Rules & Regulations

The Winston-Salem Sports and Social Club (WSSSC) will designate a safe field suitable for play.

The catcher's box is a trapezoid with the front of the box aligned with the front of home plate.

The area directly forward of the catcher's box, including home plate, is fair territory.

The bounce line is a line extending just in front of home plate.

The strike zone:

• a.
  Kickball field: At least part of the ball crossing home plate is a strike.
• b.
  Baseball/Softball field: At least part of the ball crossing home plate or an area extending one foot on each side of home plate is a strike.

The 1st/3rd base diagonal line is a line drawn from the front edge of first base to the front edge of third base.

Area in play:

• a.
  Defined by lines drawn or barriers erected from the rear of the catcher's box to the farthest two cones on the first and third base lines.
• b.
  The area beyond the farthest two cones from home plate on the first and third base lines.
• c.
  A ball shall be considered out of play if:

  • 1.07.c.1It contacts the ground outside the out-of-play line.
  • 1.07.c.2It is contacted by a player whose body is also in contact with the ground outside the out-of-play line.

The pitcher's area is a box with its front edge aligned with the 1st/3rd base diagonal line.

Upon notification to the Umpire of any improper field setup, the field shall be corrected before the beginning of the next play. Protests based on field setup will not be considered.

The Extra Base is an additional base attached to first base in foul territory.

The Base Coach's Line is a line beside first and third base to keep space between the field of play and base coaches.

While participating in WSSSC kickball, players must properly wear and fully display the official league-sponsored clothing designated for their use.

Teams with a player or players who fail to abide by Rule 2.01 are subject to an out after the last kicker and before the first kicker in the lineup.

Athletic shoes are required. Metal cleats are not allowed.

Players may wear protective equipment provided it does not offer an unfair performance advantage. Any equipment deemed by the Umpire as a performance enhancement must be removed or the player will be removed from play.

The official kickball is the red kickball with a pressure of approximately 1 pound per square inch.

The uniform is an extension of the player.

Games will be officiated by at least one WSSSC-designated Umpire. The Umpire governs all game play and issues and has final authority on all rulings.

Umpires have jurisdiction over play and may:

• a.
  Call a time out.
• b.
  Call off a game due to time, rain, or other cause at the Umpire's discretion.
• c.
  Penalize a player, including game ejection, for any reason — including but not limited to unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, delay of game, and excessive verbal abuse. Ejected participants must leave the field area and may not return to the game.
• d.
  Cancel the game if lightning or hazardous weather conditions are present.

Umpires may make rulings on any points not specifically covered in the rules (at the time of occurrence), but such rulings shall not be deemed as precedent for future rulings.

Umpires shall be the official scorekeeper and are in charge of the game score.

All participants must meet the following requirements:

• a.
  Must be 21 years of age or older by the date of their first game.
• b.
  Must be adequately and currently health-insured against any injury that may arise from kickball play.
• c.
  Must be properly registered with WSSSC by filling out a player contract.

Playing for multiple teams:

• a.
  A player may only sign up for one team per night.
• b.
  Post-season: A player who played on more than one team in the regular season may continue to play for those teams in the post-season. If a player is on the roster of two teams that meet in a playoff game, the player must choose one of three options:

  • 4.02.b.1Play for Team A,
  • 4.02.b.2Play for Team B, or
  • 4.02.b.3Do not play in the game. If the team the player chose wins, the player may continue with that team. If the team loses, the player may no longer continue. If the player elected not to play, the player may continue with the team that won.

A team playing a non-registered person, an improperly registered person, or a person not registered on that team will forfeit that game.

• a.
  The team accused of the infraction bears the burden of proof.
• b.
  If such an infraction is claimed after a game, the infraction must be announced to the Head Umpire before the start of the next scheduled game.

All participants must respect and obey all rules and regulations pertaining to the field used for play during all WSSSC games. Drugs or alcohol are prohibited on or around the field of play at all times. Participants breaking field rules will be ejected from the game and the field for the remainder of the game and the next scheduled game. A second offense will result in expulsion from the league.

Ejections:

• a.
  If a player is ejected, the lineup order will continue in the same formation, less the removed player.
• b.
  An ejected player must leave the field. If they do not leave in a timely manner, their team is subject to forfeit.

Each team must consist of a minimum of ten (10) and no more than eighteen (18) registered players. Teams may carry more registered players, but the team fee will increase accordingly.

Teams must field at least eight (8) players and no more than ten (10). Minimum of four (4) female players; maximum of five (5) male players in the field.

Teams must field a minimum of four (4) female players to avoid forfeit. Teams may play with fewer than five (5) male players but must have at least eight (8) players on the field.

One (1) player must play the position of catcher.

At any time during the game, teams may only field one (1) pitcher and one (1) catcher.

Each team shall have one Captain and one Co-Captain who are jointly responsible for the team. Captains must ensure that players do not kick out of order. Kicking out of order will result in an out for that kicker in the lineup.

The kicking lineup does not require a specific gender order.

Only the Captain or Co-Captain may dispute calls with the Head Umpire. A Captain may raise a protest for blatant rule infractions but must accept the Head Umpire's final ruling.

Protests beyond the Head Umpire will be considered by the WSSSC at its discretion.

Team Captains must provide the kicking lineup to the head official up to five (5) minutes prior to the start of the game.

• a.
  All lineup changes must be brought to the head official before the change occurs. If a change occurs before notifying the official, an out may be called when the infraction is identified.
• b.
  Any eligible player who arrives after the game has begun must be added to the end of the lineup.
• c.
  A claim of improper kicking order must be made to the Head Umpire, who will make the final determination.
• d.
  Such a claim must occur on the field prior to the end of the next kicker's at-kick.

Players in the kicking lineup may switch their fielding positions freely without incurring substitution penalties.

A substitute player is defined as a player not included in the initial kicking lineup provided to the official at the start of the game.

A player is NOT considered a substitute if they were included in the initial kicking lineup. Players already in the lineup may switch freely with fielders between innings.

If a player is substituted out of the game, they may not re-enter the game.

When a player is substituted into the game, they must be entered in the same spot in the lineup as the player they replaced.

Two members of the kicking team may coach first and third base. Base coaches must assist in retrieving foul and/or dead balls and may switch with other team members to remain in the proper kicking order.

Base coaches must keep the Base Coach's Line between themselves and the field of play at all times.

Base coaches may not physically assist runners while the ball is in play. Assisting the runner may result in the runner being called out.

Base coaches must allow fielders the right to make a play on a live and/or playable ball in foul territory.

Regulation games:

• a.
  Last seven (7) full innings or 55 minutes, whichever comes first.
• b.
  For leagues (nights) with 12 or fewer teams, start times will be 6:45, 7:45, and 8:45.
• c.
  For leagues (nights) with 13 or more teams, start times will be 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30.

In the event of a tie score at the end of the game, the game shall be continued until the tie has been resolved.

Inning eight (8) and all subsequent innings, or after time has expired:

• a.
  The inning will start with the bases loaded.
• b.
  The last three kickers of the previous inning will be placed on the bases at the Umpire's direction.

A game called off by the Umpire after four (4) full innings of play shall be considered a regulation game. The score at the end of the last full inning determines the winner. Regulation games called off in a tie will be played over at a later date.

A game called off by the Umpire before four (4) full innings of play shall not be considered a regulation game and shall be rescheduled from the beginning.

Grace Period: The WSSSC will grant a grace period for teams to achieve roster minimums once the game start time has passed.

• a.
  Minimums can only be achieved when all players are on the field or sidelines designated for play.
• b.
  Teams needing a grace period will automatically be assigned as the visiting team.
• c.
  The grace period takes place in two successive parts:

  • 8.06.c.1Teams get five (5) minutes of game time to achieve their roster minimums.
  • 8.06.c.2Following the five minutes, the game will begin. The visiting team will play until they complete their half-inning (3 outs) or one passage through the lineup, whichever comes first.
• d.
  If minimums are not achieved by the end of the grace period, the game will be a forfeit.

No new inning may begin five (5) minutes before the end of the game unless the score is tied. (e.g., if the game began at 6:45, no new inning may begin after 7:35.)

Mercy Rule: A game is considered over if one team leads by:

• a.
  20 or more runs after three (3) innings.
• b.
  15 or more runs after four (4) innings.
• c.
  10 or more runs after five (5) or six (6) innings.

Game protests must be made before the end of the game.

Makeup games:

• a.
  In the event of inclement weather or circumstances outside of the league's control, makeup games may be necessary.
• b.
  Makeup games may be scheduled on nights other than the night a team normally plays, including Monday through Friday.
• c.
  Saturdays and Sundays may be used at the end of the season.

Pitching must be done by hand.

The pitcher:

• a.
  Must start the act of pitching within the pitching square.
• b.
  Must release the ball from the hand within the pitching square.
• c.
  Must be within the pitching area when the ball is kicked.

A "bouncy" is called due to a pitched ball that:

• a.
  Does not touch the ground at least twice before reaching home plate. If the second bounce occurs on home plate, it will be considered a ball.
• b.
  Exceeds one foot in height (from the bottom of the ball) as it crosses home plate.

No player may field forward of the 1st–3rd base diagonal other than the catcher until the ball is kicked.

The catcher:

• a.
  Must field directly behind the kicker and within the catcher's box.
• b.
  Cannot cross home plate nor be positioned forward or beside the kicker before the ball is kicked.
• c.
  Must give the kicker at least one (1) yard of space to kick.
• d.
  May stand behind the catcher's box and outside of the area of play.

All kicks must be made on or below the knee. Any ball touched above the knee will be considered a dead ball and counted as a foul.

All kicks must occur:

• a.
  At or behind home plate. The kicker may step on home plate to kick; however, no part of the kicking foot (while kicking) may be in front of or cross the front edge of home plate.
• b.
  The kicker is required to start with at least one foot in the catcher's box but may make contact with the ball anywhere on or behind home plate.

Bunting is allowed.

A "+3" male-to-female ratio must be maintained in the kicking lineup. (e.g., if you have five female kickers, you may have up to eight male kickers. Extra male kickers must be substituted in.)

All fielders are required to be in the kicking lineup; however, players in the kicking lineup are not required to be fielders.

Runners must stay within the base path.

Fielders must stay out of the base path. 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 baseline who is not making an active play on the ball shall be safe at the base to which they were running.

Leading off or stealing a base is NOT allowed. A runner may advance once the ball is kicked. A runner who is off base when the ball is kicked is out. This immediately stops play and the runner is called out; any pitch, kick, or play in progress will be null and will not count.

If a fielder is making an active play on the ball, runners must give the fielder adequate space to make the play.

Tag-ups are only required before advancement on a caught ball. If the runner has not moved off base before the ball is touched or caught by a fielder, the runner may advance without a forced tag-up.

There will be no infield fly rule.

The Extra Base:

• a.
  The Extra Base is only available for runners traveling from home plate.
• b.
  Runners may overrun the Extra Base.
• c.
  Runners hindered by a fielder touching the Extra Base will be safe.
• d.
  If a defensive play is being attempted at first base to get the kicker out, the kicker shall use the Extra Base, even if they intend to run to second base.

Base running on overthrows:

• a.
  An overthrow is a ball thrown, kicked, or deflected out of play while making a defensive play toward a player or base.
• b.
  Once the ball reaches out of play, the Umpire will call time and advance the runners accordingly.
• c.
  A runner may advance only one base beyond the last base touched when the ball travels into out-of-play territory.
• d.
  When a live ball is unintentionally carried by a fielder from playable territory into a dead ball area, the ball becomes dead immediately. All base runners are awarded one base from the last base touched at the time the fielder enters dead ball territory.

A run scores when a runner touches home plate before the third out is made, EXCEPT that no run can score when the third out is made during a force play situation, or when the kicker is put out before touching first base.

At the end of a game, the team with the most runs wins.

Courtesy runners:

• a.
  Only one courtesy runner may be used per inning.
• b.
  All courtesy runners must be the last recorded out and of the same sex as the runner being replaced.
• c.
  If a baserunner cannot continue for any reason and a courtesy runner has already been used in the inning, the baserunner shall be out.

A count of three (3) strikes is an out.

A strike is:

• a.
  A pitch within the strike zone that is not kicked.
• b.
  A pitched ball that hits any part of home plate after its second bounce.
• c.
  An attempted kick missed by the kicker inside or outside of the strike zone.

Foul balls count as strikes:

• a.
  Following a kicker's second strike, one additional foul ball will be granted and will not count as a strike.
• b.
  Following a kicker's second strike, a second foul ball will count as an out.

A count of four (4) balls advances the kicker (male or female) to second base.

If a male kicker is walked and a female kicker follows in the lineup, she has the option to kick or advance to first base.

A ball is:

• a.
  A pitch outside the strike zone as judged by the Umpire where a kick is not attempted.
• b.
  An illegal bouncy.
• c.
  Any catcher crossing home plate or positioned forward or beside the kicker before the ball is kicked.

A foul is:

• a.
  A kicked ball landing in foul territory.
• b.
  A ball kicked in front of home plate.
• c.
  A kicked ball that lands in fair territory but under its own power rolls into foul territory before it reaches first or third base.
• d.
  A kicked ball touched in foul territory, or stopped by the kicker in foul territory.
• e.
  A kicked ball whose direction is altered by contact with any object other than the ground in foul territory.
• f.
  A kick made on or above the knee.
• g.
  A kicked ball touched more than once in the catcher's box or on the plate, or stopped (with the foot) by the kicker in the kicking box.

A fair is:

• a.
  A ball kicked that lands and remains in fair territory.
• b.
  A ball kicked that lands in fair territory then travels into foul territory beyond first and third bases.

All fair balls are in play unless specifically addressed in Section 15.

A count of three (3) outs by a team completes that team's half of the inning.

An out is:

• a.
  A count of three (3) strikes.
• b.
  Any kicked ball (fair or foul) that is caught by a fielder before touching the ground.
• c.
  A ball tag on a base to which a runner is forced to run, before the runner arrives at the base.
• d.
  A runner touched by the ball, or who touches the ball, at ANY time while not on base while the ball is in play.
• e.
  A runner off their base when the ball is kicked.
• f.
  A runner physically assisted by a base coach during play.
• g.
  Any kicker who does not kick in the proper kicking lineup order.

Once any player in the field has the ball in control and retains possession on the pitching area, and base runners are no longer advancing, the play ends at the Umpire's discretion.

Interference is:

• a.
  When any non-fielder or non-permanent object touches or is touched by a ball in play in fair territory. The play ends and runners shall proceed to the base to which they were headed.
• b.
  When any runner on or off base intentionally touches a ball. The play ends, the runner is out, and all other runners shall return to the base from which they came.
• c.
  When a ball in foul territory touches any permanent object. The play ends and all runners shall return to the base from which they came.

During any play where a ball is popped or deflates significantly, that play shall be replayed with a properly inflated ball.

Sideline area: Prior to the kick, no participants (or spectators) may be in the sideline area except for the kicker, the catcher, Umpires, and designated base coaches. After the kick, fielders and base runners in the process of playing the game may also occupy the sideline area.

In cases of injury or illness, a time-out may be requested for participant removal.

If an injured participant opts to return to play, they must do so prior to their next at-kick. If the injured participant's next at-kick is skipped before they are able to return, they may not return to the game.

If a player is injured or becomes ill and cannot continue, the lineup order will continue in the same formation, less the removed player.

Injured players who do not kick shall not play in the game.

Each team may designate one inning (declared before the game begins) for a wacky rule.

• a.
  Wacky rules are optional. Teams are not required to select one.
• b.
  If one team elects to use a wacky rule, the opposing team shall also observe it during their half of the inning.
• c.
  Wacky rules last the complete inning.
• d.
  The wacky rule must be used by the 4th inning of the game.
• e.
  Each team is responsible for notifying the Umpire before it is their inning. A team has until the first out of the top of the inning to do so, or their wacky rule is forfeited.

Wacky rules must be approved by the Umpire.

All wacky rules are subject to review and can be determined inadmissible for future games.

Ceiling in play: A kicked ball remains live when it touches the ceiling.

• a.
  Landing fair: The ball is in play and eligible to be caught as a pop fly, provided it has not yet contacted the ground or an out-of-play wall. The kicker should treat it like a normal kick; runners should be cautious and treat it like a normal pop fly.
• b.
  Landing foul: The ball is eligible to be caught as a pop fly; otherwise, when it touches foul territory or a foul wall, it is counted as a foul ball against the kicker.
• c.
  Touches an out-of-play wall: The ball is dead and may not be played; runners may not advance, and it is counted as a foul ball against the kicker.

Walls:

• a.
  1st Base Wall — Foul and in play:

  • 19.02.a.1If the kicked ball touches this wall before being fairly played by a defender in fair territory, or before it passes first base, it is a foul ball.
  • 19.02.a.2This wall is in play once the ball has been fairly played by the defense.
• b.
  3rd Base Wall — Out of play:

  • 19.02.b.1Any time the ball touches this wall, it is dead.
  • 19.02.b.2If the kicked ball hits this wall on the fly, it is dead and a foul ball.
  • 19.02.b.3If the kicked ball hits this wall on the ground: if it has not passed third base, it is a dead foul ball; if it has passed third base (a fair ball), it is a dead ball and runners advance one base past the previous base touched.
• c.
  If a ball in play is played against the 3rd Base Wall by any defensive player, it is out of play and dead; runners will advance one base past the previous base touched.
• d.
  Wall between left field and the deepest of three columns in left-center field (including the column): Any ball touching this wall on the fly is eligible to be caught as a pop fly; otherwise it is in play.
• e.
  Wall from the deepest column in left-center field through deep center field and right field: Any ball touching this wall is in play and treated as a ground ball, regardless of whether it was caught on the fly.

Basketball goals:

• a.
  3rd Base Line Goal: Out of play; enforced the same way as the 3rd Base Wall (see Rule 19.02b).
• b.
  Right Center Field Goal: Any ball touching this goal is in play and treated as a ground ball, regardless of whether it was caught on the fly.

Stuck balls: If the ball gets stuck on the walls or goals:

• a.
  In fair territory: The kick will be ruled a ground rule double and runners will advance accordingly at the Umpire's discretion.
• b.
  In foul territory: The kick will be counted as a foul ball against the kicker.
• c.
  Throw a shoe at it.

Indoor teams must field at least six (6) players and no more than eight (8). Minimum of three (3) female players; maximum of four (4) male players in the field.

Indoor teams must field a minimum of three (3) female players to avoid forfeit. Teams may play with fewer than four (4) male players but must have a minimum of six (6) players on the field.