Game & Innings

All games in kickball are 7 innings or 55 minutes, whichever comes first. The championship game for any tournament will be a full 7 innings (Exception: inclement weather) regardless of time.

 

Regulation Game

A game called by the umpire shall be regulation if four or more innings have been played, or if the team second to kick has scored more runs in three or more innings than the other team has scored in four or more innings. A game not considered regulation will be made up at the exact point where it was stopped. Three outs by a team constitute a half-inning.

 

AN OUT IS:

1. A count of 3 strikes or 2 foul balls, after 2 strikes

2. Kickers start with a 0-and-1 count, one to Waste

3. A runner touched by the ball at any time while not on base.

4. A force out at any base.

5. Any kicked ball, fair or foul, that is caught before touching the ground.

6. A runner advancing off the base before the ball is kicked.

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Players VS. Individuals

Adult leagues register "players," not individuals.  What this means is that a team may use any individual to fill a player's spot during the regular season game in the event that they are short on players for a given night, as long as the male to female ratio during gameplay is still observed AND the individual completes and signs league waivers prior to gameplay.  In order for an individual to participate in a tournament, they individual must have participated and played in at least 1 full game during the regular season.

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Lineup

A team must have at least 8 players ready to start a ball game (5 male/ 3 female). Every attempt should be made to have at least 10 players at every game. Teams may have up to 20 kickers (a maximum roster). The kicking order must alternate male/male/female or female/male/male, except when women exceed men, but at no time may three males kick back-to-back.

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When registering, you are registering as a ""player," not an individual.  What this means is that you may use any indvidual to fill a rostered spot for any regular season game, as long as the male to female ratio during gameplay is still observed.  Any individual that plays throughout the year MUST sign waivers before playing. 

 

A team consists of 10 players.  

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If a team does not have 8 players or a legitimate male-to-female ratio to start a game, a 10-minute grace period can be given at the discretion of the other team’s manager; with the awareness that the 55-minute game clock has started and the 10-minute grace period will count toward the total game time. If both teams have fewer than 8 players or an improper male-to female ratio, both teams will have up to 10 minutes to field their teams. After 10-minutes, if one or both teams still do not have 8 players or the proper male-to-female ratio, the game will be forfeited.

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All substitutions must always be male-for-male, female-for-female or female-for-male, for both the defensive lineup and the kicking order. If an injury to a female creates an unbalanced ratio of more male players than female, an excess male player CANNOT replace the injured female in the kicking order nor in the defense. To maintain 10 players on the field, a female must replace a female. If an injury to a female or a missing female creates less than 10 players on the field, you may play with more males than females, but still only a maximum of 6 males. If injuries limit the players to 7 or less, the game shall be forfeited. Injured players are not eligible to return for the remainder of the game.

 

Run Rule

During the regular season, a maximum of 5 runs is allowed by any given team in a half inning.  During playoffs, there is no maximum number of runs that can be scored in an inning.

 

Defensive Player Position

At least one female is required in each defensive area.  Defensive areas are considered outfield, infield and pitcher/catcher.  For clarity, there must be at least 1 female in the outfield, 1 female in the infield AND a female but be either catcher or pitcher. 

 

Pitching Rules

Bouncing the ball is allowed. A pitch that bounces 1 foot or higher (umpire’s discretion), at or through the plate, will be a ball. The ball must also touch the ground at least twice before reaching home plate. The pitcher must release the ball by hand using a continuous underhand forward bowling motion while on the 1st base – 3rd base diagonal. One foot must be in contact with the pitching rubber when the ball is released and remain inside the pitcher’s 8 foot circle until the ball is kicked. No side throws allowed and the ball cannot be more than 6 inches from the body when it passes the pitchers hip during the forward motion. If the infraction is called the umpire will call dead ball & rule it a ball.

 

Fielding Rules

The catcher must field behind the kicker and cannot cross home plate or the kicker until the ball is kicked. At no time can the catcher impede the progress of the kicker prior to the kick. Catcher interference will result in a ball being called. No infielder may cross the 1st base – 3rd base diagonal until the ball is kicked. No outfielder may cross the outer restraining line until the ball is kicked. If as a result of a player crossing a line too early they are able to tag or throw out a runner, the umpire may rule the runner safe.

 

Kicking Rules

Balls, Strikes & Fouls Balls will be called by the umpire.  Kickers start with a 1-ball and 1-strike count. The strike zone is defined as home plate (18 inches) wide plus an additional 2 feet on each side and less than 1 foot above the plate. Two foul balls after strike two will be an out.

 

A Strike is:

A) A ball pitched legally through the strike zone that is not kicked.

B) An attempted kick that misses a pitched ball.

C) A foul ball when the strike count is less than two or a foul ball after two strikes.

 

A Ball is:

A) A pitch outside the strike zone.

B) An illegal pitch – a ball that is higher than one foot in the strike zone or released after the pitcher has left the 1st base – 3rd base diagonal.

C) A ball entering the strike zone from the side. The ball must enter the front of the strike zone.

 

A Foul is:

A) A kick landing out of bounds without returning on its own to fair territory before being touched or before passing 1st or 3rd base;

B) A kick landing in bounds, but traveling out of bounds on its own at any time before being touched or before reaching first or third base. (Any ball, in flight or on the ground, that is touched over fair territory by a player before it goes out of bounds is automatically in play);

C) A kicked ball touched or stopped by the kicker in foul territory after the initial kick;

D) A kicked ball in flight over foul territory touched by a fielder and not caught; E) A kick in fair territory that does not cross the line between 1st and 3rd base for male kickers

 

Bunting is allowed for female players.

 

All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. If any portion of the kicker’s plant foot is touching home plate, the kick is legal. If the entire plant foot goes beyond home plate or the kicker’s box, the kick will be illegal and called a strike. A legal kick can come from any part of the kicker’s leg below the knee, but can only be touched once by the kicker.

 

Adding Kickers

A team may add kickers at any time during the game unless an ejection has occurred, which will result in the lineup being frozen. If a team is unable to maintain the kickers added after the game begins, then that spot in the kicking order will be skipped over with no penalty to the team unless vacancy was created by ejection. Teams must maintain a minimum of 8 players at all times.

 

Base Running

Leadoffs or stealing is not allowed. The runner must remain on the base until the ball is kicked. Violation of this rule will result in the runner being called out. A runner will be called out if they are hit or touched with a ball below the shoulders, while not on a base. Any upright runner hit above the shoulders with a thrown ball is declared safe and awarded an extra base. If a runner intentionally uses their head to block the ball (umpire discretion) they will be out. Umpires have discretion on any ball thrown hard when the defender is close to the runner or if malice is detected, regardless of what position the runner is in. A runner will be called out if they are hit anywhere with a ball kicked by the kicker (teammate).

 

Overthrow rule applies only if the ball travels out-of-play. Out-of-play occurs when the ball goes into a dugout, over the fence in foul territory, into a designated out-of-play area or contacts an object or area outside of the field, such as a tree, a body of water, a sidewalk, etc. Runner(s) advance to the base en route, plus one, when the overthrow occurs, not when the overthrow is called. J.

 

Courtesy Runner

If requested, the last player of the same gender to be put out will be the new courtesy runner. Maximum one runner per inning, regardless of gender. Exception: Same kicker same inning.

Walks

In the event a pitcher walks a male kicker (intentional or not), kicker will be awarded second base. The female kicker following in the kicking order will have the option to kick or walk.

 

Sliding

Sliding is allowed, NOT required! Players should be careful.

 

Appeal Play

An appeal play is a play in which an umpire cannot make a decision until requested by a manager, coach or player. The appeal must be made before the next pitch.

 

Tie Games

Games may end in a tie during the regular season, but will be played out, regardless of time, in tournaments.

 

Forfeits

A forfeiting team notify the league of the forfeit at least 24 hours in advance.  If a team does not do this, the team must pay a $25 forfeit fee to the league before their next scheduled game. Umpires and game supervisors will not accept payments! No further notification to pay this forfeit fee will be given. A team who exceeds their 2 game maximum forfeit limit may be dropped from the league without a refund.

 

Forfeits will be declared for one or more of the following infractions:

1. If a team does not have 8 players or a legitimate male-to-female ratio to start a game, a 10- minute grace period can be given at the discretion of the other team’s manager; with the awareness that the 55-minute game clock has started. If both teams have fewer than 8 players or an improper male-to female ratio, both teams will have up to 10 minutes to field their teams. After 10-minutes, if one or both teams still do not have 8 players or the proper male-to-female ratio, the game will be forfeited, which may include a double forfeit, however, neither team will be penalized if both teams must forfeit. There shall be no opportunity to replay the game.

2. Illegal/suspended players (players not on a roster, players using assumed names, or ineligible players) participating. Teams using illegal or ineligible players will have games declared forfeits.

3. Misconduct in the program before, during or after a game.  

4. Failure to show up to games on time.

 

Game or Player Protests

Only rule interpretation will be justifiable for protest and not an umpire’s decision on a call. If a team protests an interpretation:

1. The team coach must make the protest before the next pitch to the next kicker.

2. The team coach must make sure that the umpire informs the opposing coach and records the protest on the official score sheet before the next pitch.

3. All protests must be made in accordance with rules established here.

4. Ineligible player protest must be made during the ball game with the umpire. 5. No protest will be accepted after the completion of the game.

 

Conduct

Every person (staff/player/spectator/anyone with a pulse) is to show good sportsmanship. Every person is responsible for their actions whether they were provoked or were the ones provoking. Some forms of unsportsmanlike conduct will warrant automatic ejection. Abusive and or vulgar/foul (swearing) language will not be tolerated! Ejections may also occur without an umpire warning and may be carried over from one season to another! 

 

Two ejections during a season for any individual player will result in that player forfeiting their right to play or attend any game for the remainder of the season without a refund, and depending on the level of conduct, may result in an additional year suspension from the league.

 

No person shall:

A) Threaten another person.

B) Lay a hand upon, shove, or strike another person.

C) Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at umpire’s decision.

D) Refuse to abide by umpire’s decision.

E) Be guilty of physical attack upon any other person.

Any person ejected from a game must leave the facility immediately and may not remain as a spectator. Refusing to leave premises is considered trespassing. Any person refusing to immediately leave the park will have suspension extended and police will be called!

 

Suspension of Play

            Suspension of play will occur when

A) When, in the judgment of the umpire, all immediate play appears completed, the umpire should call time.

B) Some out-of-play areas will be marked, but the umpire can rule any out-of-play at his/her discretion, especially for the safety of players and spectators.

C) At the discretion of any league staff at any time for any reason

 

Official baseball/softball rules will apply when pertaining to;

A) Fair vs. foul ball, once kicked. B) Tagging up. C) The base line. D) Infield Fly. E) Base coaches.