Rules
Code Of Ethics
Section 1- AAU Baseball National League
Section 2- Age Eligibility
Section 3- AAU
Section 4- Insurance Certificates
Section 5- ABNL League Rules
I. Tournament Rules
1. It is the coaches' duty to be in control of their players at all times in order to prevent any unsportsmanlike act toward opponents, officials or spectators.
2. Coaches are expected to comply wholeheartedly with the intent and spirit of the rules.
3. Coaches should teach their players to respect the dignity of the game, officials, opponents and the clubs that they represent.
4. Coaches should confine their discussion with the game officials to the interpretations of the rules and not challenge umpire decisions involving judgment.
5. Bench Jockeying will not be allowed. Coaches are to prohibit bench jockeying, which would include personal and malicious remarks, cursing and obscene language toward opponents, umpires or spectators.
6. Coaches should refrain from any personal action that might arouse players or spectators to unsportsmanlike behavior.
7. Coaches should expect from the umpires a courteous and dignified attitude toward players and themselves.
8. Coaches should help control unruly spectators from their club.
9. ABNL may consider all relevant conduct in determining whether disciplinary action is appropriate. The infractions committee is authorized to prohibit membership in ABNL and/or attendance at ABNL events. Adverse conduct that occurs by participants outside of our events may also be considered by the committee. This includes, but is not limited to incidents at Non-ABNL Games, Practices or Events. The Committee may also consider conduct that occurs outside of baseball that may create an unjustifiable risk to ABNL Members, Families and Spectators.
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2.2 If you believe that a player is too old for the age division that you are playing in, send a written complaint to the ABNL office and and we will investigate. Telephone complaints will not be accepted.
2.3 Players that are determined to be illegal based upon age or not being properly registered may result in the team receiving an infraction and the games that the player participated in will be recorded as forfeits.
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3.2 Your players are not covered by insurance until they are properly registered with AAU.
3.3 Each player, coach and volunteer must be an AAU member. The cost ranges from $12. - $16 per year. The membership year runs from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. Please refer to the insurance brochure in regards to an explanation of the difference of AB membership coverage vs non AB.
3.4 All members must belong to a club. Mail is only sent to the primary contact on the club application. Annual Club membership is Club Level I is $30. and allows a club to participate in the league; Club Level II is $60. and allows a club to participate and run events; and Club Level III is $300. and allows you to participate, host events and makes you eligible for tax-exempt status. AAU Club Memberships are valid September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009.
3.5 Each team must post their roster online in order to be eligible for participation in the league.
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4.2 Insurance certificates may take up to 30 days from the request date if we do not have one on file.
4.3 Insurance certificates will only be given to the clubs that have properly registered their members with AAU.
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5.2 Only players and coaches that are AAU Members in good standing may be placed on your League Roster. The players and coaches on your roster will be posted on the web site. It is recommended that each week before you play your scheduled game that you visit the web site at www.aaunationalleague.org and print a copy of the opposing teams roster for verification of membership at the game site on game day. This web site will be current every Friday for the weekends events. If you did not register a player, he may not play if his name is not on the official web site.
5.3 A minimum of (1) ABNL Certified Umpire is required for ages 8:U thru 12:U and (2) two for ages 13:U and older. If (2) two umpires are scheduled for 8:U thru 12:U, the home team must get approval from the visiting team to share the cost prior to Game Day. If the visiting team arrives at the game site and there are (2) two umpires and prior approval was not obtained, the visiting team is only obligated to pay for (1) one umpire.
5.4 For weekend double headers, the home team will supply baseballs for one game and the visiting team for the other. You should plan at a minimum to bring 4 game balls. The balls should be returned to you after the game.
5.5 Each team must designate a Web Administrator to enter the game scores each week. The home team will be responsible for entering the proper scores no later than Tuesday following the games played. If the home team fails to submit the scores in a timely fashion, a score may be entered of 7-0 and the home team may lose their web privileges.
5.6 Any games that are canceled without mutual conset after your schedule is submitted are an automatic forfeit. Please look at the tournament schedule before scheduling your games because it may cost you for canceling.
5.7 General Provisions:
The official rules of AAU Baseball are the National Federation of State High School Associations except where modified by the following: (Please note: ABNL Baseball Rules take precedent over High School Federation)
A. The Extra Player (EP) and/or the Designated Hitter (DH) is as follows:
The Extra Player is like a rover and can go into any position on the field and will not be counted as a substitute and cannot change in the batting order.
Therefore you may:
i. Use neither play straight nine
ii. Use EP and Bat Ten
iii. Use DH bat 9 playing 10
iv. Use EP and DH Bat 10 play 11
Please note: you must finish with the same number (batting order) that you started the game with.
B. There are no pitching rules for weekend double headers. We would ask that the coaches use their discretion in the number of innings that a player pitches in order to maintain their safety.
C. There are no bat restrictions for ages 8:U, 9:U, 10:U, 11:U, 12:U, 13:U, and 14:U
D. Balks shall not be called in the 8:U, 9:U and 10:U closed base divisions.
E. Metal Cleats are not allowed for ages 8:U, 9:U, 10:U, 11:U and 12:U.
F. Pitching and Base Distance as follows:
a. 8:U, 9:U and 10:U 46/60
b. 11:U and 12:U 50/70
c. 13:U and older 60/90
G. Game Length
i. 8:U 5 innings
ii. 9:U, 10:U, 11:U, 12:U 6 innings
iii. 13:U and older 7 innings
H. Mercy Rule
The 10 run rule applies at the completion of 4 innings or 3 and half if the home team is ahead for ages 8:U - 12:U. 10 runs after 5 innings or 4 and half if the home team is ahead for 13:U and older.
I. Ages 8:U, 9:U and 10:U, A runner may leave the base after the ball crosses the plate and is out upon leaving the base early. On a dropped third strike, the batter is out and base runners advance at their own risk.
J. Courtesy Runners may be used for the pitchers and catchers.
K. Trips to the mound are by High School Federation Rules. Three trips per game and each trip after that, you must remove the pitcher.
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