Adult kickball Rules

reminder: THE FIRST BASE PATH IS RESERVED FOR THE base RUNNER, the runner has THE RIGHT TO RUN a straight LINE through and past the orange base. *the 1st baseman must not impede this path.

remember: we are the only kickball league in the city that provides umpires.

they're there to help mediate the game and to allow it to run smoothly.

please do not argue with the umpires - their decision is always final.

new 2026 rules and clarifications

for the first time in only the top-4 games of the wednesday night league, we will be implementing 'balls and strikes'.
- any pitch that is deemed 'too fast' will count as a 'ball'.
- any pitch that is deemed 'too bouncy' will count as a 'ball'.
- any pitch that does not roll through completely through the chalk box (entering from the top and exitting from the bottom) will count as a 'ball'. (the line is considered "in")
- all pitches that are a reasonable speed, have a reasonable roll, and roll through the chalk box will count as a 'strike'
- 4 balls = walk
- 3 strikes = out
- you can only strike out from a 3rd strike or a 4th foul ball.
- this rule is not meant to change the pitching, but meant to detour batters from not kicking strikes & 'burning the clock'.
if a batter kicks the ball and the ball then hits a baserunner, the baserunner is "out" even if the baserunner is touching a base. we consider this 'interference', a baserunner should never touch a live ball. if this happens the play stops, it is a "dead ball", the batter is given 1st base, and the baserunner that was hit by the ball is "out". *this rule applies to fly-balls, line-drive, and grounders as well*.

52 MINUTE TIME LIMIT + 1 FULL INNING.
"tagging up" - a base runner must touch their base they started on any time a defender catches a fly ball.
- if a ball is caught, the runner may 'tag up' and run as soon as the first defender touches the ball.
- if the defender bobbles the ball the runner does not have to wait for the defender to fully make the catch.
- if one defender bobbles the ball and another defender catches the ball, the runner does not have to wait for the 2nd defender to fully make the catch; the runner may 'tag up' as soon as the first defender touches it.

a dropped fly ball cannot account for more than one out. similar to an 'infield fly rule'. defenses cannot intentionally drop a fly ball to get a second out. If this occurs, only the lead base runner would be considered out. However, if another base runner tries stealing additional bases, it is fair-game for the defense to get the extra out.

frequently asked rules

When playing Coed Kickball - just think baseball/softball rules with a few differences...

Outs can also be made by the defender throwing the ball at a runners body - like dodgeball; just avoid the head.
4 foul balls = an out.
“Pitcher Hand” is always in effect; any time the pitcher has the ball - play stops! (the pitcher must have the ball inside the sand and in fair territory.)
No leading off. (RUNNERS MAY BE CALLED 'OUT' IF UMPIRE DECIDES IT IS FLAGRANT)
for safety, Homeplate is the entire square (batters box) not just the plate itself.
Each team gets one bunt per inning. A bunt is defined as an ‘intentionally short kick’, this is the umpires decision.
10 players maximum on defense; 3 females required.
Teams are penalized 5-runs for every missing female under the limit.
Games are played in 52-minute time limits + 1 final inning - not a set number of innings.
The Regular season is 5 weeks long, followed by 2 weeks of playoffs.
playoffs are a single elimination, seeded bracket.
All teams make the playoffs and are placed their respective bracket based on ranking.
regular season & Playoff Games cannot end in a tie.
tie-breaker rule: "Longest kick showdown" (see below)
If your full team is expected to miss a game, please let someone know ahead of time. This way we can let the other team know.

ALL CAPTAINS are responsible FOR ANY SUBS THEY BRING IN. play at your own risk. GR REC SPORTS WILL NOT BE held LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE a SUBSTITUTE MAY CAUSE.

FULL RULES
GENERAL RULES:

All teams play 1 game per week. (sometimes teams may have double-headers)
7 games total per season. (5 games are regular season, 2 games are playoffs).
All games must start on time! (IF A TEAM IS 10+ MINUTES LATE the opposing team gets the option for a 10-0 disqualification score)
games are played and must finish under the 60-minute time limit - not a set number of innings. umpires will call out the official start time before every game and set an alarm for 52-minutes. when the alarm sounds, one more full inning will take place.
Each team gets an equal number of at-bats.
10 players maximum on defense at a time; 3 females are required. (any less may result in a penalty; see penalties)
a player cannot sub for another team if they also play on the same league day (however, the opposing team can 'okay' this if desired).

penalties & coed gender rules:

3 females SHOULD be ON the field AT ALL TIMES and must bat for their team TO AVOID PENALTIES.
If A TEAM DOES NOT HAVE 3+ FEMALES ON THE FIELD by 10-minutes of the start - PENALTIES OCCUR.
1. THE PENALIZED TEAM starts DOWN five runs FOR EVERY MISSING FEMALE.
2. the PENALIZED TEAM must play with one fewer defender for every missing female (they cannot play a male in place of the female on defense).

example: If a team only has two females, the score starts 0-5, and they must play with 9 players on defense (including the two females).

If a player is over 10-minutes late or joins when the batting order has already completed one full rotation; that player must be added to the very end of the lineup.

GAME PLAY:

3 outs per half-inning. Players are considered ‘out’ if:
- Strike out; 3 strikes, or 4 foul balls.
- Fly ball caught by defense.
- A throw out at a lead base. (force out)
- A runner tagged by the ball.
- A batter that 'double taps' the ball. if the ball touches the batter again after the ball is kicked the batter is out and play stops (runners may not advance).
- A runner is hit by a thrown ball. avoid head-shots, if the runner is hit in the head, the runner is safe. however if the runner slides or makes any unnatural move to be hit in the head - the runner is out. (this rule changes for TOP BRACKET PLAYOFF GAMES; see playoffs).
- a baserunner is hit by the kicked ball, even if they are touching a base. (offense should never touch the ball)
"Pitchers hand rule" is always in effect; any time the pitcher has the ball inside the sand & in fair territory the play stops and base-runners cannot advance. however, if both of the runners feet are completely past the base then the runner may continue to advance.
The pitcher must pitch the ball at a reasonable speed and style that gives the batter a fair chance. ie: no overly fast balls and no overly bouncing balls. The umpire may call this out and start calling 'balls & strikes' if he/she feels it necessary. (just be respectful and have fun)
Homeplate is more than just the actually plate, it is the entire chalk-box. (for safety)
homeplate (the entire chalk-box) is considered fair territory.
the infield is not allowed to cross the halfway hash-mark until the ball is kicked.
The OUtfield is not allowed to cross into the infield until the ball is kicked.
the catcher must NOT IMPEDE THE KICKER and STAY BEHIND THE back chalk-line of homeplate until the ball is kicked. (the catcher should not crowd the batter, give them enough room to kick).
The kicker is NOT allowed to kick the ball IN FRONT OF home plate line - if he/she does so, it is considered a foul ball with the option for the defense to decline the foul ball and take the resulting play.
BATTING LINEUPS MUST STAY IN ITS ORIGINAL ORDER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE GAME.
NO leading-off BASES.
NO stealing BASES until the ball is kicked.
slide at your own risk, sliding can be unsafe and cause injury! if players choose to slide they do so at their own risk. they are not automatically out.
a runner can be called 'out' if they intentionally run more than 3 feet outside the base path while trying to avoid a tag/defender.
- a runner may run more than 3 feet outside the base path while rounding the bases if they do so naturally with momentum. however, if the runner is already 3-feet or more outside the base path while rounding then proceeds to go further outside the path while attempting to avoid a tag/defender then the runner may be called as 'out'.
a dropped fly ball cannot account for more than one out. similar to an 'infield fly rule'. defenses cannot intentionally drop a fly ball to get a second out. If this occurs, only the lead base runner would be considered out. However, if another base runner tries stealing additional bases, it is fair-game for the defense to get the extra out.
If a team has THE FULL 10 players on defense, they must play a catcher.
If a team has THE 10 players on defense, they must play four outfielders.
ALL DEFENSIVE PLAYERS MUST STAY AT THE POSITIONS THEY STARTED AT THROUGHOUT THE FULL INNING.
any foul ball that is touched by a defender before it hits the ground is considered fair and a 'live ball'.
"tagging up" - a base runner must touch their base they started on any time a defender catches a fly ball.
- if a ball is caught, the runner may 'tag up' and run as soon as the first defender touches the ball.
  - if the defender bobbles the ball the runner does not have to wait for the defender to fully make the catch.
  - if one defender bobbles the ball and another defender catches the ball, the runner does not have to wait for the 2nd defender to fully make the catch; the runner may 'tag up' as soon as the first defender touches it.
  - this eliminates any purposeful bobble and makes a 'clean catch' the best play.
INTERFERENCE MAY BE CALLED on a BASE RUNNER if they INTERFERE WITH A DEFENDER TRYING TO MAKE A PLAY. (THE base RUNNER WOULD BE CALLED AS 'OUT').
INTERFERENCE MAY BE CALLED on A DEFENDER if they INTERFERE WITH THE BASE RUNNER RUNNING TO FIRST BASE. (THE RUNNER WOULD BE CALLED AS 'SAFE').

if a player is injured, or for some reason cannot run the bases, a "pinch runner" may be used. The pinch runner is always the last player 'out' of the same gender on the batting team. if a Pinch Runner is needed for the batter, the pinch runner will start from home plate and can begin running to 1st base once the ball is kicked.

tie-breaker rule: "Longest kick showdown"

if the game is tied after the time-limit is reached the games goes into the tie-breaker.

to start: each team designates their own "pitcher & batter duo".
each "duo's" pitcher gets to pitch only one ball to their teammate/batter, the batter must kick that one pitch.
the 'duo' who's ball is kicked furthest (including its roll) wins.
each balls is measured from home plate to where the ball comes to a stop.
any 'foul ball' or a pitch that goes unkicked is considered a zero distance kick. (so kick it and keep the ball in play)
if the ball lands fair then rolls out-of-bounds, the ball is considered fair and will be measured.
the team that batted to start the game first also bats first in the tie breaker.
the 'longest kick' counts as a 'point for' and breaks the tie. this is reflected in standings as an extra "point for".

BUNT RULES:

each team gets one 'bunt' per inning.
a kick is considered a 'bunt' if the umpire determines it to be an 'intentionally short kick' .
the 'bunt rule' we treat like the 'strike zone' in baseball - everyone should understand that it is a gray area. please do not argue with the umpire - their decision is always final.
the umpire will call out a bunt so both teams know it has been used.
any additional bunt is considered a foul ball. (4 fouls = 1 out)
any ball that is 'stopped' with the foot, instead of touched in a bunt manner results in a foul ball.

PLAYOFFS:

all teams make the playoffs.
teams are seeded according to standings and play in their similar skill bracket.
Playoffs are single-elimination, bracket style match-ups.
substitute players can play in the playoffs as long as they do not play in the league on the same day for another team. (opposing teams can always allow a substitute if they choose to.)

Playoff Rules (top bracket only; seeds #1-4)

The top bracket (top 4 teams) of the playoffs are umpired and enforced more heavily by the umps. new rules are also in effect; below are all new rules.
semi-final games may have anywhere between 1-3 umpires on the field to help see all angles and to help get the correct calls.
Championship games will normally have 3 umpires on the field. (every close-call may be put to a vote by the 3 umpires; these calls are made by majority decision and are final).
52 MINUTE TIME LIMIT + 1 FULL INNING.
Any 'headshots' are only ruled as 'outs' if the umpire(s) deem them as intentionally malicious or flagrant. (UMPIRES DECISION)
batters running through 1st base:
- when the batter runs past first base the direction they choose to turn (left or right) makes all the difference. the decision is made once BOTH THE RUNNERS FEET ARE PAST THE FIRST BASE LINE IN FAIR TERRITORY.
  - if the baserunner touches 1st base, turns left AND BOTH FEET ARE BEYOND THE 1ST BASE CHALK LINE, thAT runner is declaring themself as 'active' and can be tagged out if not on a base.
  - if the baserunner touches 1st base and STAYS TO THE right OF THE 1ST BASE LINE (AS LONG AS ONE FOOT REMAINS at least ON THE LINE), the baserunner is declaring themself safe at 1st without the intent to advance. (they still may take off and run for second as long as the pitcher does not hold the ball.)
Ties (for A semi-final & championship playoff game):
- instead of longest kick tie-breaker, there will be extra innings.
- Each team starts with 1 out, plus their last batter that was 'out' on second base.
- Game play continues like this until one team takes the lead after a full inning.
- in the case of a time crunch, umpire decision (championship games excluded), a semi-final game may be determined by a "longest Kick Tie Breaker".
KICKERS THAT KICK/RETURN THE BALL TO THE PITCHER WILL BE CALLED FOR A FOUL BALL; LET THE CATCHER RETURN THE BALL TO THE PITCHER.
At the end of the championship game the referees will designate one “Finals MVP” from the winning team to receive and extra ‘badge’ of honor that will be added to either player profile.

MISCELLANEOUS RULES:

if a batter kicks the ball and the ball then hits a baserunner, the baserunner is "out" even if the baserunner is touching a base. we consider this 'interference', a baserunner should never touch a live ball. if this happens the play stops, it is a "dead ball", the batter is given 1st base, and the baserunner that was hit by the ball is "out". *this rule applies to fly-balls, line-drive, and grounders as well*.
Subs/replacements are allowed during the regular season, make sure they create a website account.
Any dishonest behavior will not be tolerated and could lead to expulsion from the league as well as forfeiture by the team.
If A TEAM DECIDES TO QUIT BEFORE THE game is officially over, A SCORE PENALTY may be assessed BASED ON THE CURRENT SCORE.
If any rule(s) needs updating, insertion, or clarification throughout the season gr rec sports reserves the right to do so. if you notice any of this, please contact the GR Rec Sports staff and they will make a judgement call and inform the league of these updates.

FORFEITS:

Teams will forfeit their game if not in attendance after 10 minutes of their games start time. ultimately, the opposing team gets to decide if they want the automatic win (10-0), or if they want to play it out.
GAME TIMES THAT ARE IN THE SCHEDULE ARE SET, ANY TEAM THAT CANNOT MAKE THEIR DESIGNATED TIME (OR 10 MINUTES AFTER) WILL RESULT IN A FORFEIT.
IN RARE CASES: A GAME THAT IS RESCHEDULED OUTSIDE OF THE LEAGUES PLAY-DAY OR PLYA TIME, MUST BE WORKED OUT AMONGST THE TWO TEAM CAPTAINS. IF THE TWO TEAM CAPTAINS CANNOT DECIDE ON A MUTUAL MAKE-UP DATE/TIME FURTHER DECISIONS WILL BE MADE BY THE STAFF.
- PUSHING BACK THE GAME TO THE FOLLOWING SEASON.
- ROCK PAPER SCISSOR TO DETERMINE A WINNER (OR ANOTHER GAME).
- IF ALL OPTIONS ARE DECLINED BY A SINGLE TEAM, THE GAME WILL GO DOWN AS A TIE.

STANDINGS:

The updated standings will be posted weekly by the staff, the night of gameday.
Tie breakers in standings. (in this order)
- Tie Breaker #1 - head-to-head matchup.
  - if two teams are tied in w/l% and they are right next to each other in standings, the TIE BREAKER GOES TO THE TEAM THAT WON IN THEIR HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP. (This includes any 'exhibition' game.)
- tie breaker #2 - highest Point difference (PD).
- Tie breaker #3 - most points for (PF).
- tie breaker #4 - least number of forfeits.
  tie breaker #5 - Previous weeks higher ranking team ("last" Ranking)
- tie breaker #6 - If there still is a tie, we may add an extra game, call a coin flip, or play Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine the positioning.
- (if multiple teams are tied in w/l% and multiple teams have conflicting head-to-head results then tie breaker will move down to 'pd').

WAIVERS:

In order to participate in the league, each participant must agree to the online waiver.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

The idea of GR Rec Sports is to have fun, stay active, and meet new friends. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although some games may become more intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league itself - without refund.
Sportsmanship goes beyond how you act on the field/court. any disruptions at our sponsored bars will also not be tolerated and can be subject to suspension and/or ejection from the league without refund.
Any teams that consistently miss games and/or 'no-call no-show' games are subject to ejection from the league without refund. We value our league and its players time; we consider this unacceptable.

LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT:

Gr rec sports seasons normally run 7-weeks long. we also include a one-week buffer in-between seasons in case there is bad weather and any rescheduling needs to take place.
in the case that any games is missed, those games will be added to the end of the schedule.
League games may be cancelled due to many reasons; flooded fields, dangerous weather conditions, facility constraints, ect.
GR Rec Sports and its staff always makes our best effort to play all scheduled games - we wont cancel games until absolutely necessary.
if games are cancelled, gr rec sports staff will reach out immediately to inform all team captains via text. (in some cases, if staff isnt already at the fields and away from the computer, we can email the entire league).
if any game is over halfway completed (30-min+) and the game must abruptly end (due to lightning or other dangerous acts of god) the final score will be recorded as the score of the last full inning. (excluding championship, if there is time left, we will try and make up the remainder of the game on a later date.)
IF THE GAME ENDS BEFORE THE 30-MIN MARK, THE GAME DOES NOT COUNT IN W/L STANDINGS, BUT we will record the "POINTS for" (Pf) and "points against" (PA) to the standings. (these scores will be taken from the last full inning, making it fair so both teams had the same number of at-bats.
If a regular season game (weeks 1-5) is cancelled, we will move that week to the end of the season and utilize week-8 (the buffer week). however if a playoff week is cancelled, week-8 will be used to make up those games instead and the previously rescheduled regular season week, resulting in a shortened schedule. we will always do our best to give the players all 7 games, but in extreme circumstances, when there is 2+ weeks of cancellations we may not be able to fit all games into our season window.

PRIZES:

league Champs will receive:
1. their team name forever engraved on our league trophy.
2. a championship banner to hang in the rafters.
3. some swag (either championship t-shirts, waterbottles, individual trophies, hats, hoodies, ect)
4. A gold “Champion” badge on your profile.
5. a gold "champion trophy" badge printed on their next seasons jersey.
6. pride - who doesn’t love that feeling.
special awards and prizes that other league members/teams may receive:
1. Badges – we award badges for: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, social champions (5th place), Most Social Team & Player, biggest 'bar stars', & championship MVP just to name a few. (These badges can be seen under each players profile.) click here to see our many badges
2. free grand rapids gold basketball tickets for an entire team.
3. free dr. grins comedy club tickets for an entire team.
4. Free bottle service at 'Eve nightclub' for an entire team.
All league members will receive:
1. a dry-fit custom designed jersey.
2. memories & pictures that will last a lifetime.

Lastly

IF your full TEAM is expected to miss THEIR GAME, PLEASE LET A STAFF MEMBER, umpire, or photographer KNOW, OR CONTACT THE LEAGUE before the game starts:

EMAIL: contact@grrecsports.com

call or text (616) 485-9046.

nobody likes wasting their time and gas money; this simple gesture will go a long way!

IF ALL PLAYERS ON THE ABSENT TEAM FAIL TO INFORM THE LEAGUE; A “NO-CALL NO-SHOW” BADGE may BE GIVEN TO ALL PLAYERS ON THAT TEAM.