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10u Rules
2010
Atlantic Babe Ruth Softball League
10u Division Playing Rules
The intention of this softball league is to adhere as closely as possible to the rules of Babe Ruth, which each team is chartered.
Some rules have been modified because of player’s ability level or simply to quicken the pace of the game. If a rule is not described below please refer to the
Babe Ruth Softball Rules and Regulations
guide for the official description.
Note: To print out a copy of the rules, scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on the "printer-friendly" option.
BASE RUNNING
A runner may not leave the base until the pitched ball has reached the batter.
Note: an umpire may call a runner out for leaving the base early. Some umpires may warn a runner first, while others may not warn the runner first. It is the umpire’s call.
BATTING
All players on the team roster will bat (see playoff exception below).
Playoff Exception Only:
During playoffs it will be up to the individual coach to bat all players on the roster or just in the line up for that game.
Each inning ends when the defensive team makes three (3) outs, or the offensive team has scored five runs. (see also MERCY and TIME LIMIT Rules)
A batter, after incurring two foul hits, which count as strikes, may hit an unlimited number of foul balls until; the ball is hit fair, the batter incurs three (3) strikes or the batter incurs four (4) balls. If three strikes are incurred by the batter, the batter is out. If the batter incurs four (4) balls prior to three (3) strikes, an offensive coach will enter the game and pitch to the batter from the pitching rubber. At this point, the strike count remains with the batter.
If the batter fails to hit the ball before three (3) strikes are assessed, the batter is out. A batter may hit an unlimited number of foul balls until they put the ball into fair territory or incur three (3) strikes, at which time said batter would be out. There are no walks, except when a batter is hit by a pitch. In this case the batter may elect to continue batting or to "take" first base. This is a head coach and players decision.
It is not the decision of the umpire whether the hit batsman will “take” first base.
The purpose of this no-walk rule is to put the ball in play as often as possible to develop fielding skills, and to keep the game moving.
BUNTING
Bunting is allowed at the 10u division.
CANCELLATIONS
Please refer to the "Reschedule Policy" tab on the home page of this website for more information on rescheduling and cancellations of games.
COMPLETED GAMES
A game is considered "completed" when the time limit has been reached (see also TIME LIMIT rule) or in the case of darkness, weather, etc when three (3) innings (2 ½ , if home team is ahead) have been played to completion.
Note: If a game that has been "called" by the umpire for darkness, weather, etc has surpassed the inning minimums stated above, the official score will be taken at the point in which the home team last finished an official at bat or at the point when the away team completed an at bat and the home team was ahead.
See also the WEATHER Rule below.
COACH PITCH
When a batter incurs four (4) balls an offensive coach will enter the game and pitch from the pitching rubber to the batter to complete the at bat (strikes already assessed to the batter carry over). If the batter fails to hit the ball before three (3) strikes are assessed, the batter is out. A batter may hit an unlimited number of foul balls until they put the ball into fair territory or incur three (3) strikes, at which time said batter would be out. The purpose of this no-walk rule is to put the ball in play as often as possible to develop fielding skills, and to keep the game moving.
Coach Interference -
If a batted ball hits a pitching coach it is the same as if a ball hits an umpire, the ball is a live ball and the play continues. It is however, the responsibility of the "pitching" coach to make every effort to avoid contact with a live ball and with the opposing pitcher. Umpires may call the runner out if it appears that the pitching coach intentionally interfered with the defensive teams ability to make a play on the base-runner.
During the time the offensive teams coach enters the game to "coach pitch" the defensive pitcher must have at least one (1) foot inside the pitching circle when she takes her fielding position.
FORFEITS
(See also PLAYING STRENGTH Rule) In an effort to avoid a forfeit, teams may
call up players from the next level down (i.e. 8u). Teams cannot use
lateral player replacements (i.e. players from another 10u team) for an official game.
If a team is short players and forfeits the game, the opposing team can supply players to the "short team" so that team can still play the game. In this case, teams may also use lateral replacements to play a game however, that team will have to forfeit the game. In each case the umpire will "call" the game and will get paid, even though the game was forfeited.
HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
The home team will provide two new game balls per game. Home teams will also ensure all the bases are in place and that the field and dugouts are cleaned up after the game and secure all equipment, gang boxes, garages, etc.
Additionally, for regular season and playoff games the HOME team will use the First Base side dugout/bench.
HOME TEAM DETERMINATION (Play-Offs Only)
During playoffs, the home team will be the higher seeded team. There will be no coin toss. Once decided, the home team will use the First Base side dugout/bench.
INFIELD FLY RULE
This rule is not in effect for the 10u division.
MAKE-UP GAMES
Any game that has to be made up (inclement weather or coaches’ mutual consent due to prior event conflict) will be scheduled, through your town coordinator, and with Chilly Warren with NJSA Umpires. Chilly’s number is on the ABRSL Coaches Contact List. Please be sure to schedule make-up games promptly, within one week.
MERCY RULE
Ten (10) runs after four (4) innings of play. (3 ½ , if home team)
Note: In the 10u division there is a five (5) run maximum score rule in effect the entire game. There is no "open" scoring last inning. Exception Playoffs Only -
During the playoffs there is a five (5) run maximum score rule in effect until the last inning (the 5th inning or as otherwise called by the umpire) in which each team may bat a maximum of twenty (20) batters unless the defensive team makes three (3) outs. There is no five (5) run rule in the last inning.
Note: Taunting, baiting, or any other un-sportsmanship display by teams securing a substantial run lead will not be tolerated. In this case umpires may remove players and/or coaches from the game. Further disciplinary action may also result.
OVERTHROWS
Only one base will be allowed to a runner on any overthrown ball, per pitch.
Overthrows on Steals: Only one base will be allowed on a throw from the catcher to a base on an attempted steal. In this instance the runner or runners are only allowed to advance one base. For example, if a catcher throws a ball beyond second-base when a base-runner is attempting to steal second (from first base) the base-runner must remain at second base. If they make an attempt to steal an additional base on the same overthrow from the catcher the play is still alive. If she or they are called out steeling that additional base she or they are out. If she or they are safe, the umpire will call time and she or they must go back to the previous base. This rule applies to one base runner or multiple base runners.
Overthrows on Batted Balls: Only one base will be allowed on an overthrow from a defensive player to another defensive player at a base. For example, if a ball is batted to the shortstop and the shortstop attempts a throw to first base and that throw goes beyond the bag, the runner may attempt to get to second base (at their own risk). Once the runner is safe at second base they cannot advance to third even if another overthrow was made at second base. If a runner makes an attempt at an additional base the play is still alive. If the runner makes it safely to the next base, the umpire will call time and the runner must go back to the previous base. If the runner was called out on the play an out will be recorded.
PITCHING/PITCHERS
A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher and may pitch up to ten (10) innings per week (Monday-Sunday).
There will be no walks, except when a batter is hit by a pitch. In this case, the batter may elect to continue batting or to "take" first base. This is a head coach and players decision.
It is not the decision of the umpire whether the hit batsman will “take” first base.
A pitcher will be removed from the game (and cannot return) when she has struck three (3) batters with a pitched ball in one inning or when she has struck six (6) total batters with a pitched ball in a game.
A pitched ball that bounces prior to striking a player is not counted in the total. Additionally, the number of struck batters is not increased if in the opinion of the umpire, an attempt is not made by the batter to avoid being struck by the pitch.
During the time the offensive teams coach enters the game to "coach pitch" the defensive pitcher must have at least one (1) foot inside the pitching circle when she takes her fielding position.
Between innings there is a five (5) pitch or one (1) minute time limit (whichever comes first) for pitchers to warm-up prior to the umpire declaring the start of the inning. In the event a pitcher is removed from the game due to injury, the replacement pitcher may throw as many pitches (within reason) as necessary to warm up. In the event a pitcher is replaced for non-injury reasons the replacement pitcher is given up to ten (10) pitches or two (2) minutes (whichever comes first) to warm up.
PLAYER POSITIONING
Teams choosing to place ten (10) defensive players in the field will use the following positions for play: 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman, Short Stop, Pitcher, Catcher, Left Field, Left Centerfield, Right Centerfield and Right Field.
On each play, the outfielders must start at least three (3) feet onto the outfield grass (from the infield).
Teams choosing to use nine defensive players will use only three outfielders (Left, Center and Right).
PLAYING STRENGTH
Teams may play with no fewer than (8) players. Teams may put a maximum of ten (10) players in the field (four outfielders).
Note: Teams playing with (8) players are NOT charged an automatic out on the occurrence of the "ninth" batter. If at anytime (before or during a game) a team can only field (7) players that team must forfeit the game.
PLAYING TIME
All players on the roster for each game must play at least two (2) defensive innings and bat once.
Exception - During playoffs, coaches may bat and play only those players he or she decides.
SCORE KEEPING & REPORTING
A record of each game will be kept in the teams scorebook. The winning team’s coach is responsible for phoning or emailing the score within twenty-four (24) hours to the appropriate age group representative. The e-mail address for each division representative can be found on the ABRSL Coaches Contact List and on this web-site (under the Scores Reporting tab).
Failure to submit scores within the 24 hour window may result in a recorded forfeit for the winning team.
SLIDING
Sliding is permitted. A runner is not required to slide; however, a runner must make an attempt to avoid contact with a defensive player. If that attempt is not made, the runner is out. Foot-first sliding is encouraged, as it is the best way for a runner to avoid contact, headfirst sliding is not allowed. If a player attempts to headfirst slide, the team will receive a warning for the first offense; for the second or subsequent offenses, the runner will be called out. A runner may headfirst dive back to a base.
STACKED TEAMS
Stacked teams are not permissible in ABRSL 10u league play. Stacked teams are those teams that contain known all-star caliber players that are
intentionally placed on the same team for the purposes of gaining victories or as preparation for after-the-season tournaments.
START TIMES
see schedules for start times.
STEALING
Stealing is permitted, however the base-runners may not leave until the pitched ball has reached the batter. Only one steal per batter is permitted. There is no stealing during coach pitch. There is no stealing of home plate.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Free substitutions are permitted.
TIE-BREAKERS
Regular Season - A completed game may end in a tie, and shall be reported as such by the HOME team. Completed as it is used here, indicates a complete inning was played when the time limit occurred (see Time Limit Rule) or when a game was shortened (by weather, darkness, etc.) but enough innings were played to rule the game completed (see Completed Games Rule).
Playoffs - When a playoff game has ended in a tie, the International TieBreaker Rule (INTBR) will be invoked. Under this rule, another full inning will be played and will commence with the placement of the player who made the last out in the preceding inning on second base.
TIME LIMIT
(see also MERCY RULE). There is a 90-minute "drop dead" time limit for each game. When 90 minutes (from the start of the first pitch) has occurred, the umpire will halt play regardless of the status of the game. At the time of the stoppage if the home team is ahead and batting, or if the score is tied and the home team is batting the final score will be taken as it was at the stoppage. For all other situations the final score will be taken from the last full inning played (completed) and reported as such.
Playoffs Only - There is no 90-minute “drop dead” time limit for playoff games. Playoff games will be five (5) innings in duration.
UMPIRES
-The umpires decision is final. Excessive arguing or yelling at the umpire(s) by coaches, players or spectators will not be tolerated.
- One paid umpire will be used per game, which the home team is responsible to pay.
WEATHER
If during a game inclement weather is imminent or any lightning is seen or heard the umpire will "call" the game. If the game cannot be re-started it will be continued from the stopping point and finished on the next mutually available day. (See Completed Games rule above).
This is a final copy of the rules that we will play by for the 2010 season, as was agreed upon by representatives from all the participating organizations.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Bob Korsak
President of The Atlantic Babe Ruth Softball League.
January 4th, 2010
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