I don't think 9 qualifies as a group booking. It sounds like if booking 9 it will be just like regular booking.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...ing-travel.jsp
Group products
We offer group fares and amenities for 10 or more people traveling together to a common destination as well as special pricing for leisure, incentive and company meeting travel.
Leisure groups Expand
From family reunions to sports teams, we offer guaranteed group fares for 10 or more traveling together to the same destination.
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Added:
Unless you have a group booking code. If just booking as 2 separate pnrs, I don't think it is a group booking.