Except as otherwise noted in these rules, the Major League Baseball rules will be in effect.
The Playing Field
Field of play will equal the dimensions of a standard little league field (i.e., with the bases being about 60 feet or 20 paces apart).
Equipment
FXA will provide field equipment. This will consist of a 10-inch playground ball, bases, cones and music speaker.
Team Rosters
- Each team should consist of a minimum of ten (10) players and no more than 20 players. Each team is required to begin a game with at least 6 players in the field, with a minimum of 2 females. A team may not play more than 10 players (minimum of 4 females) in the field.
- Every player present is required to be in the kicking line up. Every player is required to play at least one (1) inning in the field. If a team does not have the required minimum number of female players in the fielding lineup, then the team must forfeit.
- If a team is short players, they MUST have a catcher & pitcher and then play short in the field.
- If a team cannot field at least 6 players (minimum of 2 females), they automatically forfeit.
- No more than 6 males may play in the field, with a minimum of 2 females.
Regulation Game
Games will play up to 7 innings or 45 minutes (depending on sunset), whichever comes first.
Games that have completed the final inning with a tied score will result and be scored as a tie game. There are no extra innings in the regular season.
The game will be called in the event of inclement weather that leaves the field condition unplayable. FXA will attempt to reschedule any canceled games. If a game is called due to weather and less than 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 3 or more full innings have been played, the final score will be the score at the end of the last complete full inning.
Pitching
The pitcher must plant their foot on the pitching strip as they wind-up to pitch. No running up to the strip to launch a pitch. Pitches must be underhanded. Any side-arm or over-hand pitches will be considered a ball at the discretion of the head umpire. Any portion of the ball must cross over the rectangular home plate to be considered a strike. The ball may not be more than 6 inches off the ground as it crosses the plate (bouncy). This is at the discretion of the umpire.
The pitcher must stay at or behind the pitching strip until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball. This is at the discretion of the umpire.
Batting
As of Summer 2021, the count is 3 balls, 3 strikes or 3 fouls, and they are no longer separate. If a batter has 2 fouls and takes a strike, they are out. If a batter has 1 strike, and kicks 2 fouls, they are out. Essentially a foul is a strike.
Strikes
- The ball must travel over rectangular home plate and bounce below 6 inches.
- As long as any part of the ball passes through the strike zone, the ball is a strike.
- A kick occurring in front of rectangular home plate is a foul.
- if such a kick is caught on the fly, it is an out.
- 3 Strikes is an out
Balls
- a pitch outside the strike zone
- the catcher playing next to or in front of the kicker before the ball is kicked
- any field player crossing the line between 1st & 3rd base before the ball is kicked
- Three (3) balls is a walk, and the kicker is awarded 1st base.
Fouls
- any ball that lands out of bounds
- are considered a strike
- A foul ball may be caught for an out
- 3 fouls is an out
Kicking
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). A kick must remain within bounds until it crosses past first or third base.
Kicking Order
- Kicking order: maximum of 2 males in a row, then 1 female (3 males cannot kick in a row).
- If required, females will kick multiple times throughout the kicking order.
- Males do not take an additional turn throughout the kicking order.
Bunting (Revised starting Fall '22)
Bunting is not allowed. A bunt is defined as a kick that does not travel past the 30 foot line/markers and remain in fair territory. Any kick that does not travel past the 30 foot line/markers will result in a foul.
After the ball is kicked, any fielder (pitcher, catcher, 3rd base, etc) that touches the ball before it completely crosses the 30' bunt line is considered a foul ball.
Catching
The catcher must start behind the kicker until the ball is kicked. The catcher shall not interfere with the kicker in any way. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.
Running
- Runners must stay within the baseline. Fielders must stay out of the base line 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 baseline. First base will have two bases side by side (similar to softball), one for the fielder and one for the runner which should eliminate collisions and injuries. Runners unfairly hindered by any fielder within the base line shall be called safe at the base to which they were running. This is left up to the discretion of the umpire.
- Neither leading off a 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. The instances above result in outs.
- Hitting a runner with the ball above shoulder level is not allowed. Any runner hit above the shoulders (neck or head) is safe and advances one base. Exceptions: If the runner intentionally uses his head to block the ball. The runner is out. If the runner is ducking, diving or sliding (i.e. attempts to dodge the ball) and is hit in the head or neck because of this, they are out.
- 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. There is no infield fly rule.
- Only one base on an overthrow is allowed to the runner. If there is an overthrow at second base, then this rule does not apply because the ball is still in play. The one base is not automatic and the runner must take the risk of being made out. The one base is only available before the play ends.
- Once the pitcher has the ball in control and is within 5 feet of the pitching strip, the play ends. If the runner has passed a base and is moving, they may continue to the next base but are not guaranteed that base.
- A pinch runner can only be used twice per game, but the kicker must reach 1st base before the swap can be made.
Fouls
- a kick landing outside the field of play. 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’s an out
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- Any foul that hits a tree or other outside object is a dead ball and not eligible to be caught for an out. The ball remains a foul.
- After the ball is kicked, any fielder (pitcher, catcher, 3rd base, etc) that touches the ball before it completely crosses the 30' bunt line is considered a foul ball.
- Three fouls is an out
End of Play
Once the pitcher has the ball in control and is within 5 feet circumference of the pitching strip, the play ends. If the runner has passed a base and is moving, they may continue to the next base but are not guaranteed that base.
Fielding (Revised starting Fall '22)
All infielders must stay behind the imaginary line stretching from 1st to 3rd base until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball.
All 4 outfielders must stay in the outfield (at least 15' behind the imaginary bases arc ) and not approach or move into the infield until the ball is kicked.
The fielding team is allowed 1 positional change per inning. Once the change is made, it is permanent for the whole inning.
Playoffs
Playoff Games will play a minimum of 3 completed innings or a max gametime of 45 minutes, whichever comes first and depending on the season and sunset times. If an inning is started, it must be finished (both teams having a chance to kick) and not revert to the previous inning's score regardless of gametime.
Playoff Games that end in a tie, will have a 3 out, one-pitch extra inning to play as follows:
- A Ball is a walk and the kicker is awarded 1st base.
- A Strike is an out
- A Foul Ball is an out