Kickball Rules

Let’s hope our skills match our enthusiasm.

Kickball Rules

Shoes

  • No metal spikes or footwear that may damage the kickball or cause bodily harm.

Game Duration

  • A regulation game consists of 7 innings or 55 minutes, whichever comes first.

  • If an inning has started before the time expires, it will be completed.

  • A game ends early if:

    • The home team scores more runs in six and a half innings.

    • The home team scores more runs before the third out in the last half of the seventh inning.

    • Mercy Rule:

      • A team is up 20+ runs at the end of the 4th inning.

      • A team is up 12+ runs at the end of the 5th inning or later.

  • Each team will play three 30-minute games to decide seeding prior to a Single Elimination Tournament.

Pitching

  • Underhanded only.

  • Pitchers must pitch from the designated pitcher's mound.

  • The heel of the pitcher’s back foot must remain on the mound.

  • A pitch is a ball if:

    • It bounces more than 6 inches above home plate.

    • It does not pass over any part of the plate.

    • However, the kicker may choose to kick the ball and accept the outcome.

  • A pitch that passes over any part of the plate and is not too bouncy is a strike.

Fielding

  • Infielders: Maximum of 6 players (pitcher, catcher, shortstop, 1B, 2B, 3B).

  • Outfielders: Must stay outside the baselines until the ball is kicked.

  • Infielders: Cannot move past the pitcher’s mound until the ball is kicked.

  • Fielders must allow base runners to reach their base.

  • No blocking bases from base runners.

  • No infield fly rule, but if an infielder intentionally drops a ball to secure additional outs, captains may agree to call only one out (kicker is out, and runners return to their original bases).

Kicking

  • The ball must travel at least halfway to 1st or 3rd base:

    • If it does not, it is a strike, unless touched by a fielder.

  • Kickers should run out borderline fair/foul balls; defenders should field all kicked balls.

  • All kicks must be made with the foot/shin (below the knee).

    • Kicks made above the knee are dead balls and count as a strike.

  • The plant foot’s heel must not be in front of home plate.

    • If it is, the kick is a dead ball and strike.

  • Kickers may not stop the ball with their foot before kicking.

  • Double kicks (ball touches kicker twice before another player or object) are dead balls:

    • No advancing/tagging up.

    • If a double-kick occurs in foul territory, it counts as a strike.

    • If a double-kick occurs in fair territory, the kicker is out.

  • Foul balls count as strikes (3rd foul = strikeout).

Running

  • Stay within the baseline.

  • No passing other runners (passed runner is out).

  • Fielders must stay out of baselines unless making a play.

  • Runner must avoid collisions.

  • Ties go to the runner.

  • Runners may overrun 1st base safely unless they turn toward 2nd base.

  • No leading off or stealing bases (leading off before the kick = out).

  • Tagging up is allowed on caught fair and foul balls.

  • Headshots are not allowed (runner is safe and advances 1 base, unless ducking/diving/sliding or intentionally blocking with their head).

  • Multiple runners on the same base: Fielder may tag either runner (tagged runner is out).

  • Overthrows out of play: Runners advance one base from where they were going.

  • If a ball in play touches a runner, they are out, including kicks by their own team.

Fouls

  • Foul balls count as strikes (3rd foul = strikeout).

  • A ball that stops in foul territory before 1st or 3rd base is foul.

  • A ball that first lands foul past 1st or 3rd base is foul.

  • A caught ball in foul territory is an out.

  • If a fielder touches a ball in foul territory, it is foul unless caught.

  • A ball rolling past 1st or 3rd base outside the base without crossing it is foul.

  • A rolling ball cannot be ruled fair/foul until it stops, is touched, or crosses 1st or 3rd base.

  • Tagging up on a caught foul ball is allowed.

  • Any kicked ball hitting an object in foul territory is foul.

  • A ball that starts fair and rolls foul before reaching 1st or 3rd base is foul.

Disputes

  • All argued calls will be settled by a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, best 2 out of 3.