Official Rules
NAKAD KICKBALL 2009 OFFICIAL RULES
NAKAD Official Rules of the Game are maintained and updated seasonally at www.NAKADkickball.com. NAKAD kickball would like to give recognition to Major League Baseball and www.MLB.com for guiding NAKAD in the development of these rules.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. NAKAD Kickball
A. League Overview
B. The Playing Field
C. Equipment
II. The Game
D. Set-up
E. Umpires
F. Regulation Games
G. Playoffs
H. Positioning and Fielding
I. Scoring
J. Forfeits
K. Base Coaches
L. Interference and Dead Balls
M. Injuries and Substitutions
III. Putting the Ball in Play
N. Kicking
O. Running
P. Pitching
Q. Balls
R. Strikes
S. Outs
T. Foul and Fair Balls
U. Competitive Amendment
THE GAME OF KICKBALL
I. NAKAD KICKBALL
A. LEAGUE OVERVIEW
1. National Athletic Kickball Adult Division is a social adult kickball organization. Seasons will be eight (8) full weeks and with an additional week(s) for playoffs. Each team will play sixteen (16) games per season. Playoffs will be single elimination. Subject to change, participants will be informed by NAKAD of these changes.
2. Kickball is a game between two teams of eleven (11) to twenty (24) players each, which will be similar to baseball but played with your leg instead of a bat.
3. All participants must respect and obey all rules and regulations pertaining to the field used for play during all NAKAD games. Alcohol is prohibited on the field unless expressly permitted by field regulations. Participants breaking field rules must be ejected from the game and will be considered by the division’s board of directors for further disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the division.
4. All participants must meet the following requirements: must be 21 years of age or older by the date of the first game, must be adequately and currently health insured against any injury that may arise from kickball play, must be properly registered with NAKAD including but not limited to full completion of the registration process.
5. Each division may have a maximum of eight (8) teams per every two (2) fields available. Each team must consist of a minimum of twelve (12). Teams are encouraged to hold rosters of at least 15 members. Additional players may be placed on teams by NAKAD or the division to level team numbers below 12.
6. A player may only sign up for one team per division, but may sign up for multiple divisions per season.
7. Any team that uses a non-registered person, an improperly registered person, or a person not registered in the same division, and season, will forfeit that game. Two (2) infractions in a season will result in loss of play in the season’s playoffs. Three (3) infractions and the captain will not be asked to return to NAKAD.
8. These rules are set in place to ensure a fun environment for all participants. Sportsmanship will be held in the highest regard. If necessary, NAKAD will address any inconsistencies, discrepancies, and mis-understandings in accordance with these rules. NAKAD reserves the right to change these rules without notice.
9. Please remember that this is kickball, but it isn’t “just kickball.” Whether your idea of fun is to, just come out and kick the ball around or winning it all, don’t forget that not everyone plays the same as you.
B. THE PLAYING FIELD
1. The kickball diamond is the same as a softball diamond, with equal sides of 60 feet.
2. The distance from home plate to second base and from first base to third base is ~84.85 feet.
3. The pitching strip is in the center of the diamond, ~42.43 feet from home plate, and directly aligned with the 1st-3rd base diagonal.
4. The pitching circle extends 10 feet from the center of the pitching strip.
5. The batter’s box is a rectangle with the front of the box aligned with the front edge of home plate extending seven (7) feet from the outer edges of home plate and extending twelve (12) feet back.
6. A triangle area from the front edge of the batters box extending to the foul line on either side of home plate shall be marked.
7. The strike zone extends to 1.5 feet on either side of home plate, and 1 foot high. Strike zones will be marked and the side of the ball needs to be within the inner lines of the batters box for a strike.
8. Upon notification to the head referee of any improper field set up, the field layout shall be corrected before the beginning of the next play. Protest based on field set up will not be considered.
C. EQUIPMENT
1. Bases will be rubber recreational bases that will be provided by NAKAD.
2. The official kickball is a Yellow NAKAD Kickball. No other ball is approved for use in NAKAD kickball games.
3. While participating in NAKAD kickball, players must properly wear and fully display the official NAKAD athletic clothing designated for their use. If a player is not wearing a NAKAD uniform, the opposing team should question the player’s eligibility with a NAKAD official. The player will be asked to provide an ID. This ID is to verify the player is who they say they are and to check if they are a registered player.
4. Athletic shoes are required, cleats are allowed but metal cleats or spikes are not.
5. Players may wear protective equipment providing it does not offer the wearer an unfair performance advantage. Any equipment deemed by the Head Referee as a performance enhancement must be removed or the player will be removed from play. Gloves may be worn. Shin gaurds may be worn.
II. The Game
D. SET-UP
1. At the beginning of the game, captains will exchange kicking orders and show their kicking order with names or jersey numbers (if available) to the head umpire. The head umpire will record the names or numbers and insure the kicking order is adhered to.
2. Each team shall have one Captain and one Co-Captain who are jointly responsible for the team. Only the Captain and Co-Captain may dispute calls with the Head Umpire. A team Captain may raise protest with the Umpire for blatant rule infraction, but will accept the Head Umpire’s final ruling. The division will consider protest beyond the Head Umpire at its discretion.
3. Exchange of Kicking Order:
a. the team Captains or assigned team members will exchange their team’s written scorebook kicking orders prior to the start of the game;
b. any eligible player that shows up to a game after that game has begun must be added to the end of the written scorebook kicking order, a late showing player may join at any time;
c. refusal to provide the written scorebook kicking order when requested by the opposing team or any referee will result in a forfeit of that game;
d. a claim of improper kicking order must be made to the Head Umpire who will make the final determination. Such a claim must contain two parts:
1) that the written scorebook kicking order was exchanged.
2) that the claim is made on the field no later than 15 minutes after completion of the game.
4. Teams must field at least six (6) players and no more than eleven (11). Teams must field a minimum of one (1) players of each gender and cannot exceed seven (7) of either. If fielding eight (8) or more players, one player must play the position of catcher. At any time during the game teams may only field one pitcher and one catcher.
5. In the event that a team has less than four (4) players of each gender or less than eleven (11) overall players, it will be handled as follows:
a. A team can choose to find replacements, but the opposing team has the right to refuse. Upon refusal the refusing team must find other subs, unable to find others the originals will stand OR;
b. If the team elects not to find subs, the team must take an out for every player missing from the required 4 guy, 4 girls and play the field minus the missing players. Examples:
1) If the team has 3 women/men, they must play with 10 in the field but must take one out at the end of their lineup.
2) If the team has 2 women/men, they must play with 9 in the field and take two outs at the end of their lineup.
3) If the team has only one woman/man, they must play with 8 in the field, and take three outs at the end of their lineup.
6. During playoffs teams may not use substitutions.
E. UMPIRES
1. Games will be officiated by one (1) Head Umpire and one (1) First Base Umpire. The Head Umpire will govern all game play and issues all final rulings, and has final authority on equipment issues.
2. Each team will be required to supply two individuals to represent their team as umpires for the season. These two will be required to officiate one (1) game a night. In return these two will receive a registration credit at the end of the season. If one of these umpires is unable to officiate, the team must supply a replacement. Failing to issue a replacement could result in the team forfeiting their night’s games.
3. Umpires have jurisdiction over play and may; call a time out, call off a game due to darkness, rain or other cause at the umpire's discretion and must cancel the game if lightning is seen. Umpires may also penalize a player (including game ejection for any reason). This includes but is not limited to un-sportsmanlike conduct, fighting, delay of game or excessive verbal abuse. Ejected participants must leave the field area and may not return to the game. If the ejected player is seen as a continued disturbance the umpires may request the player leave the park all together. Game play will not resume until the player leaves, if the player remains the team of origin will be given a forfeit. Additional punishment up to and including suspension from the league may result from multiple offenses.
4. The Head Umpire will ensure that the team captains exchange their lineups with the official scorekeeper designated for that game to ensure kicking orders are followed.
5. The Umpire may make rulings on any points not specifically covered in the rules (at the time of occurrence), but the ruling shall not be deemed as a precedent for future rulings. Each such ruling will be reviewed after the game to assess the correct course of action in the future.
F. REGULATION GAMES
1. The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runs than the opponent.
2. Regular season games shall last six (6) full innings or fifty (50) minutes which ever comes first.
3. A three (3) full inning game shall constitute a full game in the event that the game has been called due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. A game that doesn’t reach three (3) full innings of play shall be rescheduled if fields are available later in the season.
4. The score of the game at the end of the last full inning shall determine the winner unless the game hasn’t completed the three (3) inning minimum.
5. Any game may be ended at the discretion of:
a. The losing team, if losing by 13 or more runs at any point in the game. This rule applies to both regular season and playoff games;
b. The head ref or NAKAD leadership.
G. PLAYOFFS
1. Playoff games last six (6) full innings or fifty (50) minutes which ever comes first. In the event of a tie
a. An seventh (7th) inning will be played if time is under sixty (60) minutes. Both teams will start with a runner on first (this is the last out from the sixth inning) and the team will start with one out;
b. If still tied after seven (7) innings and time is under sixty (60) minutes the eighth (8th) inning shall start with both teams having a runner on first and second (last two outs from the 7th inning) and will start with one out. Each kicker will start with a full count (3 fouls, 2 strikes & 3 balls).
c. If still tied after eight (8) innings and time is under sixty (60) minutes the ninth (9th) inning shall be played the same as the eight with the following additions, a runner at 3rd.
d. After nine (9) innings or sixty (60) minutes the game will be decided by a flip cup game. One game only, down and back. Three (3) players from each team, one guy and one girl required.
2. If a team is short players in the playoffs the team may not use substitutions and will have to play short. If the team is short the required four (4) of each gender the team will have to take outs at the end of their lineup.
H. POSITIONING & FIELDING
1. In defensive positioning; teams must have at least six (6) players (at least one of each gender) and maximum of eleven (11) players. When fielding eight (8) or more players, one (1) player and no more than one (1), must be the catcher.
2. A team failing to field the eleven (11) total players by game time can get subs from existing teams in the division; however, the opposing team has the right to refuse (if refusing the subs, the opposing team must find different subs, if others subs cannot be found the original subs will be used).
3. If the missing players show at any time they must take the place of the substitutions and the substitutions may no longer play.
4. No player may field forward the pitcher other than the catcher until the ball is kicked, and no player may advance forward the 1st-3rd base diagonal until the ball is kicked. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.
5. The catcher must field directly behind the kicker and may not cross home plate nor be positioned forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.
6. The catcher may not run to the right of a kicker after the ball is kicked; this will interfere with the base path. Failure to abide by this rule will result in the runner being awarded first;
7. A team my only switch pitchers once per inning.
I. SCORING
1. One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before the third out.
2. A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made:
a. before the kicker touches first base;
b. by any runner being forced out; or
c. by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases;
J. FORFEITS
1. A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team:
a. Fails to show completely;
b. Refuses to continue play during a game.
c. After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game;
2. A forfeit will be given to a team if they fail to have six (6) players, with one (1) of each gender represented, within the first ten (10) minutes of a game.
3. Forfeits will be scored 3-0.
K. BASE COACHES
1. The team currently kicking has the option for one (1) member to coach first base and one (1) member to coach third base.
2. Base coaches must remain in the sideline area and may not enter the playing field.
3. Base coaches may not physically assist runners while the ball is in play (aiding the runner will result in an out).
L. INTERFERENCE AND DEAD BALLS
1. Interference is when any non-fielder (runner on base is not considered interference), or non-permanent objects touches or is touched by a ball in play, in fair territory. Upon interference, the ball is dead, play automatically ends and runners proceed to the base to which they were headed. If the runner on base intentionally touches the ball to aid advancement, that runner is out.
2. A dead ball occurs when any permanent object, spectator or player not fielding or kicking touches a ball in foul territory (i.e.; trees or light polls) or if the ball goes outside the designated area set up prior to the game. Upon a dead ball, play automatically ends and runners may advance to the base they are heading to. If the base runner is stationary on a base the base runner is not given the next base and must stay at that base.
3. During any play where a ball is popped or deflates significantly, the play should be redone with a new ball.
4. The fence is not considered a dead ball, play will continue if the ball hits the fence.
M. INJURIES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
1. In cases of injury or illness, a time-out may be requested for participant removal and replacement with a substitute of the same gender. If the participant later returns to play, the participant must be inserted in the same fielding and written scorebook kicking order position previously held. If the player skips their turn at bat but then returns to play the team will incur an out during their next at bat.
2. If a player is ejected, injured, or becomes ill and cannot continue, the written scorebook kicking order will continue in the same formation, less the removed player.
3. Injured players who do not kick shall not play in the game.
4. Any player removed from the game for injury or illness must be noted on both teams’ written scorebook kicking orders and mentioned to the Head Referee.
5. The pitcher and the catcher positions may only be replaced once per inning unless injury forces another substitution.
6. Only runners who are injured while traveling to a base, and who successfully make it to a base, may be substituted. All runner substitutions must be of the same gender and with the last runner marked as an out. There are no other allowable runner substitutions.
III. Putting the Ball in Play
N. KICKING
1. Each player of the offensive team shall bat in the order that their name appears in their team’s batting order. All team players present must kick in the written scorebook order, but do not have to field. The first infraction of this Rule by a team will result in an out for the next kicker in the written scorebook order. A second infraction by a team will result in a forfeit of that game. The kicking lineup does not require a specific gender order.
2. The first kicker in each inning after the first inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last player who completed their time at bat in the preceding inning.
3. All kicks must be made by foot or leg. The ball must be kicked below the knee.
4. All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. The kicker may step on home plate to kick; however, no part of the planted foot may be in front of or cross the front edge of the home plate. The kicker must be within the kicking box and have at least a portion of the plant foot within the kicking box during the kick.
5. A failure of the ball to pass the 1st-3rd base diagonal will be a foul.
O. RUNNING
1. Runners must stay within the baseline, running outside of the baseline to avoid contact with a fielder possessing the ball, shall result in an out.
2. Fielders must stay out of the baseline, unless making an active play for the ball or with the ball. Fielders trying to make an out may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the baseline. Runners hindered by any fielder within the baseline, not making an active play for the ball, shall be safe at the base to which they were running.
3. Neither leading off base, nor stealing a base is allowed. If this occurs the runner will be out. A runner may advance once the ball is kicked.
4. Hitting a runner’s neck or head with the ball is not allowed, except when the runner is sliding or ducking. Any runner hit in the neck or head is safe, and advances to the base they were running toward. If the runner intentionally uses the head or neck to block the ball the runner is out.
5. Tag-ups are required when the ball is touched or caught. If a ball is deflected, then caught, the runner may advance to the next base on the first touch. If a kicked ball is caught, runners are forced to tag their originating base before running to the next base. If the runner has not moved off of base before the ball is touched or caught, the runner may run forward without a forced tag up.
6. All ties will go to the runner. Runners may overrun first base but no other base.
7. There are no restrictions on base runners when a ball is over thrown into foul territory unless:
a. a non-playing member on the sideline touches the ball, the play will be considered dead and the runner will be awarded the base they are running to.
b. an over thrown ball into foul territory comes in contact with any inanimate object: such as but not limited to, a cooler, chair, bag, or fence the play will be considered dead and the runner must stay at the base they are heading to.
c. the ball falls behind objects that hinder the fielder’s path to the ball or field.
8. Turning to the left after running through 1st base is permitted as long as the runner doesn’t cross over the foul line. Stepping in fair territory is considered intent to second and the player can be tagged out, even if they step back into foul or are walking. A one (1) foot box shall be extended behind first. If the kicker that over ran first is walking back to the base and steps in this box but not on the base will still be considered in foul territory and not subject to be tagged out.
9. The bases cannot be moved. If a player slides into a base and takes the base with them, they may be tagged out as this constitutes over-running the base. To stay safe on the base if the base moves ensure a part of the body stays in the spray painted base box.
P. PITCHING
1. The pitcher may start the act of pitching outside the pitching circle but must complete the act inside the circle. The pitcher must stay behind the pitching strip until the ball is kicked. No part of the pitcher’s front foot may be in front of or across the front edge of the pitching strip. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.
2. Balls must be pitched by hand. All pitches must be underhand or pushed from the chest. Over-hand pitching and side arm is not allowed.
3. Once the pitcher has the ball in control and on the mound, the play ends.
4. Teams may substitute pitchers once an inning. The substitute pitcher must complete the remainder of that inning.
Q. BALLS
1. A count of four (4) balls advances the kicker to first base.
2. A ball is:
a. a pitch outside of the strike zone, defined by the inner lines of the batter’s box, where a kick is not attempted.
b. a ball that bounces above a foot off the ground (measured from the bottom of the ball) while it travels through the strike zone.
c. any fielder advancing forward the 1st-3rd base diagonal before the ball is kicked.
d. any time the catcher advances past the kicker before the ball is kicked:
e. if the catcher is positioned in front of the kicker and the pitcher pitches the ball it is a
ball no matter the outcome;
f. a pitch that doesn’t bounce at least once before crossing home plate.