Competitive Kickball Rulebook

THE PLAYING FIELD 

  1. The field shall be established on any safe terrain suitable for play in accordance with the following  provisions which equal the dimensions of a softball field:  
  • The kickball diamond is a square with equal sides of 60 feet with a base at each corner The distance from home plate to second base and from first base to third base is 84 feet 10  1/4 inches. The distance between any base and home plate shall be measured from the  back corner of each 
  • The pitching strip is in the center of the diamond, 42 feet 5 1/8 inches from home plate, and  directly aligned with the 1st-3rd base diagonal; 
  • The pitching mound extends 12 feet from the center of the pitching strip; 
  • When available, cones are placed: at the outside corner of first, second, and third base, and  not touching the base; on the foul lines 30 feet behind first and third base; and on the  sidelines 10′ from home plate;  
  • The kicking box is a rectangle with the front of the box aligned with the front of home plate  and the back of the box aligned with the sideline cones behind home plate. Lines extending  forward from the sideline cones perpendicular to the front of home plate make up the sides  of the kicking box. The area directly forward the kicking box is fair territory. The kicker is not  required to start in the kicking box, however the kick must occur within the kicking box. The foul lines are fair territory. 
  1. The strike zone is a three-dimensional rectangle based on the shape of home plate and is one (1)  foot in height. The front of the zone aligns with the front of home plate. The sides of the zone  extend one (1) foot to either side of the plate. The back edges of the zone are one (1) foot from the  back sides of the plate. The strike zone may not be marked by cones or other raised objects, but can  be field painted on the ground to mark the (1) foot mark on either side of the plate.  
  2. All participants must respect and obey all rules and regulations pertaining to the field used for  games 
  3. Any player or Referee wholly or partly in fair territory is an extension of fair territory. Any live base  runner outside the kicking box is fair, even when wholly in foul territory. A player jumping from fair  territory is in fair territory while in the air. A player in foul territory does not extend foul territory by  jumping or reaching into fair territory. 
  4. Upon notification to the Head Referee of any improper field set up, the field layout shall be  corrected before the beginning of the next play. Protest based on field set up will not be  considered. 
  5. Optional Extra Base: When available, an additional base may be set up adjacent to First Base to  provide more room for the runner. If an Extra Base is used:  
  • The Extra Base is only available for runners traveling from home plate 
  • Fielders trying to make an out on first base must touch the base in fair territory (the First  Base). Runners hindered by a fielder touching the base in foul territory (the Extra Base), will  be safe;  
  • When a play is attempted at first base, a runner who touches the First Base prior to being  called safe at the Extra Base shall be called out  
  • Once a runner has reached first base safely the runner must start the next play on the First  Base. Any runner standing on or touching the Extra Base at the beginning of the next play  will be out;  
  • No additional base may be used at any other base;
  • The Runner is permitted to use the First Base if avoiding collision with a fielder in foul  territory. In this event, the fielder in foul territory is permitted to tag the Extra Base; The runner may use First Base if attempting to advance to Second Base, or if there is no  fielder on First Base.  
  1. Sideline area Prior to the kick, no participants (or spectators) may be in the sideline area except for  the kicker, the catcher, Referees and designated base coaches. After the kick, fielders and base  runners in the process of playing the game may also occupy the sideline area. The first infraction of  this rule will result in a warning to the team that caused the infraction. The second and each subsequent infraction will result in an out for the next kicker in the written kicking order on the  team that caused the infraction. 

EQUIPMENT  

  1. Athletic shoes are required. Metal cleats are not allowed.  
  2. Players may wear protective equipment providing it does not offer the wearer an unfair  performance advantage. Any equipment deemed by the Head Referee as a performance  enhancement must be removed or the player will be removed from play.  
  3. BYSC will provide the official kickball, measuring 10 inches in diameter when properly inflated to a  pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch.  
  4. All player attire is an extension of the player.  

REFEREES  

  1. Games must be officiated by at least one authorized official, the Head Referee. When available, at  least two officials referee each game: a Head Referee, and a First Base Referee. The Head Referee  governs all game play and issues all final rulings, and has final authority on equipment issues. Other  Referees may assist these officials when available.  
  2. Prior to each game, the Head Referee must conduct a meeting with the Captains of each team, to  address any ground rules in effect, to ensure the exchange of team lineups, and to identify the  designated Captains who will be authorized to discuss calls with the Referees during the game.  3. Referees have jurisdiction over play and may:  
  3. Call a time out;  
  4. Call off a game due to darkness, rain or other cause at the Referee’s discretion; 3. Penalize a player, including game ejection, for any reason. This includes but is not limited to  un-sportsman like conduct, fighting, delay of game and excessive verbal abuse. Ejected  participants must leave the field area and may not return to the game.  
  5. Referees have jurisdiction over play and must:  
  6. Cancel the game if lightning is seen, or delay it until safe to continue;  
  7. Keep a record of the final game score.  
  8. Referees may make rulings on any points not specifically covered in the rules (at the time of  occurrence), but the ruling shall not be deemed as a precedent for future rulings.  

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY  

  1. All participating players must appear on written lineups, reflecting that game’s kicking order, to be  exchanged between the captains of each team before play begins. 
  2. A claim of improper kicking order must be made to the Head Referee who will make the final  determination. Such a claim must contain two parts:  
  3. that the written kicking order was exchanged; 
  4. that the claim is made on the field no sooner than the first pitch thrown to the accused  “wrong” kicker, and no later than the first pitch thrown to the subsequent kicker. The  burden of proof rests with the accused team. Any resulting play is nullified by a finding of  improper kicking order, with an out recorded for the “wrong” kicker”. The next player in  the lineup after the recorded “wrong kicker” will be up in the lineup. 

TEAMS  

  1. Each game shall have two (2) participating teams: the Away team, which kicks first each inning, and  the Home team, which kicks last each inning.  
  2. While fielding, each team must field at least six (6) and no more than ten (10) players, which must  include one pitcher and one catcher at any time during the game.  
  3. For a given game, each team shall have one Captain and one Co-Captain (collectively “the Captains”)  who are jointly responsible for the team. The Captains may discuss calls with the Head Referee, but  must accept the Head Referee’s final ruling. Other players besides the Captains that dispute calls  with the Referees are subject to ejection from the game. 

BASE COACHES 

  1. Two member of the team at kick may coach first and third base, switching as needed with other  team members to remain in the proper written kicking order. 
  2. Base coaches may not physically assist runners while the ball in in play. 

REGULATION GAMES 

  1. Regulation games last six (6) innings.  
  2. In the event of a tie score at the end of the game, the game shall be marked as a tie.  2. If the Home team already leads the game when the bottom of the final inning is reached,  that team wins the game instantly and the game is over.  
  3. If the Home team takes the lead during the bottom of the final inning, that team wins  instantly and the game is over.  
  4. A game that is called off by the Referee after four (4) full innings of play shall be considered a  regulation game. The game score at the end of the last full inning shall determine the winner.  Regulation games called off that end in a tie shall be marked as a tie.  
  5. A game that is called off by the Referee for any reason before four (4) full innings of play shall not  be considered a regulation game and a new game may be rescheduled.  
  6. If a team has only 3 female/male players playing they will take an automatic out anywhere in the  batting lineup.  
  7. If there are only 2 male/female players playing they will take an automatic two out anywhere in the  batting lineup. 
  8. If there is only one female/male, the team will take a forfeit. The only exception to the rule is an all woman team. 
  9. If both teams are missing the same amount of male/female players. Both teams can agree to cancel  the automatic outs. 
  10. A late arriving player may be inserted into the bottom of the order, at any point during the game.. A late player may immediately enter the field on defense.

PITCHING, CATCHING AND FIELDING  

  1. Balls must be pitched by hand. There are no restrictions on pitching style. The ball must touch the  ground at least two (2) times before crossing the plate. Teams can agree before the game if pitches  are only to be underhand, or any pitch style.  
  2. Proper Field Position must be maintained by all fielders while a pitch is in progress, and until the  pitched ball reaches the kicker. Failure to be properly positioned will result in a Position Warning to  the team that caused the infraction. The team’s second and each subsequent Position infraction by  that team that game will result in the kicker being awarded first base regardless of the outcome of  the kick. Proper Field Position is:  
  3. for Fielders: All fielders besides the catcher must remain in fair territory behind the 1st-3rd  base diagonal;  
  4. for Pitchers:  
  5. The pitcher must start the act of pitching with at least one foot away from left or  right corner of the pitching mound, and can pitch from any distant behind the  

mound. 

  1. The pitcher must have at least one foot on or directly behind the pitching strip  when releasing the ball; 
  2. No part of the pitcher’s front foot may be in front of or across the front edge of the  pitching strip.  
  3. for Catchers:  
  4. The catcher must be positioned within or directly behind the kicking box and behind  the horizontal plane of the kicker, parallel to the front edge of home plate. 
  5. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the  kicker as to restrict the kicking motion. 
  6. The kicker may not trigger a position violation through maneuvers judged by the  Ref to be deliberately tricky or unsportsmanlike.  

KICKING/KICKING LINEUP 

  1. All kicks must be made by foot, leg, or below the knee. Any ball touched by the foot or leg below the  knee is a kick. 
  2. All kicks must occur:  
  3. at or behind home plate. The kicker may step on home plate to kick, however no part of the  planted foot may be in front of or cross the front edge of the home plate.  
  4. within the kicking box. The kicker must have at least a portion of the plant foot within the  kicking box during the kick. The kicker may line up outside of the kicking box. 
  5. No restriction in the kicking lineup.
  6. A bunt is allowed by male and female kickers.
  7. A double kick is considered a foul, and ball that makes contact with the body before leaving the  kicking box.  

RUNNING AND SCORING 

  1. Runners must stay within the baseline. Any runner outside the baseline is out:  1. Runners may choose their path from one base to the next, and may follow a natural running  arc, 
  2. Runners are free to change course to avoid interference with a fielder making a play, 3. When attempting to avoid a ball tag, runners may move no more than 4 feet out of their  established path. 
  3. Obstruction. Fielders must stay out of the baseline. Fielders trying to make an out on base may  have their foot on base, but must lean out of the baseline. Runners hindered by any fielder within  the baseline, not making an active play for the ball, shall be safe at the base to which they were  running. Runners may choose to advance beyond this base while the ball is still in play. 
  4. Neither leading off base, nor stealing a base is allowed. A runner may advance once the ball is  kicked. A runner off base when the ball is kicked is out. 
  5. Hitting a runner’s neck or head with the ball is not allowed, except when the runner is sliding. Any  runner hit in the neck or head shall be considered safe at the base they were running toward when  the ball hits the runner. If the runner intentionally uses the head or neck to block the ball, and is so  called by the Referee, the runner is out. 
  6. A tag-up is a requirement to retouch or stay on a base until a kicked then caught ball is first touched  by a fielder. After a tag-up a runner may advance. A runner failing to tag-up as required is out.  6. All ties will go to the runner. Runners traveling from home plate may overrun first base, and may  only be tagged out if actively attempting to advance to second base. 
  7. Base Running on Overthrows;  
  8. an overthrow is a ball thrown, kicked, or deflected into foul territory while making a  defensive play toward a player or base; 
  9. a runner may advance only one base beyond the base the runner is on or running toward  when the ball travels into foul territory;  
  10. one base on an overthrow is a restriction on the runner – not an automatic right for the  runner to advance;  
  11. d. if any fielder attempts to make an out prior to returning the ball to the pitcher, runners  may commence base running.  
  12. Running past another runner is not allowed. The passing runner is out  
  13. A run scores when a runner touches home plate before the third out is made, EXCEPT that no run  can score when the third out is made during a force play situation, or when the kicker is put out  before touching first base. At the end of a game the team with the most runs wins.  
  14. When a base is displaced during play, any runner is safe while in contact with the base’s original and  correct location. All displaced bases should be restored at the end of each play. 

STRIKES/FOULS 

  1. Any combination of four (4) strikes/foul is an out. Strikes and Fouls are the same. 2. A strike is:  
  2. a pitch that is not kicked and is not called a ball, that enters any part of the strike zone; 2. an attempted kick missed by the kicker inside or outside of the strike zone.  3. A foul ball is: 
  3. a kicked ball first touching the ground in foul territory  
  4. a kicked ball first touching a fielder or Referee wholly in foul territory, while the ball is over  foul territory 
  5. a kicked ball landing in fair territory, but touching the ground in foul territory on its own at  any time before crossing the 1st-3rd base diagonal 
  6. a kicked ball landing in fair territory, then entering foul territory before crossing the 1st-3rd  base diagonal, and touching a fielder or Referee wholly in foul territory  
  7. a kick made on or above the knee; 
  8. a kicked ball touched more than once or stopped in the kicking box by the kicker; 7. a kicked ball first kicked outside of the kicking box  
  9. a kicked ball first touching a permanent object, such as a batting cage or fence. 9. a bunted ball that travels on the outside of the kicking box line located 10 feet on first and third base away from home plate. 
  10. A fair ball is:  
  11. a kicked ball landing and remaining in fair territory; 
  12. a kicked ball landing in fair territory then traveling into foul territory beyond the 1st-3rd  diagonal. 
  13. a kicked ball first touching a player or Referee in fair territory  
  14. a kicked ball landing in fair territory, then touched by a participant in fair territory before  touching the ground in foul territory; 
  15. a kicked ball that touches a runner before touching the ground in foul territory 6. a kicked ball that touches the kicker once outside the kicking box before touching the  ground in foul territory 

BALLS  

  1. A count of four (4) balls advances the kicker to first base.  
  2. A ball is:  
  3. a pitch outside of the strike zone as judged by the Referee where a kick is not attempted  2. a pitched ball that does not touch the ground at least two (2)  
  4. a pitched ball that exceeds one foot in height from the bottom of the ball as it enters the  kicking box;  
  5. a pitched ball that exceeds one foot in height from the bottom of the ball at any time while  passing through the kicking box, prior to reaching the kicker;  
  6. a pitched ball that is higher than one foot at the plate. 

INTENTIONAL WALK 

  1. A pitcher may intentionally walk a Kicker to award him/her with one (1) base only by stating “Intentional Walk” to the Game Head Referee after at least one (1) strike/foul has been pitched. 2. Intentional Walk Restrictions: 
  2. Occurs when a pitcher fails to pitch at least one (1) strike/foul to the kicker in the same at kick. The result will be the kicker being awarded two (2) bases.  

If this occurs, base runners are permitted to advance only if forced to do so by kicker being  awarded two (2) bases as a result of an Intentional Walk Restriction. 

OVERTHROWS 

  1. An Overthrow is any attempt towards a Baserunner or base that does not contact the Baserunner  and deflects into foul territory. 
  2. If the play on the Baserunner misses and goes into foul territory, it is considered an Overthrow. 3. An Overthrow allows Baserunners to attempt to advance up to one (1) base beyond the base they  were running toward when the ball traveled into foul territory. 
  3. These advancements are not automatic. If the defense attempts to make a play on any Baserunner  while advancing after an Overthrow, all Baserunners may attempt to advance as many bases as they  choose (unless, of course, another Over-throw occurs in the process). It is up the Game Head  Referee’s discretion as to what constitutes the defense “making a play” on a Baserunner. 

OUTS  

  1. A count of three (3) outs by a team completes the team’s half of the inning.  2. An out is:  
  2. a count of any combination of four (4) strikes/fouls;
  3. any kicked ball (fair or foul) that is caught by a fielder. Any part of the ball may incidentally  touch the ground during the act of catching and still be ruled an out if the fielder first  displays full control of the ball and maintains control after touching the ground;  
  4. a Force Out, being the tag by any part of a fielder’s body of a base to which a runner is  forced to run, before the runner arrives at the base, while the fielder has control of the ball.  The ball may be touching the ground if the fielder displays full control of the ball while  simultaneously tagging the base;  
  5. a runner touched by the ball or who touches the ball at any time while not on base while  the ball is in play;  
  6. a kicker or runner that interferes with the ball  
  7. a tag of a base by any part of a fielder’s body, while the fielder has control of the ball,  before the runner originating at that base can tag-up as required due to a caught ball 7. a runner off base when the ball is kicked  
  8. a runner physically assisted by a team member during play  
  9. any kicker that does not kick in the proper kicking line up  
  10. a runner that passes another runner 
  11. a runner outside of the baseline  
  12. a runner who misses a base, as called by a Referee upon the conclusion of the play; 13. a runner who fails to properly tag up on a caught ball, as called by a Referee upon the  conclusion of the play;  
  13. a runner touched by the ball while on a base they are forced to vacate by the kicker  becoming a runner;  
  14. a runner coming from home plate who steps on First Base when required to use the Extra  Base  
  15. a player improperly occupying the sideline area after their team has been issued a warning  

BALL NOT IN PLAY 

  1. Once the pitcher has the ball in control and retains possession on the mound, the play  ends. Runners who are off base at this time and in forward motion may advance only one base.  Runners who are off base at this time and not in forward motion must return to the base from  which they were running. 
  2. Interference is:  
  3. when any non fielder or non permanent object except a Referee or a runner, touches or is  touched by a ball in play in fair territory. This interference causes the play to end, and  runners shall proceed to the base to which they were headed, 
  4. when any runner on or off base intentionally touches a ball, or hinders a fielder. This  interference causes the play to end, the runner to be out, and any other runners shall  return to the base from which they came, unless forced to advance 
  5. when any kicker intentionally touches a pitched ball by hand or arm before the pitch is  called a Ball or Strike, or intentionally touches a kicked ball to render it foul. This  interference causes the play to end, the kicker to be out, and any runner shall return to the  base from which they came  
  6. During any play where a ball is popped or deflates significantly, that play shall be replayed with a  properly inflated ball 

DEAD BALL PLAYS 

  1. If a Baserunner contacts a pitched ball kicked into play and not touched by any Fielder, that  Baserunner is out, and a Dead Ball Stoppage results. All other Baserunners to return to the bases  they last reached before the contact occurred. If Baserunners would still be forced to advance after  this out is recorded, then they automatically advance. this is without any regard to the fault of the  Baserunner. 
  2. If a Baserunner intentionally touches the ball or otherwise interferes with its fielding, that  Baserunner is out, a Dead Ball Stoppage is called, and any other Baserunners must return to the  base they last reached before the touching. If Baserunners would still be forced to advance after  this out is recorded, they automatically advance. Such interference includes, but is not limited to:  intentionally striking a ball in play; deliberately or recklessly contracting the Fielder; deliberate and 

direct verbal interference by a Baserunner in the immediate vicinity of a Fielder with that Fielder’s  attempt to field the ball; intentionally screening the ball from a Fielder’s view. If, in the discretion of  a Game Referee, such interference would have prevented a Fields from making an out other  Baserunners with ordinary effort, the Game Referee may call such Baserunners out. 

  1. If a Base Coach deliberately or recklessly interferes with a ball in play, a Dead Ball Stoppage is called,  and a Referee may call any appropriate Baserunner out and require any appropriate Baserunner to  return to the base they last reached before Interference. 

If fair ball (which either stays in fair territory or later goes into foul territory after being played fair)  becomes trapped in any object, hits a spectator, hits a movable object, or travels to where a Fielder  faces substantial impediment in getting to the ball, Dead Ball Stoppage is called. 

  1. The play is dead and the Kicker and all other Baserunners automatically advance only to the base to  which they were headed at the point of the Dead Ball Stoppage. The Game Head Referee has the  discretion to award the Kicker and Baserunners whatever additional base(s) they realistically would  have reached had there not been a Dead Ball Stoppage. 
  2. Game Head Referee shall call an immediate Dead Ball Stoppage on any play with serious injury  results. Any Baserunners, at the Game Head Referee discretion, may be awarded the base the  Game Head Referee realistically believed they would be reached had there not been a serious  injury. This awarding does not occur when it is the Kicker who is injured during the play. 

INJURY AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

  1. In cases of injury or illness, a timeout may be requested for participant removal and replacement  with a teammate as a substitute. If the participant later returns to play, the participant must be  inserted in the same written kicking order position previously held. 
  2. If a player is ejected, injured, or becomes ill and cannot continue, the written kicking order will  continue in the same formation, less the removed player. There is no “automatic out” when the  removed player’s spot in the order is reached.  
  3. Injured players who do not kick shall not play in the game.  
  4. Any player removed from the game for injury or illness must be noted on both team written kicking  orders and mentioned to the Head Referee.  
  5. The pitcher and the catcher positions may only be replaced once per inning each, unless injury  forces another substitution.  
  6. Only runners who are injured while traveling to a base, and who successfully make it to a base, may  be substituted. There are no other allowable runner substitutions. A runner may be substituted no  more than twice during the game. Upon the second substitution, the player will be removed from  the game and no longer be allowed to participate.