E. Age Determining Date/Grade Exception Rule September 1, 2009 shall be the determining date for the age of the competitor for all districts and  national championship events. Eligibility to participate is based first on the age determining date. The
grade of the athlete is not a consideration if the athlete meets the age determining date. An athlete who does not meet the age determining date may qualify under the grade exception rule. In the 8U/2nd Grade through the 14U/8th Grade division, each team is allowed a maximum of three grade exception athletes.  There is no limit on the number of grade exception athletes in the 15U/9th Grade divisions through the Senior Boys’ division.