Palos Power 10U In-House Rules

The following rules pertain to the 10 & under girl’s softball teams:

·       If a team has a maximum of 9 able players on or before official game start time, the opposing team will be limited to fielding 9 players, however, should each team have 10 or more players, the team shall field 10 to maximize player participation. A team may take the field with seven players. A coach may borrow players, but only enough to have 9 available players to play.  Borrowed players may NOT pitch, must play in the outfield and must bat last in the order.

·       The game will last for six (6) innings. No new inning may start after 1 hour and 40 minutes and a drop dead time limit of 2 hours. The exception will be for an 8pm game start time in which no new inning may start after 1 hour and 30 minutes and a drop dead time limit of 1 hour 45 minute. A game will be considered completed when a weather shortened game, which includes darkness, has played at least 4 innings; however if the home team is winning after 3 1/2 innings have been played and the game is “called” due to weather in the middle or the bottom half of the 4th inning, then the game is complete. If the drop dead time limit is reached or the game is “called” due to weather, the score of the game will revert back to the last completed inning, unless the home team is leading, in which case, the final score shall be recorded when the game is “called”. A game can end in a tie.

·       Mercy Rule: Game will end when any team is up by 10 or more runs after the 4^th inning.

·       Bases will be 60 feet and the pitcher’s mound 35 feet

·       Infield fly rule will NOT be enforced

·       Bunting is allowed

·       No drop third strike

·       Stealing is allowed upon the release of the ball by the pitcher.  Stealing is only allowed at 2^nd and 3^rd base with the max of 3 steals per inning. No stealing home on a pickoff play.

·       The mandatory slide rule will be in effect for all bases except first base. If it is a close play at the base, the player must slide to avoid a collision with one warning given per team prior to next runner being called ‘out’. Sliding pads are recommended by not required.

·       The play will be considered dead when the ball has returned to pitching ring and is held by a player. Runners that have not reached the halfway point between bases, when a player gets the ball in the circle, will have to return to the previous base.  To aid the umpiring decision, a halfway line may be chalked between 3^rd base and home plate.

·       When the team that is batting scores five runs in their half of the inning, the inning will be over and the opposing team will go to bat. This rule will not apply in the sixth inning or extra innings.(or the last inning as determined by the umpire due to time constraints)

The pitching rules for the 10 & under division will be a follows:

1.) No pitcher may pitch more than three (3) innings per game.

2.) Pitchers can pitch a max of three (3) innings per game, no limit per week since we may have 3 games.

3.) One pitched ball is considered an inning.

4.) A pitcher may re-enter once (1) time per game.

5.) After two hit batters in one inning, the pitcher receives a warning, three and the pitcher must leave the mound and may NOT re-enter.

·       Defensive players do not need to be rotated between the infield/outfield for safety reasons; however, the opportunity to play multiple positions should be encouraged. It is “Highly Recommended” any player playing 3^rd, short stop, 2^nd , 1^st base, and pitcher should wear a face mask.

The running rules for the 10 & under division will be a follows:

1.) If the ball is hit into the outfield, a runner may advance at their own will.

2.) For a play at first base, non-catches or overthrows are permitted to advance one base.

3.) For a play at 2nd, non-catches may result in a girl advancing on her own will.

4.) For a play at 3rd, non-catches or overthrows will allow a girl to advance on her own will (no overthrow rule).