club sport KICKBALL LEAGUE RULES Revised 1/12 all new changes in blue.

IMPORTANT: Remember, everyone is out there for fun and it's only a game. No back talking or abuse of the umpires will be tolerated. These are not "professional" kickball umps and mistakes may be made. Please treat them with respect, anyone not doing so will be asked to leave.

NO ALCOHOL ON THE FIELDS OR IN THE DUGOUT. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE CITY RULES REGARDING THE SPECIFIC FIELD YOU ARE PLAYING ON!! 

ROSTERS/LINEUPS

1.     Everyone playing must be 18 and must sign the team's roster before playing.

2.     Kicking lineups must be presented to the umpire before each game. Once the lineup cards have been submitted to the umpire, they become official and you may add players to the bottom only. All substitutions must be given to the umpire as they are made. 

3.     5 men and 5 women is the standard line up. No two males may kick consecutively.  If two men kick consecutively, an automatic out is recorded in between the two male kickers. To prevent an out two men may share 1 male kicking spot and would have to alternate kicks each time up.

4.     A team must have at least 7 players (with a minimum of one female) to start a game.

5.     Any player kicking out of order will be considered an automatic out. If a girl shows up late, they may go into any automatic out spot on the line-up card. Captains must notify umpire of any changes to line-up cards.

6.     PICKUP PLAYERS: Pickup players are NOT allowed for playoffs games. For regular season games pick-up players must be players signed on a roster on a team that plays in that specific league and must be brought to the attention of the scoring umpire before the start of the game.  Teams may pick up one player at no penalty if the team is below fielding minimum (5 guys and 5 women).  If a team has  at least 5 men and 5 women present they are not allowed pick up players.  If still below minimum, additional pick up players maybe be added for a 2-run penalty per player (which becomes 4 runs per player if they are not announced to the umpire before the start of the game).  Pick up player penalty runs are awarded at the end of the inning (teams may still score 10 runs and THEN be awarded the penalty runs).   If roster players join a game after the start of the game (giving enough players to allow subs) they must replace the free pick-up player.

GAME PLAY

1.     Forfeits: Forfeit time is game time. Umpires call game time.  A forfeit is a 7-0 win. If a team forfeits twice or more during the season they may become ineligible for the playoffs.

2.     Games are 55 minutes in length.  The inning in progress at the end of 55 minutes will be the last inning and completed. The ump will enforce this rule and will keep teams informed of time remaining.  Regular season games may end in a tie.  Games become official after 30 minute of play and will be counted from the last complete inning.

3.     Each team gets 4 outs per inning. 

4.     There is a 10 run limit per inning (10th run is also counted as the 4th out).  The 10 run rule does not apply if the team is behind in the last 10 minutes.

5.     Pitch to your own team. Pitcher must pitch from within the pitching circle or near the mound. They must not interfere with the fielding team. If interference is called, the umpire can call the runner out.

6.     One pitch per kicker. A missed kick, foul ball or a catch on the fly is an out.

7.     A real or imaginary line runs perpendicular to home plate.  If a kick is made in front of this line the the batter will be called out.

8.     EFFECTIVE SPRING 2011 Bunting will be allowed for women only! 

9.     No leadoffs. All runners must be in contact with the base at the time the ball is kicked.  Any runners not doing so will automatically called out and the kicker will re-kick.  Runners cannot tag up until a fly ball is first touched. No stealing bases. Charging defensive players is not allowed and may result in an out and/or ejection. Offensive players CANNOT initiate contact with defensive players.

10.   Outs can be made by throwing to the baseman or by hitting the runner with the ball. Runners may only be hit from the shoulders down. If a player ducks into a throw that was aimed below the shoulders, the runner is out. Throws to hit the runner must be made 2 HANDED and come from below the shoulders (like a basketball chest pass or 2 handed underhand throw). No overhead throws, even 2 handed, are allowed. Any blatantly hard or dangerous throw, regardless of how it is thrown, will result in the runner being called safe and may result in the ejection of the player.  The umpires discretion will be used in whether or not a throw is legal.

11.   Fielding: there is a maximum of 10 fielders with no more than 5 men in the field. EFFECTIVE SPRING 2011: There can be no more than 6 infielders (including the catcher), and no one may be positioned between the pitcher and home plate.  "The pitcher" is determined by an imaginary line drawn from first to third. All infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is KICKED.

12.   Outfielders must stay behind the outfield boundary line (cones or grass), regardless of who is up to kick until the ball is kicked. If this rule is violated, the ball remains alive until the umpire calls time out. The umpire will then decide which is more advantageous to the kicking team, the kicked ball or an automatic pass to first base.

13.   ORANGE BAG: While running to first base if there is a possible play at first (e.g. ball is still in the infield) the runner must touch the orange (outside bag) or will be called out by the umpire (defense must touch only the white bag). Once the runner has touched the orange bag the entire bag is considered ONE bag for both offense and defense and can be used for the runner to stand on or tag up, as well as the defense to tag the bag on runners returning to first base.

14.   Sliding is permitted

15.   Since catching a fly ball in kickball is no sure thing, there is no infield fly rule. HOWEVER...there is a no "cheese" rule. If the umpire thinks a fielder intentionally misses or does not try to catch a fly ball in an effort to make a double play, or any other more advantageous play, both runners will be called safe.

16.   A play is not dead until the ump calls time or the ball is in the possession of the pitcher.

17.   On fields where a first base orange bag is used: A runner must touch the first base ORANGE bag (in foul territory) if there is any chance a play may be made at first (i.e. ball in the infield) and failure to do so will result in the runner being called out. This is a rule for safety of the kicker and first baseman, and is a judgment call by the umpire.  When in doubt touch the orange bag. Defensive players may only use the white bag.

PLAYER CONDUCT

1.     Only the captain is allowed to dispute calls with the umpire. Any excessive arguing or abuse of the umpire can result in the ejection of the player.

2.     EJECTIONS:  Players ejected from any game may be required to serve a one or more game suspension pending league review. Fighting, wrestling, or pushing will not be tolerated and may result in ejection from the tournament altogether. Verbal abuse of officials or players, foul language, and continued rough play could result in player ejections.

3.     Any player or fan is encouraged to root for their own team but rooting against teams or use of disparaging language is discouraged and could result in penalties of players or dismissals of fans. Any fans of teams may be asked to leave by Club Sport staff. Refusal to leave could result in forfeiture of games

PLAYOFFS 

1.     Playoffs are single elimination based on regular season standings.

2.     Playoff seedings will be based on the following criteria: 1) winning percentage, 2) head to head record 3) Run Differential   4) coin flip.

3.     If a team plays an 8th game during the regular season (due to an odd number of teams) it will not count towards that teams standings (but will against the other team playing their 7th game).

4.     PLAYOFF time: There will be extra innings during tournament games where play ends in a tie. Extra innings will start with a runner on second base (base runner is the one who made the last out in the previous inning). CHAMPIONSHIP GAME has no set number of innings, but the PLAYOFF RUN RULE will apply.

5.     PLAYOFF Run Rule. There is a 10 run rule after 7 innings. (Playoffs ONLY!)

6.     ELIGIBLE PLAYERS: All players, including added players, must sign their team's roster/waiver BEFORE the end of their team's final regular season game in order to be eligible to play in the tournament. If a player is not signed in on the roster by then, they are not eligible for the tournament. Playing with ineligible players may result in a forfeit. This call will be made by TBCS staff.  It is the responsibility of the team captains to make sure all players in their line-up card are eligible players for all games.

Roster Management

1.     Club Sport has the right to add players to a team roster during the season until a team reaches roster minimums (for individually paid teams). Teams that have made team payments are welcome to have whatever size roster they wish and may ask TBCS to add free agents players if desired (and available).

2.     Teams needing to add players during the season may do so at a pro-rated rate. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

1.     No jewelry can be worn during the games (for the safety of all players).

2.     Cleats: No metal spikes are allowed. Wearing Metal cleats is an ejectable offense.

3.     ALL TEAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN TRASH!!!

4.     TBCS reserves the right to adjust and/or insert rules due to game day time restrictions or to ensure fair play.

5.     Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!