Sports : Kickball

Kickball, known also as "soccer baseball", is a playground and competitive league game, similar to baseball invented in the US. It is typically played on a softball diamond with a 10- to 16-inch inflated rubber ball. As in baseball/softball, the game uses 3 bases and a "home plate." Teams score by advancing their teammates around the bases and scoring when a teammate crosses home plate.

• Each team is recommended to consist of a minimum of fifteen (15) players. A team may not play more than 11 players at a time in the field. Each team is required to have at least 3 women in the field in each inning.
• Every player present is required to be in the kicking line up. Every player present is required to play at least one (1) inning in the field. If a team does not have the required minimum number of female players in the fielding lineup, then the team must forfeit.
• If a team is playing with less then 10 players, they are not required to have a catcher. If a team cannot field at least 8 players, they automatically forfeit.
• Players must kick in the same order through out the game

• A regulation game shall consist of 5 innings
• Trash talking is permitted as long as it is not cruel, racially motivated, hateful, or a personal attack on another player. The trash talking should only be good natured and shall not be allowed to get out of hand. Threats of physical violence are in no way allowed. The team captain shall ensure that their players behave themselves.
  

• The pitcher must plant their foot on the pitching strip as they wind-up to pitch. No running up to the strip to launch a pitch. Pitches must be underhanded. The ball must cross the plate within a foot on either side. The ball may not be more than 1 foot off the ground as it crosses the plate (bouncy).
• The pitcher must stay behind the pitching strip until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball. All infielders must stay behind the imaginary line stretching from first to third base until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball.
• The catcher must field behind home plate before the ball is kicked. The catcher shall not interfere with the kicker in any way. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.
  

• All kicks must be made by the foot (Duh!). Any lower leg contact while attempting to kick the ball will be considered a kick regardless of where it strikes the leg or foot.
• All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. Both feet must be on or behind home plate at the time the ball is kicked. If one or more feet are in front of home plate at the time the ball is kicked, it is a strike and the kick is called back (if such a kick is caught on the fly, it is an out).
• Bunting is allowed. A bunt is defined as a kick that does not travel further than first or third base. A bunt must remain within bounds until it crosses past first or third base. Men who bunt may be mocked. Mercilessly.
• Any fair kicked ball that travels outside of a reasonable area of play will result in a ground rule double. This doesn’t pertain to the unlikely event of a home run kick; rather it pertains to fair balls that then bounce over a fence.
  

• Runners must stay within the base line. Fielders must stay out of the base line unless they are attempting to tag a runner out or catch the ball. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the base line. Runners unfairly 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 may only move off his/her base after the ball has been kicked. And you can’t pass the runner in front of you. Nor can you pick up the runner in front of you and carry them. (Although that would be kinda cool). These are outs.
• Hitting a runner with the ball above shoulder level is not allowed. Any runner hit above the shoulders is safe and advances one base. Exceptions: If the runner intentionally uses his head to block the ball. The runner is out. If the runner is ducking, diving or sliding (i.e. attempts to dodge the ball) and is hit in the head because of this, he/she is out.
• If a kicked ball is caught on the fly, runners must tag their originating base (on or after the moment the ball is first touched by a fielder) before running to the next base.
• Only one base on an overthrow is allowed to the runner. The one base is not automatic and the runner must take the risk of being made out. The one base is only available before the play ends.
  

• The strike zone is one (1) foot on either side of the plate and is one foot high. As long as any part of the ball passes through the strike zone, the ball is a strike. A kick occurring in front of home plate is also a strike (if such a kick is caught on the fly, it is an out).

• a pitch outside the strike zone
• the catcher interfering with the kicker or being in front of home base before the ball is kicked
• any player crossing the “line” that runs from first to third and cross the pitching mound
• four (4) balls will get you to first base
  

• a kick landing out of bounds. The foul is determined by where the ball lands not how it travels to get there. Remember that if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out
• a kick landing inbounds, 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 ball that is tipped while being kicked but continues to travel behind the kicker; ; but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out
• a kicker touching (or kicking) the ball twice while on or behind home plate (i.e., in foul territory); but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out
• Any foul that hits a tree or other outside object is a dead ball and not illegible to be caught for an out. The ball remains a foul.
• Three fouls is an out
  

• a count of three strikes
• a count of three fouls
• a runner touched by the ball at anytime while not on base (unless a head shot)
• any kicked ball (fair or foul) that is caught before it hits the ground
• a ball tag on a base to which a runner is forced to run
• kicking out of order
• a runner leading off the base or stealing
• a count of three outs completes the team’s half of the inning