Division qualifications and guidelines
10
& Under Division
10U VGSL House League Level
Eligibility for 10U - players in 10U must be no older than age 10 on 12/31
of the prior year. The majority of players spend 2 seasons in Coach Pitch
before moving up to 10U.
Formation of Teams – in 10U, teams are NOT formed based on school attended,
neighborhoods or friendships. In an attempt to have evenly skilled teams,
10U holds Player Evaluations for the spring season and teams are formed through
a Draft. Head Coaches returning from the previous spring season only are allowed
to keep players from that previous spring team if the player requests to return
to the team. Carpool requests may be considered but are not guaranteed at
the 10U level.
Based on the Player Evaluations and the age of a player, the Division Director
may recommend that a novice player play in Coach Pitch one season prior to
playing 10U.
Practice and Game Schedule – In the Spring season, there are normally
two practices a week (one field and one batting cage practice). Each team
should expect to play two games each week (one weekday and one Saturday).
Teams may replace a weekday practice with a scrimmage against another team.
Coaches depend on all players to attend practices and games. In order for
coaches to properly prepare a team for games, players should be committed
to attending most practices and all the games. If a player is going to miss
a practice or game, the coach should be notified as soon as possible so adjustments
can be made.
10U specific rules -
1. 10U is the first level that batters face player pitchers. Batters can be
called out. At the start of the season, there are no walks. After 4 balls,
the batter’s coach (or assistant coach) comes in to pitch to the batter.
The batter can still be called out on strikes. At the Division Director’s
discretion, 10U may start playing walks half way through the season.
2. Games have a 6 inning or two hour time limit whichever comes first. There
is no new inning after 1 hour 45 minutes from the start of the game.
3. A game may start once there are 7 players present. Less than 7 players
will result in a forfeit of that game. In the case of a forfeit, teams should
share players and play a scrimmage.
4. Lineups should include every player present and all players bat. A team
may field up to 11 players in the field. If a team has fewer than 11 players,
the opposing team should field the same number of players.
5. Sliding is encouraged for all bases but players must slide at Home if there
is a play at the plate to limit injury. All 10U players must wear a slider
or knee pad to protect their leg.
6. Stealing of 2nd base and Home are not allowed in 10U.
7. Scores and Standings are kept. A Tournament is held at the end of the Spring
Season. The League awards trophies to First and Second place teams in the
Tournament and all other players receive participation trophies.
Fall Softball - fall softball is less time-intensive. Games are usually played
only on Saturdays with two practices during the week. Teams are formed by
the Division Director and carpool requests are more often accepted. The League
does not provide trophies in the fall. The league strongly recommends that
players who will be playing 12U in the following spring play 12U in the fall
to prepare themselves for the different rules and the larger sized softball.
Umpires - The League provides teen umpires for 10U games. Parents, coaches
and players are strongly cautioned to treat our umps with the utmost respect.
The League takes seriously any abuse of our teen umps. Parents may never approach
umps regarding calls. The Coaches of each team are the only persons allowed
to discuss calls or rules with umps.
Safety issues - With the exception of medical alert necklaces or bracelets,
absolutely no jewelry may be worn during games. This includes all earrings
and rubber inspirational bracelets. Players are encouraged to wear mouth guards.
Importance of Parent Volunteers - The help of parents is essential at this
level. To free coaches up to prepare for games, volunteers are needed for
field preparation. Each home team should have designated field prep coordinators
who can arrive 30 minutes prior to the game. These coordinators must also
rake the field after the game.
Coach
Pitch Division
Level of Play:
Players range from a few very skilled kindergarteners to a few novice third
graders, with
most in first or second grade. Coach Pitch is intended to get girls used to the
flow of
the game, to learn basic skills, teamwork, and above all have fun. At the
start of the
season most players can play catch from a distance of 6 feet and occassionally
make
contact with pitched balls. The majority of players spend 2 years in Coach Pitch before moving up
to 10U.
There are no try-outs; everyone who signs up plays. Girls that usually hit
a pitched
ball, catch from 20 feet, and can throw 40 feet accurately should play 10U.
During the spring season CP has two practices a week before games start.
There
are two games a week and depending on the coach and field availability there may also be one practice each week in the spring. In fall season there is one game on Saturday and one practice during the week
Guidelines
1. No "standings" or scores are kept and there is
no tournament.
2. Games have a 3 inning or one hour and 30 minutes time limit, whichever comes first.
An
inning consists of each team going through the batting order one time. Coaches
are
responsible for ensuring games start and end on time. Parents from both teams
will
be responsible for raking off the infield after each game, to get it ready
for the
next teams playing on it.
3. All players bat and play the field every inning.
4. Coaches or designated parents serve as umpires.
Offense
The offensive team should have a coach as a pitcher, another
coach at home plate to
assist the batter, and if available have coaches at first and third base.
The batter gets 12 swings to hit the ball. If no fair ball
is hit in these 12 swings,
the batter uses the tee.
The last batter of an inning runs around all the bases.
There will be a limit of taking one base per play, except
on hits or overthrows into
the outfield when a second base may be taken.
Sliding is permitted but no stealing bases.
Defense
The defensive team is allowed up to 3 coaches on the field,
with only 2 permitted in
the infield. The third coach must be behind second base. Coaches need to help
the
girls learn what base to throw to if they field the ball.
The defense should try to get batters and runners out and
those players must get off
the bases.
Miscellaneous
At end of the game players and coaches should line-up and
congratulate the opposing
team.
Many teams provide snacks for their teams after the game,
please dispose of all
trash after the game.
T-Ball
Division
Level of Play:
Most players are in kindergarten and there are some first-graders. T-ball
is intended to
get girls used to the flow of the game and teach them the most basic skills.
If your
daughter can throw and catch and if she can occassionally make contact with
pitched balls
she would be more challenged in the Coach Pitch Division. The majority of
players move
on to Coach Pitch after one year. There is one game on Saturday and one practice
during
the week.
Guidelines
1. The primary purpose of this division is teaching the girls
basic softball skills
and stressing teamwork and fun.
2. No "standings" are kept and there is no tournament for the TBall
division. No
first, second, etc. place teams. In TBall winning comes second to learning
and
having fun. There's plenty of competition to come in the upper divisions.
3. Each player will get a participation trophy at the end
of the season from the
league, plus any specific awards coaches choose coach to give out. If coaches
do
give out awards, they should find a way to give an award for some type of
accomplishment to each player on your team. I.E. best batter, best base runner,
etc.
4. Unless the batter gets a super hit out into the outfield,
there will be a limit
of taking one base per play. Otherwise there will undoubtedly be overthrow
after
overthrow, and no outs being ever made!!
5. No stealing bases in TBall.
6. We play 3 innings, or one hour.whichever comes first. An
inning consists of each
team going through the batting order one time.
7. At the coach's discretion, toward the end of the season,
some coach pitching may
occur if players are ready. This is a good way to prepare them for future
seasons.
Both coaches must agree to and feel comfortable playing at that level.
8. For the first 3 or 4 games, unless we want a lot of unhappy,
crying little girls,
use discretion in calling players out. While we do want to encourage the players
in
the field to try to make the out, we don't want to discourage the batters
too much
when they are starting out. Again, use your discretion, erring towards positive
playing.
9. Coaches are responsible for ensuring games start and end
on time. Parents from
both teams will be responsible for raking off the infield after each game,
to get it
ready for the next teams playing on it.
10. Coaches or designated parents serve as umpires