10u Rules

#1 rule is to keep the game moving and to keep it fun!

• Pitching distance is 35 feet.
• The girls pitch until the count reaches 2-0, 3-1 or 4-2- once one of these pitch counts is reached, then the batting team’s coach pitches until the ball is put into play or the count reaches three strikes. There are no walks.  When the offensive coach is pitching, the player pitcher must position herself within 8 feet of the pitching rubber and shall not be closer to home plate than the pitching rubber. The defensive team calls strikes and balls.
• A player pitcher cannot pitch more than three innings in one game
• All players must bat in established batting order. If players leave the game early, just skip that spot in the lineup. Players arriving late will be added to the bottom of the lineup.
• All players on the defensive team will play all innings in the field. The defensive team may have no more than six players on the infield at one time so all remaining players will be positioned in the outfield.  Each player must play a minimum number of innings in the infield (P, C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B) depending on the length of the game.  Ratio of total game innings to minimum infield innings per player → 2:1, 3:1, 4:2, 5:2, 6:3.
• Infielders must start at the traditional positions until the ball is released by the pitcher.  Traditional positions are first base, second base, shortstop, and third base. Outfielders must start each play in the outfield grass.  They cannot move toward the infield until the ball is released by the pitcher.
• No steals, advancing on passed balls or a wild pitch.
• Baserunners may not leave their base until the ball crosses home plate.
• There is no infield fly rule.
• There is no extra base awarded on an overthrow regardless of whether or not the ball goes out of play.  Play is stopped as soon as the ball is in the infield and under control or as soon as the ball goes out of play.
• There is no sliding.
• There is no bunting. An attempted bunt is a strike.
• If the player scheduled to catch the next half inning is on base with one or two outs, that player’s team should put in a courtesy runner (the last batted out) to allow the catcher to get into her defensive equipment.
• A batter is not awarded first base if she is hit by a pitch.  If able, the batter completes the at bat going directly to coach pitch with a count of zero strikes regardless of the count at the time she was hit.  If the batter is unable to complete the at bat, that at bat is skipped (no out or base) and the next batter in the order is up.
• The batting team's coach must remain on the field at all times while their team is batting and should position themselves out of the way of the fielding players while waiting to pitch if necessary.

• Teams need 6 players to start, continue, finish the game. Share players if necessary. If you see an issue with player’s availability, please let the level director know as early as possible.
• Games are officially 6 innings long (but usually 4-5.)  No full inning starts after 90 minutes. 5 run limit per inning except last inning which is unlimited.  When you are getting close to 90 minutes, discuss plans with the other coach, so that both teams get their unlimited inning. If a game is called due to weather after starting, coaches should note and agree on the score and batter up so that the game can be continued later. The game can be declared official if at least three innings have been played (or 2.5 innings if the home team is ahead).

• No regular season standings.
• Single elimination playoff...random seeding. There are additional rules for playoffs.
• No metal cleats.