PLATINUM PLAY KICKBALL RULES

 

These rules are a general guideline and can be modified without notice.

 

The rules of Kickball are similar to that of baseball. However, instead of hitting a baseball, a Kickball player kicks a rubber ball. The goal is to score runs/points by running around and touching all four bases in order without getting out.

Ideally you want to have ten players on your team in order to fill all defensive fielding positions. One pitcher, one catcher, three players to cover each base, three out fielders, one shortstop to cover the area between second and third base, and one player on the encroachment line. A Kickball field is made up four bases in a diamond shape. Foul territory is everything outside of the line from home base to first base and home base to third base extending into the outfield. A team scores a run when a player touches all four bases in order and touches home base without getting out. The team with the most runs at the end of a game wins. A Kickball game lasts five innings or 1 hour. An inning is composed of each team coming up to kick once. A team continues to kick until they get three outs.

 

There are five ways for a player to get out:

1. Strike Out: If a player kicks and fails to put the ball into play after three good pitches

2. Fly Out: If a player kicks the ball in the air and it is caught by a defensive player before it hits the ground

3. Tag Out: If a defensive player tags or throws and hits an offensive player with the ball before they get on base (any hits above the shoulder the runner advances 1 base – if a runner is sliding, the head is no longer protected)

4. A Force Out: If a defensive player gets the ball to a base before the offensive player arrives and the offensive player cannot return to the previous base because it is occupied by a teammate.

5. Double Kick:  If a player double kicks the ball outside of the batter’s box, that player is out.  Any double kicks inside of the batter’s box are considered fouls.  The referee makes that call.

 

 

 

BALLS AND STRIKES

A player is called out if there is ANY combination of 3 strikes (fouls or strikes).  For example, if a kicker has 2 strikes, then fouls the ball, that kicker now has 3 strikes and is out.  A player gets to take a base after 3 balls (unlike baseball which is 4 balls).

 

ELIGBLE PLAYERS

Only those individuals who are paid in full and have filled out the proper paperwork will be added to official rosters.  A player cannot take the field unless they have filled out the online form which includes the waiver of liability and have their registration and/or jersey monies received by the league.  No jersey = no play.

 

 

TEAMS

Each game shall have two (2) participating teams: the Away team (visiting team), which kicks first each inning, and the Home team, which kicks last each inning. While fielding, each team must field at least eight (8) and no more than ten (10) players, which must include one pitcher and one catcher at any time during the game.  For a given game, each team shall have one Captain and one Co-Captain (collectively “the Captains”). The Captains may discuss calls with the Head Referee, but must accept the Head Referee’s final ruling. Other players besides the Captains that dispute calls with the Referees are subject to ejection from the game.

 

 

ROSTERS

Official team rosters must be given to the head of the league at the start of the season.  No new players can be added to the roster after the 2nd week of the season.  At the beginning of each game, coaches will exchange kicking rosters with each other as well as the score keeper.  The rosters will have the players’ names and numbers on them.  Only the players on the kicking roster can enter the game.  Players cannot be added to the kicking roster once the game has started.  If a player is on the kicking roster, they must kick if they play in the field.

 

ROSTER CHECKS

The league will have random roster checks for teams throughout the season.  Each player must have their ID with them and the names must match the names on the official roster.  If a name is not on the official roster, that person will not be able to play.

 

Teams can request roster checks as well at any time.  If a team asks for a roster check after a game and it is found that there was an ineligible player playing, the offending team will forfeit that game and a win automatically goes to the other team.

 

 

 

BASE COACHES

Two members of the team at kick may coach first and third base, switching as needed with other team members to remain in the proper written kicking order.  Base coaches may not physically assist runners while the ball is in play.  Base coaches must remain in the coach's boxes at 1st and 3rd base.

 

 

BALL IN PLAY

When the pitcher has the ball on the mound (in the circle), the play is stopped and runners cannot advance.  If a runner is already half way to the next base when the pitcher gets the ball, they can continue to advance to the next base.  If the runner is not at least half way, they have to return to the previous base.  That call is made by the Referee.  Any player leading off a base before the ball is kicked is out.  If a defensive player crosses the encroachment line before the ball is kicked, the pitch is considered a ball.

 

A fly ball caught in foul territory is considered a live ball.  This means that base runners can advance to the next base after they have tagged up.

 

 

FIRST TOUCH RULE

Base runners can tag up and advance to the next base once a defensive player touches a fly ball.  The defensive player does not have to have complete control of the ball before the runners can advance.

 

 

REGULATION GAMES

Regulation games last five (5) innings or 1 hour.

A. In the event of a tie score at the end of the game, the game shall be marked as a tie (except playoffs and championship, in which case there will be a sudden death scenario)

B. If the Home team already leads the game when the bottom of the final inning is reached, that team wins the game instantly and the game is over.

C. If the Home team takes the lead during the bottom of the final inning, that team wins instantly and the game is over.

 

If a game has not ended in the regulation 1 hour, the current inning will be completed.  The team with the lead at the end of that inning will be the winner.

 

 A game that is called off by the Referee after three (3) 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 end in a tie shall be marked as a tie.

A game that is called off by the Referee for any reason before three (3) full innings of play shall not be considered a regulation game and a new game may be rescheduled by the league.

 

MERCY RULE

If a team is ahead by 20 or more runs after three innings, then the game will be called.

 

FORFEITS

If a team does not have at least 8 players at the start of a game, that game can be forfeited.  If the team has 7 players, the opposing team can opt to let them play with 7 players or take the forfeit.  If there are fewer than 7 players, it is an automatic forfeit.  With a forfeited game, the winning team will receive 5 points towards their point differential. 

If a game has been called by the ref for a team having un-sportsman like conduct (drunkenness, cursing at the ref or other team, fighting, etc.), then the winning team will receive 12 points toward their point differential.

 

KICKING OUT OF ORDER

If an infraction is discovered immediately after a kicker completes their appearance, then the Referee considers that kicker and the previous one. If the kicker who just finished kicking does not follow the previous kicker in the written order, her plate appearance was improper, any advances or scores due to her action are nullified, she is removed from the bases if she reached, and the proper kicker is called out. Outs made against runners other than the improper kicker also stand.

If the infraction is discovered during a plate appearance (that is, a pitch has been thrown to the current kicker), then the Referee considers the current kicker and the previous one. If the current kicker’s name does not follow the previous actual kicker’s name in the written order, the current kicker is improper. There is no penalty, but the situation is rectified—the proper kicker comes to kick and assumes the improper kicker’s current count.

At the start of each game, the coaches for each team will exchange kicking rosters with names and numbers to help ensure proper kicking order is maintained.

 

SUBSTITUTIONS

A substitute may enter the game in place of a starter. Since the team’s roster is submitted before the start of the game, the kicking order will not be affected by any substitutions.  When there is a substitution, the substitute must play at least one full inning before coming out of the game.

 

If a player is injured, an injury substitution can be made immediately without penalty.

 

 

STANDINGS

Season standings are determined by the following three things in order:

 

1 – Win/loss record

2 – Head to head record

3 – Point differential

 

Whichever team has the best win/loss record will be first place.  In the event that two teams have the same record, the games in which they played each other will be considered.  Whichever team has won head to head will be the higher seed.  If the two teams have not played each other or have tied each other, then the point differential will be considered.  Whichever team has the higher point spread against their opponents will be the higher seed.

 

SUDDEN DEATH

In the event a playoff game or championship ends in a tie in the regulation time, there will be one extra inning played.  If it is still a tie, there will be a sudden death.  This means that the kicking team will have 1 out. The last person who got out will go to 2nd base.  The next kicker will kick with a full count and the game will be played out.  The game will continue with the same rules until there is a winner.

 

A Few Rule & Regulation Reminders
1.  Kicking in front of the base is an OUT.
2.  Leading, stealing or coming off the base is an OUT.
3.  Kicking out of order is an OUT.

4.  If there is a double kick inside the batter’s box it is a foul.  Outside the batter’s box is an OUT.
5.  A pitch higher than 12’’ is a BALL.
6.  Bunting is allowed
7.  No defensive player can cross the encroachment line until the ball is kicked.
8.  Pitcher cannot pitch in FRONT of the pitcher’s mound (back foot must be on the mound when the ball is released).
9.  Canceled games – Make up games are determined by the league.  It is suggested that each team have a make-up roster (a group of players ready and able to play on Saturdays, during the week, etc.).

10. Minimum 8 players on the field & maximum 10 on the field

 

 

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

It is expected that everyone act in a respectful manner.  The rules are in place to help ensure order is kept.  In the event an unfavorable situation arises (cursing, fighting, derogatory or degrading remarks towards other players, coaches, teams, refs, etc) in which a person’s behavior is deemed unsportsmanlike, the league reserves the right to suspend the perpetrator for a game or indefinitely.  Platinum Play is a family friendly league designed for competitive fun.  Anything not promoting that will not be tolerated.