ATLANTIC BABE RUTH SOFTBALL LEAGUE

ATLANTIC BABE RUTH SOFTBALL LEAGUE

 2026 Playing Rules

10U

The intention of this softball league is to adhere as closely as possible to the rules of Babe Ruth, which each team is chartered. Some rules have been modified because of player's ability level or simply to quicken the pace of the game. All ABRSL rules are intended to supplement the Babe Ruth Rules with some exception as listed below.
The purpose of each division is to provide the girls with the fundamentals of softball and to prepare them to play at the next age level. Questions or concerns regarding these rules can be forwarded to your town commissioner or directly to ABRSL 

General

All levels: A written paper scorebook must be kept for all games. GameChanger can be used as an additional resource, but any scoring/lineup debates will be made by a paper book – if a team does not have a paper book, the ruling will be made by the only paper book available.

Rosters must be digitally submitted prior to the start of the season. No changes will be accepted after one week from opening day. All roster updates must be submitted in writing to both the ABRSL President and Secretary and must be approved prior to the player playing. 

Travel Players
A travel player is defined as any player who has played on/with, sat on any roster or guest played in any travel game or with any travel team within the last calendar year. Teams with travel/competitive players can not exceed more than the amount of rec players on said team. Any travel-level player must be disclosed on the team roster before the season begins.

 

If a team is found to have used an undisclosed travel player the following actions will be taken:

The game will be forfeited. The team must pay the umpire fee (home or away). The coach will be suspended for two games. The coach and town commissioner must meet with the ABRSL Board prior to the next game. A written explanation of the violation must be sent to all team parents within 24 hours of the meeting.

Base Running
U10-A batter/Runner may advance as many bases as possible at risk of being put out. 

Batting
U10- All players on each roster for each team will be placed on the lineup card and will bat whether playing defense or not.
U10- All players must bat in the lineup. Do not list players in lineup who are not present at the game.
All levels-Late arriving players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order. If a player is found batting out of order, it will be counted as an out. 

Bench Rules 

Each team will have no more than one (1) Manager, and two (2) Coaches. Only team members will be allowed in the dugout or on the bench. No other persons are allowed in the dugout. If an adult score keeper is used they are allowed in the dugout but not allowed to coach. 

Bunting -  NO BUNTING OFF COACH PITCH 

Coach Pitch
U10-When a batter incurs four (4) balls an offensive coach will enter the game and pitch from the pitching rubber. When the offensive teams coach enters the game to "coach pitch" the defensive pitcher must have at least one (1) foot inside the pitching circle when she takes her fielding position. The batters count remains and can receive up to an additional 3 pitches. Once the batters count reaches 3 strikes or she has received the additional 3 pitches from the coach the batter will be out. If the 3rd or consecutive coach-pitch is considered a foul the player will receive an additional pitch (batter cannot foul out). While said coach is in the pitching position they will be permitted 1x before the first pitch is thrown to the player to adjust the batter. Once a pitch is thrown to the batter the coach pitcher is to remain silent while on the mound and may not give hand signals nor make body movements that may be considered a coaching signal. The coach must be off of the playing field before they can coach
Penalty for coaching as a pitcher any level 

1. FIRST OFFENSE - A WARNING IS GIVEN THE COACH TO REMAIN SILENT 

2. SECOND OFFENSE – STRIKE CALLED ON THE BATTER 

3. THIRD OFFENSE – STRIKE CALLED ON THE BATTER, COACH REMOVED FROM THE MOUND FOR REMAINDER OF THE GAME. 

Completed Games 

When all innings have been completed, or the time limit has been reached Mercy rule (If min innings have been completed)
In the case of darkness (If min innings have been completed)
Weather (If min innings have been completed) 

(See TIME LIMIT rule below) 

Courtesy Runner 

*** 10U – It is MANDATORY for a courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs for the catcher that is entering the catcher position next inning to save time in between innings.  The catcher (only) may have a courtesy runner. The purpose of this rule is to allow the catcher extra time to put their catcher’s equipment on for the start of the next inning. 

Forfeits 

In an effort to avoid a forfeit, teams may call up players from the next level down. Example a U8 player can be called up to fill a spot on a U10 team for a game. In this example, the U10 team cannot use players from another U10 team for an official game. If a team is short players and forfeits the game, the opposing team can supply players to the "short team" so that the game can still be played. In each case the umpire will "call" the game and will get paid. If game is not played the team that forfeited pays for the umpire. 

(See also PLAYING STRENGTH Rule) 

Game Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather & Non Weather

No game is to be cancelled prior to speaking to both ABRSL president AND Chilly are notified of REQUEST to make a decision if approved.  No games will be rescheduled after approved game schedule is submitted unless approved by both.   A shortage of players will not be approved for a reschedule game.

Any game that has to be rescheduled due to inclement weather will be scheduled through your town coordinator, and with Chilly Warren with NJSA Umpires. Chilly’s number is on the ABRSL Coaches Contact List. Please be sure to schedule make-up games promptly, within one week. This does not mean they have to be played within one week but must be scheduled. A pic of your field being unplayable may be requested.

All games must be played. In the event of an unseen emergency, teams can re-schedule games to an agreed date. In this case, teams must notify the appropriate town commissioner of the change. All rescheduled games MUST be rescheduled within 3 days. Any game not rescheduled within 3 days will be considered a forfeit by the forfeiting team. After the midpoint of the season, games must be rescheduled within 24 hours of cancellation. Non-responsiveness will result in a forfeit by the unresponsive town.The non-forfeiting team will be rewarded the win and rewarded a # of runs depending on the number of innings in a complete game: Ex: 16u would be 7 runs. 

Hit By a Pitch
U10 If the batter is by a player pitched ball the batter must take first as directed by the umpire. 

All levels- It is the umpires call as to whether or not the batter attempted to move out of the way of the pitch. If the batter failed to move the umpire can call the pitch a ball (or strike if in the strike zone) and no base is awarded.
U10- Exception - If a batter is hit by a coach pitched ball it will not count as a hit batter. 

Infielders: Face masks are required for all infielders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, short stop and pitcher) 

Infield Fly Rule
U10- The infield fly rule does not apply in the division. 

Injury
All levels- A team may continue playing when an injury has forced a player to leave the game causing a team to drop below the minimum player strength 

*If player can not re-enter it is an out when player comes up to bat – IT IS NOT A FORFEIT OF GAME.

Jewelry– No jewelry at any level
Exception- Medical alert are not considered jewelry 

Maximum Run Rule
U10 -Will use 4 run cap each inning until the last inning. If a batter hits a ball that scores more than 4 runs, only 4 will be counted in the official score book.
The last inning will be unlimited runs. The umpire will declare last inning when there is 15 minutes or less left on the clock. It is possible that either team may not get a chance at the unlimited runs inning if the game must be called for time, before a last inning call could be made by the umpire. 

Mercy Rule
U10 -Will use a 10-run rule after 31/2 innings if home team ahead 

Offensive and Defensive Coaches Position 

During offensive play, a team may have a maximum of two (2) coaches on the field. One located at 1st base, one at 3rd base and, when applicable, one pitching to the girls on their respective team (see also coach Pitch Rule). 

Overthrow
U10 - U10 will use the 1 + 1 base on any overthrow from any player to any base at any time. If a runner is on 1st when the ball is hit and is attempting 2nd, the outfielder throws to 2nd and misses, the player is allowed to attempt to go to 3rd. If the ball is overthrown again the runner is allowed to attempt the next base. The runners are in jeopardy the entire time until the umpire stops the play.
Exception-See stealing 

Pitching/Pitchers – Pitchers are able to step back prior to release in this league
Any 2 (two) TRAVEL/ COMPETITIVE player can only pitch a MAXIUM of 2 innings per game. Only 2 (two) innings total can be pitched by two travel/competitive players

U10 – Only the starting pitcher may re-enter the game (Re-entry rule)  as a pitcher and may pitch up to ten (10) innings per week (Monday- Sunday). (except if removed by Babe Ruth rule)
In the case of a player playing two levels, it remains ten (10) innings combined. Any team violating this rule will forfeit said game. 

Mound Visits – A coach can visit the pitch two (2) times in a game but on the 3rd visit, the pitcher is pulled from pitching position.  Exception – if the 2 visits are within the same inning, the pitch gets pulled from pitching position

Hit batter (All levels) - If a pitcher hits 3 batters in one inning or a total of six during a game (whichever comes first) she must be removed from the pitching position for the duration of the game. The umpire’s judgment is the final call as to whether or not a batter was hit by a pitch or failed to attempt to move away from the pitch to decide any “hit by a pitch” 

Pitching Distance
U10- pitcher or coach must be from 35 feet 

Playing Strength
U10-Teams may play with no fewer than (8) players from its roster at the start of a game they may borrow players from one level down to fill out the roster for that game. Said player cannot be from the same level, for example if a U12 team only has seven players they can only bring up a player from a U10 team. They cannot pull “across” from another U12 team. A player playing up must be used as an outfield player only.  If they are not rostered on your team they can only be in the outfield position and be placed at the bottom of your batting lineup.  Rosters (players assigned to that team) are to fill up the infield first. 

Players may play up one level if request and approved by their local town. 

Playing Time 

All eligible players at the game must be put on the lineup card for each game and must play at least two (2) defensive innings and bat once. Any violation will result in a forfeit. 

Players may play at two levels during the season. Any player playing at two levels must declare which team will be their primary team and which team they will “guest play for”. If both teams are playing at the same time they must play for the team they declared. Declarations are to be made to the ABRSL president at the beginning of the season prior to the first game. 

During play offs, they can only play for the team they declared in the beginning of the season. Any violation will result in said player playing age level for the remainder of the season. 

Protest See Babe Ruth Book 

A protest must be announced to the umpire and opposing team coach prior to next play. The coach must reference the protested rule and the umpire must circle said play in the score book and initial. The umpire must call Chilly for the final review. If Chilly is unavailable, the game will continue to be played under review. If the call is overturned the game will continue from the protested call.

Scores
U10- A record of each game will be kept in the team’s scorebook. The winning team’s coach is responsible for phoning the score within twenty-four (24) hours to the appropriate age group representative. The phone number and address for each division representative can be found on the ABRSL Coaches Contact List and on this web-site (under the Scores Reporting tab). Failure to submit scores within the 24-hour window may result in a recorded forfeit for the reporting team.

Sliding
U10-Headfirst sliding is not allowed. If a player attempts to headfirst slide, she will be called out for the first offense. Exception is a runner may headfirst dive back to a base. 

Start Time: All games are scheduled to start promptly at the time recorded on the official season schedule. Any game starting more than 15 minutes late according to the umpire, who is official time keeper, will result in a forfeit by the team who is causing the delay. (see note below).
Exception: delays for weather as directed by the coordinators 

Stealing
U10-A runner may not leave the base until the ball reaches the batter. Runners may not steal during coach pitch. All runners may steal one (1) base per batter and may not steal home. 

Overthrows on Steals from catcher only
U10- A runner may only steal one base per batter (net gain-one base) on a throw from the catcher to a base on an attempted steal. For example, if a catcher throws a ball beyond second-base when a base-runner is attempting to steal second (from first base) the base-runner must remain at second base. If the runner makes an attempt to steal an additional base on the same overthrow from the catcher the play is still live. The runner can be tagged out attempting to steal any additional base. If the runner makes it safely to the additional base, the umpire will call time send the runner back to whichever base would have been one base per pitch. 

Team Composition 

Teams can use 10 fielders with 3 outfielders and either a 4th outfielder or a short fielder. If using a short fielder, they must be positioned behind 2nd base and cannot be in the infield. 

Tie Breakers 

Regular Season - A game may end in a tie, and shall be reported as such by the HOME team. If a completed “6” innings and time remains the international tie breaker will be used until a completed inning has passed and one team is ahead or time has expired. 

Time Limit
U10- There is a 90-minute time limit for each game. A new inning cannot be started after 90 minutes. However, an inning in progress at the 90-minute mark must be played to regulation completion (complete inning). The umpire may announce the start of the last inning to both head coaches as the game reaches 75 minutes of play. It is possible that either team may not get a chance at the unlimited runs inning if the game must be called for time, before a last inning call could be made by the umpire.
All exception: see mercy rule. 

Uniform 

All players should wear their team uniform (provided by their organization) to each game. The player will not be able play if not in the same uniform during the regular season. All players must be in their proper team shirt with no duplicate numbers. If a player is not they cannot participate in the game. 

Umpiring 

Only NJSA official umpires may officiate a game. 

Walks
U10- There are no walks in the division. 

If the batter incurs four (4) balls prior to three (3) strikes, an offensive coach will enter the game and pitch to the batter from the pitching rubber. The strike count remains with the batter. (see coach pitch) 

WEATHER/DARKNESS 

If during a game inclement weather is imminent or any lightning is seen or heard the umpire will "call" the game. If the game cannot be re-started it will be continued from the stopping point and finished on the next mutually available day. You are to notify ABRSL president and Chilly immediately 

ABRSL does not allow the use of metal cleats at any age level. 

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Play Offs –
U10-At the conclusion of regular season play, a single elimination play-off will occur. Regular season rules are the same during playoffs. Regular playoff games will have one umpire. Two umpires, for both brackets, at all semi-final, bracket final, and championship games. 

Playoffs will be played with the regular ABRSL Rules with the following exceptions: 

1. Each player must play with their declared rostered team. 

2. Each player must play 8 regular season scheduled games with their rostered team. In the event of an injury, if the player continues to support their team, the ABRSL Board will review their eligibility for playoffs.

3. No unplayed games count toward playoffs. 

4. 10U Pitching – A pitcher shall be allowed to pitch in no more than nine innings in any two successive 

playoff games. 

Time Limits for playoffs: 

10u- 105 minutes or 6 innings, 4 run cap per inning, last inning unlimited 

For the final in each level the time limit will be removed and the appropriate number of innings will be played. 

The Mercy Rule will be in effect for the Playoff Season. 

Weather Rules for Play Offs: will be that same as per Babe Ruth rules. They will resume the next day if it is not an exception day. Exception day will be categorized as a day when you do not have enough to field a team.  AGAIN FOR ABRSL PRESIDENT AND CHILLY TO DETERMINE

 

3/2026