U10 Softball Rules

It isn't easy being a young softball player. Most under-10 leagues feature a number of rules and regulations that vary from traditional softball programs, both to encourage fair play and to reward solid fundamentals. Keeping track of the rules may seem hard, but with a little help from mom, dad and the head coach, a child softball player can enjoy the sport and follow the rules at the same time.

  1. Pitching

    • In a competitive under-10 softball league, a pitcher's form is highly regulated. A pitcher must use a windmill format, in which his pitching arm makes a complete rotation before releasing the ball toward home plate. Both feet must start on the pitching rubber, and the pitcher is not permitted to take a step back or throw a slingshot or sidearm pitch. In order to protect the starting pitcher from arm fatigue, he is only permitted to throw four inning in one game, and only the starter can return once he has been removed from the game. If a pitcher hits three batters in a game, he is removed for an inning. If he hits a fourth, he is taken out for the remainder of the game.

    Base running

    • Base runners are not allowed to lead off, but they make a stolen base attempt once the pitch has crossed home plate. If a runner leaves the base early, she is given a warning. A second infraction results in the base runner being called out. A runner leaving early on a batted ball is ruled out, though the batter is still allowed to run the bases. There are no rundowns allowed—once a runner makes a move back to a previous base, he must return to it. Runners can advance one base on an overthrow, or on a missed throw from the pitcher to the catcher, but they cannot run home.

    Scoring

    • Teams are permitted to score a maximum of five runs per inning. This does not carry over from inning to inning. This rule applies to all but the final inning, when teams are allowed to score an unlimited number of runs. Most leagues use a mercy rule which forces the end of a game that is too one-sided. In an under-10 league, if one team is ahead by 15 runs by the fourth inning, the losing manager must concede defeat.