10U rules:
Defensive Play:
In the 10U and 12U age groups, a team will be comprised of ten (10) players if available, if not the game may be played with eight (8) players minimum to be considered a regulation game. In the 14U and 15+ age groups, teams will be comprised of nine (9) players if available. If not, the game may be played with eight (8) players and will be considered a regulation game. If a player(s) leaves the game for any reason other than injury after coming to bat, an automatic out will be taken at her place in the batting order.
USA Softball approved 11” balls will be used in the 10U age group and 12” ball will be used in the 12U and older age groups.
At any bat when four (4) runs are scored, the half inning is complete regardless of the number of outs. When 60 minutes or four innings of play are complete, whichever comes first, the next inning(s) will be an open inning(s). The open inning(s) will have a run limit of eight (8).
In the event of a tie, the batters making the last two outs of the previous inning will be put on
2nd base and 3rd base respectively. Each inning will start with one (1) out. The game will be
extended a maximum of two (2) innings. If the score is still tied after two additional innings the game will be recorded as a tie.
When a play at home plate occurs, the base runner should make every attempt to avoid a collision with the Catcher.
In all age groups, outfielders must be positioned in the grass prior to the ball being hit.
The Look Back rule is in effect. The rule states that when the pitcher has possession of the ball within the 8' radius circle and is not making a play on a runner, a runner must immediately return to her base or proceed to the next base without hesitation or be liable to be called out by the Umpire. No runner may leave a base when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle and is not making a play on a runner. If the circle is not marked, the Umpire will approximate the circle radius when making this judgment call. Exception: when a batter receives a walk, runners on 2nd or 3rd can remain off their bases until the batter-runner reaches 1st base. As soon as the batter-runner reaches 1st base and the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the other runners must return to their base or commit to the next base.
10U Specific Rules:
The infield fly rule is not in effect for the 10U age group.
The dropped third strike rule is not in effect for the 10U age group.
In the 10U Division only, there is only 1 base stolen per overthrow. Pitching Regulations:
A. The Player-Pitcher should make every effort to finish the batter. If four balls are thrown, a
Coach-Pitcher will enter the game and complete the at-bat. There is no “5 pitch rule” if the first
4 pitches are balls. If it is a full count (3-2) then the player-pitcher is allowed to finish the batter until she pitches the 4th ball or the batter strikes out.
B. The Player-Pitcher will then assume a “pitcher’s helper” position. The Coach-Pitcher must make every attempt to deliver flat pitches, with minimal arch.
C. The Coach-Pitcher will be allowed a maximum number of pitches equal to the number of strikes remaining for the batter. The final coach pitch must be put in play or hit foul. If neither occurs the batter is declared out. The Coach-Pitcher must start with 2 feet on the pitching rubber.
D. A 3rd strike foul against the Coach-Pitcher entitles the batter to another pitch until the ball is put in play or a non-strike is pitched. If neither occurs the batter is declared out.
E. A batter who is hit by a pitch from a Player-Pitcher is entitled to 1st base. A batter who is hit by a pitch from a Coach-Pitcher is not entitled to 1st base, and this pitch counts against the overall number of pitches awarded to the coach-pitcher.
If the Coach-Pitcher is struck with a batted ball or makes incidental contact with a player attempting to field a batted ball, play will stop and the ball shall be declared a dead ball. All runners will return to the base they occupied when the pitch was made. The pitch does not count in the pitch total or the pitch count and the batter is awarded another pitch.
If in an Umpire’s judgment, interference by the Coach-Pitcher is intentional, the batter is out and all runners will return to the base they occupied when the pitch was made.
Once the pitched ball leaves the Player-Pitcher’s hand, the runners may attempt to advance. There will be no stealing during Coach-Pitch. A base runner leaving early may be called out. If the Catcher attempts to throw out an advancing base runner and the ball is overthrown, the runner may not advance beyond that base (Example 1). A runner already on 3rd base may not attempt to advance in this situation (Example 2).A runner on 3rd may only advance home on a force play or a batted ball.
Example 1 - With a base runner on 1st base, the pitcher delivers the pitch and the ball passes the catcher. The runner attempts to advance to 2nd base, the catcher retrieves the ball and throws to
2nd but the ball gets past the infielder. The base runner must stay on 2nd base.
Example 2 - With runners on 1st and 3rd base, the pitcher delivers the pitch and the catcher catches the ball. The runner on 1st attempts to advance to 2nd base, the catcher throws to
2nd base. The runner on 3rd base may not attempt to advance home.
Exception to 3rd base runner advancing: If a runner is on third, takes a lead, and the catcher attempts to throw them out (pick them off) at third base, the runner may advance at their own risk to home.
Bunting is not permitted during Coach-Pitch.
Each ball pitched to a batter must have a flat trajectory and appropriate velocity. Any pitch with a significant arc is not allowed. If, in the judgment of the Umpire, the actions of the Coach- Pitcher are deemed to give unfair advantage to the offense, the play shall be nullified and all runners will return to the base they occupied when the pitch was made. The pitch will accrue in the pitch count. Multiple offenses shall cause the Coach-Pitcher to be removed from pitching for the remainder of the game.
A defensive coach may assist with pass balls during non-steal situations. Should a Coach interfere with a pass ball during a steal situation, runners are entitled to move one base from the base they occupied before the pitch but a runner on 3rd may not advance home.
A ball leaving the field of play results in the advancement of 2 bases for runners on base (a ball is overthrown outside the fence or into a dug out).
