Kickball Rules The Playing Field Umpire and field supervisor will designate a field suitable for play in accordance with the following provisions which equal the dimensions of a softball field: The kickball bases are set at 65 feet The pitching strip is in the center of the diamond 55 feet Teams Each team must consist of a minimum of ten (10) and no more than twenty (20) players. Teams can field at least eight players, and may field as many as 10 players. Teams can bat up to 20 batters. Teams must field a minimum of equal numbers of women and men, though teams may field more women then men. All players must be 16 years or older. (with a parent waiver) Paperwork must be completed prior to the 1st pitch. Each team shall have one Captain. The Team Captains must ensure that: All team players not on the bench must kick (max 20) All team players must kick in the line up card order. Only the Captain may dispute calls. The Captain will accept the umpires final ruling. Each team captain must submit a completed roster/waiver & release before the first game of the season. Changes may be made down at the field with the field supervisor during the regular season. After the last game of the regular season all rosters are frozen for the playoffs. All players should bring their ID’s to each game. Captain must fill out the scorecard before each game. Regulation Games Regulation games last fifty five (55) or 7 innings. A game that is called off after three full innings or 30 minutes of play shall be considered a regulation game. The game score at end of the last full inning shall determine the winner. A game that is called off before three full innings or 30 minutes or less of play shall not be considered a regulation game. The game will resume where it left off at a later date. In the event of a tie score at the end of the game the teams will play one full inning. If there is still a tie teams will play a one pitch inning up to two (2) innings. If there is still no winner the game results in a tie. League Specific Rules For the 1st 4 innings, 7 runs per inning rule. A team may only score 7 runs per inning. (a team that is behind in score may score the greater of: [a] 7 runs or [b] as many runs as to tie the score.) At the 5th inning the runs are unlimited. Forfeits: Using illegal players and or not enough players. Forfeited games will be scored as 7-0. Participants are only allowed to play and appear on one team roster per season. Once the pitcher has the ball in control and on the mound, the play ends. Umpire may call time at his/her discretion as to when all chances of a making reasonable play have ended. Teams are allowed no more than 6 infielders. (Pitchers and catchers are considered infielders) A male may only substitute for a male. Teams must alternate batting order by gender. No 2 men may bat "back-to-back", though women may bat "back-to-back". "Infield Fly Rule" DOES NOT APPLY A man that receives a walk, is only awarded 1st base. Men and Women do not have to alternate defensively on the bases or in the outfield. The catcher and pitcher do not have to be of opposite genders and are considered infielders Pitching/Catching Pitch speed – no missles. Must be a slow to medium speed pitch. (Umpires decision) No bouncies. A pitch that is higher than one foot (mid-shin) at the plate, and called as such, results in a ball. The pitcher must stay behind the pitching strip until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball. No player may field in front of the pitcher other than the catcher, and no player may advance forward the 1st –3rd base diagonal until the ball is kicked. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball. The catcher must field directly behind the kicker and may not cross home plate before the ball is kicked. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball. No more then six(6) players are allowed in the infield before the ball is kicked Outfielders must remain on the grass until ball has been kicked. (penalty- Obstruction: result of play or batter is award 1st base. All other runners advance if forced) (Umpire judgement call) Strikes A count of three strikes constitutes an out. The strike zone extends to 1 foot on either side of home plate, and 1 foot high. STRIKE ZONE- The Strike Zone is that space over home plate and within one ball length on either side of home plate where the ball is not more than 1 foot high. Any part of the ball passing through the strike zone shall be considered a strike Fouls are considered as strikes. One courtesy foul is allowed on 3rd strike count. Balls A count of four balls advances the kicker to first base. A ball is: A pitch outside of the strike zone; A pitch that is too fast; An illegal bouncy; higher then mid-shin Any fielder or pitcher advancing on home plate before the ball is kicked. Any catcher crossing home plate before the kicker or failing to field behind the kicker. Any outfielder advancing to the infield before the ball is kicked Fouls A count of four constitutes an out. A foul is: A kick landing out of bounds; A kick landing in bounds, but traveling out of bounds on its own before reaching first or third base. (Any ball touched by an in- bounds fielder is automatically in play.) A kick in front of home plate. Outs A count of three outs by a team completes the team’s half of the inning. An out is: A count of three strikes or four fouls; A runner touched by the ball at ANY time while not on base. Any kicked ball fair or foul that is caught. A ball tag on a base to which a runner is forced to run. A runner off of his/her base when the ball is kicked. Kicking All kicks must be made in a full forward kicking motion. All kicks must make contact with the ball below mid shin All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. A kick in front of home plate is called a foul, which is counted as a strike. No bunting. (penalty is a strike) Running Runners must stay within the base line. Fielders must stay out of the base line. 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 base line shall be safe at the base to which they were running. Neither leading off base, nor stealing a base is allowed. A runner off of his/her base when the ball is kicked is out. Hitting a runner with the ball above chest level is not allowed. Any runner hit above the chest is safe. If the runner intentionally uses the head/shoulder to block the ball the runner is out. After a kicked ball is caught, runners already on base must tag their originating base before running to the next base. All ties will go to the runner. Runners may overrun first base. Runners are allowed to only advance one base on an overthrow of a base. Designated Runner/Player Positions In cases of injury or illness, a time-out may be requested for participant removal and replacement with a substitute of the same sex. If the participant later returns to play, the participant must be inserted in the same fielding and kicking order position previously held. If a player is ejected, injured, or becomes ill cannot continue, the lineup will continue in the same formation, less the removed player. A removed player results in an out during line up rotation if a sub is not available. The pitcher may be replaced on the mound once per inning. Base Coaches Two members of the team at bat may coach first and third base. The base coaches will assist in retrieving foul balls and may switch with other team players to remain in the proper kicking lineup. Equipment Athletic shoes are required. Metal cleats are not allowed. Molded athletic shoes are permitted. Players may wear protective equipment providing it does not offer the wearer an unfair performance advantage. The official kickball will be a 10-inch playground ball. This will be provided by the City of Rio Rancho. Official The Head Umpire governs all game play and issues all final rulings. Umpires have jurisdiction over play and may: Call a time out. Call off a game due to rain or other cause at the umpire’s discretion, and must delay the game if lightning is within 6 miles of the Sports Complex. Penalize a player, including game ejection, for un-sportsmanlike conduct. Ejected participants may not return to the game and must leave the Sports Complex. This includes the parking lot. Other .