This happend in a girl's softball league (10 y olds) in Toronto, Ontario but I assume that the rules for this are universal.

Batter hits a home run, and the bench empties to congratulate her as she is returining to the bench. Just before leaving the field of play, she removes her batting helmet as she is about to enter (within a few feet) the bench/dugout area, and the umpire calls her out for not having her helmet on while on the field of play

Was this a correct call? Should there in fact have been penalties for the other players congratulating her, i.e. being on the field without hlemets even though the ball was not in play at the time?

(I'm not an umpire so please be kind when answering.)

In the Neth.'s removing helmet between bases is an out. But after completing the home run by running over home-plate she can remove the helmet.
A player who's (struck) out can also take off the helmet before entering the dug out...

I am not sure why there would be an out for removing the helmet now that play has completed and the ball is dead.

Dutch Alex
ISF Removing a helmet while running after a home run hit over the fence is not out .
This is an exception to the intentionally removing a helmet
3 6 f 2

Just to be clear relative to the last reply, the home run was not hit over the fence (too far for 10 y olds) but was actually an "inside the park" home run. Does this make a difference in determining the validity of the call?

No.
Debeau's (right) statement is about removing the helmet during the base-running. My statement was after completing the home-run.
Once you've passed the homeplate you can remove the helmet!

I wonder what the girls, coming from the bench, had on their head? If nothing: I guess that would be at least 9 out's in one inning!

In park home run .
Ball alive , if helmet removed we have an out .
After crossing home plate no .