SLUGGER ATHLETICS KICKBALL TOURNAMENT RULES

Official rules for a competitive, fair, and fun tournament.

EQUIPMENT

• All games will be played with a tournament provided 10″ rubber kickball
• The umpire has the final say in determining whether any equipment used during a game is allowed or not
• It is required for players to wear shirts and shoes/cleats (NO METAL SPIKES) during game time
• 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 (e.g. football gloves) must be removed or the player will be removed from play

PLAYER CONDUCT

• Players are not allowed to argue or be cruel to the umpire. If they get ejected, they may serve a suspension
• Fighting, swearing, and being rough can also result in ejection. Players need to conduct themselves respectfully on the field
• Only the captain may challenge decisions made by the umpire. Excessive disputing or mistreatment of the umpire may lead to removal from the game
• Players removed from a game may serve a one or more game suspension while waiting for review by the tournament
• Physical altercations such as fighting, wrestling, or pushing will not be tolerated and may result in ejection from the tournament entirely
• Harsh language towards officials or fellow players, use of profanity, and repeated rough play can lead to player ejections
• Profanity will not be accepted and could result in players being called out or ejected at the umpire's discretion
• Any player ejected from a game may return upon approval from officials and staff, with the condition that the player pays a $50.00 fine (must be paid the same day)

UMPIRES

• Games must be officiated by at least one authorized official, the Head Umpire
• When available, at least two officials umpire each game: a Head Umpire and a First Base Umpire
• The Head Umpire governs all game play, issues all final rulings, and has final authority on equipment issues
• Prior to each game, the Head Umpire must conduct a meeting with team Captains to address ground rules, exchange lineups, and identify designated Captains
• Umpires have jurisdiction over play and may:
  • Call a time out
  • Call off a game due to darkness, rain or other cause at their discretion
  • Penalize a player with ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, delay of game, or excessive verbal abuse
• Umpires may make rulings on any points not specifically covered in the rules
• Captains may appeal to the Head Official once per pool play game and up to three times per playoff game
• Any touching, threatening or abusive language/behavior towards the umpire will result in suspension from the tournament

GAME FORMAT

• Game Length: 7 innings or 55 minutes (whichever comes first)
• If time limit is reached, the current inning will be completed unless the home team is leading and due to kick
• Games can result in a tie during pool play
• Players on Field: Max 10, minimum 8 to avoid forfeit
• Gender Rule: Minimum 3 women on the field at all times
• Batting Order: No more than 2 men may kick in a row (3 allowed if lineup is turning over)

Example Lineups: 10-player lineup with 3 males at turnover:

1. Jake (M), 2. Sarah (F), 3. Mike (M), 4. Jessica (F), 5. David (M), 6. Amanda (F), 7. Chris (M), 8. Lisa (F), 9. Ryan (M), 10. Tony (M) Turnover: Tony → Jake → Sarah (3 males allowed)

10-player lineup starting guy-guy-girl:

1. Jake (M), 2. Mike (M), 3. Sarah (F), 4. David (M), 5. Chris (M), 6. Jessica (F), 7. Ryan (M), 8. Tony (M), 9. Amanda (F), 10. Steve (M) Turnover: Steve → Jake → Mike (3 males allowed)

• Roster Limit: Maximum 12 kickers allowed in one game
• Positions: No gender restrictions on positions players can play
• The team that wins rock/paper/scissors or coin toss chooses home/away. Away team kicks first, home team fields first

ROSTERS & SUBSTITUTIONS

• Maximum roster size: 16 players per team
• All participants must be at least 18 years old
• Teams can make roster additions until the third game of the tournament, after which rosters are finalized for playoffs
• Each player must play at least one game to be eligible for playoffs
• Prior to each game, teams must submit their kicking lineup to the umpire
• Once lineup cards are presented, they are official and additional players may only be added at the bottom
• All substitutions must be communicated to the umpire promptly
• Injured/Ejected Players: If removed, their spot becomes an automatic out (unless removing a female drops below required ratio)
• Roster Checks: Teams may request roster checks during gameplay. Illegal players result in removal or game forfeit

PITCHING & KICKING

• Pitching: Underhand only. The ball must bounce below 1 foot
• Pitching Style: Keep pitches hittable and fun for all skill levels. Advanced teams may use different styles when playing each other
• Strike Zone: Between the lines, below the waist (does not have to be directly over the plate)
• Strikes: 3 strikes = out
• Balls: 4 balls = walk
• Count: Each kicker begins with a 0-0 count
• Fouls: Any foul ball with 2 strikes results in an out
• Kicking Line: All kickers must kick behind the plate line
• Kicking in front of the plate line = out
• The pitcher must remain behind the designated pitching line when delivering the pitch
• If pitcher crosses the line before releasing the ball, a 'ball' will be called

BUNTING

• Bunting is allowed with no restrictions
• Any bunted ball resulting in a double kick will be deemed a foul ball
• Any ball that comes to rest on or is retrieved from home plate will be categorized as a fair ball

OUTS

• Caught fly ball (including foul balls caught in the air)
• First Touch Rule: Runners may tag up and advance on first touch of a fly ball OR when the ball is fully caught
• Force out at a base
• Runner tagged or hit by a thrown ball below the shoulders
• Pegging is allowed, but must be below the neck
• Headshots = runner is safe, unless the runner ducks into it
• For first base outs, the first baseman must have one foot on first base (not the safety bag)

DEFENSE

• Only 6 players are allowed in the infield at any time
• Players can be positioned anywhere without following formal positions
• The pitcher and fielders must remain behind a line from first to third base through the pitcher's mound until the ball is kicked
• The catcher must stay behind the designated line (4ft behind home plate) until the ball is kicked
• Obstruction Rule: Fielders cannot stand within the baseline, on the base, or block the base unless making an active play
• Fielders must always leave a clear lane for runners to access the base until they have control of the ball
• When female kicks: Outfielders must stay behind a designated line until after contact is made

BASE RUNNING

• No leading off or stealing
• Runners must remain on base until the ball is kicked
• Leaving base before the ball is pitched = out
• Sliding is allowed at all bases EXCEPT 1st base (feet-first or head-first when sliding is permitted)
• No sliding of any kind at 1st base = out
• Play remains live until the ball is back to the pitcher (within 5 feet of pitching strip) or the umpire calls time
• If a runner is already moving toward the next base when the pitcher has control, they may continue
• Tagging Up: Runners may tag up and advance on first touch of a fly ball OR when fully caught (including foul balls)
• First Base Turn: Runners may be tagged out if they make an actual attempt to advance to second base after reaching first, but not for simply turning their body

MALE WALK RULE

• When a male batter walks and a female batter is next in the batting order:
  • The male batter automatically advances to 2nd base
  • The female batter has the choice to either:
    • Take an automatic walk (advance to 1st base), OR
    • Kick normally
  • Umpires will enforce this rule if asked, but it's not their responsibility to notify the kicker in every situation

SCORING

• Max 10 runs per inning
• Mercy Rule (Pool Play):
  • 15-run lead after 3 innings = game over
  • 10-run lead after 5 innings = game over
• Mercy Rule (Playoffs):
  • 40-run lead after 5 innings = game over

TIE GAMES & PLAYOFFS

• Pool Play: Games can end in a tie after 7 innings
• Playoff Tiebreakers: If tied after 7 innings:
  1. 8th-9th innings: Start with runner on 2nd base (last player who made an out)
  2. 10th inning and beyond: Start with runner on 3rd base with 1 out (last player who made an out)
• Playoff Seeding: Determined by (1) winning percentage, (2) head-to-head record, (3) run differential, (4) coin flip
• Only players who participated in at least one pool play game are eligible for playoffs
• Single elimination bracket
• Higher seed is the home team

UMPIRE POLICY

• The umpire's decision is final
• Players may respectfully ask for clarification, but arguing calls is not permitted
• Unsportsmanlike conduct toward umpires or opposing teams may result in ejection or disciplinary action