Alabama Horseshoe Pitchers Association

   Any legal resident of Alabama may become a member of the AHPA by completing a membership form and submitting it with the required dues to the AHPA Secrtary/ Treasurer. Memberships available are as listed:

Section A – Juniors (See REQUIREMENT 6, for exceptions and additional information)

1. Junior Cadets (any pitcher twelve (12) years old or younger for the entire calendar year)

Junior Cadets may pitch from any place on the extended or full-distance platforms and shall observe the twenty-foot (20’) foul line. Note: Junior Cadets may choose to move into the Junior Boys or Junior Girls prior to the age guidelines, but cannot return to the Junior Cadets, once this declaration has been made.

2. Junior Boys (any male pitcher eighteen (18) years old or younger for the entire calendar year)

Junior Boys may pitch from any place on the extended or full-distance platforms. They shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27’) foul lines. Note: Junior Boys may choose to move into the Open Men Division prior to the age guidelines, but cannot return to the Junior Boys, once this declaration has been made.

3. Junior Girls (any female pitcher eighteen (18) years old or younger for the entire calendar year)

Junior Girls may pitch from any place on the extended or full-distance platforms. They shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27’) foul lines. Note: Junior Girls may choose to move into the Open Women Division prior to the age guidelines, but cannot return to the Junior Girls, once this declaration has been made.

Section B – Open Men (no age restriction)

Open Men contestants shall pitch from on or behind the full-distance platforms and shall observe the thirty-seven-foot (37’) foul line.

Section C – Open Women (no age restriction)

Open Women contestants may pitch from any place on the extended or full-distance platforms and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27’) foul line.

Section D – Seniors (become eligible to pitch in the Senior Division at any time during the calendar year that they become sixty (60) years old) Note: Seniors may choose to remain in the Open Men or Open Women Divisions.

1. Senior Men shall pitch from on or behind the full-distance platforms and shall observe the thirty-seven-foot (37’) foul line.

2. Senior Women may pitch from any place on the extended or full-distance platforms and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27’) foul line.

Section E – Elder Men (become eligible to pitch in the Elders Division upon purchase of an NHPA card dated for the calendar year that they become seventy (70) years old).

1. Elder Men may pitch from any place on either the extended or full-distance platforms, and shall observe the twenty-seven-foot (27’) foul line. Elder Men must notify their Charter secretary, in advance, of the date that they intend to begin pitching from this shorter distance. Once a member declares himself a short distance pitcher, he must remain remain in that Division until the next year's membership card is purchased. At that time he may switch back to the Open Men's Division, but must remain in that Division until the next year's membership card is purchased, etc. Note: Note: See RULE 11, Section D.1 for additional information about re-qualifying.

2. Physically Challenged Men – Physically challenged, male pitchers less than seventy (70) years old may be given permission, by their governing Charter, to move onto the extended platforms in the Elders Division and observe the twenty-seven-foot (27’) foul lines. The prior completion and approval of a Medical Exemption Application Form (available from Charter Secretaries and on some Charter Websites) is required. At the World Tournament and at State Championship Tournaments, they shall compete in the Elders Division.

REQUIREMENT 6 – CADET AND JUNIOR PITCHERS – Additional Information (See also Playing Rule 1, Section A)

Section A – Juniors Competing In Adult Divisions

Any Junior Boy or Junior Girl pitcher may compete in an Adult Division of a mixed tournament, without harm to their Junior standing, provided neither of these Junior Division Classes is offered/available in that same tournament. When a Junior Division is offered, a Junior may pitch with the adults (without harm to their Junior standing) if their entering average is at least ten (10) percent higher than the next closest Junior. Note: This same requirement will also apply to Junior Cadets; for their movement into other Divisions.

Section B – Eligibility

Junior pitchers who request admittance and are accepted into an adult class outside the conditions set forth in Section A above, will forever forfeit their Junior eligibility. A Junior Boy who forfeits his Junior status must pitch from the full distance. Note: The same above requirements will apply to Junior Cadets; for their movement into the Junior Division.

Section C – Awards

All Junior play (mixed class or otherwise) will be conducted on an amateur basis . Awards presented to this Division by the Tournament/League Officials should have no immediate monetary value . The awarding of trophies, medals, or ribbons is recommended . Any award with monetary value, including funds from the Charter, State, World Tournament or the Junior Scholar Pitcher Awards Program, shall not be issued before the recipient reaches 18 years of age . Scholar awards may have additional restrictions .

Section D – Responsibility

It shall be the responsibility of all Junior pitchers (or their parents/guardians) to make sure that their amateur standing is not jeopardized by any violation of the above information.