Revised 2026.05
Minor 10u Victor Community Softball Rules 2026
1. General Team Rules
1.1. All players must wear a full conforming uniform during game play, unless both coaches agree otherwise. Coaches must wear their Victor Community softball distributed attire.
1.2. The official ball is the 11-inch, USA certified RIF ball distributed to coaches at the start of the season.
1.3. All players must play both infield and outfield within the first three (4) innings of a game. If you have special circumstances, this must be agreed upon with the division leader and both team’s coaches.
1.4. Players may not taunt an opponent, including taunting cheers. Derogatory comments are not allowed. Violation results in ejection from the game.
1.5. These rules cannot be changed or modified unless a majority vote is made by the league directors.
1.6. USA rules will be used where not specified in this document.
1.7. Victor Community Softball requires all defensive players to wear a defensive fielder’s masks.
1.8. Coaches must coach their team from the dugout or coach’s box. No coach will coach from outside of the field of play or from behind the backstop of the field.
2. Game
2.1. Regulation game time is one hour and thirty minutes (1:30) from the first pitch or six innings, whichever comes first. No new innings will begin after the time limit has expired. New inning begins immediately following the third out of the previous innings. Tie games are allowed. The umpire will begin the clock and coaches will be responsible for calling last inning for unlimited runs. In the event of no umpire, both coaches will agree on a designated timekeeper. Hard stop at one hour and forty-five minutes (1:45). Final score is last full inning completed. No stalling. Umpire will first give a warning. If stalling continues, umpire will call an out.
2.2. Five (5) runs per inning until last inning (unlimited runs).
2.3. Game is complete if a team is leading by more than fifteen (15) runs after four (4) innings or ten
(10) runs after five (5) innings.
2.4. Home team will occupy the third base line dugout/bench and away team will occupy the first baseline dugout/bench.
2.5. Each team will submit a lineup to the opposing team ten minutes before their scheduled game time.
2.6. One umpire will be used for each game. If no umpire is present, a parent from each team should be selected to call the game. Both coaches will agree on parent umpire. In the event of an indecision of a parent umpire, the game will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.
3. Batting
3.1. Each half inning will end when the offensive team has three (3) outs, or the offensive team has scored five (5) runs. There is no continuation rule. Unlimited runs will be allowed in the final inning where both teams have a final at bat.
3.2. Continuous batting order, all players in uniform will be in the batting order lineup.
3.3. Batters will not throw bats and will be warned by the umpire once for the violation. This warning will be a team warning, and the next violation will result in the acting batter being declared out.
3.4. All batters must wear a NOCSAE approved helmet with a face mask/guard. All bats must be USA approved (tee ball bats not allowed).
3.5. Bunting is allowed. 3rd dropped strike will not be in effect. Infield fly will not be in effect.
4. Base Running
4.1. Runners may advance one (1) base on fielding overthrows to any base with a play. An overthrow is defined as a ball that is 6’ beyond the intended target.
4.2. Runners may leave the base once the pitch leaves the pitcher’s hand.
4.3. Base runners can only steal bases from 2nd to 3rd. If there are runners on 1st and 2nd bases, the 1st base runner cannot advance when the 2nd base runner makes the attempt to steal 3rd base.
4.4. The base runner is NOT allowed to advance to home when stealing 3rd on an overthrow from the catcher to 3rd base.
4.5. For a ball in play, on the first overthrow to any base (a play in the infield), runners may advance one base only (If there is a 2nd overthrow no more bases are awarded. Infielders should be taught to make a play. On hits to the outfield, where the ball is being returned to the infield, and on infield hits, players should be taught to make a defensive play in the infield where reasonable opportunity exists. An overthrow is defined as a defensive throw that landed 6’ beyond the intended target. Intentional overthrows will result in a warning. Second intentional overthrows will result in an automatic forfeit and end of the game.
4.6. Runners may NOT advance on errant throws to the pitcher from a) the catcher; or b) after the runner has stopped advancing – from a fielder in possession of the ball within the infield.
4.7. Sliding is permitted. Sliding head first is not permitted.
5. Fielding
5.1. The defensive team will consist of a maximum of 10 players, 6 infielders (1st base, 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base, catcher, and pitcher) and 4 outfielders (L, LC, R, RC). A minimum of 7 players on each team are required to begin a game. Additional players can join up through the second inning if arriving late. Coaches must position their infielders so they will not obstruct the baselines and minimize obstruction calls and proper softball positions (i.e no rovers).
5.2. Outfielders must start each play in the grass outfield. Approximately 2 large steps from the fringe of dirt and grass.
5.3. No infielder, except pitcher position, will be positioned closer to home plate than the pitching rubber prior to the release of the pitch.
5.4. Play has ended and the ball is dead once the lead runner has stopped forward progress, or if the ball is under control by the pitcher with both feet inside the pitcher’s circle, or the ball is under control in front of the lead runner.
5.5. Coaches on the defensive team are not allowed in the field of play. All coaching must be conducted from the dugout area.
5.6. Each defensive player must wear a fielding glove in the field.
5.7. Catchers are required to wear equipment consistent of a helmet, facemask, shin guards, chest protector, and throat guard.
5.8. Only one overthrow (defined as a thrown ball 6’ outside of intended base/target range, not dropped at base) allowed per batted ball. Example - Infield hit+overthrow =batter can reach up to 2nd base.
6. Pitching
6.1. 10u – 35 feet pitching distance. The distance for the placement of the pitching rubber will be the measurement from the back tip of home plate to the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.
6.2. Distance from the front of the pitching rubber to the back point of home plate is 35 feet. The circle around the pitcher’s mound will be 16 feet in diameter.
6.3. The pitcher must pitch underhanded. The pitch can be a windmill pitch or basic underhand.
6.4. When a batter is HBP, the batter has the option to continue the at bat or take 1st base.
6.5. No batter will be walked throughout the game. If a pitcher throws four (4) balls, the coach of the team that is batting will come in to finish the at bat and the strike count resets to zero.
6.6. The pitching coach must not interfere with the ball while it is in play. A batted ball that contacts the pitching coach will be declared a dead ball and the batter will bat again with the same count as prior to the contact. Intentional interference by the pitching coach will result in the batter being declared out. The pitching coach should leave the field to 1st or 3rd baseline when the ball is in play if possible.
6.7. The coaches’ pitch will be underhand to teach the batter how to hit this type of pitch. Arc of pitch may not be higher than the batters’ head. The pitching coach is not allowed to coach the batter or base runners after the pitch is delivered.
7. Code of Conduct
7.1. All persons associated with Victor Community Softball program, including coaches, players, umpires, parents, and attendees, will conduct themselves both responsibly and courteously. If a person’s conduct results in an ejection, they will be asked to leave the property. They will have five minutes to comply and if they refuse, the offending team will forfeit the game.
7.2. Any “trash talking”, derogatory comments, profanity, or abusive language toward a coach, player, umpire, parent, or attendee will result in a team warning. A second offense, will result in immediate ejection and suspension from the next scheduled game.
7.3. League Administration shall administer and reserve the right to make any changes they deem necessary.
7.4. The umpire’s rulings are final and non-contestable. Coaches, players, and fans will always exhibit good sportsmanship. No arguing or poor sportsmanship from players, coaches, parents, or fans will be tolerated. Any person violating this rule will be given one (1) warning, after that should the poor sportsmanship continue the individual coach, player, parent, or fan, will be suspended from the current game and the next upcoming game. A suspended coach, player, parent, or fan will be required to leave. Should they refuse to leave the game, it will become a forfeit and result in a ban from any remainder league activity for the calendar year. Profanity is strictly prohibited. Violation results in ejection from the game.