GBBC BOBCAT CLASSIC 2024

GBBC Bobcat Classic Tournament Rules

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

Refund Policies: 

1. Cancellation Policy 

• If a team cancels 60 or more days before the start of the tournament a full refund will be issued. 
• If a team cancels between 14-60 days from the beginning of the tournament a 50% refund will be issued. 
• If a team cancels within 0- 14 days of the beginning of the tournament, there will be no refund issued.

2. Inclement weather policy 

• 0 games finished = 75% refund 
• 1 game finished = 50% refund 
• 2 games finished = 0 refund 
• A finished game is any game that completes 3 innings to make it an official game. 

General Rules 

*Be advised that if not specified in rules then MHSAA rules apply 

Age- Divisions are determined by players age on May 1, 2024. 

Birth Certificates- Copies of players' birth certificates should be carried by the team throughout the tournament. 

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. 

Inclement Weather 

● 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 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) 

Time Limits- All games, with the exception of the championship 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. Championship games will have no time limit. 

Game Balls- The tournament will provide game balls. 

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

Seeding for Bracket Play 

1. Record 
2. Head to head (cannot 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 

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. 

Bracket Games 

• Higher seed will be the home team. 
• International tiebreaker 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. 
• After a pitcher has been removed, they cannot pitch again in the same game. 

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. 

Tournament Rules By Age Level 

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. 
• Runner 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 substitutions. 
• 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/ 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

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