10U Baseball and Softball Recreation League Rules
Offensive lineup: The batting lineup may be from eight to all players present. All players present must bein batting line up every inning, unless removed due to injury or a disciplinary reason. An automatic out will be taken if only 8 batters. When batting more than 8, if any position in the batting order is left open due to injury, illness, or ejection it will be an automatic out if a sub is not available. If a team only has 7 players present they forfeit. Coaches may agree to play to time limit for practice. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field unless there is a disciplinary reason for playing fewer innings
Defensive Positions: The defensive team must have a minimum of 8 players in the field with a maximum of 9 defensive players in the field, but no more than 6 including the catcher, can be positioned inside the infield baselines.
Games are 6 innings
Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings unless there is a disciplinary reason for playing fewer innings
Baseball only - Teams are limited to scoring 6 runs per inning except the 6th inning when 3 outs must be made by the defensive team. Softball only - Teams are limited to scoring 4 runs per inning except the 6th inning when 3 outs must be made by the defensive team. Changed Fall 2015
Time limit is 1 hour 45 minutes with no new inning starting after the time limit
Mercy rule: 12 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5. If mercy rule applies coaches may agree to play until time limit for practice.
Free Substitution
Stealing- Baseball only - A runner cannot lead off, a runner may leave the base only after the ball leaves the pitchers hand. Once a runner has made it to third base, the runner may not advance home on a pass ball or wild pitch.Any attempt made on the runner at third or any play in the field will allow the runner at 3rd base to advance home. (Examples: Pickoff attempt by either the pitcher or catcher at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base; Catcher attempts to throw out runner at 2nd base,bunted or batted home.)
Stealing - Softball only -
A runner on 1st or 2nd can advance/steal only one base per pitch even in the event of an overthrow in live ball territory. If they advance more than one base, they are liable to be put out. At end of play if the runner is safe and has advanced more than one base, the umpire will return the runner to the correct base.
A runner may steal home on a passed ball/wild pitch or a live ball in which the catcher or other field player attempts to throw out a runner. A runner may not steal home on a throw back to the pitcher, even if it is a pour throw. Additionally a runner may not attempt a straight steal of home from 3rd. Changed Fall 2015
A batter runner, who has received a base on balls, cannot attempt to steal second base.
Awarded bases will apply to all runners. This includes an overthrow into dead ball territory.
A runner cannot lead off, a runner may leave the base only after the ball leaves the pitchers hand or the pitching machine.
Stealing is allowed when using pitching machine.
No dropped 3rd strike.If batter strikes out, the batter is out and must return to the dugout.
Baseball Base distance is 65 ft.Pitching distance is 46 ft. Softball- Base distance 60ft, Pitching distance 35ft.
Softball Pitching Machine Speed – 37-40 MPH on the dial.
Bunting is allowed.
No infield fly rule.
A player may not pitch more than 4 complete innings in one game.
Where the above rules do not apply refer to USSSA baseball or softball rules.
The slide rule (collision avoidance rule)-- The SLIDE RULE (COLLISION AVOIDANCE RULE) will be in effect for all divisions. This rule is in force for any runner at any base where the ball is in the glove (in possession) of the fielder and he is attempting to make a tag. In this instance, MUST SLIDE OR ATTEMPT TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A FIELDER. If not, the runner is declared out.
If a deliberate attempt to injure is determined by the umpire, the runner is ejected from the game and a report must be made to the Board of Directors for further disciplinary action.
It should be noted that a fielder while NOT in possession of the ball and not attempting to field the ball, may be guilty of obstruction if that fielder impedes the progress of a runner. It is entirely up to the judgement of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of obstructing a runner.
NO steel spikes
Safety Equipment - As a general rule, MYBSA continues its long standing policy of permitting guardian and players to determine the use of the protective equipment when they deem it appropriate. MYBSA encourages players to utilize any protective equipment that they deem appropriate. Such protective equipment will be allowed in MYBSA sanctioned play, unless by rule or by Director/Umpire ruling that such protective equipment is disallowed as unsafe or as providing an unfair competitive advantage. If used, the equipment must not be detached. Detached equipment can result in an obstruction or interference ruling. Repeated acts could be grounds for ejection.
Scoring in the last inning. All innings in a MYBSA Summer Recreation game have a 6 run max. The only exception is the last inning where there is No Max, so you play until 3 outs.
- First, ideally coaches or the umpire should annouce the last inning prior to the beginning of that inning if other than the 6th inning. That said this is not always obvious when the inning begins. So if you are the visiting team, it is important you watch the clock. So lets say you enter the 4th inning down 7 runs, you score 6, but look at your clock and notice the game has reached the 1 hour and 30 minute mark. At this point you should probably call time out and have a meeting with the opposing coach/umpire to confirm she/he does not feel another inning can be played, if all agree, the visiting team should be able to continue their at bat until 3 outs. That said if all agree this is last inning and you do not tie or get the lead before 3 outs the game is over, also if you exit the field after 6 runs and the home teams next at bat takes the game past 1 hour and 40 minutes, then again game is over.
- Second, please do not abuse the No max scoring. So let's say you are the visiting team. You have watched the other team bat at least 3, 4 or 5 times, you enter the last inning up 8 runs, you score 6 , but only have 1 out. At this point do you feel you need to continue to bat in order to win the game? Sure the rule says you can, but do you need to? Please use good judgement.
Baseball Only - 2017 MYBSA Pitch Count Rules do apply to 10u baseball - Click here to see MYBSA Regular Season Pitch Count Rule Document
If you plan to keep track of the opposing teams pitch count and possible challenge a pitch count at some point in the game please follow this procedure through-out the game.
- Keep track of pitch count in your score book. At the side or bottom of each page there should be an area to mark pitches.
- At the end of each full inning walk over to opposing coach’s dugout to compare pitch count. If there is a discrepancy you should each have a written account. Both coaches need to agree on a number before starting next inning.
- In the event you do not compare pitch counts at the end of each inning, but do decide you want to know how many pitches the opposing pitcher has thrown, you can ask the opposing coach for their number at any point during the game and start keeping track from there. If this occurs you must accept the opposing coaches number.