Rules – 2010 Update
Chicago Kickball
Rules
Playing Field, Equipment, Officials Rule #0. NO WHINING!! The first and foremost rule of the game is to have fun. If you are hoping to recapture your athletic glories from the past, this is not the league for you. Remember, it’s a game for 5th graders (albeit 5th graders who like to go drinking after the game). General rules follow baseball, with a little bit of dodgeball thrown in. Absolutely no whining will be tolerated during the course of a game. The only players allowed to communicate with the referees are the captain and co-captain. Any abuse (verbal or otherwise) of the referees or other players will constitute an immediate ejection from the game. Repeated offenders will be banned from the league. 1. The Playing Field 1.1. Field of play will be a softball field with the bases being 60 feet (about 20 paces apart). The pitchers stripe will be 5 feet back from the line between first and third base. The approach line will be 15 feet (about 5 paces). Chicago Kickball will provide fields and equipment.
1.2. Extra Runners Base
a) The Extra Base is only available for runners traveling from home plate
b) Fielders trying to make an out on first base must touch the base in fair territory (the First Base). Runners hindered by a fielder touching the base in foul territory (the Extra Base), will be safe.
c) When a play is attempted at first base, a runner who touches the First Base prior to being called safe at the Extra Base shall be called out, except under the exception in Rules f and g;
d) Once a runner has reached first base safely the runner must start the next play on the First Base. Any runner standing on or touching the Extra Base at the beginning of the next play will be out;
e) No additional base may be used at any other base;
f) The runner is permitted to use the First Base if avoiding collision with a fielder in foul territory. In this event, the fielder in foul territory is permitted to tag the Extra Base.
g) The runner may use First Base if attempting to advance to Second Base, or if there is no fielder on First Base. A runner (see a)) using or touching First Base in any other circumstance is out.
2. Equipment
2.1. Athletic shoes are required, no barefoot kicking. Metal cleats are not allowed.
2.2. The official kickball is the red 10” playground ball. Chicago Kickball will provide the official, regulation ball.
3. Officials
3.1. Teams will be assigned games to officiate either before their own game or after. Each captain is also expected to police their own team and ensure that no cry babies, whiners, cheats or any elements determined to be creepy or scummy are allowed to ruin our good time.
3.2. Games will be officiated by two (2) refs who will be scheduled and provided by all teams (a team missing a scheduled ref game will lose 1 point in the league standings for their team). The home plate referee issues all final rulings and must be a registered member of ChicagoKickball.
3.3. Each team will provide a minimum of 2 players who must attend the scheduled Pre-Season Referee Clinic.
3.4. The referee has the right to immediately change any call that they may have been made. A vocal call takes precedence over a hand sign.
3.5. Only a team captain or co-captain may dispute a call with the referee. Captains will have a ‘C’ on their shirt designating this status.
3.6. If a team fails to fulfill their referee duties for the tournament they will automatically be eliminated.
3.7. The referee has jurisdiction over the play and may:
a) Call a time out.
b) Penalize a player, including game ejection, for un-sportsman like conduct. Ejected players may not return to the game and if necessary may be asked to leave the premises; don’t be a punk.
c) Not get drunk during play.
d) Keep the game pace starting/moving to make sure there is light for both games.
e) Determine a dead ball on an overthrow out of play past 1st or 3rd base and determine if runners advance.
Participants, Teams, Captains
4. Participants
4.1. All players must be 21 years of age or older.
4.2. All players must be members in good standing with Chicago Kickball. This is code for “you have given Chicago Kickball money which we will then squander on beer.”
4.3. Players may only be on one team at a time.
4.4. Chicago Kickball reserves the right to suspend any player at any time for unsportsmanlike conduct, violation of any rules, for failure to pay appropriate dues or for being a general pain in the ass, without any refund whatsoever. Any team wishing to suspend any member for just reasons must do so on their own and provide Chicago Kickball a written reason as to why. Again, no refunds. At the discretion of Chicago Kickball, any member suspended may not in the future be allowed to participate in any further Chicago Kickball events.
5. Teams
5.1. Teams can field a maximum of 10 players at a time in the field.
To field a full team each team is required to have at least 4 women in the field in each inning. The number of male players cannot exceed the number of women by more than two.
5.2. Every player present is required to be in the kicking lineup.
5.3. Every player is required to play at least one (1) inning in the field.
5.4. Each team must have a catcher when in the field.
5.5. If a team cannot field at least 8 players, the opposing team can decide if they are willing to play the game or call for a forfeit.
5.6. Any team that forfeits three or more games will be removed from the remaining schedule and not be allowed to participate in any playoff situations. No refunds will be given and a team dropped by the league may, at Chicago Kickball’s discretion, not be allowed to rejoin the next season.
5.7. Chicago Kickball will provide team t-shirts to all teams. Players must wear their official t-shirt during all games. Teams are encouraged to be creative with names and t-shirts, without removing or obscuring the Chicago Kickball logo or the logo of the sponsor bar.
5.8. Teams sporting a themed costume worn by all players are encouraged.
5.9. Teams may provide first and third base coaches.
6. Captains
Each team Captain will be charged with the following:
6.1. Making sure that only players registered on their team are participating on their behalf in a game.
6.2. Insuring that their players kick in the same order throughout the game (if necessary, teams can exchange kicking lineups prior to the game).
Write Down Your Lineup on Paper
6.3. Insuring that no more than 4 guys kick in a row unless there are no remaining girls in the lineup. A 5th guy kicking in a row will result in an out.
6.4. Disputing a call on the field and remaining cool at all times.
6.5. Making sure everyone on their team understands the rules.
6.6. Turning in the game results to the appropriate person.
6.7. Staying in contact with Chicago Kickball and attending all required league meetings.
6.8. Communicating any changes in regards to scheduling or rules with his/her team.
6.9. Ensuring that everyone on his team is eligible to play.
6.10. Contacting the other team & the league in the event of a forfeit by 2pm.
6.11. Providing the referees as they are scheduled.
6.12. The 2 Captains of the teams playing the second game of the night are responsible to make sure someone brings the bases to the bar.
Regulation Game & Sportsmanship
7. Regulation Game
7.1. A regulation game shall consist of 5 innings. If a team is more than 10 minutes late, then they must forfeit.
7.1.5. An inning cannot start with eight minutes of game time left!!
7.2. The away team will get first at kick. Home team shall be determined by the schedule.
7.3. If a team is down by 10 or more runs, they can elect to call Mercy and end the game. It is the losing team’s option to use the mercy rule if they wish at which point they will be ridiculed terribly by everyone.
7.4. All games will not exceed 5 innings; ties are allowed during regular season games.
7.5. The game will be called in the event of uncooperative weather. The rules for game cancellation are defined by the parks in which we play. ChicagoKickball will attempt to reschedule any canceled games.
7.6. If a game is called due to weather and less then 3 complete innings have been played, the game is canceled and will be rescheduled (and replayed starting at 0-0, top of the 1st). If more than 3 full innings have been played, the final score will be the score at the end of the last complete full inning. ChicagoKickball will make all final rulings on determining if games called due to weather will be rescheduled or counted.
8. Sportsmanship
8.1. Players should have no intentional or unwelcome physical contact with opposing players. Doing so will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and it will be at the discretion of the referee to issue warnings or eject offending players. A player must make the referee aware if he or she feels any contact was unwarranted.
8.2. Trash talking is permitted as long as it is not cruel, racially motivated, hateful, or a personal attack on another player. The trash talking should only be good natured and shall not be allowed to get out of hand. Threats of physical violence are in no way allowed. The team captain shall ensure that their players behave themselves.
8.3. Due to Chicago city regulations, consumption of alcohol on the fields is strictly prohibited. If a team is caught by park or police officials, they could face immediate ejection from the league.
Pitching, Catching, Kicking, Running
9. Pitching & Fielding
9.1. There is no restriction on how to pitch as long as it is done underhanded. The ball must cross the plate within a foot on either side. The ball may not be more than 1 foot off the ground as it crosses the plate (bouncy). The ball MUST bounce twice before reaching home plate. The second bounce must be before it reaches home plate. A second bounce landing on home plate will be called a ball.
9.2 Fielder Positioning. Failure to be properly positioned will result in a Position Warning to the team that caused the infraction. The team’s second and each subsequent Position infraction will result in the kicker being
awarded first base regardless of the outcome of the kick.
Proper Field Position is:
a. All fielders besides the catcher, first baseman & third baseman must start play and remain behind the 1st-3rd base diagonal until the ball is kicked.
b. The first & third basemen are allowed to move up to the approach line (15 feet up from the 1st to 3rd diagonal line.
c. The pitcher must start the act of pitching within the pitching mound and have at least one foot on or directly behind the pitching strip when releasing the ball.
d. The catcher must field behind the kicker, within or directly behind the kicking box, and may not cross home plate nor be positioned forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion.
e. Three outfielders must be on the grass until the ball is kicked.
10. Kicking
10.1. All kicks must be made by the foot. Any lower leg contact while attempting to kick the ball will be considered a kick regardless of where it strikes the leg or foot.
10.2. All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. Both feet must be on or behind home plate at the time the ball is kicked. If one or more feet are in front of home plate at the time the ball is kicked, it is a foul and the kick is called back (if such a kick is caught on the fly, it is an out).
10.3. Bunting is allowed. A bunt is defined as a kick that does not travel further than first or third base. A bunt must remain within bounds until it crosses past first or third base. Men who bunt may be mocked. Mercilessly.
10.4. Any fair kicked ball that travels outside of a reasonable area of play will result in a ground rule double. This doesn’t pertain to the unlikely event of a home run kick; rather it pertains to fair balls that then bounce over a fence.
11. Running
11.1. Runners must stay within the base line. Fielders must stay out of the baseline unless they are attempting to tag a runner out or catch the ball. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the base line. Runners unfairly hindered by any fielder within the base line shall be safe at the base to which they were running.
11.2. Neither leading off base, nor stealing a base is allowed. A runner may only move off his/her base after the ball has been kicked. And you can’t pass the runner in front of you, nor can you pick up the runner in front of you and carry them. These are outs.
11.3. Hitting a runner with the ball above shoulder level is not allowed. Any runner hit above the shoulders is safe and advances to the nearest base. Exceptions:
11.3.1. If the runner intentionally uses his head to block the ball. The runner is out.
11.3.2. If the runner is ducking, diving or sliding (i.e. attempts to dodge the ball) and is hit in the head because of this, he/she is out.
11.4. If a kicked ball is caught on the fly, runners must tag their originating base (on or after the moment the ball is first touched by a fielder) before running to the next base.
11.5. All ties will go to the runner.
11.6. Runner may overrun first base.
11.7. Only one base on an overthrow is allowed to the runner. If the passed all goes beyond the bench then the play is considered dead and the current base runners may advance to the next base. The home base referee is responsible for determining if play is considered dead and the player may advance.
11.8. There will be no designated runners unless a player is hurt while running the bases. If a player is too hurt to run then they are considered to hurt to kick.
Strikes, Balls, Fouls, Outs
12. Strikes
12.1. The strike zone is one (1) foot on either side of the plate and is one foot high. As long as any part of the ball passes through the strike zone bouncing no less than two times, the ball is a strike.
12.2. A count of three strikes constitutes an out.
12.3. Anyone striking out must endure the torment of all those present; the tormenting may or may not be good natured but should be at least funny.
13. Balls
13.1. A ball is:
13.1.1. A pitch outside the strike zone.
13.1.2. A bouncy is a ball.
a. A pitched ball that is higher than one foot at the plate.
b. A pitched ball that exceeds one foot in height from the bottom of the ball as it enters the kicking box.
c. A pitched ball that exceeds one foot in height from the bottom of the ball at any time while passing through the kicking box, prior to reaching the kicker.
13.1.3. Called if the catcher playing next to or in front of the kicker before the ball is kicked.
13.1.4. Called if any player crossing the diagonal line that runs from first to third or the approach line for the first & third basemen.
13.1.5. Four (4) balls will get you to first base; but if you are trying to draw a walk you may be subject to trash talking as the point of kickball is to KICK THE BALL!
14. Fouls
14.1. Four fouls is an out.
14.2. A foul is:
14.2.1. A kick landing out of bounds. The foul is determined by where the ball lands not how it travels to get there. Remember that if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out.
14.2.2. A kick landing inbounds, but traveling out of bounds on its own before reaching first or third base. (Any ball touched by an in-bounds fielder is automatically in play).
14.2.3. A ball that is tipped while being kicked but continues to travel behind the kicker; but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out.
14.2.4. A kicker touching (or kicking) the ball twice while on or behind home plate (i.e., in foul territory); but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out.
14.3. Remember any caught foul is an out. Any foul that hits a tree or other outside object is a dead ball and not illegible to be caught for an out. The ball remains a foul.
15. Outs
15.1. A count of three outs completes the team’s half of the inning.
15.2. An out is:
15.2.1. A count of three strikes.
15.2.2. A count of four fouls.
15.2.3. A runner touched by the ball at anytime while not on base (unless a headshot).
15.2.4. Any kicked ball (fair or foul) that is caught before it hits the ground.
15.2.5. A ball tag on a base to which a runner is forced to run.
15.2.6. Kicking out of order.
15.2.7. A runner being touched by a base coach.
15.2.8. A runner leading off the base.
15.2.9. A runner stealing.
15.2.10. A runner passing another runner.
15.2.11. A base runner getting hit by a kicked ball while running the bases.
15.2.12. A 5th boy kicking in a row unless there are no girls remaining in the lineup (see rule 6.3.).
15.2.13. Any runner outside the baseline is out
a) Runners may choose their path from one base to the next, and may follow a natural running arc
b) Runners are free to change course to avoid interference with a fielder making a play
c) When attempting to avoid a ball tag, runners may move no more than 4 feet out of their established path.
Ball in Play, Ghost Runners, Scoring, Ranking System, Tournament
16. Ball in Play
16.1. Once any fielder has the ball in control and is on the mound area, the play ends.
16.2. If a runner intentionally touches or stops the ball, the play ends.
16.3. If a player on the sidelines touches or stops the ball, the play ends.
17. Ghost Runners
17.1. Ghost runners are not allowed. Remember ghost runners?
18. Scoring
18.1. A run is scored when a player legally touches home plate.
18.2. A run cannot score when the third out is a result of a force out.
18.3. Scoring is not limited to the game.
19. Ranking System
The ranking system in ChicagoKickball is simple; wins and losses equal points. A win gets a team 3 points and a tie gets a team 1 point. Tie breakers:
1- Best head to head percentage
2- Division record
3- Most runs scored
4- Least runs allowed
–If still a tie then a member of the board who is not a member of either team will take a coin, assign one team heads, another team tails and the board member will then flip the coin.
20. Tournament
20.1. Non-registered players (subs) can only be used up to field a full team (6 boys and 4 girls total).
20.2. The ChicagoKickball board will determine the referees for the championship game.