2024 AIA State Baseball Tournament Guide
State Championship Game Protocols
The AIA Staff understands the importance and excitement throughout a school community when involved in a
State Championship Game. With this in mind, and the top priorities of safety and sportsmanship, below are
Championship Game Protocols:
• Pre-game Meeting – This will be a short “safety and protocols” meeting 60 - 75 minutes before the
scheduled first pitch. Required to attend: Participating Schools Admin, Head Coach, Umpire Crew Chief, AIA
Site Admin, Security and/or PD at Site.
• All uniformed players, School Board approved Assistant Coaches, and the Head Coach will be announced
pre-game, before the National Anthem.
• Special pre-game or “between innings” awards or recognitions may be given by the AIA (example -
Sportsmanship Award or Anniversary Teams).
• The State Runner-up Trophy and then the State Championship Trophy will be awarded immediately after the
game. Only after the trophy presentation may the teams go to the designated area to celebrate and/or have
their team meeting. The AIA and the venue management require that all dugouts, sidelines and locker
rooms be cleaned by participating schools in an effort to show respect for next teams and the facility!
• No spectators will be allowed onto the field at any time. Spectators can meet their teams in designated
areas on the concourse after the games.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
CONTROL OF SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR
During all post season and/or play-off competition held at a neutral site an administrator or administrator's
designee from each participating school shall be in attendance per AIA bylaw; article 2.6.2.2.
Note: Please check in with the AIA Site Director at the game location upon arrival.
The National Federation of High School Associations disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended to
embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances. (National Federation Rule 12, Section 1).
AIA Bylaw; Article 16.3.4 stipulates that student spectators, parents, or other non-school personnel that
initiate or use profanity in cheers or cheers having the intent of sounding profane, single out opposing players
personally and/or heckle them by directing derogatory or profane statements or chants at them, use racist
remarks or direct offensive cheers /chants at opposing individuals, teams or fans are in violation of the AIA
sportsmanship rules. At all contests, including state tournament contests, participating school’s
administrators have the responsibility to control their fan behaviors, either student or adult.
Any spectator conduct that becomes unruly or interferes with the orderly progress of the game will result in
the suspension of the game until offending spectator(s) are removed from the game site. No artificial noise
makers are permitted at state playoff venues. If these items are brought into a game site, the items will be
confiscated. In addition, the playing of music/sound effects shall only be permitted during pre-game, time-
outs, intermission and post-game and will be under the control of the site game announcer. (National
Federation Rule 12, Section 3). Any signs brought into an AIA playoff facility must be approved by the site
director at entry.
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