CCA Sports Kickball Rules

 

CCA reserves the right to make rule changes.  In the event of a rule change they will be communicated by e-mail to all registered players.

 

CCA kickball is played with an 8.5 regulation size kickball.

 

Overview

 

Team Composition

 

There is no maximum number of players on a team roster or kicking lineup. Each team will have a minimum of 4 female and no more than 7 male players in the field of play for a total of 11 players in the field. All rostered players playing in the game must kick. Teams may play with fewer women (but must have a minimum of 6 field players to start the game 5 males and one female. Should teams play with fewer than 4 female field players, they must leave the missing player’s position unfilled (a team with a missing female cannot fill that position with a male). There is no required number of males/females in the infield or outfield.  Teams may rotate their rosterered players freely between each inning on who plays and sits.

 

Kicking Order

 

The kicking order will be a minimum ratio of 1 female to 2 male (i.e. m, m, f, m, m, f), taking into account the end of the kicking order.  No other variations of the kicking order (of a less frequent female ratio) will be allowed.  Female players may rotate through the line up, only if there are too few females to satisfy the male/female ratio requirement above. Female players must rotate in order when filling-in empty female positions in the kicking lineup. All female players must kick before a male player (or another female player) can kick a second time (i.e. a 7 female and 4 male roster would proceed as follows: m, m, f, m, m, f, f, f, f, f, f). In the event there are too few females on the roster to kick and run the bases (e.g. 7 males and 2 females in the kicking order). With all female players on base and a female due up to kick the kicking team may elect to remove a player from the base closest to scoring (who will then come in to kick) or surrender an out for the female space in the kicking order.

 

Pinch Runner/Kicker

 

In the event of injury and/or emergency, which renders a player unable to kick/run or forces them to leave the game, the last player (of the same gender) making an at-bat out will fill in as the pinch runner or kicker for the injured/absent player.

 

Kickball Field

 

CCA Kickball will be played on a typical softball sized field.  The strike zone will be 12 inches on either side, and above home plate.  The ‘catcher’s box’ is located behind a line co-linear with home plate, and outside of the strike zone.

 

Please note that catchers must remain stationary on the third base side of home plate until the kicker has made contact with the ball. All other field players must not advance toward home any closer to home than an imaginary line drawn from first base to third base until the kicker has made contact with the ball. The pitcher will not be allowed to advance toward home any further than the completion of their standard pitching motion until the kicker has made contact with the ball. If it is determined that the illegal advancement of a defensive player results in a strike or out the pitch or play will be redone.

 

Safety Bases

 

A ‘safety base’ will be placed beside and outside first base.  The runner must run to the safety base.  If the runner runs toward the inner base, that runner will automatically be out. Conversely, if the fielder encroaches on the safety base before having possession of the ball, the runner is automatically safe.

 

Game Play

 

Games are scheduled for 7 innings, or one full hour.  Game play may extend past 7 innings, but teams may not play past the starting time of the next game. Games may end in a tie during the regular season.

 

A nine run rule exists per inning.  A team’s at bat will end upon scoring nine runs in a single inning.

 

Extra Innings: In the interest of time, playoff games (or regular season games at both captains discretion) ending in a tie after 45 minutes of play or 7 innings will go into extra innings in the following format. The last batter for either kicking team will begin the inning as a runner on second base. After 2 innings of this format if the game is still tied each kicking team will begin with the last batter to make an out as a runner on third base.

 

Players begin with a 1 ball, 1 strike count.

 

If any part of the ball hits the strike zone, it will be ruled a strike.

 

All pitches must be UNDERHAND at a reasonable speed– no overhand or sidearm. When pitching, the ball must not be spun at all. The ball cannot bounce across the plate but can flatten out to be called a strike. Our rule of thumb is that any pitch at shin height or below will be considered a strike. Any pitch not meeting these requirements will be ruled a ball. This will be at the umpire's discretion. Kickers will always have the option to kick, even if the ball is spun or bounces across the plate. The umpire will not make a call unless the kicker chooses to take the pitch.

 

*RULE UPDATE* Females may bunt.  Kicks by male players that are fielded by the catcher only, prior to the ball reaching the first to third base line, will be a strike.  If any other fielder makes a play on the ball, prior to it crossing this line, the ball will be a live ball.

 

Kicking the ball in front of home plate is an automatic strike. This means that your plant foot must be behind the blue line for the kick to not be ruled a strike. 

 

If the ball strikes the runner any time after the initial kick, the runner is out (unless they are in a safety zone).

 

Safety zones are bases, or the over run area on first base

 

A foul ball occurs when:

 

A) An untouched ball passes either first or third base and is foul.  If the ball is in foul territory after it passes beyond first or third base, it      is foul.  If the ball touches either first or third base, it is fair regardless of where it ends up.  Balls may start fair then go foul, but only        if no player has touched it first. 

B) When a ball comes to a complete stop in foul territory, without a player touching it.

C) If a player touches a ball in foul territory, it’s foul.  If a player is in fair territory, and reaches into foul territory, the ball is foul.  A ball          that is on the line is fair.

D) If the ball bounces off the catcher (in foul territory), the ball is foul.

 

A walk is awarded after three balls have been pitched (you start with 1 ball, 1 strike).  If a male player is walked and a female player immediately follows, she has the option to take the walk or kick, regardless of the number of players being on base.

 

Any ball that is kicked in fair territory and results in the ball going over fence, into dugout/stands, etc or out of play will results in a ground rule double.  Any player already on base made advance two bases from where they were positioned at the time the ball has gone out of play.

 

When over-running first (safety) base, the runner must not appear to try and advance to second base otherwise they are eligible to be tagged out.  First base is the only base that may be over run.

 

On an over throw of any base, the runner may take up to one base.  However, the runner is still eligible to be thrown or tagged out.  On an overthrow of a player (in an attempt to hit a runner), if the runner is missed, the runner may take as many bases as possible.

 

Leading and stealing bases are not permitted.

 

The fielder must control the ball to complete an out.

 

A base runner may tag up as soon as a ball is touched by a fielder, even if the ball is eventually caught after being bobbled (must start on base at point of first contact)

 

An out occurs when:

 

A) The ball beats the runner to a base, and is controlled by the baseman.

B) A ball touches the runner when the runner is out of the safe zone, or off base.

C) A completed catch by the fielder before the ball touches the ground.

D) Kicker kicks a foul ball with 2 strikes.

E) Kicker incurs a 3^rd strike.

 

If a ball is thrown at a runner, and makes primary contact with his or her head, the runner is automatically safe (however if a runner alters his pattern i.e. dives, ducks head, or jumps and is thus hit in the head the runner will be ruled out).

 

In force out situations, on the third out, no run counts.

 

Play may continue until all base runners are stationary on bases or the umpire calls ‘Time’.  After the umpire calls time, the next kicker is up, and the pitcher should make ready to pitch.

 

CCA does not adhere to the infield fly rule.

 

Intentional sliding or diving to reach a base is not allowed.  Any runner sliding or diving will be an automatic out.

 

Umpires are instructed to talk only with CCA staff and team captains.  Casual chatting with the ump is allowed, but any player yelling at the ump will be ejected from the game, and the player will be asked to leave the facility.  The umpire has wide latitude to handle unruly teams as he/she sees fit.

 

Intentional yelling at the opposing team’s players during an active play can result in an automatic call decided by the umpire.  The umpire has the option to award player being safe at base, or automatic run if warranted.

 

No metal or hard molded plastic spikes are allowed in kickball.  Only rubber spikes are allowed.

 

A team that does not have enough players to start after 10 minutes from the scheduled start time will forfeit 5 runs and 2 innings.  After 20 minutes the game is considered a forfeit loss and the present team will be given a 10-0 win.  If a team shows up 20 minutes after scheduled start time, the two teams may play for the remaining time; however the forfeit will have already taken place.

 

A game may be called complete after 5 full innings have been played.

 

Mercy rule:  if a team is losing by 20 or more runs at the bottom of the 4^th inning, 15 or more runs at the bottom of the 5^th inning, or 10 or more runs at the bottom of the 6^th inning, the game will be ruled officially over at that score.  The umpire will consult the captain of the losing team, if willing to play, play will continue but no additional runs will count, provided play doesn’t extend past the one-hour time limit. 

 

The referee decision is final.

 

GLOW Kickball Rules

 

Any rule not specifically mentioned here will default to standard CCA kickball rules.

 

Since GLOW Kickball is played in the DARK, the CCA rules will be altered to put an emphasis on Fun and Safety. The GLOW Kickball league is not meant to be competitive and we encourage all players to play safe and be mindful of other players, even those on the other team.

 

Game Play

 

-       5 inning games

-       Games can end in a tie

 

Pitching & Batting

 

-       All pitches must be thrown underhand and at a reasonable speed. This is a laid-back league that plays in the DARK, so fast pitching will    NOT be allowed.

-       Walking or running up to kick the ball is NOT allowed. You must begin and end in a stationary spot behind home plate to kick the ball. Additionally, full kicks are NOT allowed. We asked around multiple different leagues and found this to be the best ball to use. We will be using a soccer ball which kickers can kick over 50 yards. We are playing in the dark and do not want balls flying far distances, as we do not want this to lead to injuries.

-       Bunting is NOT allowed by either gender

-       Fielders must throw the ball with both hands. The we are playing with is smaller and harder than a normal ball. We do not want fielders blasting the balls at players in the dark. Balls may still be thrown at runners to get them out, but please be mindful not to blast the runners. Any runner throwing a ball at a runner with one hand, the runner will be safe.

 

Most Important Rule

 

-       GLOW Kickball is played in the dark and meant to be SAFE and FUN. Please be mindful of this while playing, the ball is harder than a normal kickball so be respectful of this fact when throwing the ball at other players, and also when kicking. If you are hoping to bring back to the glory days of kickball past, this is not the league for you. 

 

LEAGUE POLICIES        

 

FORFEITS:

 

Circle City Athletics will provide a staff member on-site to assist players with any problems or questions they may have. There are no referees.

 

If your team forfeits a match during the season, the following rules apply:

 

First Offense: Loss of game.

 

Second Offense: Loss of game and staff reserves the right to remove team from playoffs.

 

Third Offense: Removal from the league.

 

Any team that forfeits more than once also forfeits any guarantee or right to a certain number of guaranteed games.

If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to email the league manager so as to help us schedule your opponent a game.

 

Teams may play more than one match per day, and/or play matches on days/nights other than your regularly scheduled league day/night.  
CCA reserves the right to schedule playoff games on days other than your regularly scheduled league night.

 

Any questions regarding rules, policies, or eligibility must be addressed before the start of the game. 

    

STANDINGS:

 

The updated standings will be posted weekly, displaying each teams rank within its skill level.

 

PLAYOFFS:

 

Playoffs are single-elimination. Playoffs will take up to 2 weeks to complete. The higher seeded team will choose either home or away.

 

Playoff Substitute Policy

 

WAIVERS:

 

In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver. Waivers are provided and must be completed and handed in no later than the first night of play. Players not present the first week of play will still be required to sign a waiver with our staff before participating. These waivers will also serve as your final roster.

 

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:

 

Any protest made during a game or after a game will NOT be considered a formal protest.  A formal protest may be filed before a game if an opposing player’s eligibility is in question. The player in question will be required to provide his/her player information (ID) in person to a CCA staff member prior to the start of the game. This qualifies as an official protest and only applies to the playoffs. The game will then be played in its entirety as scheduled. Teams will be notified of all rulings on the identified eligibility discrepancy by the following business day – decisions will not be made on site. If the protest is proven to be legitimate, it will result in the forfeiture of the game in question. Games subsequent to the protested game may be rescheduled.
The above procedure will also apply for any other “logged” protests. All protest need to happen prior to any match/game starting, otherwise the match/game will stand as a legal match. All rulings by CCA staff are considered final. Substitutes are allowed during the regular season, but only paid rostered players are allowed for the playoffs.  Any player(s) who has a season ending medical condition, moves away, or has another circumstance deem able for a substitute player must be approved by sending a formal email to ben@ccasports.com.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP:

 

The idea of CCA is to have fun. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league.

 

To coordinate and run the league, our refs and/or staff will be available at all times to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask or call our office.

 

LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT:

 

Leagues may be cancelled due to existing weather conditions, dangerous or unplayable field conditions, facility constraints, scheduling conflicts, etc. CCA staff makes every effort to play all scheduled games, thus we will not cancel games unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, if you are calling concerning a decision on a cancellation, remember we will not have an answer until close to the start of the league.

 

If the league is cancelled, CCA staff will post all notices on social media sites (Facebook/Twitter).  CCA will then email/text all of the captains if possible. If a league is cancelled on site, CCA staff will attempt to contact those teams still scheduled to play the remainder of the league day/night. Depending on the time of cancellation, some teams will have to be notified on site. In extreme circumstances, CCA reserves the right to run a shortened season without a refund or schedule matches on days and/or locations other than our regularly scheduled league day/night/location.