GBBC BOBCAT CLASSIC

GBBC Bobcat Classic Tournament Rules

For additional questions or concerns please reach out to: GBBCtournament@gmail.com

General Rules

Age

• Divisions are determined by players age on May 1, 2023.

Birth Certificates

• Copies of players' birth certificates should be carried by the team throughout the tournament.

Refund Policy

Cancellation Policy- please refer to the refund policy document.

Inclement weather policy

• 0 games finished = 75% refund
• 1 game finished = 50% refund
• 2 games finished = 0 refund
• A game is considered official if 3 innings are completed. If a game is suspended prior to completing 3 innings then the game will resume where it left off.
•  If inclement weather causes delays and/or cancellations of games the tournament committee has the authority to make changes to the schedule/rules in the best interest of completing as many games as possible.

Possible Changes incurred from weather could include

• Shortening game time limits
• Starting at bats with a 1-1 count
• Shortening of bracket play(with the understanding we will try and let higher seeded teams play toward and finish a championship game)

Protests

• Protests can be made to a tournament committee member. The ruling made by the committee member will be final. Umpire judgment calls can not be protested. All umpire judgment calls are final.

Insurance

• Teams must show proof of insurance prior to the tournament.

Rosters

• Team rosters must be submitted prior to the start of the tournament.

Discipline

• Managers/head coaches are responsible for the behavior of their fans. The umpire has authority to warn and eject a coach and/or fans that behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.

Zero Tolerance

• There is a zero tolerance for any physical confrontation or verbal abuse by players, coaches or fans. Persons violating this are subject to ejection by umpires or a tournament committee member.

Ejection

• An ejected player, coach, or spectator must leave the playing area immediately. Any player, coach, or spectator ejected a second time will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Stronger penalties for an ejection can be handed out by a tournament committee member based on the situation.

Time Limits

• All games will have a time limit of 1 hour and 45 minutes. No inning shall start after the time limit is reached. Inning in progress will finish.

Game Balls

• The tournament will provide game balls.

Uniforms

• All players should have a visible number on the back of their uniforms.

Pool Play Games 

• Pool play home team is determined by a coin toss. 
• Pool play games may end in a tie at the end of a 6 inning game or after hitting the time limit.

Seeding for Bracket Play

1. Record
2. Head to head (can not have head to head with more than two teams with same record, goes to runs allowed)
3. Fewest runs allowed in pool play
4. Most runs scored in pool play
5. Coin toss

Bracket Games

• Higher seed will be the home team.
• International tie breaker will be used if the game is tied after 6 innings or after hitting the time limit.

Pitching

• Players can pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game (all age groups).
• One out constitutes an inning pitched.
• Opposing coach is responsible for keeping track and making the umpire aware if a team attempts to pitch a player over the limit. After a player has pitched, results will not be changed and no protest will be heard on the matter.

Cleats

• No metal spikes allowed.

Bats

• USSSA bats rules apply.

Awards

• Trophies will be given out to players for 1st place in each age division (12 max per team). Runner-up medals will be given for each age division (12 max per team).

Avoid Contact Rule

• Players must attempt to avoid contact with other players in tag-out situations. If there is intentional contact on the umpire, call the runner out on the play. If contact is judged to be malicious in intent then the player may be ejected from the game. All judgments are made by the umpires and are final.

If not specified in rules then MHSAA rules apply.

8u Coach Pitch Tournament Rules:

• Games are 6 innings/ 1:45 time limit\
• Pitching distance/base distance= 40 feet/60 feet.
• Each batter is allowed 5 pitches or 3 strikes(whichever comes first). If the batter fouls off the 5th pitch it is treated as a 3rd strike foul and the batter will get another pitch.
• Coaches must pitch within an 8 foot circle around the mound.
• The player pitcher must have one foot in an 8 foot circle. The player pitcher must wear a helmet with a mask.
• If the coach pitching is hit by a batted ball in play, the ball will be ruled dead. Runners do not advance and the batter will assume the previous count.
• Play will stop when a throw to the pitching circle is made by an infielder. Play is considered dead when the ball reaches the pitching circle. Pitching coaches are to make every effort to catch balls thrown by infielders to the circle area. Pitching coaches are not to catch throws made to circle from an outfield position player. If a throw from an outfield position player is made to circle it must be caught by the player pitcher and then play will stop once the ball is thrown to the coach pitcher.
• There will be midpoint lines between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and home. If the runner has not passed the line before the defense has control of the ball on the infield the runner will have to return to the last base occupied. Umpire judgment on these plays is final.
• Maximum of 8 runs can be scored per inning until the last inning where it is unlimited. If over the fence home run is hit all runs count even if it exceeds the 8 run limit.
• Mercy Rule- 15 after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings, 8 after 5 innings. 
• Round robin batting order/free substitutions.
• Courtesy runner for catcher can be used at any time. Runner should be the last player out.
• Teams must play with 10 players with 4 being in the outfield. Outfielders must be on the grass.
• Teams can play with as few as 8 players without taking an automatic out.

9u Tournament Rules

• 6 inning game/1:45 time limit
• Pitching distance/Base distance = 46 feet/ 60 feet
• Players can pitch 3 innings max per game. 1 out counts as an inning pitched.
• No leading off. Runners may steal after the ball crosses home plate. 
• Runners on 3rd base may advance home only on a batted ball or defensive play at 3rd.
• Drop third strike is an out.
• No bunting is allowed.
• Balks will be called as instructional only. No bases awarded for balks. 
• Infield fly rule is in effect.
• Round robin batting/free substitutions.
• Courtesy runners for catcher and pitcher are allowed at any time. The last player out shall be the runner.
• Teams must play 10 players in the field with 4 being outfielders. Outfielders must be on grass.
• An out must be taken for each batter less than 9.
• Mercy rule is 15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5.

10u Tournament Rules

• 6 Inning game/1:45 time limit.
• Pitching distance/base distance= 46 feet/65 feet.
• Players can pitch 3 innings max per game. 1 out counts as an inning pitched.
• Bunting is allowed
• Balks will be called, one warning shall be issued per team/per game. ● Stealing and leading off is allowed.
• Dropped third strike counts.
• Teams must play 10 players in the field, outfielders must be on grass. 
• An out must be taken for every batter under 9.
• Round robin batting/free subsitutions.
• Courtesy runner for catcher and pitcher at any time. Runner must be the last player out.
• Mercy rule is 15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5.

11u and 12u Tournament Rules

• 6 inning game/1:45 time limit
• Pitching distance/Base distance= 50 feet 6 inches/ 70 feet
• Players can pitch 3 innings max per game. 1 out counts as an inning pitched.
• Balks will be called, no warnings.
• An automatic out will be given for less than 9 batters.
• All MHSAA rules apply
• Mercy rule is 15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5.
• Round robin batting/free substitutions

For general question please email info@grandblancbaseballclub.com

Grand Blanc Baseball Club Address:

12745 S Saginaw Street

Suite 806 #129

Grand Blanc, MI 48439 USA