KICKBALL RULES

 

 

ISLAND KICKBALL RULEBOOK

 

 

Island Kickball is committed to providing our players the most fun, friendly and competitive Kickball League on Long Island. Adult Kickball is intended to be a social activity for players of all skill levels, and as such we require the highest levels of sportsmanship from all teams and players. Unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind (including fighting, use of obscene or vulgar language, threatening another player or umpire, or other code of conduct violations) will result in ejection from the game and potential further disciplinary action as deemed necessary by the League Director, in order to maintain a friendly and safe atmosphere at all of our games.

 

ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING RULES: PLEASE CONTACT THE LEAGUE OFFICE AT (631)617-6076

RULES OF PLAY

 

1. FIELD OF PLAY

• Base paths will be measured out to 65 feet.
• Pitching mound will be measured out to 45 feet.

2. TEAM EQUIPMENT

• At the time of registration, each team will receive 12 uniform t-shirts, a set of bases and a kickball. Each team is required to bring their bases and kickball to each game. Additional uniform shirts, bases and kickballs can be purchased at the League Office.
• Players may wear sneakers or rubber cleats – but metal cleats are strictly prohibited.

3. GAME PLAY

• Games will be played to 7 innings or 1 hour – whichever comes first.
• Home team will be determined by a coin flip before the game.
• Games must start at the exact time scheduled. If a team does not have the required minimum number of players within a 5-minute grace period of the scheduled start time they will forfeit the game.
• 4 complete innings must be played in order for a game to be considered official.
• Regular season games may end in a tie.  Extra innings will only be played if the one-hour time limit has not been reached.
• Team managers are required to confirm the score with each other after each inning.
• Games shortened by weather, darkness or any other reason will be complete if 4 innings have been completed (or 3½ innings if the home team is leading)

4. THE FIELD

• Teams may play with anywhere between 8 and 11 players in the field.
  • When using  8 or 9 fielders – 3 must be female.
  • When using 10 or 11 fielders – 4 must be female.
• Pegging to get an out is allowed by throwing or kicking the ball.
• Fielders may stand in the baseline if they are in the process of making a play.
• Players hit in the head are automatically called safe, unless it occurs during a slide.
• All outfielders must remain 40 feet beyond the basepath until the ball is kicked.
• Since all present players are allowed in the kicking lineup, there is no limit to field substitutions. Players are allowed to come in and out of the field with no restrictions. However, all fielders must be in the kicking lineup.
• Play will stop when the pitcher has the ball on the mound.
• If a fielder intentionally throws a ball into dead-ball territory in order to stop advancing runners, all runners on base will automatically score.

5. ENCROACHMENT

• Encroachment occurs when any defensive player crosses the imaginary line between third and first base before the ball is kicked. All infielders must stay behind this line until ball is in play.
• Catchers may also not encroach – they must stay behind the batters box.
• If encroachment occurs, the kicker has the option of taking a walk if they do not successfully reach base.
• No out can be recorded at any base if encroachment occurs.

6. PITCHING

• Pitches must be thrown underhand.
• Pitcher must keep at least one foot behind the pitching rubber at the time of release.
• Pitcher must have both feet behind the pitching rubber at the time the ball is kicked in order to avoid getting called for encroachment.
• The ball must bounce at least 2 times before reaching home plate.
• The strike zone is the area within one foot of the left and right outside edge of home plate, and up to one foot in height above home plate.

7. KICKING

• Kickers start with a 0-0 count: 4 balls is a walk, 3 strikes is an out.
• Foul balls are strikes, but kickers are given one courtesy foul with two strikes.
• All kicks must be made using the foot or leg below the knee.
• All kicks must be made within the batters box.
• Kickers are allowed to step on home plate in the course of the kick, but at least one foot must be on or behind home plate at the time of the kick.
• Any lower leg contact will be considered a kick.
• Bunting is allowed – but only once per inning, whether successful or not. Once a kicker has bunted the ball, any subsequent player who attempts a bunt within the same inning will be called out.
• Whether a kicked ball was an intentional bunt is at the sole discretion of the umpire.
• Foul Balls occur when:
  • The ball is kicked into foul territory before crossing the inside of 1st or 3rd base.
  • The ball is kicked or touched twice by the kicker.
  • The ball is put into play by any part of the body above the knee.
  • The ball is kicked when both feet are in front of home plate.
  • The ball is kicked outside of the batters box.

8. WALKS

• A walk occurs when 4 balls are recorded prior to a strikeout or fair kick.
• Intentional walks are allowed – no pitches need be thrown.
• If a male kicker walks (intentional or not) and the following kicker is female:
  • If 0 or 1 outs – the male kicker takes second base, and the female kicks.
  • If 2 outs – the male kicker takes second base, and the female has the option of taking first base as a walk.

9. RECORDING OUTS

• Once three outs have been made, the half-inning will end.
• An out has occurred when:
  • A kicker records three strikes (plus courtesy foul)
  • A fair or foul ball is caught before hitting the ground.
  • Any runner is hit with a ball, or touches a ball while off base.
  • A runner leaves their base before the ball is kicked.
  • A fielder with the ball touches a force base before the runner does.
  • A runner passes another runner in the base-path.
  • A runner leaves the base early on a tag-up play.
  • A kicker attempts a bunt, after another kicker already has that inning.
  • A runner interferes with a fielder in their attempt to make a play.
  • After two males have kicked, if the next kicker is also a male.
  • A runner intentionally leaves the baseline except:
    • If it is to avoid contact with a fielder making a play.
    • If it is to avoid getting tagged or pegged and not a substantial exit.

10. RUNNING THE BASES

• There is no stealing or leading. A kicker who leaves their base prior to the ball being kicked is called out.
• Baserunners must use the safety base when running to 1st base.
• Runners must stay within the baseline, other than to avoid a fielder making a play.
• Runners may also leave the baseline at a reasonable distance (solely at the discretion of the umpire) in order to avoid a tag or being pegged by the ball. 
• Tagging-Up is allowed. Runner may not leave the base until the ball is touched.
• Island Kickball follows a standard infield-fly rule.
• Sliding is allowed, but runners that are hit in the head during the process of a slide will be called out (if that is the result of the play)
• Runners are called out when:
  • They leave the base prior to the ball being kicked.
  • They interfere with a defensive player who is attempting to make a play.
  • They pass ahead of another baserunner.
  • They significantly leave the baselines (at the discretion of the umpire)
• Runners are called safe when:
  • They are obstructed by a fielder who is not in the process of making a play.
  • They are hit in the head with the ball, as long as they are not in the course of sliding.
  • A base is displaced in the course of a play, and the runner is safe at the original location of the base when the play started.

11. DEAD BALL

• Dead Ball Territory will be determined and described by the umpire prior to the game.
• Runners will advance one additional base when a ball is overthrown and enters dead ball territory.
• A ball is also called dead and play will stop when:
  • The pitcher has the ball on the mound.
  • A player is struck in the head with a ball during play.
  • Any injury occurs.

12. KICKING ORDER

• There is no limit to the number of kickers allowed in a lineup.
• No more than 2 male players can kick in a row. If a lineup includes three men kicking consecutively, an automatic out must be recorded in the spot after the second male kicker.
• Kicking Lineup must be recorded and given to the other team prior to the game.
• Players that arrive late may be added to the bottom of the order.
• 2 courtesy runners are allowed per game, and will be the last recorded out of the same gender. Additional courtesy runners are permitted only due to injury.

13. KICKING OUT OF ORDER

• If an incorrect kicker is discovered before he completes his at-bat, the correct kicker will take their place, and assume any accumulated balls and strikes.
• If the mistake is discovered after the incorrect kicker has completed their at-bat, and before a pitch has been made to the next kicker, an out is recorded for the kicker that was skipped.
• If the mistake is not discovered until after the next kicker receives a pitch, no penalty is given, and the kicking order will continue.

14. PLAYERS

• All players must be at least 18 years old to participate.
• All participants must be registered players, who have signed the team roster form.

15. RUN RULE

• There is no longer a mercy rule in effect in Island Kickball (effective Fall 2014) Play will last 7 innings or 1 hour - whichever comes first. 

16. REPORTING SCORES

• It is the responsibility of both team managers to call in final scores after every game by calling the League Office at (631)617-6706. Please confirm final score with the other manager prior to leaving the field.

17. TEAM ROSTER

• Teams are allowed a 25 player roster.
• Teams may add or drop a player prior to the Roster Freeze Date.
• Roster/Waiver forms must be submitted to the League Office.
• All players must be at least 18 years old to participate.
• Players must have participated in at least 4 regular season games to qualify for playoffs.
• If a player is caught playing in the same division on two different teams, they will be suspended for the remainder of the season.

18. WEATHER

• When weather is questionable, managers can call the League Rain Line at (631)350-7335 at least one hour prior to the scheduled start time to hear the status of the game. Smartphone apps are also available for Apple and Android. Search for RainoutLine.com, download the app, and search for Island Slow Pitch to get up to the minute status updates.
• We will attempt to reschedule all rainout games if permit time allows. Games will generally be rescheduled within 48 hours. In rare occasions, teams may be asked to play on a different night or time if necessary to complete a schedule (if both teams agree) No refund is given for games unable to be made up.  

 

19. PLAYER CONDUCT

• Foul Language will not be tolerated. Umpires will be strictly enforcing, and requiring all teams to abide by this rule. Umpires will issue a warning to those using foul language, and then will be ejected on the next occurrence.
• Any player who pushes, shoves, or strikes another player or umpire by physical conduct or using an object may be suspended from all Island Sports (and potentially USSSA) for a minimum of one year from the date of the occurrence. 
• Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players and guests at the field. In order to keep this under control, all managers should advise their players that failure to follow the rules of good sportsmanship could result in them being suspended from the game, and possibly future games.
• Should a player be ejected from a game, he/she must leave the complex immeadiately, or risk the chance of their team forfeiting the game.
• Umpires and League Officials have the authority to remove a player from any property, including town and school fields.

20. UMPIRES

• A certified umpire will be provided for all games.
• Only team managers may communicate with the umpire about questionable or disputed calls, but must respect final decisions made and appreciate that umpires have full jurisdiction over the game.
• Umpires have full authority to remove players or guests from the complex for any reason including unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Managers should maintain a copy of the Island Kickball rulebook to help clarify any disputed umpire calls.

21. PLAYOFF STRUCTURE

• Final Standings will be based on winning percentage. The top 4 teams in each division will earn playoff spots. Any ties in the standings will be decided first by head-to-head record between the teams, and second by run differential.

22. ALCOHOL

• Alcohol is prohibited at all fields and complexes. Any alcoholic beverages found either during game play, or left behind after play will result in team disciplinary action, including potential ejection from the league with no refund.

23. MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Team roster and liability forms signed and submitted to the League Office.
• League Fees.
• Clean-Up after every game.
• Team Conduct.
• Reporting Injuries.
• Calling in Scores (631)617-6706.
• Finding out if a game is cancelled by weather or field conditions.