Co-ed Kickball Rules

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 (with the bases being about 60 feet or 20 paces apart). The field will also have coned, clearly identifiable, spray painted (when on grass fields), bunt and charge lines. Foul lines will be marked with cones in the outfield.

Equipment

FXA will provide field equipment. This will consist of a 10-inch rubber kickball, MLB rubber bases w/ double 1st base, cones and music speaker.

Team Rosters

A 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 fielding less than 10 players, they MUST have a catcher & pitcher and will have to play short in the field.
A maximum of four “pick-up” players (two of each gender) will be permitted only when a team does not have enough of its own players present (and able to play) to field a full team of 10 players. Teams are not permitted to use pick-up players when sufficient roster players of the same gender are present. Updated 10/2/23
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.

Example: A team shows up, with 7 total players: 5 men and 2 women. Because the team has over 6 total players - the game is to start on time. Both women must play
in the field, every inning. Because they are short fielders, the team has a pitcher, catcher, first baseman, short stop, and 3 outfielders.

Regulation Game

Games will play up to 7 innings or 45 minutes (depending on sunset), whichever comes first. Umpires will declare a 10-minute warning, after which, no new inning may be started.
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.
The forfeit score is 5-0

Example: A game starts at 7:15 PM. At 7:47, top of the 4th inning, the away team (bats at the top of the inning) is losing by 4. At 7:50, the away team has 1 out, and two runners on. The umpire then declares a “10 Minute Warning.” The away team doesn’t score, and gets three outs at 7:54. The bottom of the inning will not be played, no new inning will be started and the game is over.

In-Game

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. Any running or excessive walking to the pitching strip will result in a ball at the umpires discretion.
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 front of the rectangular home plate to be considered a strike.
The ball may not be more than 6 inches (about the size of an iPhone) off the ground as it crosses the plate (bouncy). This is at the discretion of the umpire.

Example: The pitcher takes one step, plants his foot, and underhand pitches the ball, the ball starts bouncy, stays closer to the ground as it approaches homeplate, touches the front corner and rolls off the side of the rubber mat. This is a strike.

If the pitcher crosses the mound during the follow through after the pitch, they have to move back and be behind the pitcher's mound until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball. This is at the discretion of the umpire.

Batting

The count is 3 balls, 3 strikes or 3 fouls and they are not 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 fouls are strikes.

Strikes

Any part of the ball that passes over the front of the homeplate (strike zone).
The ball must bounce below 6 inches at the front of the home plate (about the size of an iPhone).
A kick occurring in front of the home plate is a foul.
- If the kick is caught on the fly, it is an out.
A kick (swing) and a miss, regardless if the pitch is outside the strike zone.
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
any ball that does not cross the bunt line
are considered a strike
a foul ball may be caught for an out. When the ball is caught in foul territory, it becomes a live ball and runners may tag up.
a ball that has attempted to be caught in foul territory but unsuccessfully caught is still a foul ball.
3 fouls 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.
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).

Example: A kicker kicks the ball down the third base line, in bounds. No fielder touches it and the ball's spin makes the ball travel to the left of third base, this is a foul ball.

Kicking

All kicks must occur at or behind home plate.
A planting foot 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 may cross the charge line in an attempt to stop the ball from crossing the buntline. Any fielder (pitcher, catcher, 3rd base, etc) that touches the ball before it completely crosses the 30' bunt line is considered a foul ball and is at the discretion of the umpire.

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, the one base is not automatic and the runner must take the turn and establish intent for 2nd base. If there is an overthrow at second base, then this rule does not apply because the ball is still in play. An over throw at third base and home plate could result in an out-of-play ball and all runners advancing one base, this is at the discretion of the umpire.
The one base is defined as the next base and 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 be safe as the result of the play, before the swap can be made. The pinch runner must be the last person to get out (of the established batting order) and of the same gender.

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 at the discretion of the umpire.

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 or result the the play.

All 4 outfielders must stay in the outfield (at least 20' 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 remainder of the 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

After 1 full inning of one-pitch extra’s, if no run has been scored, a runner will be added to second base at the top of the next inning to start each teams at-bat.