***Regular SD VFW baseball rules will be followed with the exception of the below MinnDak League rules. Click here to access SD VFW baseball rules***
- The MinnDak will follow the SD VFW rule in regards to bats:
* All bats must have a USA Baseball stamp.
* Wood bats are also allowed.
- Games will be 6 innings
- No new inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes. HOWEVER, if both coaches agree and there are no games playing on the same field after the 10U game, the teams can continue playing.
- A game will be made official after 3 innings if a game must be stopped due to weather. The two coaches should have discussions about any weather delays/game stoppage, but ultimately the decision is at the discretion of the home team due to the interest of players and home team facilities.
- Must have at least 7 players to start game.
NOTE: If a team has only 8 players, no outs will be taken for the the 9th spot in the batting order. If you have 7 players, 1 out will be taken in the 8th spot of the batting order. - A player can only play on one team and be on one roster. If a team has fewer than 9 players for a game, the team can be filled with players from a lower division (Example: 8U to 10U) to get the team to 9 players. Taking a player within the same division from the same town that may have a bye that night will not be allowed. The opposing coach must be alerted to the situation for approval.
- 5-run limit per inning for the first 5 innings. No run limit in the 6th inning or extra innings. If a 10U game is agreed to be ended early due to time limit (see rule 1), the final inning becomes the “no run limit” inning.
- A game shall be called after 4 innings if one team has a 15 run lead.
A game shall be called after 5 innings if one team has a 10 run lead. - 10U base length will be 60 feet.
- The pitching distance is 46 feet 6 inches for 10U.
- Bunting is allowed.
- No dropped 3rd strike in 10U.
- Stealing / Advancing on a passed ball is allowed for all games starting right away in the season.
- “Home Plate Closed Rule”: 10U may NOT score by stealing home on a passed ball, a wild pitch by the pitcher, or return throw to any position, other than pitcher, on the field from the catcher (steal attempt). Anytime a 10U steals a base, the furthest he can advance is 3rd base on steal attempt/steal play – example: a player stealing 2nd may advance to 3rd on an overthrow, but cannot advance further than 3rd base on such a play.
- The only way 10U can score a run is a bases loaded walk or hit batsmen, or following the action after a hit ball of an offensive player. If the ball is batted in play, 10U can advance as far as they would like per regular baseball rules until the infield/pitcher has complete control of the ball. Example: If a batted ball results in an overthrow of a base, the runner(s) can advance as far as they can, including home, until the umpire deems the pitcher/infield has control of the ball and stops play. Keep in mind that these are teenage umpires, and they could forget to call time. If a coach sees the infield/pitcher has control of the ball, the ask is to not send the runners and allow the players to learn situational baseball.
- Infield Fly rule will be used.
- 10U Competitive will follow the USA Baseball pitch count limits and days of rest as outlined by SD VFW 10U rules:
- Daily Max Pitch Limit: 75 pitches
- 0 Days Rest: 1-25 pitches
- 1 Days Rest: 26-35 pitches
- 2 Days Rest: 36-50 pitches
- 3 Days Rest: 51-65 pitches
- 4 Days Rest: 66+ pitches
*** If a pitcher reaches the Daily MAX or desired required rest count limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the at-bat is complete. The pitch count will end at the limit reached during the at bat. Example: Pitcher hits 35 pitches during middle of at-bat. The pitcher will complete the at-bat, and then is removed, their pitch count will stop at 35 for the day.
- Team members must bat, bat in order, and must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field (tournament games included).
NOTE: If a game ends because of run rule or time limit, the innings played rule will not be considered violated.- League games are open defensive substitutions during the game. HOWEVER, if a pitcher is removed from pitching, they cannot pitch the rest of the game.
- If a player is injured within the course of the game and cannot take their turn to bat, that player will be skipped in the lineup with NO OUT taken, unless it brings the roster to seven players. An out would then be taken as noted in rule 3. It is understood that if the player is too injured to take their at bat, they are too injured to play the remainder of the game.
- If a player is able and only wants to play defense in the game and not bat, an out will be recorded for that player.
- A player must appear in 7 regular season games to be eligible for the tournament. Appeals can be made for extenuating circumstances. Appeals first need to go to the local town rep. If the town rep is unsure of decision, town rep will discuss with league commissioner. Decisions of the town rep and/or commissioner will be communicated to other town reps/coaches.
- The home team will provide the umpires and the baseballs for the regular season.
- Each game must be recorded in Game Changer. If there is a discrepancy of final score or pitch counts, league commissioner can be contacted. League commissioner will then contact both coaches to settle discrepancy and update if necessary.