10U WAUSAU/EVEREST FASTPITCH LEAGUE RULES – 2017
General Rules:
1. First pitch is at 6:15 pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
2. Game length is 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes. No inning will start after 7:45 pm when school is in session. This can increase to 8:00 pm in summer.
3. Ten players on defense. Six infielders and four outfielders. Outfielders must start on the grass.
4. There is an 8-player minimum to play a game. No Forfeits. The team that is short players will borrow a player of their opponent’s choice. The borrowed players can be switched throughout the game. This includes tournament play.
5. The entire roster bats.
6. Run Rule – 5 run maximum per inning.
7. All players batting or coaching on the field must have a helmet on with a face mask.
8. With 2 outs, a courtesy runner may be used for the catcher. The person who made the last out is the courtesy runner.
Pitching Rules:
9. Pitcher is allowed 4 warm up pitches between innings. Please enforce to keep the game moving.
10. Pitching rubber is 35 feet from home plate.
11. Pitchers may only throw 2 innings in league games. This increases to 3 innings in tournament play. One pitch constitutes an inning.
12. The pitcher must wear a protective face mask. No exceptions.
13. Balls and Strikes – No walks. After ball 4 a coach pitcher will resume the count. The batter either hits the ball, strikes out swinging or is out on umpire called third strike.
Defensive Rules:
14. Players cannot play in the same position the entire game and should be rotated at least twice.
15. Players may not sit out more than 2 consecutive innings.
16. No infield fly rule.
17. No dropped third strike rule.
18. The catcher must wear full protective gear, including during warm-ups.
19. Once a batter puts the ball in play, the defense is limited to one overthrow.
20. Two defensive coaches may be on the field of play.
Base Running Rules:
21. Leading off – Runners may leave base only after the ball crosses home plate. Runners leaving early may be called out by the umpire.
22. Pass Ball – All runners may advance one base, per batter, on a ball that clearly gets past the catcher and umpire. No stealing home. No stealing when a coach is pitching.
23. Limited stealing – Each team is permitted one straight steal attempt per inning. Runner may leave base only after the ball crosses home plate. No advancement on overthrows. Advancing on a passed ball is not considered a steal. No double steal of 2nd and 3rd bases.
24. Overthrows – One base on an overthrow per batted ball. Runners may advance one base beyond the base they are approaching or attempting to round when the ball is overthrown.
25. Sliding – Sliding is highly suggested. In fact, a base runner must avoid contact with the fielder and slide at the base. If contact is made with the fielder without a slide occurring the runner may be called out by the umpire.
Catchers Exceptions: To develop the catchers position. The following two rules, (26 & 27) are designed to encourage throws by our catchers, without risk of runners advancing. Runners are either called out or safe. At which point the ball is dead.
26. Catcher may throw behind a runner, in a pickoff attempt, resulting in the runner being called out. No base runners may advance on the play.
27. Catcher may throw down to any base on a steal attempt or pass ball without risk of runners advancing on an overthrow.
Offensive Rules:
28. Each half inning will last for either three outs or when five runs are scored.
29. All runners may advance on any hit ball and continue to run until the defense stops them.
30. Bunting is allowed only when a player is pitching. No bunting with a runner on third base. No fake bunt and swing.
31. Sliding is highly suggested at home plate when there is a play on the base runner. See #25.
32. A batter hit by a pitch has the choice to walk or continue batting.
33. Two offensive coaches may be on the field of play. Three during coach pitch.
34. If all coaches are on the field, there must be a parent coach in the dugout to supervise players.
35. Home team provides the home plate umpire.
36. Visiting team provides the base umpire.
37. The home team gets the third base dugout.
38. Both teams are responsible for the following: liming the base lines, placing and removing the bases, raking the diamond before and after the game and getting the umpires gear.
39. Babe Ruth softball is a fun and educational experience. Any rules not specifically stated or modified above, will be governed by the Babe Ruth League Rule Book.
40. Negativity will not be tolerated by players, coaches or spectators. Said person may be asked to vacate premises.
Dead Ball:
41. Play is considered dead when:
a. All base runners have safely advanced one base on an overthrow.
b. The catcher completes a throw on a steal attempt, pass ball or pick off play.
c. Batter is hit by a pitched ball.
d. Ball is out of play.
e. An injury occurs.
Defensive Obstruction:
42. Shall be called on a defensive player who blocks the base, baseline or home plate from a base runner, while not in possession of the ball. Runners are awarded at least one extra base, or the base the umpire feels they would have reached if no obstruction occurred.
Offensive Interference:
43. Shall be called on a baserunner who interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball or is in possession of ball. Penalty – The runner is out. The ball is dead.
It is highly recommended that the coaches talk before each game to go over the rules.
Keep in mind that this game is for the children.
Keep it moving. Keep it FUN.
Revised 4/19/17