SPORTSFEST Kickball Tournament (April 27th, 2024)

THE GAME

• Co-Ed Adult Kickball is a friendly game similar to Slow Pitch Softball. The object of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team. It is played with 10 fielders (4 infielders, 4 outfielders, 1 pitcher, and 1 catcher), and as a co-ed tournament the intended format is 6 male players and 4 female players on the field at a time.  No more than 6 male players may be on the field at any one time.

• All games will consist of 45 minutes or 7 innings, whichever comes first.  No new innings will begin after 40 minutes into the game (excepting the Championship Game). Captains must present their line ups to the umpire before the official game time.  Clock starts at game time and will begin once both teams are ready for play.  A forfeit is called at 10 minutes after the game start time if a team or teams do not have enough players to start.

• Teams can have an unlimited number of players on the official roster with a minimum of 4 females.  All team members must be in a SPORTSKIND tournament shirt.  If a player on the team is not wearing their shirt, the team will be assessed an out before the first kick by that player.  This is a one-time out but it could be costly so be sure to wear your tournament shirt! A team can start and/or play an official game with only 8 players, but the team must take an out at the end of the batting order for each missing female player, each time through the batting order.  All team members must be on the roster/have signed the waiver in order to be eligible to participate in the tournament.

• All team members must play in at least one of the pool play games to be eligible for the single elimination part of the tournament. Any team found to have a player on the field that did not sign the waiver or play in a pool play game will forfeit that game. This responsibility is up to the team captain to make sure all players have signed the waiver and been added to the roster.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

• The first two randomly matched games will be used to determine placement in a single elimination tournament.  Ties are a possible outcome during these first two games, and “Home” and “Visitor” status will be determined by rock-paper-scissors prior to each game.

• After every team plays their first two games they will be placed in the single elimination tournament based on the following factors:
  • Overall Record (Ties are a possible outcome in the first two games)
  • Run differential
  • If any teams are still tied, seeding will be decided by coin flip

• Depending on the number of tournament teams some of the higher seeds may receive a bye.  Home and Visitor status throughout the tournament will be determined by the higher seed electing to be either home or away. There WILL NOT be a shift in the bracket to align up the remaining lower seed with the remaining higher seed in the tournament.

• The Championship game will crown the champion team of the tournament.  This game will NOT be time capped and will be a 7 inning game by design.  However, if the difference in score is 10 or more runs 45 minutes into the game, no new inning will begin.

OFFENSE

• There is no limit to the number of players on a team and in the kicking order as long as no more than 2 males kick in a row. 3 males in a row will result in an out before the third male would kick.  Each team will kick around the entire batting order regardless of the players playing in the field.

• Substitutes are allowed during the game on the field.  Changes to the kicking order are not permitted once they have been submitted to the umpire.  Pinch hitters are not allowed.

• All kickers come to the plate with a one ball and one strike count. Once a kicker reaches a two strike count, they will be allowed one foul kick.  A second foul kick will result in an automatic out.

• If a male, who is followed by a female kicker, is walked then he automatically goes to second base. The female kicking behind him will have the option to advance to first or kick.  A female who is walked will automatically advance to first base and the only case where base runners would advance is if there is a runner on first.

• The strike zone is roughly 48” across. Balls pitched with excessive speed or bounce will be called an automatic “ball’ by the umpire. In order for a pitch to be called a strike:
  • Any part of the ball must pass over any part of the plate, AND
  • The ball must have bounced a minimum of two time prior to crossing the plate, AND
  • The ball must not be bouncing higher than 6″ off of the ground by the time the ball crosses the plate.

• The kicker’s plant-foot must not be completely beyond home plate at the time the ball is contacted; this will be called an illegal kick and an out will be called.

• The ball can be thrown at the runner to be put out. The ball must hit the runner at the shoulders or below. A runner hit in the head will NOT be ruled out, UNLESS the runner slides, ducks, or jumps to avoid the throw.

• All balls must pass the bunt line or it is considered a foul ball.

• There is no ‘Run Rule’.

• Base runners may not steal, lead off, or advance until the ball has been kicked. Violation of this rule will result in the base runner moving back to the proper base. If the kicker makes a fair kick while a base runner is leading off then the runner will be out.

• Base runners struck with a live ball shall be ruled out.  Base runners may not interfere with a defensive player trying to field a ball. If a base runner is standing on the base and is struck by a kicked ball they ARE NOT out, however the ball is live and playable. An umpire being struck by a kicked ball is part of the field and the ball will remain in play if in bounds.

• Courtesy runners for injuries are allowed.  The courtesy runner shall be the player of the same sex as the injured player who most immediately precedes the injured player in the kicking lineup and is not on base.  If the courtesy runner is still on base when he/she is up to bat, he/she may stay on base but cannot kick, and the team will be assessed an out.

• If an ELIMINATION GAME is tied after the standard game time is expired, extra innings will be played until the tie is broken.  The last player in the lineup will start on 2nd base and teams will begin extra innings at the top of the kicking lineup.  Each kicker will start with a full count and one foul and will receive one pitch. If the pitch is ruled a ball by the umpire, the kicker will advance per regulation rules. If the pitch is ruled a strike or a kick is ruled a foul by the umpire, the kicker will be out. Full overtime one-pitch innings will be played until the tie is broken.

DEFENSE

• There is no requirement regarding male/female ratios in the infield or outfield but there must be at least 4 females in the field unless the team is playing with only 8 or 9 players and are missing female players.

• Outfielders must start in the outfield grass before the ball is kicked.  The umpire will warn outfielders to move back if deemed too close, the second offense will result in an automatic single for the kicker.

• All defensive players must wait until the ball is kicked to move forward. The pitcher and all defensive players cannot charge the kicker until the ball has been kicked.  The Umpire will give one warning and a second offense will result in an automatic single for the kicker.

• Infielders may position themselves anywhere in the infield, including in front of the bunt line, provided they do not move forward until the ball is kicked.

• Defensive substitutes are allowed from inning to inning, but no defensive substitutions may be made during any given in progress half inning, with the exception of injury or late arriving players to shorthanded teams.

• Defensive players must give the runners room to run to the next base not blocking the baseline or the base itself. If the defensive player doesn’t give the runner sufficient space in the baseline, or on the base, obstruction will be called and the umpire will rule in favor of the runner by default, awarding the runner the base in question.  On plays at first base, if a defensive player impedes a runner in foul territory, the runner shall be ruled safe.

• The defensive player can throw the ball at the runner to gain an out. The runner will be called out if the thrown ball hits them in the air or is bounced and hits him/her.  The thrown ball must hit the runner at the shoulders or below.  The runner is not out if hit in the head area UNLESS the runner slides, ducks, or jumps.

• On an overthrown ball that results in the ball going outside of the playing field all runners will advance a maximum of one base.

• There is NO infield fly rule in kickball. If the ball is popped up in the infield with runners on base the defensive player must make a good faith effort to catch the ball. If the defensive player makes a play that appears to be purposely dropped or missed the official can overturn the play and call an out on the pop fly, at which time all runners will return to their base.

SPORTSMANSHIP

• We enforce a “Zero Tolerance Policy” in regards to behavior of players, managers, and fans. Taunting, trash talking, or abusive language will not be tolerated.  Umpires and tournament staff will have the right to reprimand or eject players, managers, or fans depending on the severity of the situation. Abusive behavior toward the umpire will not be tolerated. An ejection carries a two game suspension (including the current game). In extreme cases, the player will be asked to leave the premises without refund. The severity of the punishment will be based on the discretion of the umpire and tournament staff. Only CAPTAINS of respective teams are allowed to approach the umpire with questions or concerns in a respective manner. Teams charging the field of play to question or complain a call will be subject to automatic forfeit for that game.

• Alcohol and smoking is not allowed on playing fields.

• Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the Tournament Director.

• Kickball is played in the rain if at all possible unless the Umpire or Facility Representative decides it is necessary to postpone due to dangerous field conditions or lightning. If lightning occurs, all attempts will be made to resume play 30 minutes after the last lightning flash is viewed and the umpire deems it safe to resume play. The games will resume as scheduled if at all possible, or shortened if necessary.

• All decisions of the umpire are final. The umpire shall also have the final authority to make adjustments to match schedules, match duration, and other aspects of the league as may become necessary during the course of the tournament.

LEAGUE AUTHORITY

• FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  ANY INSTANCES OF FIGHTING MAY RESULT IN A TEAM FORFEIT OF THE TOURNAMENT WITHOUT REFUND AND POSSIBLE EXPULSIONS FROM FUTURE TOURNAMENTS.

• ALL DECISIONS OF THE LEAGUE STAFF ARE FINAL.  THE LEAGUE STAFF SHALL ALSO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO GAME SCHEDULES, GAME DURATION. AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RULES OR OF THE LEAGUE.