Summary of Kickball Rules

The important stuff you should know. Every rule here is covered in more detail in the sections that follow.

• In general, softball rules apply to kickball rules.
• No unsportsmanlike conduct (it’s only kickball y’all).
• All players must sign a waiver before being eligible to play (we will provide this when you arrive).
• Metal spikes/cleats are not allowed. Rubber cleats are fine.
• All games are seven innings or a time limit of 50 minutes, whichever comes first. If a game is tied at the end of 7 innings, extra innings may be played.
• All defensive players must stay in the same position that they started the inning playing, except in the case of injury.
• Teams must kick their fully attended roster. No two men may kick consecutively in the lineup. Teams may field up to 9 players, with no more than 5 men on the field at one time.
• BUNTING IS LEGAL, but a few rules apply:
  • All bunts must be originally kicked from on or behind the plate.
  • All bunts must travel past the buntline or it is considered a foul ball.
• You can throw the ball at the runner to ‘tag’ them out.
• If a runner intentionally or unintentionally gets hit by the ball before safely getting to base then that player is ruled out; however, a thrown ball that hits the ground before making contact with the runner is invalid.
• Runners must be hit ABOVE the knees and BELOW the neck.
• There is ABSOLUTELY NO DIVING OR SLIDING ALLOWED BY THE BASE RUNNER!
• Getting injured playing a game of kickball is not a cool story.

The Rules in Detail

1. Fundamentals

• In general, softball rules apply to kickball rules. Where applicable, kickball rules will mirror those of softball.
• All players must sign a waiver before being eligible to play (this will be provided when you arrive).
• All games will be played on softball diamonds or open fields with bases approximately sixty (60) feet apart. The pitching rubber is 40 feet from the home plate, along the home/second base diagonal.
• Games are played with a 10-inch rubber kickball. Balls and bases will be provided by game coordinators.
• Metal spikes/cleats are not allowed at any time. Rubber cleats are fine.

2. Sportsmanship & Conduct

• Any individual who by their misconduct (profanity, gestures, physical or verbal abuse toward officials, players, etc.) causes themselves to be removed from a game is automatically ineligible to participate for the remainder of that game, any other games that day, and one full week of games. That person may also be disqualified for future games/seasons.
• No Heckling or Aggressive Behavior: Players may not heckle, taunt, or behave aggressively toward opponents, referees, or other participants. Players can be suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct during their games or while watching other teams play. Good-natured banter is okay — hostility is not.
• Supporter Conduct: Each team is responsible for the behavior of their supporters. If fans or guests on the sidelines become unruly, disrespectful, or disruptive, they will be asked to leave. Continued issues may result in penalties for the team.
• Respecting the Umpire’s Calls: Judgment calls made by the hosts or umpires shall NOT be contested. Their decisions are based on their best judgment, and to maintain fairness in the game, their calls are final.
• Dugout/Field Conduct: All players must remain in the dugout or designated team area when not actively playing. This is to prevent interference with the field of play and ensure the safety of players and officials.
• Delays: On any excessive delays on the part of the offense or defense, the umpire may award the kicker a base or assess the kicker a strike.

3. Game Length, Mercy Rule & Tiebreakers

• All games are SEVEN innings or a time limit of 50 minutes, whichever comes first.
• Games are to be started on time as scheduled.
• All innings once started must be finished.
• If a game is tied at the end of 7 innings, extra innings may be played.
• Mercy Rules:
  • Teams may score a maximum of 10 runs each inning. Teams may score an unlimited number of runs in the final declared inning.
  • If a team trails by 20 or more runs at the end of the 3rd inning, 15 after the 4th, or 10 after the 5th or later, the game may end on a mercy rule unless team captains want to continue the game.
• Sudden-Death Playoff Rule:
  • If the game is tied at the end of regulation (7 innings or 50 minutes), the game will enter sudden-death format.
  • The first extra inning will begin with 1 out and the last player out placed on 2nd base.
  • If the game remains tied after that inning, the following inning will begin with 2 outs and the last player out placed on 3rd base.
  • Play continues under these conditions until a winner is determined.

4. Lineups, Rosters & Substitutions

• Offensive Lineup Requirements:
  • Teams must kick their fully attended roster, but not everyone has to play defense if they do not want to. Teams must also have their lineup written down and present to the other team should they request it. There are no “Designated Fielders.”
  • No two men may kick consecutively in the lineup.
  • All players must kick in the same designated order as the initial lineup.
• Defensive Lineup Requirements:
  • A normal kickball defensive lineup consists of 9 players; in some cases there are fewer.
  • The minimum number of defensive players with which a team can take the field is 7.
  • No more than 5 men may be on the field at one time.
  • All teams must field a catcher (unless playing with 7).
  • All defensive players must stay in the same position that they started the inning playing, except in the case of injury.
  • Outfielders must stay on grass or designated area of turf until the ball is kicked.
  • Outfielders cannot play in the infield, but infielders can play in the outfield.
  • There can only be 5 players in the infield when the ball is kicked by an opposing team. This includes the pitcher but NOT the catcher.
• Forfeit & Substitution Rules:
  • During the regular season, teams must have at least 6 rostered players present to play. A minimum of 7 total players (including subs) is required to avoid a forfeit. If a team forfeits, the opposing team will receive a 7-0 win in the standings.
  • Subs are only allowed if a team has fewer than 9 players, or if they need a sub to meet the fielding requirements above.
  • Approved subs: Teams must try to find subs from within the league first. Outside subs must be approved by the commissioner.
  • Subs cannot pitch.
  • During playoffs, teams must play with their rostered players. Subs are only allowed in rare cases and must be approved by the commissioner.

5. Pitching, Balls & Walks

• A pitcher must pitch from the mound and not pass the designated line at the front of the mound. Pitches must bounce twice, or roll to the designated strike zone in order to be fair.
• Pitches may not be higher than 12 inches above the ground.
• There are FOUR (4) balls in Kickball; however, when you approach the plate, you start with one ball already (it’s weird, I know).
• Walks may be awarded by the coordinator if pitches are consistently and excessively bouncy. See the strike zone details in Section 7.
• There are no intentional walks in kickball. If a kicker receives no strikes, no fouls kicked, and all pitches are deemed unkickable (not reasonably close to the strike zone) by the umpire, the kicker will be awarded two bases.
• Pitchers who repeatedly throw unkickable pitches may be removed from pitching at the request of the coordinator/umpire. Excessively slow pitching is not allowed (umpire’s discretion).

6. Kicking & Bunting

• All kicks must be made by the foot (below the knee).
• All kicks must be made on or behind home plate. Any kick made in front of home plate will result in a dead ball situation and a foul will be assessed to the kicker’s strike/foul count. If the ball is caught in the air, the kicker is out.
• “Double kicking” the ball in fair territory will result in a foul ball.
• All batters start their at-bat with 1 ball and 1 strike.
• Defensive players cannot intentionally drop a ball. If the umpire determines the defensive player intentionally dropped a ball, the kicker is safe AND THE RUNNER WILL ADVANCE A BASE.
• Bunting: BUNTING IS LEGAL, but a few rules apply:
  • All bunts must be originally kicked from on or behind the plate.
  • All bunts must travel past the buntline or it is considered a foul ball.
• Defending the Bunt:
  • If the ball stops on its own and does not pass the bunt line, it’s considered foul. If the ball does not pass the bunt line because the defending team picks up the ball, then the ball is fair and in play.
  • If a player bunts a ball that’s close to becoming ‘fair’ and the catcher prevents it from crossing the buntline or taps it out of bounds, the ball stays in play.
  • The Pitcher’s Strip: an imaginary line extending from 1st to 3rd base and crossing the pitcher’s rubber. No player may cross in front of the Pitcher’s Strip before the ball is struck by the kicker. Additionally, no player may advance towards the Pitcher’s Strip with the intent of carrying forward momentum past the Pitcher’s Strip once the ball is kicked (i.e. a running start). The 1st violation of this rule will result in a warning. Further violations will result in the kicker being offered 1st base, all base runners being allowed to advance to the next base, and a warning being issued to the offending defensive player. Multiple violations of this rule may result in a player being ejected from the game.
  • The Catcher’s Zone: The catcher must remain within arm’s length of the backstop until the ball is kicked. The first violation of this rule will result in a warning. Further violations will result in the kicker being offered 1st base, all base runners being allowed to advance to the next base, and a warning being issued to the offending defensive player. Multiple violations of this rule may result in a player being ejected from the game.

7. Strikes, Fouls & Outs

• The Strike Zone & Strikes:
  • If a game is played on one of the official softball fields, there are two white lines roughly 6 inches from each side of the plate — this is the STRIKE ZONE. A strike is any ball that doesn’t bounce higher than 1 foot and is pitched between the lines and over the plate.
  • If a game is played on one of the all-grass fields, two flat cones will be placed 6 inches from each side of the plate — this is the STRIKE ZONE. A strike is any ball that doesn’t bounce higher than 1 foot and is pitched between the cones and over the plate.
  • Any pitch that is attempted at and missed by the kicker is a strike.
• A Foul Ball Is:
  • Any ball that is kicked out of play.
  • Any ball that lands inside the 1st/3rd baseline, but crosses outside the line before passing over any portion of the actual 1st or 3rd base.
  • Any ball that is kicked by the kicker in front of home plate.
  • Any bunt that doesn’t pass the buntline.
  • A “double kicked” ball.
  • If you attempt to catch a foul ball and miss, it remains foul.
• An Out Is:
  • Any 3rd strike or 3rd foul.
  • Any ball, fair or foul, that is caught on the fly (within the field of play) before touching the ground.
  • On any caught fly ball, if a base runner fails to “tag up” or return to their base of origin before the defense can touch said base of origin, the runner is out.
  • If the defense, while in full possession of the ball, tags a base to which a runner is forced to run before the runner gets to said base, the runner is out.
  • Any runner who interferes with a fielder trying to make a play on a ball is out. This includes unsportsmanlike conduct, yelling, heckling, or anything else a player might do to try to intentionally distract a fielder, and may be grounds for ejection from the game.
  • Leading off of the base and/or stealing of bases is illegal. Players caught leading off of the base or attempting to steal a base will be called out.
  • Any runner struck by a ball, intentionally or unintentionally, while that runner is not safely on a base results in an out. However, the ball must hit them between the knees and shoulders. If it does not, the player is safe. The exception to this rule is if a runner is in a motion that makes a hit above the shoulders or below the knee unnatural. Example — if a player ducks into a thrown ball or their feet are above their knee during a stride.
• Infield Fly Rule: The infield fly rule treats certain fly balls as though caught, before the ball is caught, even if the infielder fails to catch it or drops it on purpose. The umpire’s declaration of an infield fly means that the batter is out (and all force plays are removed) regardless of whether the ball is caught. The rule exists solely to prevent the defense from executing a double play or triple play by deliberately failing to catch a ball that an infielder could catch with ordinary effort.

8. Baserunning

• Runners may safely overrun 1st base provided that they come straight back to the base after turning either direction and do not indicate any intention to run to 2nd base.
• On most fields, there is an orange safety bag at 1st base or there is a second base placed in the foul territory next to 1st base. That base is used for the kicker running to 1st base and the white bag is for the fielder. If the fielder blocks the orange bag — even if attempting to catch an errant throw — and interferes with the kicker’s ability to reach the base, the kicker will be awarded 1st base.
• Blocking the Plate: a runner has the right to an unobstructed path to a base. If you’re playing defense do not stand on the base or you will risk injury for yourself and the runner. Please stand in front of the base to catch the ball and make the play, not ON the base.
• Runners hindered by a fielder NOT making a play on a ball shall be safe and will be awarded the base to which they were running.
• Runners must make every effort to avoid contact with a fielder trying to make a play on the ball; otherwise, they will be called out if interfering.
• Tagging Up: While on a base, players must wait until the kicker kicks the ball. Tagging up is when a baserunner touches or stays on their starting base until a fielder first touches a kicked ball. Baserunners must tag up if the ball is caught before it bounces, and they are out if a fielder with the ball touches their base before they do. After tagging up, runners can try to advance, even if the ball was caught in foul territory. If a defender touches the ball, then bobbles it, the runner is allowed to leave their base once the ball was touched originally. Leaving prematurely could result in being called out.
• Forced Outs vs. Not Forced Outs: A forced out happens when a baserunner is required to leave their current base because the kicker is heading to that base. To achieve a forced out, the defending team must tag the base with the ball before the baserunner gets there, resulting in the baserunner being called out. If it’s not a ‘forced out,’ the defense must tag the players with the ball.
• Overthrows: If a runner advances on an overthrow, that runner only gets one base. However, runners will NOT automatically get a base on an overthrow if they choose not to advance to the next base. This rule only applies to overthrows at first and third bases and home plate.  
• There is ABSOLUTELY NO DIVING OR SLIDING ALLOWED BY THE BASE RUNNER! If they slide or dive they will be ruled out. Getting injured playing a game of kickball is not a cool story.

9. Peg-Outs (Throwing the Ball at Runners)

Yes, this is that same glorious playground game that allowed you to throw the ball at your friends in order to get them out! You can throw the ball at the runner to ‘tag’ them out. However, keep the following guidelines in mind when doing so:

• Sportsmanship ALWAYS comes first. Throwing the ball at your opponents with the full force of your existence when a simple tap or tag would have sufficed will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate ejection from the game.
• If a runner intentionally or unintentionally gets hit by the ball before safely getting to base then that player is ruled out.
• Runners must be hit between the shoulders and the knees.
• If the ball hits the ground before hitting the player, it doesn’t count.
• Any article of clothing, item hanging from a player, or a player’s hair (assuming it doesn’t hit their head) hit by the ball will be ruled out.
• Intentional Head Shots: Intentional headshots will result in immediate ejection, if not, worse.
• Accidental Head Shots: If a player is accidentally struck in the head by a thrown ball, the runner will be considered SAFE. This will result in a dead ball situation, and all runners will be allowed to advance to the bases that they were attempting to achieve at the point of the foul.
• If the runner intentionally uses their head/knee to block the ball or is struck in the head/knee as a result of ducking, diving, sliding, running, jumping, etc., the runner is OUT. This will be left to the discretion of the coordinator/umpire on duty.
• Any overly reckless, aggressive, or dangerous conduct may result in the player being ejected from the game.