NCS Softball

10U LSBSA LEAGUE RULES

Games will be 70 minutes, finish the inning

No new inning will start after 65 minutes.

The Tiebreaker Procedure will be used in the 8th inning or in any inning that begins after time has expired. Tiebreaker in league games is bases loaded, 2 outs.

Runs per Inning: A maximum of 6 runs can be scored each inning for each team

Run Rule: If either team is behind and cannot catch up or go ahead, the game shall be over
immediately. Effectively that is 13 runs after 3 innings, 7 runs after 4 innings.

Offensive Lineup: The batting lineup must include all players.

14.1 - 10U Field Recommendations:
Field recommendations for 10U should be:

1. Base distances should be 60’.
2. Pitching distance should be 35’.
3. Outfield fence distances should be minimum of 150’ and a maximum of 225’.

14.2 Equipment and Uniforms
   Ball should be:

1. Yellow optic cover, 11-inch ball, with a COR of .47 shall be used in all IFA play.

14.3 Batting
Dropped Third Strike Rule will be:

1. When with fewer than two outs and first base occupied, the catcher fails to catch a third strike before the ball touches the ground.  
   EFFECT:  The batter is out.  The ball is live.  Base runners may advance with the liability of being put out.
2. When with two outs or fewer than two outs and first base is unoccupied, the catcher fails to
   catch a third strike before the ball touches the ground.
   EFFECT:  The ball is live.  The batter becomes a batter-runner with the liability to be put out.  Base runners may advance with liability to be put out.

14.4 Infield Fly Rule
  The traditional infield fly rule will be used in all 10U play in NCS.
(See Section 10.17 on Infield Fly Rule)

14.5 Base Running
Base running has additional limits or liabilities from the standard rules as specified in the NCS rulebook.

11.18 Look-Back Rule

1. The look-back rule is in effect when the ball is live, the batter-runner has touched first base, there are one or more runners, and the pitcher has possession (ex., has ball in her glove or hand, under chin or arm, between her legs) and control of the ball within the pitcher’s circle.  The pitcher is considered to be in the pitcher’s circle when both her feet are within the circle or on the lines.
2. When a runner is legally off her base after a pitch or as a result of a batter completing her turn at bat, and she is in motion as the pitcher takes possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle, the runner may continue moving forward in the direction she is going without stopping; or she may immediately and directly go back in the other direction.  If the runner is stopped as the pitcher takes possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle, the runner must immediately and directly go forward or back.  A base on balls or a dropped third strike is treated as a base hit as long as the batter-runner continues past first base.
3. Once the runner has determined a direction, she may not reverse direction unless the
   pitcher:
   1. Throws the ball from within the pitcher’s circle
   2. Carries the ball outside the pitcher’s circle.
   3. Has one foot completely outside the pitcher’s circle, on the ground, and is in possession of the ball.
   4. Sets the ball on the ground or no longer has the ball in her possession.
   5. Losses possession of the ball, including handing it to another player.
   6. Makes a play on the runner or another runner.
      Note:  When the pitcher’s circle is not visible, the umpire must use good judgment.
4. The pitcher is considered to have made a play if:
   1.  She fakes a throw.
      Note:  Raising the throwing arm into throwing position in considered a fake throw regardless of whether the pitcher’s arm moves forward.
5. There is no obligation on the part of the pitcher to look, fake or throw in order to force the runner to comply with the look-back rule.  The obligation to comply rests solely with the runner.
6. When the pitcher takes possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle:
   1. A runner standing off her base must immediately return to the base she last occupied or advance to the next base.
   2. A runner who starts back to the base she last occupied or starts forward toward the next base shall not stop or reverse direction.
   3. The batter-runner may not step off any base after stopping at it.
   4. The batter-runner, after overrunning first base, may not retouch the base and advance toward second base.
      EFFECT:  The ball is dead.  The offending runner is out.  Each other runner must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the infraction.  If two runners are of base and the umpires call different runners out, the umpires  must determine which runner was called out first, as it is not possible to obtain more than one out under the look-back rule.  The ball is dead when the first runner is called out, and the other runner must return to the base last touched at the time of the infraction.
7. The batter-runner may overrun first base, not stop and continue advancing toward second base after the pitcher has the ball within the pitcher’s circle.  This is a legal move, as long as the runner does not return and touch first base on their way to second.  When the runner has legally started towards second, they may be stopped by the pitcher receiving the ball while in the pitcher’s circle or by the pitcher stepping on the pitcher’s plate with the ball in possession.