Kickball
Overview & Examples
Kickball is a playground game and competitive league game, similar to baseball, invented in the United States. The game is typically played on a softball diamond with a 10- to 16-inch inflated rubber ball. As in baseball/softball, the game uses 3 bases and a home plate. Kickball rules generally follow baseball/softball rules, with the exception that the ball is kicked rather than struck with a bat. The pitcher rolls the ball towards the catcher, the “batter” kicks it with his/her foot, then runs to first base, becoming a runner. Within intramural programs, kickball is often viewed as a nostalgic, recreational game open to participants from a wide range of skill levels.
Traditional Formats
Kickball is an outdoor game between two teams of between 8 and 10 players. Men’s, women’s, co-rec, and mixed leagues are all popular.
Staffing
Kickball games can utilize up to two umpires. The two-umpire system often includes a plate umpire and base umpire. A single umpire may be used, positioned either near the plate or behind the pitcher in the center of the infield. Kickball may also be self-officiated by the participating teams.
Rules
While kickball has seen resurgence in recent years, there are few sets of standardized rules for the sport. The World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) provides a basic set of rules which may be used as a basis for intramural programs. Individual programs may also create their own rules modeled off of traditional baseball/softball rules.
Notes & Variations
A half-inning of kickball may consist of three outs for a team. Some leagues permit all of the kickers in a team’s line-up to kick each half-inning (unlimited outs but a set number of kickers per inning).
The practice of pegging, throwing a kickball to hit a runner and record an out, may be limited or prohibited for safety considerations.
Co-rec leagues may employ a variety of rule variations to encourage and/or limit participation by particular players including requiring the kicking line-up to alternate between genders and restricting the positioning of fielders by gender.