OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES
OF
TNSTP AMERICAN KICKBALL LEAGUE
CO-ED & WOMEN DIVISIONS
REVISED 12.15.21
THE PATH Is a season of tournaments where the best of the best athletes/established teams come to compete on a national level with a chance to win cash prizes and compete for the end of season world championship. It consisted of (8) national season tournaments played annually between the months of February-October EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!
Official Kickball Is a custom Baden Sports KB10-5132 Blue & Yellow Kickball.
Safety Base - Is only to be used for what its name implies. To give more safety to the players, a safety base located in foul territory is only to be used for players traveling from home plate to first base. Once a player has reached the safety base, the runner is not allowed to return to the Safety Base. The kicker must run through this base, leaving the other base for the defensive fielder to make a play on the ball. Sliding into the Safety Base is allowed as long as the runner does not make contact with the defensive player. The Base Runner will be called out and a yellow card will be given if the player makes contact the defensive player.
Team Coach & Captain - Teams are required to designate only one Coach and Captain to the Game Head Referee prior to playing a game. The Team Captain is ultimately responsible for the orderly conduct of his/her Team as well as the Team Fans. All Coaches must wear a wristband.
Waiver - All Players and Coaches must sign up on the web site to participation in this league/tournament.
League/Tournament Points - Is the statistic used to seed teams after games. (The Number of Wins) + (Head to Head) + (Number of Runs against) All Forfeit is a score 10 - 0 for the winning team.
REFUND POLICY:
NO REFUNDS will be issued after payments are received even if you decide to withdraw from the event. Please submit an email of withdrawal from the event within 24 of the start of the event to info@tnskickball.com and a credit will be issued to you for future path events and/or league play. In the event a tournament is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances there will be a full refund and/or credit issued 2 weeks from the event date.
FIELD & EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES
PLAYING FIELD
1. Standard field of play with the proper dimensions is 60 feet or about 20 paces with a base at each corner.
2. The playing field and surroundings should be essentially flat, free of obstructions and afford reasonable player safety. Home Plate to second base and from first to third base is 84 feet 10 1/4 inches or about 28 paces.
3. The Pitching Strip is in the center of the diamond, 42 feet 5 1/8 inches or about 14 paces from home plate.
4. Turf or Grass is the recommended surface and all lines should be marked, if permitted by field location. All field setups will be reviewed and approved by the Event Manager prior to the start of play.
5. If both Teams feel a change is required, a formal appeal may be made to the Event Manager and/or Game Head Referee to request an additional adjustment of the field of play. The appeal is required prior to the start of a game beginning.
TEAM BENCH AREA
1. Team Bench area is defined as the Sideline area from the end of the Kickers Box to the first or third base depending on the side of the field they are on. Friends & Fans must remain behind the Team Bench Area. Violation of this rule will be assessed as a warning.
2. Captains and/or Coaches can coach a base on the opposing team's sideline when their team is kicking.
PLAYERS EQUIPMENT
1. Any equipment on a Player (jerseys, footwear, costume, soft brace, hair, etc.) is an extension of the Player.
Jerseys/T-Shirts
1. Teams may wear their own Jerseys. Player numbers or names being placed on the Jerseys must not have offensive language.
Footwear
1. Are Required. All participants must wear closed-toe footwear. Metal Cleats Are Not Allowed!!!!
Gloves
1. Due to COVID-19, ONLY MEDICAL GLOVES CAN BE WORN DURING GAME PLAY.
POOL PLAY GUIDELINES
1. Consist of five (5) innings or fifty (50) minutes from start time, whichever comes first.
2. Teams must play a minimum of four (3) full innings for a game to count as official.
3. Pool Play, if there is a ten (10) run difference at the end of the 3rd inning or at the end of any full inning thereafter, The Mercy Rule will be enforced, which ends the game.
4. A Home Team leading the Away Team when time runs out at the middle or during the bottom half of an inning before the fifth inning wins that game.
5. A Mercy Rule does exist for Pool Play for tournaments.
6. Ties are allowed in Pool Play for tournaments.
7. The Head Referee cannot start a new inning if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game.
8. Head Referee must announce and notify Team Captains when the 5-minute mark is reached.
ELIMINATION GAMES
1. Consist of six (6) innings or sixty (60) minutes from start time, whichever comes first.
2. Teams must play a minimum of four (4) full innings for a game to count as official.
3. If the Home Team that is leading the Away Team when time runs out, at the middle or during the bottom half of an inning before the inning wins that game.
4. Elimination, if there is a ten (10) run difference at the end of the 4th inning or at the end of any full inning thereafter, The Mercy Rule will be enforced, which ends the game.
5. The Mercy Rule will be enforced for Play-off games.
6. Ties are not allowed. If the elimination Game is tied after five (5) innings or 50 minutes of play (whichever occurs first), then Overtime will be enforced.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
1. Consists of seven (7) innings NO TIME LIMIT¦
2. Teams must play a minimum of four (4) full innings for a game to be official.
3. The Home Team that is leading the Away Team, when time runs out, at the middle or during the bottom half of an inning before the inning wins that game.
4. Mercy Rule does exist for Championship Games
5. Ties are not allowed. If the Championship Game is tied after seven (7) innings, then Overtime is to be enforced.
DETERMINATION OF HOME / AWAY
Team Coach or Captains who win the flip of a coin/rock paper scissors will determine Home or Away.
MERCY RULE
1. Pool Play Games, a ten (10) run difference anytime after the 3rd inning.
2. Elimination Games, a ten (10) run difference at the end of the 4th inning.
EMERGENCY GAME MANAGEMENT
1. Tournament/League Games will not be postponed due to rain unless the fields are closed or deemed unplayable by the Head Referee and/or the Event Manager. Tournament Games will be postponed or suspend activity if a thunderstorm appears imminent before or during an activity or contest until the hazard has passed.
2. At the time of postponement or suspension all official scores are to be recorded to the Game Head Referee.
3. All games called off for any reason before four (4) full innings of play are completed shall not be considered regulation League or Tournament Games. League will coordinate new times for all such postponed games.
5. All individuals have the right to leave any field location in order to seek a safe structure if the person feels in danger of impending lightning activity, without fear of repercussions or penalty from anyone.
SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES
1. Players, Visitors & Fans are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner as deemed by the Head Referee
2. Any conduct deemed unsportsmanlike will not be tolerated. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to fighting, taunting, verbal abuse, lewd or obscene behavior, threatening behavior, offensive language or comments, excessive delay, stalling tactics, and/or collusion. Only a Team Coach or Captain can discuss calls with the Game Head Referee. If the Coach or Captain cannot control the players or fans than the police will be called to handle the situation.
EJECTION
1. For any Player ejected from the game who is in the Kicking Lineup, the players spot in the kicking order will be removed and count as an automatic out. For the remainder of the game the defense (ejected player) must play one (1) player down.
2. A Team may not use a substitute kicker for any Player in the Kicking Lineup that has been ejected.
OVERTIME GUIDELINES
1. If the score is tied at the end of the regulation playoff game, which is after the sixth (6) inning or sixty (60) minutes of play.
2. Each Team Lineup will continue where it left off at the end of their last completed inning.
3. Each Team is required to use the same kicking order. Kicking orders do not reset to the top of a lineup.
4. Each team will play down two (2) players on defense during the second overtime inning.
5. Teams that have a Red Card player will play down one (1) player on Defense.
6. Team Coach or Captains are not permitted to modify the kicking order once overtime begins. However, a valid injury can force a player to be removed from the order or an otherwise valid Substitution
7. Team Captains will receive one (1) additional substitution once overtime begins.
8. Time Limit - No pre-set time limit exists for overtime.
OVERTIME FOR ELIMINATION GAMES & CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
1. 1st inning of overtime will begin with the bases empty. If the 1st inning of overtime ends in a tie, the Teams will play a second inning of overtime.
2. For the 2nd inning of overtime, Teams will begin with last kicker of the previous inning as a base runner on 2nd base and all kickers will start with a full count of two (2) balls and two (2) strikes, Teams will drop to 8 players on defense.
3. For the 3rd inning of overtime, Teams will begin with the last two (2) kickers of the previous inning as base runners on 2nd and 3rd base (last out on 2nd, previous out on 3rd) all kickers will start with a full count. Teams must drop one (1) defensive player (alternating gender) every subsequent inning. This continues until a winner is determined.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & TEAM LINEUPS
1. Players, Rosters, Lineups, and Teams must always meet the following requirements:
â?? Players must be 18 years of age or older to compete in this league/Tournament.
â?? Roster Max is 20 & Kicking Lineup Max is 15.
â?? Teams must have the minimum number of TEN (10) players at the scheduled time of the game, or else they will forfeit their games. Teams can start with nine (9) players if caused by injury. Game time is forfeit time.
â?? Any use of ineligible players not on the submitted Roster will automatically result in a forfeit of the game.
â?? All rosters must be turned in 5 minutes before each game.
OFFENSIVE TEAM LINEUPS
1. Team Captains must exchange written Kicking Lineup and Team Bench lists at the start of each game. Kicking Lineups must be verified by Game Head Referee before game play begins.
2. All league games, every player must kick until the playoffs.
3. Once kicking lineups are exchanged and verified by each coach/ref, they are FINAL. ONLY SUBSTITUTIONS ARE ALLOWED AFTER VERIFICATION.
4. Teams may request clarification on the identity of the player on the Kicking Lineup and Team Bench lists.
5. There are NO KICKING ORDER RETRICTIONS.
6. Tournament/League the kicking Lineups may only contain a maximum of fifteen (15) Players at any given time, even if these Kickers do not play the field.
7. The order of a Kicking Lineup may not change during the course of the game, unless a proper Substitution is made.
8. Only players in the kicking line up will be considered legal players (offense and defense), whether the Player began the game in the Kicking Lineup or as a proper Substitution. Subs must be placed in the kicking line up before the can play defense.
DEFENSIVE TEAM LINEUPS
1. Teams Fielding Lineup can only contain a maximum of ten (10) Players for League/Tournament Ball.
- Coed - Five (5) Males and Five (5) Females
- Women - 10 Females
2. Team Fielding Lineup must always contain at least TEN (10) Players, unless a Red Card forces a team otherwise.
3. Generally speaking, substitutions to the Defensive Lineup between two Players already in the Kicking Lineup are not restricted. Nor is there a requirement that any Player in the Kicking Lineup play on defense.
4. Special Restrictions on Pitcher, Catcher Positions include:
- A Team must have only one (1) Pitcher and only (1) Catcher in the field.
- Each Team may replace its Pitcher and/or Catcher position once per inning unless, injury forces another substitution. (No other defensive position carries this restriction.) This once-per-inning restriction regardless of whether the substitute comes from a current player in the Defensive Lineup or not.
- A Player substituting in for Pitcher or Catcher is not required to be currently playing on defense.
INJURY GUIDELINES
-In cases of injury or illness, a time-out may be requested by the Team Captain for a player removal and replacement with a proper substitute of the same sex. Substitutions are governed by the Substitution Rules specified.
-All injuries must be reported to the opposing Team Captain and noted on the Game Head Referee scoresheet.
-If an injured player does not resume kicking in the designated spot in the Kicking Lineup, the player may not return to that game.
-There is no re-entry rule.
-Any Player removed due to injury at least two (2) times during a given TNS Event will not, under any circumstance, return to play any further games on that day.
-If a Player is injured and cannot continue, the Team Kicking Lineup will continue either:
With a valid substitute player of the same gender in the spot of the removed player, or, if no valid substitute is available, In the same order, minus the removed player.
EMERGENCY RULES FOR ROSTER MINIMUM VIOLATIONS (GAME INJURIES & MORE) Pre-Game
If due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the team control, a team that has fewer than the minimum roster requirements at the start of play may be permitted to proceed in play at the sole discretion of TNS.
If a team does not have the minimum number of players for a game provided. The impacted team must play its game and any subsequent games under the following Rules:
Game in Progress
For Co-Ed Division Only. When an injury occurs that results in a team having less than the minimum number of required players, such as an injury to a Team fourth female leaves the Team with only three (3) females, below the required amount, the Team will be allowed to continue the game in progress with the following modifications that supersede the four-female requirement and other applicable rules in this Rulebook:
-The injured females spot in the Kicking Lineup is an automatic Out.
-The teams Defensive Lineup must continue without the injured female.
-The team will automatically forfeit the game if its third female is subsequently injured, ejected, or otherwise unable to continue; AND,
-If the team wins the game in which the injury occurs, that team must play the next game and any subsequent games under the same specified limitations.
SUBSTITUTION RULES FOR LEAGUE/TOURNAMENTS
To replace a player by substitute the following conditions must be met:
- Team Captain must verbally report to the Game Head Referee and to the opposing Teams Captain of the planned
Substitution.
-Game Head Referee must confirm each Substitution is properly made.
-Defensive Sub must kick once before they can be substituted out of the game
-Offensive Sub must play the next defensive play (only requires one play)
DURING GAME PLAY
-Team Captains are limited to four (4) Substitutions of the types identified above as such per game.
-For Elimination Games that reach COT, each Team will receive one (1) additional substitution.
SUBSTITUTION LIMITATIONS
-Does not apply (i.e., Substitution does not count towards the limit) when:
-In the discretion of the Game Head Referee, any of the first four (4) substitutions were due to legitimate injury; or,
-In the discretion of the Game Head Referee, any substitution due to legitimate injury was due to the excessive and willful conduct of the opposing team to purposely injure a player, including to do so with the objective of causing the substituting team to forfeit.
SUBSTITUTION INFRACTIONS FOR LEAGUE/TOURNAMENTS
-If a Team Captain fails to confirm to the opposing Team Captain that a Substitution was made, then the opposing Team Captain may protest an improper Substitution.
-If the Substitution is improper, then the following consequences apply:
*The Substitution is considered used and counted towards the teams substitution limit;
*The Substitute Player is removed from the Kicking Lineup and Defensive Fielding Lineup, and, if such Player was originally on the Team Bench, is ineligible to play in the rest of the current game;
*If the offending team is currently kicking, the current Kicker is automatically out;
*If the offending team is currently fielding, the team must remove one Fielder for the duration of the current half-inning at-kick; and,
*The offending Team Captain will receive a Yellow Card for any substitution infringement
*In the discretion of the Game Head Referee, if a team is found to have faked an injury to circumvent the Substitution.
Limit and/or to otherwise gain a competitive advantage, it will immediately forfeit the current game. The Team Captain will be suspended for the duration of the TNS Event.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
1. At the time of issuing a disciplinary action the Game Head Referee must notify all Game Referee(s), and both Team Captains of such instance.
2. If a card is issued to a Player, Team Captain, Coach, and/or Fan, then the Game Head Referee
must document the Name, Card received, and reason at time of card being issued.
3. Prior to all games, the Game Head Referee must be notified of Players, Visitors, or Fans who have already received Enforcement under â??Disciplinary Levels.
DISCIPLINARY LEVELS
Warnings (Lowest-Level Enforcement)
1. Player will receive a Warning for committing any of the following towards another Player, Referee, Visitor, or Fan in attendance: taunting; physical/verbal abuse; excessively delaying play; entering the field of play without the Game Head Referee permission; deliberately leaving the field to delay the Game; stalling; colluding; inappropriately discussing of calls with the Referees/Event Staff; making an improper Substitution as described repeatedly failing to comply with instructions of Referees and/or Event Staff concerning Rules and Game Play; engaging in any activity otherwise prohibited by the Event Facility rules, or local/state/federal law; and/or engaging in other unsportsmanlike behavior, as determined by the Game Head Referee.
2. Player will not receive a second Warning in the same Game for a related infraction.
Yellow Card (Mid-Level Enforcement)
1. Player will receive a Yellow Card for a serious instance of conduct described in [Rule 10.3.1] that, in
the discretion of the Game Head Referee requires stronger enforcement.
2. Yellow Card will be shown to the Player and the Team Captain. The Player will receive (5) Disciplinary
Points.
3. Player receiving two (2) Yellow Cards in a game will receive a Red Card instead and will be subject
to the sanctions described below.
4. Any Player receiving a Yellow Card in a game will not receive the courtesy of a Warning for a subsequent infraction. The minimum sanction for such a Player will be a Yellow Card.
Red Card (Third-Level Enforcement)
1. Player will receive a Red Card for a particularly egregious instance of conduct described for repeated instances of misconduct, or for fighting, extreme verbal abuse, lewd or obscene behavior, threatening behavior, and/or offensive language or comments. Red Card will be shown to the Player and the Team Captain. The Player will receive (10) Disciplinary Points. Any Player receiving a Red Card in any Game will not receive the courtesy of a Warning or Yellow Card for any infraction in any subsequent Game.
2. Must leave the vicinity of the Circuit Event and the permit area immediately.
3. Cannot be replaced on the Kicking Lineup and that players spot in the Kicking Lineup now becomes an automatic out.
4. Cannot be replaced by a substitute in the Defensive Fielding Lineup, forcing their team to play a player fewer of the players. (e.g. Teams must play with 9 Defensive Fielders vs 10 Defensive Fielders OR 7 Defensive Fielders instead of 8 Defensive Fielders during OT).
5. That Player will not be considered as being lawfully on the premises. Failure of an ejected player to leave the premises of the Facility will cause that players Team to forfeit any game it has in progress.
DISCIPLINARY FOR YELLOW/RED CARD
Yellow Card
1. When a player gets a two-yellow card during a game he/she must sit out the next game.
Red Card
1. When a player gets a red card (or a combination of 2 yellow cards) during a game, the player is ejected from the game and the following penalties apply:
2. The player must sit out their next scheduled game.
OUTS
1. Any count of three (3) Strikes/Fouls is an Out.
2. Any pitched ball contacting the Kicker (whether kicked or not) and caught in the air by a defensive player prior to touching the ground is considered an out.
3. Any time a pitched ball kicked into play and not touched by any Fielder makes contact with a Base runner who is not on base (absent a Base runner who has overrun first base) is an out and results in a Dead Ball Stoppage. This is without any regard to the fault of the Base runner.
4. Dead Ball Stoppage point:
â?? All Base runners must return to the bases they last reached before the contact.
â?? Base runners would still be forced to advance after the out is recorded, then they automatically advance.
CONTACT WITH A KICKBALL IN PLAY
1. Any time a Fielder contacts a Base runner who is not on base (absent a Base runner who has overrun first base) with the ball, via a throw or a tag is an out.
2. If any part of a ball thrown, kicked, or otherwise deflected by a Fielder at a Base runner makes first contact with the Base runner on any part of the head or neck while the Base runner is not diving, not sliding, or not ducking, the Base runner shall be awarded the base to which she was running.
3. Any time a Fielder has control of the ball and touches a base to which a Base runner is forced to advance prior to the Base runner reaching the base is an out.
BASE PATH RUNNING
1. Any Base runner intentionally running more than four (4) feet outside the Base Path, intending to avoid a tag or throw, is out.
INTERFERING WITH A FIELDER
1. When any runner on or off base intentionally touches a ball or hinders a fielder. This interference will result in a dead ball, the runner will be out, and any other runners shall return to the base from which they occupied last, unless forced to advance
2. Interference resulting in out is defined as:
â?? Base runner interference of a fielder while that fielder plays for the ball
â?? Intentionally striking a ball in play
â?? Purposely contacting the fielder
â?? Screening ball from fielders view
â?? Base coach interference of play
â?? Any other type of interference that occurs where Game Referee deems interference will result in base runner/s out
â?? Base runner is out if not on base as ball is kicked
â?? Third out of inning results in the kickers at-kick ends
â?? Base runner passing another base runner is out
â?? Base coach interfering with active play of base runner. Base runner will be called out
â?? Base runners who attempt or makes contact with a kicked ball is out
â?? Except in injury, players that cannot kick in kicking line-up order is out.
â?? Once a pitch has been thrown to the kicker, the kicker forfeits the right to choose to declare the intention to be called out
PITCHING
1. Teams must have one (1) and only one (1) pitcher while on defense.
2. A pitched ball must touch the ground at least twice prior to reaching the front of the plate. If the second bounce is on the plate, the pitch is a ball.
3. A Pitcher must deliver each pitch:
4. By hand; however, a Pitcher may throw the ball in any style they choose.
5. On or behind the Encroachment Line.
6. With the plant foot, upon release, on or behind the pitching strip and no more than one (1) foot to either side of the pitching strip.
7. And finish the pitching motion within the upper half of the Pitchers Circle (bounded by the edge of the Pitchers Circle nearest to second base and the diameter of the Pitchers Circle that is collinear with the encroachment line between first and third base).
8. The Pitchers Circle extends in a six (6) foot radius from the pitching strip.
STRIKES & FOULS
1. Three (3) strikes and/or fouls and a Kicker is Out.
2. A pitched ball is a strike if:
â?? Any part of it touches any part of the strike zone; and,
â?? Touches the ground at least twice prior to reaching the front of the plate; and,
â?? Any part of it does not reach more than one (1) foot high, as measured from the bottom of the ball, at any time (1) during the bounce that carries the ball to or through the strike zone and (2) at any point between the time when the ball passes the plate and reaches the horizontal plane of the kicker.
â?? Any attempted kick that does not make contact with the ball is a strike.
â?? It is a judgment call for the Game Head Referee or Game Referee(s) to determine whether the Kickers movements constitute an attempted kick.
3. A Foul is:
â?? A Strike and is:
â?? Any kick that is kicked while the players plant foot is outside of the Kickers Box, OR
â?? Any kick that lands in foul territory outside of the Kickers Box / Catchers Zone, OR
â?? Any legally kicked ball that is still on or above home plate or wholly in foul territory when it is touched by a Fielder, OR
â?? Any kick during which the Kickers plant foot is at least partly in front of Home Plate, OR
â?? Any improperly kicked ball is a foul. This includes:
â?? A kicker first contacting a pitched ball with the hands or any part of the arm, and who does not elect to be out, OR
â?? Any kicked foul ball is live until it hits the ground, makes contact with a Player/Runner until it hits the ground.
â?? A Fielder may catch a foul ball to get the Kicker out. If a play is made, then any Base runners who have properly tagged up may advance at their own risk.
STRIKE ZONE
1. 41â?? wide (one (1) foot to the lateral and back sides of home plate) and one (1) foot high.
2. Cones cannot be used to designate the strike zone. However, temporary paint on the field may be used as a guide for the game Head Referee and Players to the Strike Zone location.
3. The Game Head Referee has final say on the strike zone location.
4. Cones should only be used to designate the foul lines.
5. Strikes must enter through strike zone. (NO BACK DOOR)
BALLS
1. Three (3) balls and a Kicker is walked.
2. Three (3) straight balls without throwing a strike and a Kicker get two bases.
INTENTIONAL WALK
1. A Pitcher may intentionally walk a Kicker to award him/her with two (2) base only by stating an Intentional Walk to the Game Head Referee or after at least one (1) strike / foul has been pitched.
2. There will be NO INTENTIONAL WALKS ONCE THERE HAS BEEN ONE LEGAL PITCH THROWN.
3. If this occurs, base runners are permitted to advance only if forced to do so by kicker being awarded two (2) bases as a result of an Intentional Walk Restriction.
INFIELD FLY RULE
1. Defense is not allowed to purposely guide the ball into the ground to gain an advantage over the offense.
2. Any ball that is intentionally guided into the ground to create an advantage will result in:
- a delayed dead ball
- The offensive captain will choose either One (1) free base to the advancing runners or the result of the play
CATCHING POSITIONS
1. Teams must have one (1) and only one (1) Catcher while on defense.
2. Catcher must stand behind the Kicker and run through the Kickers Box / Catchers Zone.
3. No part of a Catchers body may cross the back plane of the Kickers body.
4. Failure to do so will result in an Encroachment call.
5. Catcher Obstruction/Inducement is prohibited.
6. If the Catcher impedes the Kicker intentionally or unintentionally (through physical contact or other deliberate movement into the Kickers approach to kick the ball), the Catcher will be given a single warning for Catcher Obstruction, and the Kicker may opt to be awarded a ball in the count or the result of the play.
7. If the Catcher repeats the Catcher Obstruction violation, the Kicker may opt to be awarded 1st base or to accept the result of the play.
8. Catcher Inducement is prohibited.
9. If a Kicker makes an unnatural move and initiates contact in an attempt to draw a Catcher Obstruction call, the Kicker will be given a single warning for Catcher Inducement, and the Fielding Team may opt to be awarded a strike in the count or the result of the play.
10. If that same Kicker repeats the Catcher Inducement violation, that Kicker shall be called out.
FIELDING POSITIONS
1. All Fielders, except for the Catcher, must be positioned behind the encroachment line with at least one foot in fair territory until the ball is kicked.
2. Fielders Position is defined by the front foot when the ball is kicker not the fielders torso.
ENCROACHMENT & OBSTRUCTION
PITCHER ENCROACHMENT
1. Occurs when a Pitcher fails to deliver the pitch with the plant foot inside the sides of the box and both feet behind the encroachment line. Failure to do so results in a Pitcher Encroachment call.
2. If a Pitcher falls during the delivery of their pitch and slips due to field conditions, it should not be considered Pitcher Encroachment. If the Pitcher is the first person to touch the kicked ball then this results in a Pitcher Encroachment call.
CATCHER ENCROACHMENT
1. When the Catcher is improperly positioned by not standing behind the Kicker within the Catchers Zone & Kickers Box. The Catchers Zone is bounded on the left and right by the borders of the Kickers Box, on the front by the back plane of the Kicker, and on the rear by the limits of the Field.
2. No part of a Catchers body may cross of the Kickers back plane nor be positioned outside the Catchers Zone until the ball is kicked or until the Kicker has let the ball pass. Failure to do so results in a Catcher Encroachment call.
3. A Catcher is required to start behind the kicker, regardless of where the kicker begins their approach unless physical obstruction prevents the catcher from starting behind the kicker. In this instance, with the Game Head Referees discretion, the catcher may start next to the kicker but shall not allow any part of their body to pass the kicker's back hip until the ball is kicked.
FIELDER ENCROACHMENT
1. Occurs when any Fielder (including the Pitcher) crosses the encroachment line between 1st base and 3rd base line (1st base / 3rd base) before the ball is kicked.
2. Failure to do so results in a Fielder Encroachment call.
3. A Fielders Position is defined by the front foot not the fielders torso.
ENCROACHMENT PENALTY
1. Encroachment is only penalized by the kicking team choosing to:
2. Nullify the result of the play, and add (1) ball to the Kickers count or accept the result of the play.
4. If the addition of two balls to the count would raise the balls count over three (3), the Kicker is walked as if there were three (3) balls.
OBSTRUCTION
1. Obstruction of base by fielder is prohibited to prevent injuries.
2. Fielder must stay out of baseline and must not attempt to deliberately block base or make contact with base runners during an active play. Contact only allowed if play forces fielder to do so. Game Referee or Head Official will make that decision.
3. Inside base must always be used. Safety bases are for base runners. Inside base is located on the left and safety base is located on the right side of the foul line.
4. Game Referees will determine obstruction of base runner if field obstructs the runner. Runner will be declared safe if Game Referee determines obstruction of any type at the end of the play.
5. Base Runner will be out if interference is deemed intentional obstruction during active play.
6. Fielder obstruction includes but not limited to: standing or setting body in base runners way; not making an active play in baseline.
7. Base Runner obstruction at first base includes but not limited to: base runner contacting the fielder making a play for the ball who has foot on base and not obstructing the baseline.
Please note: Base Runners who obstructs will be deemed OUT. Fielders who obstructs will allow the base runner to be deemed safe or advance. Game Referee or Head Official will make the official ruling of any obstruction call and that ruling will be final.
KICKING, BASERUNNING & FIELDING
1. All legal kicks must:
â?? Be made with the knee and below.
â?? Occur with the Kickers plant foot within the Kickers Box, with no part of the plant foot or kicking foot touching fair territory in front of the plate
â?? Contact the ball only once during the kicking motion or other bodily attempt to kick the ball.
2. Teams must kick in their submitted kicking order.
3. A Kicker who is in the Kickers Box and kicking out of order results in an out for the spot in the order that was due up according to the written lineup. The kicker is official one the ball is pitched and crosses the encroachment line.
4. For Example: If the fourth Kicker is up when third Kicker should be up, the third Kicker is called out. The Kicking Lineup will continue with the next spot due up.
BASERUNNING
1. Base stealing is prohibited.
2. Base Runners must stay within baseline.
3. Base Runners can choose their patch from base to base and may follow a natural running arc.
4. Base Runners may change course to avoid interference with fielder making a play.
5. When attempting to avoid a tag or throw, runners may move not more than 4 feet out of their established path.
6. Leading a base or base stealing is not allowed.
7. Intentional interference of fielders is prohibited while the ball is in play.
8. Base Runners cannot make contact with a kicked ball in play that has not been touched by a fielder.
9. Fielder has the right to make play within baseline if the ball is in play area.
10. Base Runner to 1st base must use the safety base with is located on the right side of the foul line. Not doing so will result in the base runner being out. Exceptions to this rule are:
Base Runner advances to 2nd base after touching inside base
Fielder is not present at inside base
Apparent collision with Fielder causes inside base to be used
Base Runners running from home to first must use safety base. Runners advancing to 2nd do not have to use safety base.
11. Base Runners may slide into 1st base.
12. Base Runners may overrun 1st base. Base Runners may be tagged out if actively attempting to advance to second base
13. Force base running means a base runner must run to the next base. If contacted by the ball on base, Base Runner is out as if they were tagged.
14. When a base is displaced during a play, any runner is safe while in contact with the base original and correct location. Look for the (X) under the base as the spot. All displaced bases must be restored at the end of the play.
15. An out is recorded in a substituted Base Runners spot in the kicking line-up.
16. A tag-up is required to retouch or stay on a base until a kicked then caught ball is first touched by a Fielder. After a tag-up, a Base Runner may advance. Exception to this rule: If there are (2) outs, Base Runners are permitted to run immediately after the ball is kicked by Kicker.
17. A Base Runner, who does not tag, is not automatically out. Defense must recognize tag failure and make play on the Base Runner
18. Base Runner passing another Base Runner is not allowed. The trail runner will be out unless the lead runner is forced to advance.
19. Multiple base runners cannot occupy the same base. If so, while the ball is in play, the trailing runner is out, and the lead runner is safe unless the lead runner is forced to advanced.
20. Dead ball must be called when the Pitcher has the ball in the circle and all base runners must stop. If the Pitcher does not have the ball in the Pitchers circle before the runner begins to advance to the next base, The Base Runner will be allowed to advance.
21. Once a player is determined out by the referee, they must take the most direct route to their bench area without interfering with the ongoing play. If a player fails to do so and the referee determines it caused interference with the ongoing play, the play will result in a delayed dead ball. The opposing coach can choose to accept the results of the play, or each base runner must return to the previous base (prior to the infraction) from which they came.
Please note formal appeals can be requested on base running calls where a Fielder may not have tagged the base or left early while the ball was in play. Appeals must be made after time out is requested by the Pitcher and acknowledged by the Head Referee or Head Official. Play is adjusted if the runner is deemed out. The exception is if it is the third out, trailing Base Runners may not score in that inning.
OVERTHROWS
1. An Overthrow is any attempt towards a Base runner traveling to first base that does not contact the Base runner and travels into foul territory.
2. Similarly, any play on a Base runner that contacts the Base runner but does not result in an out is not an Overthrow.
3. Runners will only advance one base on an overthrow.
4. These advancements are not automatic and are the discretion of the head referee.
DEAD BALL PLAYS
1. If a Base runner contacts a pitched ball kicked into play and not touched by any Fielder, that Base runner is out, and a Dead Ball Stoppage results. All other Base runners to return to the bases they last reached before the contact occurred. If Base runners would still be forced to advance after this out is recorded, then they automatically advance. This is without any regard to the fault of the Base runner.
2. If a Base runner intentionally touches the ball or otherwise interferes with its fielding, that Base runner is out, a Dead Ball Stoppage is called, and any other Base runners must return to the base they last reached before the touching. If Base runners would still be forced to advance after this out is recorded, then they automatically advance. Such interference includes, but is not limited to: intentionally striking a ball in play; deliberately or recklessly contacting the Fielder; deliberate and direct verbal interference by a Base runner in the immediate vicinity of a Fielder with that Fielders attempt to field the ball; intentionally screening the ball from a Fielders view. If, in the discretion of a Game Referee, such interference would have prevented a Fielder from making an out on other Base runners with ordinary effort, the Game Referee may call such Base runners out.
3. If a Base Coach deliberately or recklessly interferes with a ball in play, a Dead Ball Stoppage is called, and a Referee may call any appropriate Base runner out and require any appropriate Base runners to return to the base they last reached before the Interference.
4. If a fair ball (which either stays in fair territory or later goes into foul territory after being played fair) becomes trapped in any object, hits a spectator, hits a movable object (e.g. backpack, chair, cooler), or travels to where a Fielder faces a substantial impediment in getting to the ball (e.g. natural or manmade obstacles, including, but not limited to fences, hills, roads, ditches, trees, and/or bushes), Dead Ball Stoppage is called.
5. The play is dead, and the Kicker and all other Base runners automatically advance only to the base to which they were headed at the point of the Dead Ball Stoppage. The Game Head Referee has the discretion to award the Kicker and Base runners whatever additional base(s) they realistically would have reached had there not been a Dead Ball Stoppage.
6. Game Head Referee shall call an immediate Dead Ball Stoppage on any play with serious injury results. Any Base runners, at the Game Head Referee discretion, may be awarded the base the Game Head Referee realistically believed they would be reached had there not been a serious injury. This award does not occur when it is the Kicker who is injured during the play.
7. The Game Head Referee and Event Manager will also determine any applicable Ground Rules for the field of play, including which Ground Rules dictate automatic application of a Dead Ball Play. Such Ground Rules must be clearly announced to both Team Captains before the start of any game.
8. If a kickball bursts or becomes defective during an active play, then a Dead Ball Stoppage is called, and the play shall be replayed in its entirety.
FAIR BALL PLAYS
- A legally kicked ball is fair if it:
- Passes the front of home plate; AND,
- Has not landed or rolled completely outside of either baseline (subject exception 4
- Is positioned on any part of the foul line OR between the two foul lines when it:
- Is first touched by a Fielder or Base runner, OR
- Stops completely, OR
- Strikes 1st base or 3rd base, OR
- Passes 1st base or 3rd base in the air, after having landed on a foul line or between the two
baselines before such passage; OR
- Lands past 1st base or 3rd base.
- The fielders position when fielding the ball is irrelevant to whether the ball is fair.
- If a ball travels over a permanent fence that is aligned in fair territory on the fly, the Kicker shall be awarded an automatic Home Run.
FOUL BALL PLAYS
1. Any legally kicked ball that travels into foul territory outside the Catchers Zone on its own prior to reaching the 1st base or 3rd base cone is foul.
2. However, a kicked ground ball may bounce in and through the Catchers Zone, as well as through the territory between the Kicking Box and before the base lines, so long as it crosses the first and third baselines between the two cones marking the Kickers Box. If it does so, it is a fair ball.
3. Any legally kicked ball that is still inside the Catchers Zone when it is touched by a Fielder is foul.
4. Any legally kicked ball that is still on or above home plate when it is touched by a Fielder is foul.
5. Any legally kicked ball first touched by a Fielder or Base runner while it is completely outside either foul line is foul.
6. Any kick that occurs above the waist of the Kicker is a foul. This kick, while illegal, is not considered a dead ball play.
7. If the ball goes foul and it gets caught, the runners can tag up and go.
DOUBLE KICKS
1. A double kick is:
2. A Kicker contacts the ball two (2) or more times during an attempted kick. This kick, while illegal, is considered a delayed dead ball play.
3. A Kicker contacts the ball two (2) or more times once in foul territory during an attempted kick and the second attempt in the field of play, this will result in an out. This kick, while illegal, is considered a delayed dead ball play.
4. The kickers kick foot must be established in fair territory before the second touch to be considered an out.
SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURES (QUICK REFERENCE)
Kicking Line-up:
*Valid Same Gender Substitute from Bench*
-Limit 3 Per Game, Plus 1 Additional if Game Goes to Overtime.
-If sub is due to legitimate injury suffered during this game, it will not count against this Limit.
-Player Cannot Reenter
*Choosing Not to Kick Position*
-May Only Skip if Injury Occurred, and Occurred During This Game
-May only choose to skip kicker if no valid same-gender bench player is available, see above.
-Player Cannot Reenter
Baserunners
-Bench Player of Same Gender Only. If legitimate injury occurs and no such subs exist, team may substitute in last out of same gender.
Three (3) Per Game Plus one (1) for Overtime.
-If sub is due to legitimate injury suffered or aggravated during the previous play, it does not count against this Limit.
-Player Cannot Reenter
Defensive Player
-Cannot choose to play one (1) less player in the field.
-Must maintain the minimum fielder requirements, and must always have a Pitcher and Catcher. Free Substitutions must be made in a timely manner.
- Replaced fielder (in kicking lineup) must continue kicking in their spot in kicking line-up and may freely return to field.
Anyone in Kicking Lineup
-Pitcher and Catcher may only be changed once, except for injury (See Above) All other positions may be freely changed.
-Replaced fielder must continue kicking in their spot in kicking line-up and may freely return to field.
Someone on Bench
-Three (3) Limit Per Game Plus one (1) for Overtime.
-Pitcher and Catcher may only be changed once, except for injury (See Above)
-Defensive Sub must kick once before they can be substituted out of the game
-Offensive Sub must play at least the next defensive play (only requires one play)
-Player Can't Re-enter
Ejected Player
Not Permitted