeve of the uniform jersey or over the left chest of a sleeveless uniform jersey worn by both player and coach alike during National competition during:
   1. Opening Ceremonies
   2. The first game of preliminary pool play
   3. All medal games in both championship and classic brackets

   PENALTY: The Head coach is ejected unless there are "extenuating" circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are up to the discretion of the AAU Baseball Executive Committee.

   NOTE: Individual Districts may have additional rules in regards to the "AAU Baseball Patch."

9. An athlete may elect to participate in his District of bona fide residence or a District, which geographically adjoins that District. EXCEPTION: In team sports, a maximum of three (3) athletes may participate with a team from an adjoining District(s). The athlete must register through the Registrar of the District of residence.

***If a player from a bordering district is added to a district team, that player must be added BEFORE the District Championship qualifier. A player from a bordering district may NOT be added to a district team after the District Championship qualifier has taken place. If a player from a bordering district is added to a district team and the team qualifies for advancement to the national championship but elects NOT to advance, that player can be picked up by another district team because he has already become eligible by playing in the district championship."

State/Districts directors must provide the state/district qualifier tournament dates at least 90 days prior to the start of an event, if not all teams are granted an at large berth to the National event in their age group.

11u 60' Championship will be discontinued indefinitely.

Virginia will host the 12U 70' D1 and D2 National Championships in 2006 and 2007. Tampa, Florida will host the 10U 60' D1 and D2 in 2006 and 2007.

All New England teams are under the New England District (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI); "All Southern teams are under the Southern District (LA, MS); "All Southeastern teams are under the Southeast District" (TN, AL).

"The head first slide" will be allowed in all age groups in 2005/2006; pending AAU legal team approval.

Division II Regional and Super National Championships will NOT CONTINUE in 2006.

© 2000-2006 South Carolina AAU Baseball
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, contact Jim Lisk.
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