Kickball Rules
Kickball Rules ASBURY UNIVERSITY Rules and regulations published in the Asbury University Intramural Sports Handbook will be the governing policies for all intramural sports. Highlights of those rules and regulations are presented below alongside the sport rules. Team captains are responsible for possessing a thorough understanding of these regulations and their implications. Kickball games will follow the rules outlined by WAKA (World Adult Kickball Association). The IM officials/supervisors will have absolute control of the game. Teams are responsible for keeping their players and spectators under control. Misconduct of players, coaches, or spectators, can result in assessment of a penalty, ejection or forfeiture of the game. Spectators must also remain in the area designated by the IM staff. The supervisors will have the power to make decisions on any matter or questions not specifically covered in the rules. I. TEAM 1. Player Eligibility- All Asbury University and Asbury Seminary students enrolled for at least three semester hours and their spouses, faculty and staff of Asbury University and Asbury Seminary and their spouses, and alumni shall be eligible to participate in any activity promoted by the Office of Intramurals. Additional information regarding participant eligibility can be found in the Intramural Handbook. Requests for exceptions to any policy must be directed to the IM Staff by emailing [email protected] 2. Team composition- The game shall be played between 2 teams of 9 players each. Each team must have a minimum of 6 players and both genders represented in order to begin a game and avoid a forfeit. 3. Collegiate Athletes- there will be a maximum of four (4) collegiate soccer players on each registered team roster o Collegiate athletes are defined as any intramural eligible individual whose name appear(red) on an official collegiate team roster for a given academic year or have conditioned and/or practiced with a collegiate team with the intent to participate with that team. These also include players who are classified as junior varsity, ineligible, walk-ons, red-shirts. II. PLAYING WITH CHARACTER 1. Verbal Conduct: The use of profane language directed to one’s self or another will not be tolerated. Arguing with a staff member or player in an unsportsmanlike manner will not be tolerated. Failure to abide by this rule will result in consequences 2. Ejections: A player that was ejected from a game shall not participate in that game again. The intramural coordinator may eject a player from the court area if deemed necessary. If ejected from the area of play, the player shall leave within 2 minutes. Failure to do so will result in the player’s team to forfeit the game. An ejected player is automatically disqualified from ALL intramural sports until they meet with the Director of Intramurals. 3. SPORTSMANSHIP- In order to cultivate an atmosphere of strong character amidst competition, each team will be given a sportsmanship score for each contest. Team sportsmanship is graded following each contest according to the following scale and criteria:
● "5" points: Excellent Sportsmanship- Players cooperate fully with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates. Team members and spectators were respectful of opponents and officials and encouraged each other’s efforts. At no time was this team disrespectful towards participants or officials. ● "4" points: Acceptable Sportsmanship- Team members and spectators are respectful of opponents and officials except for one or two minor incidents which may or may not merit a warning from the game officials or supervisor. ● "3" points: Sportsmanship Needs Improvement - Team members or spectators are disrespectful of opponents or officials on a number of occasions which may or may not warrant a penalty. Captain exhibits minor control over his/herself and his/her teammates and spectators. Teams receiving multiple warnings or having a player ejected for an unsportsmanlike act should receive no higher than a "3" rating. ● “2” points: Unacceptable Sportsmanship- Teams constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing teams from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or himself/herself. Majority of individuals on this team are disrespectful of opponents or officials on a regular basis. ● "1" point: Season Ending Rating- The following actions can result in an “1” sportsmanship rating: Team is completely uncooperative and out of control before, during, or after intramural contest. Team captain exhibits poor control over self, the team, and/or the spectators. Multiple ejections or blatant unsportsmanlike conduct that endangered participants, fans, officials, or supervisors. Team fails to cooperate / comply with intramural sports administrative staff / University officials while performing their duties; falsely represents or withholds any requested information. Teams which receive an “1” rating are subject to immediate dismissal from league or tournament play.
III. PLAYOFFS - In order to be seeded for playoffs a team must meet two requirements: achieve a winning percentage of .500 (win half of scheduled games) and achieve an average sportsmanship score of at least 4. IV. UNIFORM 1. The following items are required uniform pieces: a. Players must wear pants or shorts without belt loops, drawstrings, or pockets. 2. The following items are prohibited: a. Shoes with metal spikes. b. Jewelry, including watches, rings, earrings, etc. Medical information tags are allowed a long as it is taped to the skin. c. Cut-off t-shirts that have larger than a 4” (fist sized) arm opening that are not accompanied by an undershirt 3. The following items are allowed: a. Gloves. b. Knit or stocking cap, headband, rubber or cloth bands to control hair. V. MATCH TIME, LENGTH, AND SCORING 1. Forfeits- A forfeit is recorded when a team appears with less than the number of players required to start a game (6 for kickball). There will be a maximum 10 minute waiting time (with the game clock running) from the original game start time for a team to show with adequate numbers. Each forfeit by a team will result in a 2 sportsmanship rating for that game. If a team forfeits a third contest during the regular season, the team will be dropped from any further play in that sport. 2. Defaults- If a team is unable to play and informs [email protected] by 2PM the day of the game, the team will be awarded a sportsmanship rating of 5 instead of a forfeit 2. 3. League elimination- Should a team forfeit and/or default a combined 4 times in a season they will be removed from the league. 4. Games will be seven (7) innings long or have a 50 minute time limit, whichever comes first. No inning will start after the 50 minute mark.
5. The mercy rule will come into effect if a team is winning by 20 or more runs after the fourth (4th) inning or any inning thereafter.
VI. SCORING 1. 1 run is awarded when a runner touches home plate 2. A runner must touch home plate before the third out is made, except that no run can score when the third out is made during a force play situation, or when the kicker is put out before touching first base. 3. At the end of a game the team with the most runs wins. VII. DURING PLAY 1. The kicking order must alternate genders every other kicker. 2. All pitching must be done by hand. No (> 1 ft.) bouncing allowed. 3. All fielders, besides the catcher, must be behind the pitcher until the ball is kicked. 4. Kicks are any contact with the ball below the knee a. All kicks must occur behind or on home plate and no part of the kicker's plant foot may cross home plate until after the ball is kicked b. No bunting allowed (swing away) 5. A kicker who kicks the ball foul on the 3rd try (3rd strike) is ruled out. 6. Base runners are not allowed to take leads or steal 7. A tag-up is a requirement to retouch or stay on a base until a kicked then caught ball is first touched by a fielder. After a tag-up a runner may advance. A runner failing to tag-up as required is out. 8. Runners traveling from home plate may overrun first base, and may only be tagged out if actively attempting to advance to second base. 9. If a runner is tagged in the head or neck, it is not considered an out and the runner is awarded an extra base a. If a runner purposefully blocks a tag with the head or neck, they are out 10. Once the pitcher has the ball in control and retains possession on the mound, the play ends. a. Runners who are off base at this time and are in forward motion may advance only one base. b. Runners who are off base at this time and are not in forward motion must return to the base from which they were running. 11. Any rules not outlined herein follow the customary rules of baseball a. Kickball is typically played on a softball sized field, however, field dimensions can vary given constraints and purpose 12. The referee's decisions are final in matters pertaining to the game.
● "5" points: Excellent Sportsmanship- Players cooperate fully with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates. Team members and spectators were respectful of opponents and officials and encouraged each other’s efforts. At no time was this team disrespectful towards participants or officials. ● "4" points: Acceptable Sportsmanship- Team members and spectators are respectful of opponents and officials except for one or two minor incidents which may or may not merit a warning from the game officials or supervisor. ● "3" points: Sportsmanship Needs Improvement - Team members or spectators are disrespectful of opponents or officials on a number of occasions which may or may not warrant a penalty. Captain exhibits minor control over his/herself and his/her teammates and spectators. Teams receiving multiple warnings or having a player ejected for an unsportsmanlike act should receive no higher than a "3" rating. ● “2” points: Unacceptable Sportsmanship- Teams constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing teams from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or himself/herself. Majority of individuals on this team are disrespectful of opponents or officials on a regular basis. ● "1" point: Season Ending Rating- The following actions can result in an “1” sportsmanship rating: Team is completely uncooperative and out of control before, during, or after intramural contest. Team captain exhibits poor control over self, the team, and/or the spectators. Multiple ejections or blatant unsportsmanlike conduct that endangered participants, fans, officials, or supervisors. Team fails to cooperate / comply with intramural sports administrative staff / University officials while performing their duties; falsely represents or withholds any requested information. Teams which receive an “1” rating are subject to immediate dismissal from league or tournament play.
III. PLAYOFFS - In order to be seeded for playoffs a team must meet two requirements: achieve a winning percentage of .500 (win half of scheduled games) and achieve an average sportsmanship score of at least 4. IV. UNIFORM 1. The following items are required uniform pieces: a. Players must wear pants or shorts without belt loops, drawstrings, or pockets. 2. The following items are prohibited: a. Shoes with metal spikes. b. Jewelry, including watches, rings, earrings, etc. Medical information tags are allowed a long as it is taped to the skin. c. Cut-off t-shirts that have larger than a 4” (fist sized) arm opening that are not accompanied by an undershirt 3. The following items are allowed: a. Gloves. b. Knit or stocking cap, headband, rubber or cloth bands to control hair. V. MATCH TIME, LENGTH, AND SCORING 1. Forfeits- A forfeit is recorded when a team appears with less than the number of players required to start a game (6 for kickball). There will be a maximum 10 minute waiting time (with the game clock running) from the original game start time for a team to show with adequate numbers. Each forfeit by a team will result in a 2 sportsmanship rating for that game. If a team forfeits a third contest during the regular season, the team will be dropped from any further play in that sport. 2. Defaults- If a team is unable to play and informs [email protected] by 2PM the day of the game, the team will be awarded a sportsmanship rating of 5 instead of a forfeit 2. 3. League elimination- Should a team forfeit and/or default a combined 4 times in a season they will be removed from the league. 4. Games will be seven (7) innings long or have a 50 minute time limit, whichever comes first. No inning will start after the 50 minute mark.
5. The mercy rule will come into effect if a team is winning by 20 or more runs after the fourth (4th) inning or any inning thereafter.
VI. SCORING 1. 1 run is awarded when a runner touches home plate 2. A runner must touch home plate before the third out is made, except that no run can score when the third out is made during a force play situation, or when the kicker is put out before touching first base. 3. At the end of a game the team with the most runs wins. VII. DURING PLAY 1. The kicking order must alternate genders every other kicker. 2. All pitching must be done by hand. No (> 1 ft.) bouncing allowed. 3. All fielders, besides the catcher, must be behind the pitcher until the ball is kicked. 4. Kicks are any contact with the ball below the knee a. All kicks must occur behind or on home plate and no part of the kicker's plant foot may cross home plate until after the ball is kicked b. No bunting allowed (swing away) 5. A kicker who kicks the ball foul on the 3rd try (3rd strike) is ruled out. 6. Base runners are not allowed to take leads or steal 7. A tag-up is a requirement to retouch or stay on a base until a kicked then caught ball is first touched by a fielder. After a tag-up a runner may advance. A runner failing to tag-up as required is out. 8. Runners traveling from home plate may overrun first base, and may only be tagged out if actively attempting to advance to second base. 9. If a runner is tagged in the head or neck, it is not considered an out and the runner is awarded an extra base a. If a runner purposefully blocks a tag with the head or neck, they are out 10. Once the pitcher has the ball in control and retains possession on the mound, the play ends. a. Runners who are off base at this time and are in forward motion may advance only one base. b. Runners who are off base at this time and are not in forward motion must return to the base from which they were running. 11. Any rules not outlined herein follow the customary rules of baseball a. Kickball is typically played on a softball sized field, however, field dimensions can vary given constraints and purpose 12. The referee's decisions are final in matters pertaining to the game.
