Official Rulebook

10 vs. 10 Let's Trip League Rules

Complete guidelines for gameplay, team management, and league operations for Mellennial Sports Let's Trip Softball League

10v10

Players

7 Innings

Per Game

Co-ed

Format

Table of Contents

1 Game Overview 2 Players & Roster 3 Game Duration 4 Gameplay Rules 5 Base Running 6 Administrative 7 Standings & Playoffs

Game Overview

Summary

Maximum on Field

10 players (7 male, 3 female)

Minimum Required

8 players (3 females required)

Female Participation

3 females must be on the field at all times

Batting Lineup

All players present must bat (up to 15 max)

No bunting allowed

No metal cleats allowed

Pitch Type & Distance

Pitching style: Arc pitch (5–10 feet arc)

Pitching distance: 46 feet from home plate

Illegal pitch: Results in a ball unless the batter swings

Equipment Requirements

Provided by Mellennial Sports:

  • Game balls (ASA-approved softballs)
  • Bases and safety equipment

Required by Players:

  • Gloves (must be worn in the field)
  • Composite bats (240 Stamp composite bats only)

Mandatory:

Pitchers must wear face masks (no exceptions)

Strongly Encouraged:

Catchers should wear masks at all times behind the plate

Ball Replacement Fee: If a team loses a game ball, a $10 replacement fee will apply. All teams are responsible for retrieving foul balls and home run balls.

Players on the Field

Maximum: 10 players on the field at once

Female requirement: At least 3 females must be on the field at all times

If only 2 females are present, the missing female's spot results in an automatic out, and the team plays one player short

No home run limit: Unlimited home runs per game

Max runs per inning: 10 runs per inning—teams switch after reaching this limit

Players & Roster Management

Roster & Batting Order Guidelines

Roster Limits:

Maximum roster: 25 players

Maximum batting lineup: 15 players

Batting Order Requirements:

All players present on the team must bat

After the 10th batter, no more than 4 males may bat in a row (after batter 10, no more than 5 guys in a row)

No more than 4 men may bat in a row

Playoff Eligibility Requirements:

  • Players must participate in at least 3 weeks OR 3 total double headers to be eligible for playoffs
  • All players must play at least 1 game per week for a minimum of 3 weeks to qualify for playoffs
  • Bye weeks count as games played only if the player is on the official roster

Roster Policy

Rosters must be submitted by the registration deadline and captains meeting

Teams may resubmit rosters within the first 3 weeks to account for injuries

Each player's games will be recorded

After Week 3: Only players on the official roster may play

After Week 3: If you need to use an outside player, approval from the opposing captain is required

Rosters will be strictly enforced

Substitute Players (Subs)

Outside Subs:

  • Outside subs are allowed during the regular season to fill the 10th spot, avoiding a shortened roster
  • Players from other teams in the league are not allowed to sub unless approved by the opposing team captain
  • If the opposing captain agrees, the game can proceed and may or may not count officially—it's the opposing team's decision

Non-Roster Substitute Requirements:

  • You must wear a T-shirt closely matching team colors
  • Must sign waiver before the start of the game
  • Sub fee applies (varied by league policy)

Playoff Substitutes:

  • No subs are allowed during playoffs (except in the case of injury, injury must be proven by doctor)
  • Subs must participate by Week 3 of the regular season to be eligible for playoffs

Courtesy Runner Rule

Unlimited courtesy runners (male for male, female for female)

Last batted out rule applies

Pinch runner rule: Last reported out (guy for guy, girl for girl); unlimited use

Game Duration & Timing

Game Length

Regular season: 7 innings or 1 hour and 5 minutes, whichever comes first

Official game requirements: 5 full innings (or 4½ innings if the home team is ahead)

Extra innings: Allowed in playoffs if the game is tied and time permits

Last inning: Will always be completed, regardless of time

Mercy Rule

15

run lead

after 4 innings

12

run lead

after 5 innings

10

run lead

after 6 innings

Pace of Play

Teams should hustle on and off the field

Players should arrive early and give themselves ample time to warm up before the game begins

Rain Delay & Game Cancellation

Rain Delay:

  • If rain ends the game before 5 innings (or 4½ with home team leading), the entire game will be replayed
  • If rain ends the game after the 5th inning, the result stands based on the last completed inning

Game Cancellations:

  • Games are played rain or shine unless conditions are hazardous
  • Mellennial Sports will only cancel games when absolutely necessary
  • If a cancellation occurs, all players will be notified via text message and social media no less than 2 hours before game time

Game Start & Timing

Forfeit Time & Grace Period:

  • Game time is forfeit time
  • Games start on schedule with a 15-minute grace period
  • After the grace period, a forfeit is declared

If 10 players arrive at game time: Game begins immediately

If 9 players arrive: Team can wait until forfeit time without penalty

Late arrivals: Players arriving late may be added to the end of the batting order

Coin Toss:

  • The umpire will conduct a coin toss between the two team captains at the start of every game
  • During playoffs, the team with the better record receives home field advantage
  • The winning captain chooses whether to bat first or take the field (designating home or away)
  • Each team must present a lineup at this time
  • Captains should confirm ground rules, including home run limits and ground rule doubles

Gameplay Rules

Batting Rules

Batting Count & Foul Balls:

  • Games begin with a 1–1 count
  • NO courtesy foul allowed
  • If a foul ball is caught in play but the fielder's momentum carries them out of play, runners are granted one base

Batter's Box Requirements:

  • At least one foot must remain in the batter's box during the at-bat
  • If both feet are out of the box during a live at-bat, this results in an automatic out

Female-Specific Batting Rule:

  • If a male batter is walked without a strike and a female is on deck, the female may choose to walk or bat if a strike is not thrown
  • If a strike is thrown, the female must bat
  • If a male walks, the male advances to second base
  • If a female is on deck, she must be announced

Special Rule - Gender Violation:

  • If a male batter bats in place of a female, the inning ends immediately
  • The lineup must be corrected, and the female batter leads off the next inning

Batting Order & Lineup

All players present must be in the batting order

Field players must also be in the batting order, but not all batters are required to play the field

Players cannot be removed from the batting order unless due to injury or extenuating circumstances

Teams may bat up to 15 players

Batting Out of Order Penalties:

  • If the error is caught during the at-bat: The correct batter assumes the current count
  • If the incorrect batter reaches base and the mistake is caught before the next pitch: The correct batter is out, and runners return to their previous bases
  • If the next pitch has been made: The incorrect batter's action stands

Pitching Rules

Arc pitch: 5–10 feet arc

Illegal pitch: Results in a ball unless the batter swings

If the batter swings at an illegal pitch, the ball is live and the outcome of the swing stands

Infield Fly Rule

  • When it applies: Runners are on base and a fly ball is hit in the infield
  • Call: The batter is automatically out
  • Result: Runners may advance at their own risk

Strike Zone

Mat only: If the ball hits the mat, it is a strike

Ground Rules

Soccer goals or benches: If a ball hits or enters the soccer goals or benches, it is a ground-rule double

Players must raise their hands to signal to the umpire

Ball bounces over fence: If the ball bounces over the fence in fair territory, it is a ground-rule double

Base Running & Sliding

Base Running Rules

No leading off or stealing

Violations result in the runner being called out

Base path rule

A runner who moves more than two steps out of the base path is out

Fielder blocking

If a fielder is blocking a base without possession of the ball, the runner is safe (fielder's interference)

Retouch rule

The runner must notify the umpire when retouching a base

Runner vs. Fielder Contact:

  • Runners must avoid contact with fielders attempting to field a hit
  • Runners must also avoid base coaches
  • Contact with a coach is interference and results in an out
  • It is the runner's responsibility to avoid collisions whenever possible
  • Malicious contact will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct

Runner Hit by Ball:

A runner hit with a batted ball in fair territory is out (runner's interference)

Thrown Balls:

  • A ball thrown out of play results in the runner being awarded the base they are advancing to
  • If a ball touches equipment (glove, bat, etc.) left outside the dugout, the runner advances one base

First Base Safety Bag

Orange Safety Bag (Runner)

  • Runner must step on orange safety bag when running to first base
  • Stepping on the white bag is an automatic out

White Bag (First Baseman)

  • First baseman must step on the white bag on a force play to record an out
  • If the first baseman steps on the orange safety bag on a force play, the runner is automatically safe

Sliding Rules

Sliding is allowed at all bases

No head-first sliding at home plate or first base

Administrative Policies

Forfeit Rules

Forfeit Definition & Scoring:

  • A forfeit will result in a 15-run penalty against the forfeiting team
  • Forfeits are recorded on the team's standings

Forfeit Penalties (Progressive):

1

First Offense

Loss of game

2

Second Offense

Loss of game and removal from playoffs

3

Third Offense

Removal from the rest of the schedule and no refund

Forfeit Notification Requirements:

If you know in advance that your team will forfeit:

  • Contact Mellennial Sports at least 3 hours before game time

If your decision to forfeit is made less than 3 hours before game time:

  • Still contact Mellennial Sports immediately
  • If we successfully notify the other team in time to prevent them from showing up, no additional penalty will be applied
  • If you fail to notify and the other team arrives, your team will be eliminated from the rest of the schedule

Short-Handed Play (Not Automatic Forfeit):

  • If you field a team using players from within Mellennial Sports (not from other teams in your league), the game can still be played if approved by the opposing team's captain
  • If you use players from another team in the same league, the game counts as a forfeit (though a game may still be played if approved by the opposing team's captain)
  • If you do not have enough players to start, the game will be considered a forfeit after 20 minutes

Mellennial Sports Forfeit Prevention:

  • Mellennial Sports strongly discourages forfeits
  • Your teammates and opponents rely on your participation to ensure a full roster and competitive game
  • At check-in, please notify umpires if your team knows it will be short on players or currently has low attendance
  • Umpires will assist in making sure a game is played—whether official or scrimmage—on every field
  • Once Mellennial Sports is notified of your forfeit, it is final, and the opposing team will be informed

Umpire Authority & Questions

Only the team captain is permitted to ask the head umpire for rule clarifications

Judgment calls made by the umpire may not be questioned by players or captains

However, umpires may confer with each other and team captains to discuss calls if they choose (at the discretion of the umpire)

Sportsmanship

At Mellennial Sports, the ultimate goal is for everyone to have fun. While games can get competitive, all players must maintain good sportsmanship at all times.

  • Any behavior or abusive language directed at another player or umpire that is deemed unacceptable by the umpire may result in suspension or ejection from the game or league
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in player/team suspension or removal from future Mellennial Sports activities, at the discretion of Mellennial Sports umpires

Game Cancellations

Softball games may be canceled due to dangerous weather, facility issues, or other unforeseeable circumstances

Mellennial Sports will only cancel games when absolutely necessary

Please assume your game is ON unless you are notified otherwise

If a cancellation occurs, all players will be notified via text message and social media no less than 2 hours before game time

Refund Policy

Once a game has been played

No refunds will be issued

Before the season starts

You may be eligible for a refund upon consultation with management

Standings & Playoffs

Team Rankings & Standings

Team rankings will be determined using the following criteria, in order:

1

Ranking Points

Win = 3, Tie = 1, Loss = 0

2

Win Percentage

3

Head-to-Head Record

4

Runs Against

Playoff Seeding & Adjustments

Once teams are seeded (1–4), rankings are finalized

If a team forfeits during playoffs, the 1st place team has priority to secure a spot in the championship

Playoff Seeding Example:

  • If the 3rd place team forfeits, teams will be reseeded
  • It would become 2nd place vs. 4th place, with the winner advancing to play the 1st place team in the championship

Playoff Rules

Roster changes: No substitutes allowed during playoffs (except in the case of injury—injury must be proven by doctor)

Game timing: Extra innings are allowed if the game is tied and time permits

Playoff eligibility: Only players who participated in at least 3 games or 3 double headers are eligible

Notes & Clarifications

  • All rules are subject to clarification by Mellennial Sports management

  • For questions or rule disputes, contact Mellennial Sports directly

  • Rules may be updated at the discretion of Mellennial Sports before the season begins

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