Tournament Rules
Tournament Check in Mandatory
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Mandatory Coaches' Meeting
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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 will not guarantee that amount. There are no refunds after tournament deadline date, for any reason. All tournaments listed on this web site will be Pool Play Formats (unless otherwise noted). The number of teams participating in an age Division will determine three (3) games or four (4) game schedules.
No Coolers Allowed in all Ball Parks
Team coolers with water, ice and cups will be provided in each dugout for the entire tournament. Only 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 will also be permitted.
No Food or Drinks Allowed in Ball Parks
No food or drink beverage of any kind will be allowed or permitted in all venues. Coaches need to inform all parents of this policy. Any team not following policies or rules will be removed from the tournament.
No Pets Allowed in Venues
Self explanatory
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 remainder of 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.
Teams Arriving for Games
Teams should be present one hour before schedule starting game time.
Early Game Starting Times
Games may be started early if fields are ready. No game will be started more than one (1) hour early.
Coin Flipping
Head Coaches will flip for Home Team 45 minutes before starting scheduled game time.
Batting Cage
Visiting team has batting cage first, for 15 minutes after flipping of the coin, followed by the Home team of 15 minutes of the batting cage.
Dugouts
Visiting team will have the 3rd base dugout.
Home team will have the 1st base dugout.
Clean Dugouts
Coaches clean your dugout after each game. Head Coaches responsibility.
Pre Game Infield
Seven (7) minutes of infield with the visiting team taking first providing that the tournament is on schedule. If behind schedule, no infield for both teams will be allowed and the decision will be up to the site director.
Line Up Cards
Get your line up cards from the scorekeeper. Use only the Tournament line up cards. Line up cards must be turned in thirty (30) minutes before schedule starting game time. The site director enforces this.
Pitching Requirements
After each game the Head Coach will sign the official score book on the pitching innings used for his team.
Tournament Director
Tournament Director always has the authority to revise or change the format due to rain or any other reason that he feels necessary in the interest of the Tournament.
Rain
Teams should report to venues, if there is any doubt of games being played. The responsibility will be 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 to completion. Games that are stopped will continue from the point of stopping, if they are not official game status. Rain delays could last for any period of time. In case a tournament is called due to inclement weather, each team that registered on or before the deadline date, will receive 2 points.
Official Game Status
If rain occurs after official game status has been reached, and the game can not be continued due to rain and the field condition, that game will be called and become a complete official game. The Tournament Director will make that decision only.
Called Game
For all age divisions, the umpire may suspend a game, but not declare the game complete, in order to hold discussions with AAU Tournament Officials. AAU Tournament Officials will attempt to play all games to completion unless it becomes imperative to change the Tournament Format.
Time Limits
Time limits will be completely a decision of the Tournament Director, however, this must be announced at the mandatory coaches' meetings before the tournament begins.
International Extra Inning Rule
NCAAU Tournaments may adopt the following procedures to help reduce complaints from parents and coaches. This system will help reduce games from being hours behind in schedule and reducing late night games from continuing.
To start each extra inning of a tied ballgame, the following procedure may be used, with all other game rules applying:
As stated above, this procedure, if used, must be announced at the Mandatory Coaches' Meeting before the Tournament starts.
Home Plate Slide -- North Carolina Rules for All Ages --
No head first slide at home plate. Penalty is runner is out and the run will not count, ball remains alive.
High School Federation Rules
High School Federation Rules will be used for all ages except where modified and printed in the AAU Softball Handbook, the National AAU Codebook and the North Carolina AAU Softball Guidebook.
Bat Rules
There has been a change in the bat size rules. Age Divisions 9:u - 14:u shall not be limited by the High School Softball Rules published by the National Federation of State High School Associations regarding bat dimensions.
AAU Patches
AAU Patches are required on all uniforms worn by North Carolina teams. For out-of-Association teams, the AAU Patch is required on the primary uniform and the primary uniform is to be worn at the first game of the tournament and the Championship or Consolation Finals. The official AAU Softball cloth emblem must be affixed to the left sleeve of the primary uniform jersey worn by each player and coach during any North Carolina Sanctioned AAU Tournament. A vest can be used and the AAU patch must be affixed to the left side chest. If a vest is used, no other Organization patches will be permitted, i.e. Little League, Babe Ruth.
Penalty: The Head Coach is EJECTED.
Coaches Uniform
Coaches do not need to be in full uniform, but should be in appropriate matching athletic attire, consistent with the team uniform. (Such as collared shirts and coaches shorts, with athletic shoes.)
Penalty: The Coach is EJECTED.
Ejections (Manager, Coach or Players)
In all age divisions, the first occurrence results in suspension for the game (removal from game site - adults only will have to leave the venue) in which ejection occurs and the next scheduled game.
The second (2nd) occurrence during the tournament results in suspension for the remainder of the tournament as well as possible imposition of further sanctions subject to the review of the association level AAU Tournament Official for association competitions and national AAU Tournament Official for national championships.
Softball Chairman
The Softball Chairman shall investigate complaints regarding the violation of Association Rules, National Committee Rules, or the AAU Code, by NCAAU athletes, coaches, volunteers or clubs.
The Chairman may delegate these duties to an Infraction Committee appointed by him to consider Code/Rule violations, or he may refer cases directly to the Board of Review.
The Coaches / Volunteer Code of Honor
I promise upon my word of honor to help to create an environment in which primary emphasis is placed upon the emotional and physical well-being of AAU athletes, 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.
Conduct: Teams, Coaches, Players, and Organizations are subject to sanctions imposed by the Softball Chairman for misconduct. Sanctions may be appealed to the NCAAU Review Committee and may include fines, suspension, forfeiture, probation, or other appropriate action. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, 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 this bulletin.