Kickball Rules

Field

• The field is a 60-ft square.

• The distance from home plate to second base, and from first base to third base is 84 feet 10 ¼ inches.

• Pitching area is centered in the diamond, 43 ft from home. The area behind the pitcher is the area of control (umpire decides when to call time).

• The strike zone extends to 1 foot on either side of home plate, and 1 foot high. There will be no marked box, umpire judgment applies. If any part of the ball falls within the zone, it is a strike.

Teams

• Maximum of 10 players on the field, and a minimum of 8 players. One player must be the catcher.  

• There is no maximum to the number of players on your team roster.

• All players can kick. • Kicking order is fixed; defensive positions may change.

• Only paid, rostered, 18+ players with signed waivers may play.

• The official batting order must be provided to the umpire before the start of the game. The umpire will keep an official scorecard.  

Regulation Games

• Games are 8 innings; official after 6 innings (or 5 ½ if home team leads) or when the game has reached 55 minutes.

• No extra innings; ties stand.

• Teams not ready within 5 minutes of scheduled kick off time shall forfeit, unless delayed because of a delay on another field for a double header. The umpire must confirm with the Facility Coordinator on the status of the team before a forfeit is called.

• 9-run limit per inning, except for the last inning.

• 15 run mercy rule after 6 innings.

Pitching/Catching

• Pitcher may not bounce the ball higher than 1 foot (as measured from the bottom of the ball).  If the ball is bouncing higher than 1 foot off the ground when it reaches the plate it is a ball.
     o The kicker does have the option of kicking it if he/she wishes.

• If the pitch goes within 1 foot on either side of the plate, it is a strike.

• The pitcher must stay inside the pitching area until the ball is kicked. If the pitcher leaves early, an illegal pitch will be called.  
     o The kicker does have the option of kicking it if he/she chooses and takes the result of that play.

• No fielder may cross the 1st – 3rd base diagonal (except to field a bunt).

• If a pitcher or fielder makes an out by illegally advancing beyond the 1st – 3rd base diagonal, the runner will be declared safe.

• The catcher must stay at least 3 feet behind the kicker and behind the plate until the ball is kicked. The catcher cannot interfere with the kicker.

• Count starts at 1 ball, 1 strike.

• Pitching must be underhand only.

Kicker

• Kicks must be made by foot, at or behind home plate.

• Kicks made in front of home plate and then caught ‘out’ by a fielder (or a force out occurs), the kicker is out.

• Males must kick the ball past the 1st – 3rd baseline. The ball must stay beyond the line to be fair.

• Kicks not reaching the line are foul.

• If the ball is fielded before reaching the line, the ball is fair.

• No stopping the ball with the foot before kicking.

Running

• Runners must stay within the baseline; fielders must stay out of the baseline unless they are making a play.

• Fielders may have their foot on the base (except for first) but must not black the baseline.

• If a fielder attempts to physically obstruct a runner from advancing, the runner may advance as many bases as they would have potentially earned without interference. This is decided by the umpire.

• A safety base is used at first; fielders tag the extra base, runners tag the regular base. The fielder may not interfere in any way with the runner tagging first base.

• Runner must avoid collisions. Ties go to the runner.
      Pursuant to the USA Softball Rule, when a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and crashes into the defensive player, it is considered a “crash”.  If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected.

• No leading off or stealing of bases is allowed.

• A runner leading off the base before the ball is kicked is out.

• Hitting a runner with the ball above the shoulder is not allowed.
      The runner is safe and advances one (1) base except for the following situations:
         Runner intentionally uses the head to block the ball, and is called by the official →out.
         Runner is ducking, diving or sliding (i.e. attempting to dodge the ball) and is hit in the head → out. (Umpire’s judgment)
         Runner intentionally hits or kicks the ball out of bounds after being tagged out→ ball is dead; all runners return to original bases.

• Runner hit with the ball above the shoulder level, other runners on base may be advanced only on a force.

• Runner may leave base once the ball is touched by the kicking team.  

• All ties go to the runner.

• On overthrows, runners may advance freely even if the ball is out of bounds.

      Certain fields may have out-of-bound areas.  Please consult the Field Leader for details.

• Two runners on one base: fielder may tag either runner with the ball.  Tagged runner is out and the other runner is safe.

Fouls

• A foul counts as a strike (including strike three).

• Fouls include:
      Ball landing out of bounds.
      Ball landing fair, but rolling foul before reaching 1st or 3rd base untouched
      (Any ball touching a fielder in fair territory is automatically in play).
      Kick does not meet the minimum kick requirement (1st – 3rd base diagonal).

Outs

• Three outs by a team completes the team’s half of the inning.

• Outs include:
      Three strikes.
      Runner touched by the ball at ANY time while off base.
      Runner tagged when sharing a base.
      Any caught kicked ball (fair or foul).
      Force outs.
      Runner leaving early.

• Hitting the base with the ball does not record an out; the fielder must tag the runner or maintain control of the ball on the base on a force.

Play Ball

• When the pitcher controls the ball inside the area of control, the play is dead.

• Play resumes on the next pitch.

• Defense cannot kick the ball.

Other Rules

• USA Softball umpires officiate all game.

• No foul language allowed.

• No alcohol on the field or dugout. Violations results in suspension.

• Coaches must control their teams.  

• Coaches must maintain their batting order, inning, and score in their scorebooks.  Scorebook records settle disputes.

• Standard softball rules apply unless stated otherwise.
      Male kicker is walked to got to a female kicker, male kicker advances to second. Female kicker must kick unless there are two outs (then she may choose to kick or take first base).

• No Infield Fly Rule.

• Umpires have the final say; league commissioners/coaches may be consulted for rule clarification.  

• Out-of-bounds areas vary by field. Umpire will define them pre-game.  
      If the ball enters out-of-bound areas, the ball is dead and play will stop.  Extra bases may be awarded depending on the field. Check with your field leader for details.

• No gender requirements for roster or field positions.

Awards

• Championship shirts will be given to the first-place team only.  

Weather

• We will be following the inclement weather policy. Rain Out Hot Line 775-3537811