WSSSC OFFICIAL KICKBALL RULES
Revised 2018.F.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. THE PLAYING FIELD
1.01 The Winston-Salem Sports and Social Club (WSSSC) will designate
a safe field suitable for play.
1.02 The catcher’s box is a trapezoid with the front of the
box aligned with the front of home plate.
1.03 The area directly forward the
catcher’s box, including home plate is fair territory.
1.04 The strike zone
a.
Kickball Field-
At least part of the ball crossing home plate is a strike.
b.
Baseball /
Softball Field- At least part of the ball crossing home plate or an area
extending one foot on each side of home plate is a strike.
1.05 The 1st/3rd base diagonal line is a line drawn from
the front edge of first base to the front edge of third base
1.06 Area in Play:
a.
Defined by lines
drawn from the rear of the catcher’s box to the farthest two cones on the first
and third base lines.
b.
The area beyond
the farthest two cones from home plate on the first and third base lines.
c.
A ball shall be
considered out of play if:
1.6.c.1.
It contacts the
ground outside the out of play line.
1.6.c.2.
It is contacted
by a player outside the out of play line.
1.07 The pitcher’s area is a box with its front edge
aligned with the 1st/3rd base diagonal line.
1.08 Upon notification to the umpire of any improper field
set up, the field shall be corrected before the beginning of the next play.
Protest based on field set up will not be considered.
1.09 The Extra Base is an additional base attached to first
base in foul territory.
2. EQUIPMENT
2.01 While participating in WSSSC kickball, players must
properly wear and fully display the official league-sponsored clothing designated
for their use. Teams with players who
fail to abide by this rule may forfeit that game.
2.02 Teams with players who fail to abide by rule 2.01 are
subject to an out after the last kicker & before the first kicker in the
line-up. This will occur every time through the line-up. Note- If one or
many players do not have shirts, this offense will still occur only once per
time through the line-up.
2.03 Athletic shoes are required. Metal cleats are not
allowed.
2.04 Players may wear protective equipment providing it
does not offer the wearer an unfair performance advantage. Any equipment deemed
by the umpire as a performance enhancement must be removed or the player will
be removed from play.
2.05 The official kickball is the red kickball with a pressure
of approx. 1 pound per square inch.
2.06 The uniform is an extension of the player.
3. OFFICIALS
3.01 Games will be officiated by at least one WSSSC
designated umpire. The referee governs all game play and issues and has final
authority on all rulings.
3.02 The only participants who may dispute a call are the
team’s designated Captain and Co-Captain.
3.03 Referees have jurisdiction over play and may:
a.
Call a time out.
b.
Call off a game
due to time, rain or other cause at the referee’s discretion.
c.
Penalize a
player, including game ejection, for any reason. This includes but is not
limited to un-sportsman like conduct, fighting, delay of game and excessive
verbal abuse. Ejected participants must leave the field area and may not return
to the game.
d.
Cancel the game
if lightning or hazardous weather conditions are present.
3.04 Referees may make rulings on any points not
specifically covered in the rules (at the time of occurrence), but the ruling
shall not be deemed as a precedent for future rulings.
3.05 Referees shall be the official score keeper and are in
charge of the game score.
4. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
4.01 All participants must meet the following requirements:
a.
Must be 21 years
of age or older by the date of the first game.
b.
Must be adequately
and currently health insured against any injury that may arise from kickball
play.
c.
Must be properly
registered with WSSSC by filling out a player contract.
4.02 Playing for multiple teams:
a.
A player may only
sign up for one team per night.
b.
Post season:
4.2.b.1.
A player that
played on more than one team in the regular season may continue to play for
those teams in the post season
4.2.b.2.
If a player is on
the roster of two teams (Team A vs. Team B) that meet in a playoff game, the
player shall select from one of three options:
4.2.b.2.1.
Play for Team A,
4.2.b.2.2.
Play for Team B,
or
4.2.b.2.3.
Do not play in
the game
4.2.b.3.
If the team the
player elected to play for wins, the player may continue to play for that team.
If the team the player elected to play for loses, the player may no longer
continue to play. If the player elected to not play in the game, the player may
continue to play with the team that won.
4.03 A team playing a non-registered person, an improperly
registered person or a person not registered on that team will forfeit that
game.
a.
The team accused
of the infraction bears the burden of proof.
b.
If such an
infraction is claimed after a game, the infraction must be announced to the
Head Referee before the start of the next scheduled game.
4.04 All participants must respect and obey all rules and
regulations pertaining to the field used for play during all WSSSC games. Drugs
or Alcohol are prohibited on or around the field of play at all times.
Participants breaking field rules will be ejected from the game and the field
for the remainder of the game and the next scheduled game. A second offense
will result in expulsion from the league.
4.05 Ejections:
a.
If a player is
ejected, the lineup order will continue in the same formation, less the removed
player.
b.
An ejected player
shall leave the field. If they do not leave in a timely manner, their team is
subject to forfeit.
5. TEAMS
5.01 Each team must consist of a minimum of ten (10) and no
more than eighteen (18) registered players (Teams may have more registered players but the team fee will increase).
5.02 Teams must field at least eight (8) players and no
more than ten (10). Minimum of 4 female & the maximum of 5 males in the
field.
5.03 Teams must field a minimum of four (4) female players
to avoid forfeit. Teams may play with
less than five (5) male players but must have a minimum of eight (8) players on
the field.
5.04 One player must play the position of catcher.
5.05 At any time during the game teams may only field one
pitcher and one catcher.
5.06 Each team shall have one Captain and one Co-Captain
who are jointly responsible for the team. The Team Captains must ensure that
players do not kick out of order. Kicking out of order will result in an out for
that kicker in the lineup.
5.07 The kicking lineup does not require a specific gender
order.
5.08 Only the Captain or Co-Captain may dispute calls with
the Head Referee. A team Captain may raise protest with the Referee for blatant
rule infraction, but will accept the Head Referee’s
final ruling.
5.09 Protests beyond the Head Referee will be considered by
the WSSSC at its discretion.
5.010 The team Captains must provide kicking lineup to the
head official up to five (5) minutes prior to the start of the game.
a.
All lineup
changes must be brought to the head official before the change can occur. If
change occurs before notifying the official, an out may occur when the
infraction is identified.
b.
Any eligible
player that shows up after that game has begun must be added to the end of the
lineup.
c.
A claim of
improper kicking order must be made to the Head Referee who will make the final
determination.
d.
Such a claim must
occur on the field prior to the end of the next kicker.
5.011 Players in the kicking lineup may switch their
fielding positions freely without incurring substitution penalties.
6. SUBSTITUTIONS
6.01 A substitute player is defined as a player not
included in the initial kicking line-up provided to the official at the start
of the game.
6.02 A player IS NOT considered a substitute player if they
were included in the initial kicking line-up provided to the official at the
start of the game. Players already in
the initial kicking line-up may switch freely with fielders between innings.
6.03 If a player is substituted out of the game, they may
not reenter the game.
6.04 When a player is substituted into the game, they must
be entered in the same spot in the lineup as the player they replaced.
7. BASE COACHES
7.01 Two members of the kicking team may coach first and
third base. The base coaches must assist
in retrieving foul and/or dead balls and may switch with other team members to
remain in the proper kicking order.
7.02 Base coaches may not physically assist runners while
the ball is in play. Assisting the runner may result in the runner being called
out.
7.03 Base coaches must allow the fielders the right to make
a play on a live and/or playable ball in foul territory.
8. REGULATION GAMES
8.01 Regulation games:
a.
Last seven (7)
full innings or 55 minutes.
b.
For leagues
(nights) with 12 or less teams, start times will be 6:45, 7:45, 8:45.
c.
For leagues
(nights) with 13 or more teams, start times will be 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30.
8.02 In the event of a tie score at the end of the game,
the game shall be continued until the tie has been resolved.
8.03 Inning eight (8), and all subsequent innings or after
time has expired,
a.
Inning will start
with the bases loaded.
b.
Last three
kickers of the previous inning will be placed on the bases at the umpire’s
direction.
8.04 A game that is called off by the Referee after four
(4) full innings of play shall be considered a regulation game. The game score
at the end of the last full inning shall determine the winner. Regulation games called off that are in a tie
will be played over at a later date.
8.05 A game that is called off by the Referee for any
reason before four (4) full innings of play shall not be considered a
regulation game and shall be rescheduled from the beginning.
8.06 Grace Period: The WSSSC will grant a grace period for
teams to achieve roster minimums once the game start time has passed:
a.
Minimums can only
be achieved when all players are on the field/sidelines designated for play.
b.
Teams needing a
grace period will automatically be assigned as the visiting team.
c.
The grace period
will take place in two successive parts:
8.6.c.1.
Teams get five
(5) minutes, of game time, to achieve its minimums.
8.6.c.2.
Following the
passage of five (5) minutes, the game will begin; the visiting team will play
until one of the following events occurs:
8.6.c.2.1.
The visiting team
completes their half inning (3 outs) or,
8.6.c.2.2.
The visiting team
completes (1) passage through the lineup whichever happens first.
d.
If the minimums
are not achieved by the end of the grace period, the game will be a forfeit.
8.07 No new inning may begin five (5) minutes before the
end of the game unless the score is tied. (i.e. if the game began at 6:45, no
new inning may begin after 7:35)
8.08 Mercy Rule: A game is considered over if one team has
a lead of…
a.
20 or more runs
after three (3) innings.
b.
15 or more runs
after four (4) innings.
c.
10 or more runs
after five (5) or six (6) innings.
8.09 Game protests must be made before the end of the game.
8.010 Makeup games:
a.
In the event of
inclement weather or circumstances outside of the league’s control, makeup
games may be necessary.
b.
Makeup games may
be scheduled on nights other than the night a team normally plays. This
includes Monday through Friday.
c.
Saturday and
Sundays may be used at the end of the season.
9. PITCHING AND CATCHING
9.01 Pitching must be done by hand.
9.02 The pitcher:
a.
Must start the
act of pitching within the pitching square
b.
Must release the
ball from the hand within the pitching square.
c.
Must be within
the pitching area when the ball is kicked.
9.03 A bouncy called is due to a pitched ball that:
a.
Does not touch
the ground at least twice before reaching home plate. If the second bounce
occurs on home plate it will be considered a ball.
b.
The ball exceeds
one foot in height (from the bottom of the ball) as it to reaching home plate.
9.04 No player may field forward the 1st-3rd base diagonal
other than the catcher until the ball is kicked.
9.05 During and after the pitch, the pitcher may start
pitching ahead of the 1st-3rd base diagonal as long as
they remain inside the pitching area.
9.06 The catcher:
a.
Must field
directly behind the kicker and within the catcher’s box (may stand behind the catcher’s box).
b.
Cannot cross home
plate nor be positioned forward or beside the kicker before the ball is kicked.
c.
Must give the
kicker an adequate amount of space (one (1) yard) to kick.
d.
May stand behind
the catcher’s box and outside of the area of play.
10. KICKING
10.01 All kicks must be made by the foot or leg, and be below the knee. Any ball touched by the foot or
leg below the knee is a kick; otherwise it will be counted as a foul.
10.02 All kicks must occur:
a.
At or behind home
plate. The kicker may step on home plate to kick, however no part of the
kicking foot (while kicking) may be in front of or cross the front edge of the
home plate.
b.
The kicker is
required to start with at least one foot in the catcher’s box but may make contact with the ball
anywhere on or behind home plate
10.03 Bunting is allowed.
10.04 A “+3” male to female ratio must be maintained in the
kicking lineup. (i.e. if you have five
(5) female kickers you may only bat up to eight (8) male kickers. Extra male kickers would have to be
substituted into the game.)
11. RUNNING AND
SCORING
11.01 Runners must stay within the base path.
11.02 Fielders must stay out of the base path. 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, not making an
active play for the ball, shall be safe at the base to which they were running.
11.03 Leading off base or stealing a base is NOT
allowed. A runner may advance once the
ball is kicked. A runner off of his/her
base when the ball is kicked is out.
11.04 If a fielder is making an active play on the ball,
runners must give fielder adequate space to make a play.
11.05 Tag-Ups are only required before advancement on a
caught ball. If the runner has not moved off of base before the ball is touched
or caught by a fielder, the runner may run forward without a forced tag up.
11.06 There will be no infield fly rule.
11.07 The Extra Base:
a.
The Extra Base is
only available for runners traveling from home plate.
b.
Runners may
overrun the Extra Base.
c.
Runners hindered
by a fielder touching the Extra Base will be safe.
d.
If a defensive
play is being attempted at first base to get the kicker out, the kicker shall
use the Extra Base, even if they intend to run to second base.
11.08 Base Running on Overthrows;
a.
An overthrow is a
ball thrown, kicked, or deflected out of play (each field will be marked) while
making a defensive play toward a player or base.
b.
Once the ball
reaches out of play the umpire will call time and advance the runners
accordingly.
c.
A runner may
advance only one base beyond the last base touched when the ball travels into
the out of play territory.
d.
When a live ball
is unintentionally carried by a fielder from playable territory into a dead
ball area, the ball becomes dead immediately. All base runners are awarded one
base from the last base touched at the time the fielder enters dead ball
territory.
11.09 A run scores when a runner touches home plate before
the third out is made, EXCEPT that no run can score when the third out is made
during a force play situation, or when the kicker is put out before touching
first base. At the end of a game the team with the most runs wins.
11.010
Courtesy Runners:
a.
Only one courtesy
runner may be had per inning.
b.
All courtesy
runners must be the last out and of the same sex.
c.
If a baserunner
cannot continue for any reason and a courtesy runner has already been used in
the inning, the baserunner shall be out.
12. STRIKES
12.01 A count of three (3) strikes is an out.
12.02 A strike is:
a.
A pitch within
the strike zone that is not kicked.
b.
A pitched ball
that hits any part of home plate after its second bounce.
c.
An attempted kick
missed by the kicker inside or outside of the strike zone.
12.03 Foul balls count as strikes:
a.
Following a
kicker’s second strike, an additional foul ball will be granted and will not
count as a strike.
b.
Following a
kicker’s second strike, the second foul ball will count as an out.
13. BALLS
13.01 A count of four (4) balls advances the kicker (male or
female) to second base.
13.02 If a male kicker is walked and a female kicker follows
in the lineup, she has the option to kick or advance to first base.
13.03 A ball is:
a.
A pitch outside
of the strike zone as judged by the Referee where a kick is not attempted.
b.
An illegal
bouncy.
c.
Any catcher
crossing home plate or positioned forward or beside the kicker before the ball
is kicked.
d.
Any catcher
positioned outside the catcher’s box (foul territory) before the ball is
kicked.
14. FAIRS AND FOULS
14.01 A foul is:
a.
A kicked ball
landing in foul territory.
b.
A ball kicked in
front of home plate..
c.
A kicked ball
that lands in fair territory but under its own power runs into foul territory before
it reaches first or third base.
d.
A kicked ball
touched in foul territory or stopped by the kicker in foul territory.
e.
A kicked ball
whose direction is altered by contact with any object other than the ground in
foul territory, and called as such.
f.
A kick made on or
above the knee.
g.
A kicked ball
touched more than once in the catcher’s box or on the plate, or stopped (with
the foot) by the kicker in the kicking box.
14.02 A fair is:
a.
A ball kicked
that lands and remains in fair territory.
b.
A ball kicked
that lands in fair territory then travels into foul territory beyond the first
and third bases.
14.03 All fair balls are in play unless specifically
mentioned in section 15.
15. OUTS
15.01 A count of three (3) outs by a team completes the
team’s half of the inning.
15.02 An out is:
a.
A count of three
(3) strikes.
b.
Any kicked ball
(fair or foul) that is caught by a fielder.
c.
A ball tag on a
base to which a runner is forced to run, before the runner arrives at the base.
d.
A runner touched
by the ball or who touches the ball at ANY time while not on base while the
ball is in play.
e.
A runner off of
his/her base when the ball is kicked.
f.
A runner
physically assisted by a base coach during play.
g.
Any kicker that
does not kick in the proper kicking line up.
16. BALL IN PLAY
16.01 Once any player in the field has the ball in control
and retains possession on the pitching area, and base runners are no longer
advancing, the play ends.
16.02 Interference is:
a.
When any non-fielder
or non-permanent object touches or is touched by a ball in play in fair
territory. This interference causes the
play to end, and runners shall proceed to the base to which they were headed.
b.
When any runner
on or off base intentionally touches a ball.
This interference causes the play to end, the runner to be out, and any
other runners shall return to the base from which they came.
c.
When a ball in
foul territory touches any permanent object.
This interference causes the play to end, and all runners shall return
to the base from which they came.
16.03 During any play where a ball is popped or deflates
significantly, that play shall be replayed with a properly inflated ball.
16.04 Sideline area. Prior to the kick, no participants (or
spectators) may be in the sideline area except for the kicker, the catcher,
referees and designated base coaches. After the kick, fielders and base runners
in the process of playing the game may also occupy the sideline area.
17. INJURIES
17.01 In cases of injury or illness, a time-out may be
requested for participant removal.
17.02 If an injured participant opts to return to play, they
must do so prior to their next at-kick. If the injured participant’s next
at-kick is skipped before they are able to return to play, they may not return
to the game.
17.03 If a player is injured or becomes ill and cannot
continue, the lineup order will continue in the same formation, less the
removed player.
17.04 Injured players who do not kick shall not play in the
game.
18. WACKY RULES
18.01 Each team may designate one inning (before the game)
for a wacky rule.
a.
Wacky rules are
optional. Teams are not required.
b.
Wacky rules last
the complete inning.
c.
Wacky rule has to
be completed by the 4th inning of the game.
d.
Each team is
responsible for letting the umpire know it’s their inning for the wacky rule. A
team has until the first out of the top of the inning to do so or their wacky
rule is forfeited.
18.02 Wacky rules have to be approved by the umpire.
18.03 All wacky rules are subject to review and can be
determined inadmissible for future games.
19. INDOOR FIELD PROVISIONS
19.01 Ceiling in Play: A kicked ball remains live when it
touches the ceiling. Following a bounce,
or multiple bounces off the ceiling, if immediately following the ball:
a.
Is landing fair,
it is considered in play and eligible to be caught as a pop fly, as long as it
has not yet contacted the ground, hit an out-of-play wall (see Rule 19.02b or
19.02c). The kicker should treat this
like a normal kick. Runner(s) should be
cautious and treat this like a normal pop fly.
b.
Is landing foul,
it is considered a foul ball and is eligible to be caught as a pop fly,
otherwise when it touches foul territory or a foul wall (see Rule 19.02a), it
is counted as a foul ball against the kicker.
c.
Touches an out-of play wall (see Rule 19.02b), the ball is considered
dead; the ball may not be played, runners may not advance, and it is counted as
a foul ball against the kicker.
19.02 Walls
a.
1st Base Wall:
Foul and in play.
19.2.a.1.
If the kicked
ball touches this wall before being played by a defender in fair territory, or
before it passes first base, it is considered a foul ball.
19.2.a.2.
This wall is in
play once the ball has been fairly played by the defense.
b.
3rd Base Wall:
Out of play
19.2.b.1.
Any time the ball
touches this wall, it will be considered dead.
19.2.b.2.
If the kicked
ball hits this wall on the fly, it is considered a dead and a foul ball.
19.2.b.3.
If the kicked
ball hits this wall on the ground and the ball:
19.2.b.3.1.
Has not passed
third base, it is a dead foul ball.
19.2.b.3.2.
Has passed third
base (is a fair ball), it is a dead ball and runners will be advanced one base
past the previous base touched.
c.
If a ball in play
is played against this wall by any defensive player, it is considered out of
play and is a dead ball; runners will advance one base past the previous base
touched.
d.
Wall between left
field and the deepest of three columns in left-center field, including the
column: Any ball that touches this wall
on the fly is eligible to be caught as a pop fly, otherwise it is in play.
e.
Wall between the
deepest of three columns in left-center field, through deep center field, and
right field: Any ball that touches this wall is in play and will be treated as
a ground ball, regardless of if it was caught on the fly.
19.03 Basketball Goals:
a.
3rd Base Line
Goal: This goal is out of play and is enforced the same way as the wall behind
it. (see Rule 19.02b)
b.
Right Center
Field Goal: Any ball that touches this goal is in play and will be treated as a
ground ball, regardless of if it was caught on the fly.
19.04 Stuck Balls: If the ball gets stuck on the walls or
goals:
a.
In fair
territory: The kick will be ruled as a ground rule double and runners will
advance accordingly at the umpire’s discretion.
b.
In foul
territory: The kick will be counted as a foul ball against the kicker.
c.
Throw a shoe at
it.
19.05 Teams must field at least six (6) players and no more
than eight (8). Minimum of 3 female & the maximum of 4 males in the field.
19.06 Teams must field a minimum of four (3) female players
to avoid forfeit. Teams may play with
less than six (4) male players but must have a minimum of eight (6) players on
the field.