ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
2014/2015 GCBA SUMMER SERIES PLAYING CONDITIONS – SENIORS
In the absence of a relevant GCBA By-Law or BQ Baseball Rule, the Official Australian Baseball Rules shall
apply. Refer also to the Association website for any rules and/or by-laws specific to a particular season or
competition.
Please refer to Baseball Queensland Rules Edition 30 July 2014 for all age groups, the below are playing conditions
administered by the GCBA for our competitions.
GAME DURATION
Seniors, Legends, Ladies
1. All games are nine (9) innings or time, whichever comes first.
2. All grades will be nine (9) innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first. Ladies games are 1 hour and
30 minutes.
3. The ten-minute rule will apply in all games. Therefore no new inning may be commenced with
less than ten minutes of scheduled time remaining. An inning started before ten minutes to the
scheduled finish time shall be completed unless the home team is in the lead during their turn at
bat. An inning starts immediately after the final out of the previous inning.
4. Should a game start later than the scheduled start time, the scheduled finish time will still apply.
A team will have ten minutes after the scheduled game start time to place a team on the field or
supply the required umpire & scorer. If a team is unable to do this, a forfeit will be recorded
against that team.
5. In all games, four (4) innings or 65 minutes shall constitute a regulation game. Three and a half
innings are sufficient if the home team is winning. In the event of wet weather, a game of fewer
than the required minimum number of innings or minimum time shall be declared a washout.
6. A regulation game that is called with an inning in progress shall revert to the previous completed
inning score only if the visiting team has tied or taken the lead in the incomplete inning.
7. In the absence of an ABF accredited umpire, the scorers will be the official timekeepers.
8. In all games, if either team is leading by ten (10) runs or more after five (5) equal innings, or 4½
innings if the home team is leading, then the game will be called as a complete game. For the
purpose of recording stats and the final score, the game will end as soon as the winning run
crosses the plate (ie the 10th run ahead in mercy rule games) unless it is scored by an ‘out of the
park’ home run, at which time all runs shall count.
GAME PARTICIPANTS
Scorers
1. Each team shall have its own scorer. Scorers of both teams must sit together at the same
allocated table and area during the game to assist with the accurate recording of details in
scorebooks. Failure to supply a scorer shall incur a penalty as per the Schedule of Penalties.
2. At the completion of the game, the home team scorer shall present the official game card to the
Umpire In Chief for checking, signing and return to the scorer.
3. The home team scorer shall be responsible for handing in the game card to the host Club. The
host Club shall be responsible for returning the completed game card to the GCBA Registrar by
6pm Sunday following the game. Must include scores for the game, together with notice of any
ejections, cautions, injuries or protests Failure to do this shall incur penalties as per the
Schedule of Penalties.
ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
4.
5.
6.
Both Team scorers must be able to provide their scorebooks to GCBA in the event of any game
disputes, protests &/or ejections.
Scorers may be required to provide a copy of their scorebooks to any GCBA appointed
statistician.
The home team scorer shall ensure that:
a) the game card is fully completed, accurate and legible
b) team coaches sign in the appropriate place on the card
c) Umpires in Chief sign in the appropriate place on the card noting any ejections, cautions,
injuries or protests.
ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
7.
All scorers must receive MVP points from the head coaches. The points allocated must reflect the
best players in the game. It is not mandatory for a player in the losing team to be allocated any
points. A total of six (6) points are available with a maximum of 3 points available for any one
player.
BREACH OF BY-LAW PENALTY
BREACH OF SCORER PROVISION
1st forfeit
2nd forfeit
3rd forfeit
BREACH OF GAME CARDS BY-LAW
Failure to return game cards on time
Senior Games
$15.00
$30.00
$60.00
$ 30.00 each time
Players
1. All teams may start a game with eight (8) players and play an automatic out in the number nine
(9) position in the batting line up.
2. Eligible players may participate in a game even if they are not listed on the team line-up sheet
prior to the commencement of the game. If this occurs, the Umpires and Scorers must be notified
as soon as that player enters the game.
3. If a player leaving the game due to injury or illness reduces the team to eight (8) players,
another player previously replaced may re-enter the game. This can occur only if no new player is
available and shall not take a place in the battery. Teams may continue the game with eight (8)
players due to a shortage of players.
4. Scorers must record on the official game card and Incident Report Form details of players
injured in a game.
To prove eligibility for the Disabled List, players must forward a medical certificate or a Statutory
Declaration to the Registrar within three (3) working days of the injury occurring. The player will
then be recorded on the Registrar’s Disabled List.
5. Players who are injured outside the field of play eg work injuries; training etc. must forward a
suitable medical certificate to the Registrar to be eligible for the Disabled List. Players on the
Disabled List will continue to be credited with game eligibility for finals (within their grade)
provided the registrar has been informed a player shall be listed on the game card only when that
player enters the game.
Playing in grades (Over 16 years)
1. Players registered in Legends or Ladies competitions are eligible to play in seniors without
affecting their playing status in their respective Legends or Ladies competition.
2. If a club has two (2) teams in the one grade, players may play across until they have played
three games with one of the teams in the grade. After the third game in one of the teams the
player can not play in the other teams.
3. Breach of the grading rules will be dealt with as per the Schedule of Penalties.
Playing in seniors (Under 16 years)
1. The minimum age for any junior player to play senior baseball is 15. Any junior player under 16
must supply a Type 1 clearance for each game signed by their parent or guardian. A Type 3
clearance should also be arranged with the GCBA RDO if the player is going to play the whole
season.
ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
Squad nominations
1. Each club must submit at least nine (9) players per team entered into each competition to make
up their squad for the year, within three (3) weeks of the commencement of the season.
Playing at another club
1.
Any player (junior, senior, legends or lady) playing at another club in the summer season
must arrange a clearance form from the winter club to be registered at a summer club.
UNIFORMS
1. All players must wear full club playing uniforms. All coaches must be in full playing uniform.
Minimum dress standard – Team Cap, Team shirt, playing pants and closed shoes. Open faced
shoes of any type, are prohibited.
2. Newly registered players have a maximum of three (3) weeks to obtain the correct uniform.
3. Each coach and at least the Umpire-in-Chief officiating in a game shall enforce the uniforms bylaw by making a note of any infringements on the back of the game card.
BREACH OF BY-LAW PENALTY
BREACH OF UNIFORMS BY-LAW
1st offence by team, one player in breach
1st offence, more than one player in breach in the same game
2nd offence by team, one player in breach
2nd offence, more than one player in breach in the same game
3rd offence by team, one or more players in breach in same game
Senior Games
$20.00
$50.00
$70.00
$ 100.00
$ 200.00
DESIGNATED HITTER / COURTESY RUNNER
1. The designated hitter rule will apply for all senior games as per the Official Australian Rules of
Baseball.
2. A courtesy runner MAY replace the offensive team catcher as a base runner at any time, but
MUST replace the catcher after two (2) outs. If no further players are available, the last player
out will become the courtesy runner. If there are no outs, then the last player home will be the
courtesy runner.
3. A courtesy runner shall be any eligible player not in the game, or a replaced player.
4. A courtesy runner cannot be replaced once on base except for injury or illness.
5. Only a courtesy runner who has played in the field or batted in the line-up shall be deemed to
have played in the game for finals or other eligibility purposes. No running stats will be credited
to the courtesy runner; they will be credited to the catcher.
PLAYER SAFETY
1. Batters and runners in all grades must wear two eared batting helmets.
2. All base coaches must wear skull caps or two eared helmets.
3. Players 15 years and under must wear two eared batting helmets when acting as a coach in any
grade, or as a bat boy / girl.
4. All catchers must wear a catcher’s helmet. Any person warming up a pitcher between innings
must wear a minimum of a catcher’s helmet, catcher’s mask and protective cup.
5. Umpires shall ensure that a player removes any jewellery and other articles that they consider
may jeopardise the safety of any player during the game.
ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
COLLISIONS AT HOME PLATE
A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to
initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). If, in the judgment of the
Umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering
home plate) in such a manner, the Umpire shall declare the runner out (even if the player covering
home plate loses possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the Umpire shall call the ball dead,
and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision.
Rule 7.13 Comment: The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner's
lowering of the shoulder, or the runner's pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would
support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with
the catcher in violation of Rule 7.13. If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner, he
shall not be adjudged to have violated Rule 7.13. A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of
a feet first slide, if the runner's buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the
catcher. In the case of a head first slide, a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately if his
body should hit the ground before contact with the catcher.
Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as
he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the Umpire, the catcher without possession of the
ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the Umpire shall call or signal the runner safe.
Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 7.13 if the catcher
blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw, and the Umpire determines that the
catcher could not have fielded the ball without blocking the pathway of the runner and that contact
with the runner was unavoidable.
GAME BALLS
1. The host venue shall be responsible for the supply of two (2) new balls for each game. The host
venue shall provide additional suitable balls for game play if required.
2. Teams must supply only official standard baseballs.
GAME CARDS/RESULTS MVP
1. Home team representatives shall email game results to the Registrar. These must include scores
for the game, together with notice of any ejections, cautions, injuries or protests recorded on
the game card. this shall incur penalties as per the Schedule of Penalties.
2. The home team scorer shall ensure that:
a. the game card is fully completed, accurate and legible
b. team coaches sign in the appropriate place on the card
3. Umpires in Chief sign in the appropriate place on the card noting any ejections, cautions, injuries
or protests.
4. The home team scorer shall be responsible for handing in the game card (including any
attachments if applicable) to the host Club. The host Club shall be responsible for returning the
completed game card to the GCBA Registrar by 12pm of the Sunday following the game. Failure
to do this shall incur penalties as per the Schedule of Penalties.
5. All scorers must receive MVP points from the head coaches. The points allocated must reflect the
best players in the game. It is not mandatory for a player in the losing team to be allocated any
points. A total of six (6) points are available with a maximum of 3 points available for any one
player.
ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
GROUNDS/FIELDS
1. All nominated fields must be available for the commencement of the GCBA competition.
2. Clubs must fully and accurately mark fields for every game to the satisfaction of the umpire.
Markings must be to the correct dimensions as per the Rules of Baseball. Markings must
include at least foul lines and should include batters boxes.
3. All grounds are to have a home run fence, i.e. properly enclosed, or a minimum of a clearly
defined line marked with witch’s hats. Tape or rope is not acceptable.
4. The host club must open a canteen during all games played at their ground. The canteen
must make hot and cold drinks and a variety of food items available for purchase during all
games played at the ground. Failure to provide adequate canteen facilities may result in no
future home games for that club.
5. Visiting teams and supporters must not bring alcohol to a host club’s ground.
6. The host club shall provide a clearly defined dugout, seating and shade cover for both teams,
and seating and shade cover for scorers.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE
1. If wet weather causes games to be cancelled, the following process needs to be followed:
a) only the first game of the next day should be called off, if obvious that the ground is
unplayable for the first game. Assessment can then be made for the rest of the day on the
day of the games.
b) games are to be called off one grade at a time, unless it is obvious that the ground is
unplayable for the entire day.
c) if the home teams ground is a washout it should be attempted to play at the Away teams
ground on the scheduled day
d) notify the opposing club not less than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled game start
time.
e) advise the GCBA Registrar at least two (2) hours prior to the scheduled game start.
f) notify the Umpire Coordinator at least two (2) hours prior to the scheduled game start.
2. No game should be rescheduled into the week between the last round and the semi-finals
3. If in the opinion of the Umpire in Chief (in consultation with both coaches), the weather
becomes potentially detrimental to any player’s health, the game will be abandoned.
4. If a game in progress is interrupted by rain, the umpires may delay the game as per the
Official Australian Rules of Baseball. Timed games will still finish at scheduled time. If a game
commences, but is rained out before it becomes a regulation game, the home team scorer
must still complete the game card and forward it to the Registrar. This will enable
participants to be credited with game eligibility for finals (within the grade).
ABN: 90 998 071 360
[email protected]
P.O. Box 5304 G.C.M.C, Bundall QLD 9726
FORFEITS
A team that is unable to compete in a scheduled game in accordance with these by-laws shall notify
the GCBA Registrar by 8:00pm at least two days before the scheduled game (eg All Sunday
games need to be advised by 8:00pm Friday). The Club forfeiting shall notify the opposing team of
the forfeit by phone AND by email (cc the Registrar in on the email). This will be considered a
notified forfeit (refer Schedule of Penalties).
Notification of a forfeit after the deadline nominated above will be deemed a non-notified forfeit
(refer Schedule of Penalties).
1. A game card must be sent by the winning team to the GCBA Registrar endorsing the forfeit
win.
BREACH OF BY-LAW PENALTY
Senior Games
NOTIFIED FORFEITS BY-LAW
1st forfeit
2nd forfeit
3rd forfeit
$50.00
$100.00
Justification required to remain in competition
NON-NOTIFIED FORFEITS BYLAW
1st breach
2nd breach
3rd breach
$100.00
$200.00
Removed from competition