AAU Follows the National Federation High School rules with the following exceptions:



Age Requirements
Girls 10:U cannot turn 11 before January 1, 2003
Girls 12:U cannot turn 13 before January 1, 2003
Girls 14:U cannot turn 15 before January 1, 2003
Girls 16:U cannot turn 17 before January 1, 2003
Girls 18:U cannot turn 19 before January 1, 2003

Bat
The AAU adopted a bat performance factor (BPF) of 1.20. all bats with the BFP of 1.20 or less are approved for the use in the North Carolina AAU programs. All bats used must be stamped with the 1.20 BPF or less. The bat shall not be more than 34 inches in length and not weight more than 38 ounces. The bat shall be marked official softball by the manufacturer. If the words official softball cannot be read due to normal wear and tear and the bat is legal in all other aspects, it will be allowed.

Stingers are approved for AAU play, provided they are properly installed.

Ball
The official softball used by AAU will be a .47 core high school approved yellow optic softball. 12" ball will be used for 12 and up age groups. 11" ball will be used for the 10 and under age groups.

Extra Players and Designated Hitter
A team shall consist of a minimum of nine (9) players and a maximum of eleven (11) players if the optional extra player (EP) and the designated hitter (DH) is used.

A team must have the required number of players present in the team area to start or continue a game. Players listed in the starting line-up and not available at game time may be substituted for and re-entered later.

All available substitutes should be listed in the designated place by their last name, first name, and uniform number.

Eligibile roster members may be added to the available substitute list any time during the game.

DH Designated Hitter

1. The designated hitter (DH) may not play defense at any time during the game.
2. A Designated hitter (DH) may be used for any player in the line-up.
3. The (DH) must be made known prior to the start of the game and his/her name and number indicated on the line-up card.
4. The player listed as the (DH) must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game.
5. The (DH) may be substituted for at any time, either by a pinch hitter, pinch runner, or by the player being hit for. If the substitute is the player being hit for, he/she must bat in the same order as the (DH) and the use of the (DH) will be terminated for the remainder of the game and the original (DH) loses re-entry privilege. If the substitute is a pinch runner or pinch hitter, other than the player being hit for, it must be a player who has not yet been in the game, and that substitute than becomes the (DH) for the remainder of the game, or until substituted for. By substituting this way, the original (DH) retains re-entry privilege.
6. Failure to complete the game with the (DH) (unless the substitute is the player being hit for) results in the forfeiture of the game.
   

EP Extra Player

1. The (EP) can play defense.
2. An (EP) is optional, but if one is used, it must be made known prior to the start of the game, and be listed on the line-up card.
3. If the (EP) is used, he/she must be used the entire game.
4. The (EP) must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game.
5. If an (EP) is used, all ten (10) must bat and any nine (9) can play defense. Defensive positions can be changed, but the batting order must remain the same.
6. The (EP) may be substituted for at any time, either by a pinch hitter or a pinch runner, who then becomes the (EP). The substitute may be a player who has not yet been in the game.
   

NOTE: The starting (EP) and the (DH) can re-enter once.

Runners for the Pitcher and Catcher
Each team may use a runner for the pitcher or cather if so desired. The runner must be an eligible substitute and if no substitutes are available you may use the athlete who made the last out.

International Tie Breaker Rule
To start each extra inning of a tied ball game, the following procedure may be used, with all other game rules applying.

To start the extra inning the visiting team will place the last out record during the previous inning, as a runner at 2nd base.

To complete the extra inning the home team will place the last out recorded during the previous inning as a runner at 2nd base.

Play each extra inning until three (3) outs are recorded.

Continue with this procedure until a winner is decided.