Kickball Rules

GENERAL

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

  • All participants must agree to the Waiver of Liability.  
  • The waiver can be accepted on each participant player's dashboard.
  • A waiver must be signed for each league that is participated in.
  • All participants in the league assume the risk of injury. The PSL, its volunteers, and employees shall not be liable for injury to person, loss or damage to personal property arising from or in any way resulting from participation in the league.

COVID PROTOCOLS

  • All participants must sign and acknowledge our Covid-19 Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement
  • It is recommended that all players: 
    • Wear masks
    • Social distance
    • Avoid gathering in large crowds before or after your games
    • Sanitize often
    • Conduct daily symptom assessments. Anyone experiencing symptoms or has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days must stay home. 
  • All participants must check-in with an official at each game with proof of identity that matches your roster name. 

SPORTSMANSHIP

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
  • Any behavior that is deemed violent, harassing, and/or inappropriate in any way, as witnessed by the umpire, referee, or PUMP/PSL staff, will result in the actions outlined in our Sportsmanship Policy.
  • A player who is ejected from a game must leave the premises immediately. Play will not resume until the ejected player has left.
  • Officials reserve the right to end a game at any point if the overall sportsmanship is out of line.
  • Captains are to be the team liaison to discuss any call or rule with an official during game play.

WEATHER POLICY

  • The decision to call a rainout will be made as early as possible and will be updated on our Rainout Line as per PSL policy.
  • We will endeavor to play in mildly inclement weather. Rainouts will not be called unless conditions on the field are extremely poor or the weather is deemed dangerous.
  • Umpires have the jurisdiction to call a game due to darkness or weather at the beginning or during a game.    

ROSTERS & PLAYERS

SUBMITTING A ROSTER

  • Each team must submit a roster with a minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 players. 
  • No player may register for more than 1 team within the same league without prior approval from the PSL. 
  • Rosters must be submitted and a waiver form must be signed before any player may take the field. 
  • Rosters must be submitted by the date outlined in your registration email. 
  • Rosters must be finalized and no changes are allowed after the second week of play.
  • Any changes after your first game must be emailed to PSL staff. 
  • No player who is not on your roster and signed our waivers may play in the league.
     

PLAYERS

  • A team consists of 10 players, and there may never be more than 6 men on the field at a time.
    • As per our Inclusivity Statement, players should register and play in the way that most closely aligns with their gender identity. 
  • A team may play with 8 or 9 players if necessary, but must have a minimum of 3 gender minority players on the field.
    • When playing with 9 players, teams must provide their own catcher.
    • When playing with 8 players a catcher does not have to be provided but someone from the infield will need to cover plays at the plate.
  • Teams are permitted to pick up a maximum of 2 players from another PSL kickball team to avoid forfeiting their game.
  • No team may use subs, PSL or otherwise, for playoffs.
    • All players participating in a playoff game must be on your roster to be eligible to participate.
       

GAME SCHEDULE
 

START TIME & FORFEITS

  • All games will start at their scheduled time.
  • If a team does not have enough players to start the game by 5 minutes after the scheduled start time, they will forfeit.
  • If enough players to start a game arrive between 5 and 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game will be officiated and played as a scrimmage but will still be recorded as a forfeit.
  • Once 10 minutes after the scheduled start time has passed, the game is recorded as a forfeit and the teams are allowed to use the remaining time to practice or organize a pickup game. Umpires are not required to stay and officiate.
  • Teams forfeiting 2 or more times during the regular season will be ineligible for playoffs.
  • Teams must submit a forfeit notification when they are unable to make a scheduled game.
  • Teams who submit a forfeit notification three (3) or more hours in advance of their game will receive a 7-0 loss.
  • Teams who submit a forfeit notification one to two (1-2) hours in advance of their game will receive a 9-0 loss.
  • Teams who submit a forfeit notification with less than an hour before their game begins will receive a 15-0 loss.

GAME LENGTH

  • Regulation games are 7 innings.
  • A game that is called off by the umpire after 5 full innings of play shall be considered a regulation game and will not be made up. The game score at the end of the last full inning shall determine the winner.
  • A game that is called before 5 full innings of play shall not be considered a regulation game and shall be rescheduled and restarted from the beginning.
  • There is no mercy rule in kickball.

EXTRA INNINGS

  • Regular season games can end in a tie.
  • During the regular season, if a game is tied after 7 innings AND there are at least 10 minutes before the next game's scheduled start time, an 8th inning will be played. If the game is still tied after 8 innings, the game will end in a tie. If a game is still in progress when the next game is set to start, the game will be called and the game score at the end of the last full inning shall stand.
  • During the post season, additional innings will be played until a winner is determined, however there will be no warm-ups between half innings.

RULES

PLAYING FIELD

  • The bases are set 60 feet apart.
  • The pitcher's mound is approximately 42 feet and 5 1/8 inches - roughly 14 large paces - from home plate.
    • The pitcher's mat is directly aligned with first and third bases diagonally.

LINEUPS

  • A lineup must be submitted to the umpire before the game begins and all teams must kick in the written order.
  • All players must have a spot in the kicking order.
  • Teams may not bat 3 men in a row. If the ratio of men and women does not readily permit this please see our kicking templates for further assistance.
  • A player arriving late to the game may be added to the end of the lineup only if it doesn't cause three men to kick in a row. If it will cause 3 men to kick in a row, insert the player into the last spot on the lineup that works with our line-up rule.
  • If a player is injured or becomes ill and cannot continue the lineup will continue in the same formation unless minor adjustments are needed to maintain the proper gender rules. The injured and/or sick player will not incur an out when their spot in the line-up is reached.
  • If a player is ejected from a game, the lineup will remain in the same formation unless minor adjustments are needed to maintain the proper gender rules. The ejected player will incur an out when their spot in the lineup is reached.

ILLEGAL LINEUPS

  • These rules will only be enforced if the offending team has scored any runs prior to the illegal lineup being caught. If no runs have been scored the lineup can be corrected and play will resume without restarting the game.
  • If an illegal lineup is caught before the 2nd inning of a game, the game will be started over and the lineup corrected.
  • If an illegal lineup is caught between the 2nd and 4th inning of a game, the lineup will be corrected and the game will be started over and played as a 5-inning game. If time permits, 7 innings may be played.
  • If an illegal lineup is caught after the 4th inning of a game, the lineup will be corrected and teams will finish the game, however the game will be recorded as a forfeit for the offending team.
  • Any team caught using an illegal lineup will be contacted by PSL staff and further discipline will be instituted for any future occurrences.

COURTESY RUNNERS

  • Players needing a courtesy runner must let the umpire know before their first at bat.
  • Players may not use a courtesy runner if they advance past first base on a fairly kicked ball.
    • The exception to this is if a runner injures themselves running to a base; in this case a pinch runner may be awarded at the umpire's discretion.
  • Once a player uses a courtesy runner, that player must use a courtesy runner for the remainder of the game.
  • The last player of the same gender who has been called out shall be the courtesy runner.
    • If no player has been called out, the player of the same gender farthest away from the player needing a courtesy runner in the batting order will be used as the courtesy runner.
      • For example, if the first man batter in the batting order needs a courtesy runner, the man batting last would be his/their courtesy runner.
    • Courtesy runners will likely change inning to inning based on the last player to be called out.

GAME PLAY

  • Only captains may discuss or clarify calls with the umpire.
  • The team captain may request a time-out from the umpire that can be granted at the umpire's discretion. All action in progress must be completed before a request may be made.
  • Play ends and the umpire calls time when the umpire deems that all immediate play is completed.
  • A count of 3 outs by a team completes the team's half of the inning. An out is the following:
    • Any combination of strikes/fouls.
    • A runner touched by a kickball at any time while not at base.
    • A fielder throwing a ball and hitting a runner with soft-to-medium force below the shoulder.
    • Any kicked ball that is caught in the air in fair or foul territory.
    • A fielder with control of the ball and tagging a base to which a runner is forced.
    • A runner off his/her/their base before the ball is kicked.
    • A bunted ball (after 1 team warning is issued).
  • The umpire will decide if unnecessary force was used to throw a ball at a runner. In this case the throwing player may be ejected and the runner will be called safe.
  • Infielders may not encroach past the imaginary line that runs diagonally from first base to third base until the kicker makes contact with the ball.
    • If an infielder encroaches past the diagonal line before contact with the ball is made, the kicker will be awarded first base.
  • No outfielder may step into the infield until the kicker makes contact with the ball.
    • If an outfielders encroaches into the infield before contact with the ball is made, but after the first pitch, the ball is immediately dead and the kicker is awarded first base.
    • Runners on base only advance if they are forced.

PITCHING & CATCHING

  • The strike zone extends to 1 foot on either side of home plate, and 1 foot high.
  • A legal pitch is delivered underhand.
  • At least 2 bounces on a pitched ball are required.
  • Pitch speed may range from slow to moderately fast.
  • Pitching "fireballs" with excessive speed shall be determined a ball at the umpire's discretion.
  • A ball that is kicked foul but rolls into fair territory before 1st or 3rd base will be considered a fair ball as long as no player has touched the ball in foul territory.
  • A ball that is bobbled and then caught will be considered an out, so long as it doesn't touch the ground before the player catches it. Runners tagging up may advance once the ball comes in contact with the fielder, whether they make a clean catch or bobble the ball before catching it.
  • It is considered a catch if the ball bounces from one player to another without touching the ground or any other surface. If it hits a fence, tree, or anything else first it is not considered a catch.

KICKING

  • All kicks must be made by foot or the foot region.
    • The kicker must take a full kick at the ball.
    • There is no bunting.
    • Each team will be issued a warning before outs are assessed for bunting.
      • Once each team has been warned the play will result in an out and the ball is dead.
    • All kicks must occur at or behind home plate.
      • A kick in front of home plate is a dead ball and a foul ball and counts as a strike.
    • A count of 3 strikes constitutes an out. A strike is the following:
      • A pitch within the strike zone not kicked.
      • A pitch missed by the kicker.
      • A foul ball.
    • A count of 4 balls advances the kicker to first base. A ball is the following:
      • A pitch outside of the strike zone where a kick is not attempted.
      • Any fielder or pitcher advancing on home plate before the ball is kicked.
      • Any catcher crossing home plate before the kicker or failing to field behind the kicker.
    • A foul ball is counted as a strike. A foul is the following:
      • A kick landing out of bounds.
      • A kick landing in bounds but traveling out of bounds on its own before reaching first or third base; a kick where contact is made with the ball in front of home plate.
      • There are no courtesy fouls in kickball.
    • The infield fly rule is in effect.

RUNNING

  • Runners must stay within the base line. Fielders must stay out of the base line unless they are fielding a kicked ball. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the baseline. Runners hindered by any fielder within the base line shall be safe at the base to which they were running.
  • Neither leading off base nor stealing a base is allowed. A runner cannot leave the base until the kicker has made contact with the ball or the runner on the base will be out.
  • Hitting a runner with the ball above the shoulder level with a direct throw or kick by a fielder is not allowed. Any runner hit above shoulder level in this matter is safe. If the runner intentionally uses the head to block the ball and is so called by the umpire, or if the runner slides and is hit above the shoulders, the runner is out.
  • If the runner is advancing after a kicked fly ball is caught, runners must tag their originating base before running to the next base. If the runner has not moved before the ball is caught, the runner may simply run forward without a tag up. The runner is allowed to advance to the next base after first contact to a fielder without tagging up if the fielders catch the ball on a bobble. 
  • All ties go to the runner. Runners may overrun first base, but if they are not attempting to advance to 2nd base they must stay in foul territory while returning to first base.
  • Baserunners must not interfere with the play in progress. A baserunner who does interfere will be charged with interference resulting in both the baserunner and the batter-runner being called out on the play.
  • When a defensive player has the ball and is waiting for the runner, and the runner remains on his feet and deliberately runs into the defensive player, the runner is declared out. The ball will be declared dead and all runners must return to the last base they legally occupied. If the act is to be judged flagrant by the umpire, the offending player will be declared out and ejected from the game and the runner closest to home will also be called out.
  • Runners must slide or surrender when a fielder has the ball and is waiting at the base to make the tag. Runners who do not slide or surrender will be called out.
    • Surrender will be defined as slowing down to the point where the runner can hold the base without contacting the fielder covering the base.
  • Ball out of play: In taking advantage of the time loss from an overthrown ball that travels out of play, a runner may not run beyond the subsequent base to the one originally running toward when the ball was thrown.
  • If a runner intentionally touches or stops the ball the play ends and the runner who touched the ball is out.

EQUIPMENT

  • Athletic shoes are required.
  • Plastic cleats are encouraged.
  • Metal cleats are not allowed.
  • A game kickball (8.5 inches) and bases are provided by the PSL.

PLAYOFFS

SEEDINGS

  • Playoffs are based on win/loss record.
    • The number of teams to qualify for playoffs will vary from season to season based on the number of teams registered.
    • To find out what time each seed will play, please check out our FAQ's page.

TIEBREAKERS

  • All teams tied in the standings will use the following tiebreakers, in order, to determine seeding 
    • Most regular season wins.
      • Head-to-head.
      • Least runs allowed.
      • Most points scored.
      • Least points given up vs highest ranked common opponent.
        • If teams play a common opponent an uneven number of times, the next highest common opponent is used.
        • If teams have same runs/points given up vs common opponent, the next highest common opponent is used.
      • Coin toss.
  • 3-way tiebreakers:  When 3 or more teams are tied; all teams will be ranked on the same criteria as opposed to knocking a team out then returning to the top of the tiebreaker list.  Tiebreakers will be applied until all teams that are tied can be ranked using the same criteria.  If the teams did not play one another in an even number of games then "head-to-head" will be skipped.

 

CITY OF PITTSBURGH FIELD RULES:

http://pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/field-permit

 

Announcements

LOGIN ISSUES

Many of our login issues stem from errors in the emails of invited players and can be easily resolved.

Reminder: please use your email address (the one associated with your PUMP account) as your username.

If the emails do not match it will not work.

If you cannot login, FILL OUT THIS FORM. 

 

UPCOMING REGISTRATIONS

 

Spring 2024 Registration Dates! Registration will open at 12pm each day for the sport listed. Click on each sport for more information!

 

Tuesday, February 13th: BowlingCornhole


Wednesday, February 14th: PickleballVolleyball

 

Thursday, February 15th: BasketballTennis Clinic


Tuesday, February 27th: Flag Football

 

Wednesday, February 28th: Kickball

 

Thursday, February 29th: Softball

 

 

UPDATED GENDER POLICY

We are very excited to share our newly updated PSL Gender Policy for Inclusive Game Play

Any feedback on this policy can be voiced here!

 

PSL Staff's hours of league correspondence: 

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 11:00 am

*Note these are the hours that PSL staff is usually available for email and/or phone calls. We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible and appreciate your patience. 

 

If your team needs to forfeit please notify us here