Objective

The objective of kickball is to score runs by kicking the ball and running around the bases, ultimately reaching home plate.

Setup

1. Teams: Each team consists of 8-11 players.

2. Field: A standard kickball field resembles a baseball diamond with four bases (first, second, third, and home plate) laid out in a square shape. The distance between the bases is typically 60 feet.

3. Equipment: A rubber kickball, bases, and appropriate field markings.
   

Basic Rules

1. Starting the Game:

   • A coin toss determines which team kicks first and which team will field.

   • The kicking team sends players up one at a time in a predetermined order.

2. Pitching and Kicking:

   • The pitcher rolls the ball towards home plate.

   • The kicker attempts to kick the ball and run to first base.

   • The pitch must be delivered by hand and must roll on the ground when crossing the plate.

   • Bouncies (pitches that bounce higher than one foot off the ground) are not allowed.

3. Running the Bases:

   • The kicker becomes a runner after kicking the ball and must run the bases in order: first, second, third, and home plate.

   • Runners must stay within the base path.

   • Runners are safe if they reach the base before the ball and are out if they are tagged by the ball or the ball reaches the base they are running to before they do.

4. Fielding:

   • The fielding team tries to get runners out by catching kicked balls in the air, tagging runners with the ball, or throwing the ball to the base before the runner gets there.

   • Fielders cannot block the base path.

5. Scoring:

   • A run is scored when a runner safely reaches home plate after touching first, second, and third bases in order.

6. Outs:

   • A player is out if their kicked ball is caught in the air by a fielder.

   • A player is out if they are tagged with the ball by a fielder while not on a base.

   • A player is out if the ball reaches the base they are running to before they do.

   • Three outs end the team's half-inning.

7. Inning and Game Length:

   • A standard game consists of 7 innings.

   • Each inning is divided into a top half and a bottom half, with one team kicking during the top half and the other team kicking during the bottom half.
     

Additional Rules

1. Fair and Foul Balls:

   • A kicked ball must stay within the foul lines to be considered fair.

   • A ball that lands in fair territory and then rolls foul before passing first or third base is a foul ball.

2. Bunting:

   • Some leagues allow bunting, while others do not. A bunt is a lightly kicked ball that does not travel far.

3. Force Outs:

   • A force out occurs when a runner is required to advance to the next base and the fielding team gets the ball to the base first.

4. Overthrows:

   • If a ball is overthrown into foul territory, runners may advance one base beyond the base they were running towards at the time of the throw.
     

Variations

1. Player Positions:

   • Some leagues have specific positions like pitcher, catcher, infielders, and outfielders. Others may allow players to position themselves more freely.

2. Base Distance:

   • For younger players or casual games, the distance between bases can be shortened.

3. Mercy Rule:

   • Some leagues implement a mercy rule where the game is ended early if one team has an insurmountable lead.

4. Time Limits:

   • In some leagues, games may be played with a time limit rather than a set number of innings.