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Rules for Kickball League

Last Updated July 1, 2022

At A Glance

If you are new to kickball, here are few important things to know about our co-ed kickball leagues. Scroll below to see a full list of league rules and regulations.

  • All SARC Leagues follow our general rules and regulations.
  • If not listed below, the scenario follows Major League Baseball rules and regulations.
  • Dodgeball Rule: Any runner who catches the ball being thrown at them will be deemed SAFE and allowed to go to next base (except when running to first base).
  • It is encouraged to have a female pitch, who may use speed and spin in her delivery. A male is permitted to pitch but may only “slow pitch.”
  • Tagging and Pegging with the kickball are allowed (no head shots).
  • 3 fouls equal an OUT and 3 good pitches also equals an out. However, a combination of four fouls and good pitches equals an out. A swing and a miss is a strike.
  • A valid starting lineup is 4 Females, 6 Males (Females can compensate for males, but not vice versa).
  • When a female is kicking, outfielders must remain behind the co-ed line.
  • Minimum of 2 females in the INFIELD.
  • Minimum of 4 innings and Max of 7 innings or 60 minutes. No innings will begin after the 50-minute mark.
  • Rock, Paper, Scissors will determine home and away during regular season.
  • Please be courteous to other players, umpires and managers. We have a ZERO tolerance policy for any poor sportsmanlike behaviors.

OFFICIALS

Officials will be provided by SARC. These are not professional referees, so please be courteous to them, as they have the power to throw you out with our ZERO TOLERANCE policy.

PARTICIPANTS

  • 21 to participate.
  • Should have health insurance.
  • Must be registered ONLINE. Paying online is optional.
  • All players must be in sneakers or cleats (no metal on shoes).

TEAMS

  • Teams should have a minimum of 15 players - NO MAX of players.
  • A squad must have at least 4 females and 6 males signed in and on the lineup card.
  • Females can compensate for males, but not vice versa.
  • Lineups must be written and posted in the dugout and also exchanged if one team requests.
  • Teams can play with the minimum of 7 players from their roster, but outs will be assumed in place of missing players. Teams without a proper starting lineup must take outs in the batting order (male or female). The captain must notify the umpire where the out(s) will be taken the first time through the lineup.
  • Minimum of 2 females in the INFIELD.
  • Teams must have a pitcher and catcher.
  • If a squad has less than the required 4 females, but more than the 6 males, all players can kick, but a MAX of 6 males in the field remains (i.e., play with 9 or 8, etc.) and outs must be taken in the order where females are missing.
  • Every player present kicks in the designated kicking lineup but does not have to play in the field.
  • Kicking out of order results in an out for the kicker that was out of order if appealed by opposing team after the at bat ends. This is not the responsibility of the umpire to enforce or keep track of. If appealed and upheld, the kicker skipped is called out and the resulting play is nullified with the correct batter then coming up. This must be appealed before the first pitch of the next batter.
  • Mid-count changes to kickers do not result in outs, even if appealed by the defense, but the batting count is not reset. This pertains to mistakes caught by the offensive or defensive team before the bat is concluded.
  • Players that are late are added to the end of the lineup as long as they arrive before the start of the 4th inning.
  • No more than 3 guest players are allowed to play in a game. Guest players do not have to be okayed by opposing team unless they normally play up on a higher team. No guest players are permitted if the opposing team is short-handed as well until teams are at equal strength. ALL guest players must kick at the end of the lineup and only eligible to play OF. The only exception is if all 3 guests are females then one can play catcher.

BASE COACHES

  • Are optional.
  • Cannot intentionally touch the ball in play or interfere with the defense or the nearest runner is out.
  • Accidental touching is deemed a dead ball with runners returning to previous base.
  • Must stay in coaches box.
  • Can't physically assist runners or the runner is out.

GAME PLAY

  • Minimum of 4 innings and Max of 7 innings or 60 minutes.
  • No new innings shall start after the 50-minute mark of game play and so is the last inning.
  • Tie games are possible but not favored. OT if time permits.
  • 10-minute grace periods for shorthanded teams. Forfeits get recorded as a 10-0 win/loss.
  • The clock starts when the home team takes the field in the top of the 1st inning or at umpire’s starting if team is shorthanded. The 10-minute grace period counts toward the 60 minutes of play.
  • Rock, Paper, Scissors will determine home and away during regular season.
  • There is no mercy rule in regular season.
  • A 10-run cap is in place for run differential for all games.

PITCHING

  • It is encouraged to have a female pitch, who may use speed and spin in their delivery. A male is permitted to pitch but may only “slow pitch.”
  • Pitches by females can be any speed or spin, but do not have to be kicked.
  • Pitcher cannot have an extended approach to the rubber (or area next to if mound is deemed uncomfortable/dangerous). Pitcher must RELEASE THE BALL while foot is on the mound (rubber if it’s there).
  • Pitcher must stay at or behind the pitcher’s line until the ball is kicked.
  • Pitch by hand only.
  • A "ball" or "strike" is at the umpire discretion and a pitch is determined based on speed, spin, bounce, and location of ball as it crosses the strike zone. The two-bounce rule used at the national level is not in play in SARC.

KICKING

  • Foot or lower leg (below the knee) only or else foul ball.
  • Contact with the pitch must be made within the arc in front of the plate drawn by the umpire. Infraction is an instant foul ball, despite the result of the play. The plant foot of the kicker must be on or behind the arc when contact is made. A delayed dead ball is called when an infraction occurs. If it is the third foul ball or fourth combined strike of the at-bat, the batter is out.
  • Bunting is permissible.
  • Defensive bunting lines are in place to protect bunters. Lines are connected between the pitching mound and 1st and 3rd base lines.
  • Immediate double touch is a foul ball if batter is in the designated batting area. If the kicker is outside the box or beyond the arc in front of home plate, the batter is called out at umpire’s discretion.
  • ICING THE KICKER: After 4 bad pitches (umpire discretion) the kicker will place the ball on top of home plate and kick it from there. Kicker cannot refuse the "free kick," but can opt for a walk instead. Kickers may bunt if they choose, but the count is in play (i.e., a foul ball on the free kick with two fouls results in an out).
  • Additionally, any kicker who receives 4 balls without a strike or foul would receive a double walk (go straight to 2B).
  • 3 fouls equal an OUT and 3 good pitches also equals an out. However, a combination of four fouls and good pitches equals an out. A swing and a miss is a strike.
  • A pitched ball making contact with the batter in the box does not equate to an automatic foul ball. If the umpire feels there is not true intent to make an offer to the pitch, they do not have to rule it a foul ball. If a player is running up to kick and has the ball bounce and hit them, the ball is live. If it goes fair, it is a fair ball, and it is a foul if it goes foul.

RUNNING/SCORING

  • Runners must stay within 3 feet of their established baseline. This includes the path established when rounding bases at full speed.
  • Interference with a runner results in a safe to base. This includes catcher making contact with kicker while kicker is attempting to make contact with the ball or a fielder impeding the baseline without the ball or making a play on the ball. If the umpire deems that runner could have advanced to another base as a result, obstruction is called and another base can be awarded.
  • If a defensive player is encroaching at contact of the ball (i.e., into the infield with a female kicking before contact, cross the “bunt” line, etc.) and is involved in the play, kicker will be announced safe at 1st and a dead ball is called. The offense may also choose the result of the play.
  • NO leading off when pitcher has ball until ball is kicked.
  • Base runners leaving early while a player is kicking will be called out, and play is dead. Kicker must re-kick.
  • Tagging runner or base or hitting runner is permissible.
    • NO head shots (above the shoulders - unless the runner is sliding, ducking, or purposely uses their head to block the ball) for first contact
    • If runner gets hit in the head (first contact) then they are allowed to that base plus 1 extra base
  • Tagging up is permitted. As soon as the defensive player TOUCHES the ball a runner may leave the base. It doesn't have to be a clean catch.
  • Teams wishing to appeal a runner potentially leaving early must give the ball to the pitcher to get time called, then step on the appealed base. Until time is called, the game is played as normal. If the appeal is successful and is not the 3rd out, all runs scored still count. If the appeal is successful and it results in the 3rd out of the inning, all runs scored are taken off the board.
  • Ties DO NOT go to the runner.
  • Overthrows/kicks/deflections etc; over the fence or in the dugout or touches a player on defensive team standing outside the dugout are out of bounds and give a runner an extra base and dead ball. (1 extra base past the one they are heading toward when the ball goes out of play). If offensive team interferes with a live ball, the play is dead and runners can be deemed out or made to return to previous base based on umpire discretion.
  • A kicked ball that goes over the outfield fence in the air is considered a home run. A kicked ball that bounces over the outfield fence, whether touched or not, is treated as the rule above where the kicker and runners get 1 extra base past the bag they are heading to when the ball goes out of play.
  • NO running past or touching another runner (2nd runner will be out). The first runner is still live and in play.
  • Runs scored = Baseball rules.
  • In the event a runner and fielder collide in the base path, dead ball is called and the runner is ruled safe (unless the fielder has the ball in clear possession or is there to make a clear play on the ball) and could be awarded the next base if deemed necessary by umpire.
  • A bad throw to any base where the fielder goes into the baseline to catch the ball is up to umpire discretion. A fielder has the right to play the thrown ball and it does not automatically mean obstruction. It's up to the runner to avoid contact.
  • INFIELD FLY RULE: There is no CALLED infield fly rule. Any dropped infield pop-up (intentional or not) that results in a double or triple play will not be allowed and if more than one out is made, only LEAD runner involved will be out.
  • There will be NO SLIDING allowed into 1B when running from home plate.
  • All kickers running through 1B must use the safety base or they will be called out. Runners looking to round the base can use the inside base. A collision on 1B, or in the event of a throw drawing the fielder in the base line, when the runner does not use the safety bag nullifies obstruction.
  • Runners making a move or turn toward 2nd base after crossing the 1B bag with intent to advance are subject to being tagged by a fielder for an out. This can be in foul territory as well. Simply turning toward the field of play or crossing the line does not constitute intent.
  • DODGEBALL RULE - Any runner who catches the ball being thrown at them (not off initial kick contact from batter) will be deemed SAFE and allowed to go to next base they are attempting to advance to (catching the ball while on the bag does not result in advancement). Play is dead. Any runners currently running simultaneously will be awarded next base. This CANNOT take place running from home to first. Any runner attempting to catch a ball who fails - and is off a base - will be deemed out and play is still live. A dropped attempted catch while standing on the bag does not result in an out. If the ball touches the ground first, it is not catchable. Also, if a player fails to tag up and then catches a thrown ball, they will be deemed safe at the base they failed to tag up on and can remain there. Play is dead.
  • Interfering with a tag out by snatching the ball, holding the ball, kicking the ball, etc. will result in a dead ball with all base runners going back to the base they had just previously left before the incident happened.

STRIKE OUTS

  • 3 fouls equal an OUT.
  • 3 good pitches equal a strike out.
  • A combination of any 4 strikes or fouls is an out.
  • A swing and a miss is a strike.

FOULS

  • The ball must stay in between the 1st and 3rd base, but after the bases it can roll out of the foul line and still be fair.
  • If the ball ever touches a player in fair territory, ball is fair. If ball ever touches a player in foul territory then ball is foul. Wherever the ball is first touched determines if it is fair or foul. The positioning of the body has no effect on fair or foul in this league. It is the location of the ball upon first touch.
  • A ball kicked that hits a runner standing on the base is a fair ball with the ball in play unless the body part of the runner hit is clearly in foul territory. The base is a safe zone for the runner and the runner is not out.
  • If a player is standing in fair territory and reaches into foul territory to touch the ball, it's a foul ball. The location of the BALL on first touch, not the PLAYER, determines fair/foul.

BALL IN PLAY

  • Ball in the pitcher’s hand in the vicinity of the mound ends the play. A circle will be drawn by the umpire before the game. Any runners more than halfway may continue. The ball is still live again IF the pitcher makes a play on a runner by the ball leaving that vicinity, throws the ball or drops the ball.
  • The ball CAN be kicked at a player to obtain an out. Any ball touching a base runner is an out and the ball in play remains LIVE balls.
    EXCEPT:
    • ball over/through fence ends play (ground rule double if off original kick; base +1 if out of play by defensive effort)
    • runner has run through the first base bag or standing on a base
    • player makes intentional act to impede play by kicking/batting ball after called out (dead ball)
    • head shot
  • If a kicker runs through first base, and turns around back to base, they must show intent to run to second to be considered in play.

SUBSTITUTIONS

  • All present players kick in the designated lineup.
  • Free and unlimited subs from off the bench are allowed in the field.
  • 1 defensive switch per position, per inning (pre-pitch) among players already in the field. Once a player moves to a position, they must remain there for the duration of the inning. Players can move wherever after the ball has left the pitchers hand.

CATCHER POSITIONING

  • Catchers must stand behind the kicker and/or home plate until the ball is kicked. They may approach with the kicker as long as contact/interference is not caused.
  • Catchers cannot sneak up the baseline a few feet to attempt to play the bunt better until ball is kicked.

PINCH RUNNING

  • Pinch runners must be of same gender, preferably the last out made.
  • Limited to one per inning total (not per gender).
  • If the pinch runner comes up to bat that inning with them still on base, the due up batter who is on base running is called out.
  • In the event of an in-game injury, player may be removed without penalty (as long as game minimum requirements are met) and cannot reenter. If the game minimum requirements are now not met, an out must be taken in that spot.

FORFEIT FEE

  • Any team that forfeits within 4 hours of scheduled game time is to assume a $25 inconvenience fee.
  • 3 forfeit fees in one season are grounds for removal the league with no refunds.

CLEAN UP RULE

  • Bring a trash bag or any sorts to clean up after yourself after each game. If season gets cancelled, there will be no refunds. TAKE YOUR TRASH WITH YOU.
  • If failure to clean up happens, there will be a warning, then a $25 fine and/or a loss in the standings, then subject to removal from league.
  • Any adult beverages MUST BE IN A CUP if inside the park.

PLAYOFFS RULE

  • All playoff games are subject to mercy rule. 15-run lead after 3 innings, 12 after 4, 10 after 5.
  • NO guest players are allowed for playoffs unless team is shorthanded.
  • TEAMS MAY NOT PICK UP PLAYERS ON ANOTHER TEAM IN SAME TOURNAMENT OR HIGHER DIVISION.
  • Guest players must pay $20 to participate in playoffs.
  • Players must play and be counted as present on the signed roster sheet at least 3 times (including the scrimmage) during the season to be eligible for playoffs or seek SARC Committee approval.
  • Teams that are short can only play with a maximum of 9 as to not gain a competitive advantage.
  • Home and Away and field assignments will be determined by higher seeds. Captains must be at the field 10 minutes prior to game time to go through the process.
  • In extra innings, the last kickers of the previous inning will start on 2B.
  • This runner cannot be pinch ran for and the inning still starts with no outs. Both teams have equal opportunity to score.
  • If last "kicker" was an automatic out to end the previous inning, then no runner starts on 2B. If the first “kicker” of the extra inning is the automatic out, the last kicker of the previous inning is still placed on 2B to start the inning, an out is taken for the automatic out, and the next kicker is up with one out.