Soccer Baseball (Kickball) Rules
NRS Kickball is a fun sport played by adults looking to have fun with family and friends.
Metal Spikes/ Cleats
- Metal spikes are not allowed at all.
- Players who wear metal spikes will be removed from the game until they come back with non metal cleats.
- If players wear metal cleats more than once they will be removed from the game the second time.
- Repeat offenders will receive suspensions.
Ball
- Kickball is played with a 10″ rubber ball included in registration. no other balls may be used.
Jewelry
- It is strongly recommended that no jewelry of any type be worn in any play.
- If worn, each player is solely responsible for any injury/damage that may be caused by this jewelry.
- The umpire may have any player remove any jewelry or equipment that he deems dangerous.
Weather
- We play rain or shine (unless the regency closes the diamonds or umpires call the game at the parks), hot or cold, dress appropriately and be ready to play.
- If it has been raining all day and the diamond’s are in an unplayable state we will first post something at the top of the main page and the schedules page on this website.
- If we are at a computer we will also send email notification’s to everyone registered in the league. This may not always be a possibility so check the website first, if there is nothing on the website assume the game is on.
- If it is after the first scheduled game time and it starts raining or lightening it will be the umpires discretion if the game will continue to play or not. The same goes for subsequent games scheduled for that evening.
- If a game is called after it has started due to weather a game shall be considered complete if 4 innings or 60 minutes have been played.
- If the game is called before an inning is complete and 4 innings or 60 minutes have been played the score of the last complete full inning will be uses as final.
Team Captains are expected to inspect the field and inform the umpire of any unsafe conditions. If any player feels the conditions are not safe to play they are free to stop playing.
Players
- Fielding:
- 10 Players on the field
- 6 Males max on the field
- No max for female players on the field.
- 8 players min are needed to play, 3 of whom have to be female ( still no more than 6 males max on the field). (see short handed rule below)
- If a team is playing short with 3 females and all 3 females are on the bases and a female comes up in the batting order, an out will be recorded. When/ If one of the female runners takes an out or scores a run (while the other 2 are still on a base) she may take the next female batting spot.
- A female can be catcher only if she is the 5th female on the field.
- Forfeits due to insufficient players (see short handed rule below)
- The opposing team can choose to still play the game and even give the opposing team players, this will still be considered an official NRS Game and the result of the score will count. (see short handed rule below)
Short Handed Rule:
- If a team is short handed they are given 15min minutes form the start of the scheduled game time to wait for enough players to show up.
- If one team is ready to play and the opposing team is not after 5 minutes 2 runs will be awarded to the team that is ready to play. If after 10 minutes has passed and the opposing team is not ready another 3 runs will be awarded to the team that is ready to play. If 15 minutes has passed the game will be a forfeit win for the team that is ready to play.
- The game clock will still start at the scheduled game time even if the team is waiting for the player to arrive.
- The amount of time it takes for each team to get the min number of players to field a team will be deducted from the 65min game time.
- If the player does not arrive it will be considered a forfeit. Teams also have the option to agreeing to the below rules.
- If teams are short in general the opposing team can still allow them to play short, the game will still count.
- Teams can also give the opposing team players (male or female) if they are short
- All of the above must be decided before the game begins as the game will count and is official
- A player may be added any time before the end of the game,
- If the team that is short ends up with enough players (10 total, 6 male 4 females) during the game to field the team, the players that were lent to the team by the opposing team may go back to their original team if they decide to do so (if any) .
- If one team does not meet the minimum requirements to play and the opposing team does not wish to allow them to play short, or does not wish to lend them players that team will take a 6-0 loss.
Playing Field
- Bases are 65 feet apart.
- Pitching distance is 50 – 60 feet.
- Double base shall be used at first base.
Equipment
- Soccer or softball cleats are recommended (metal cleats are not permitted)
- 10″ rubber ball given to teams as part of registration.
Starting The Game
- The first team listed on the schedule is the home team and will supply the ball.
- Playoffs: The higher ranking team will be given home field advantage.
Duration
- A game consists of seven innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes, whichever comes first. No inning can start after 65min has passed from the schedule game start time.
- Game time starts right at the scheduled game time regardless if teams are on the field ready to play or not. We urge all players/ teams to show up to the park early, get your batting order set before your scheduled game time so you are ready to go for your scheduled game time.
- If the game is called due weather, the score at the last completed inning will be the final score.
- Provided 4 complete innings (three and one half innings if the second batting team is leading) have been played.
- Final Inning – If the home team (batting last) has the lead going into the bottom of the final inning they do not bat in that final inning as they have already won the game.
- If the home team scores a run to take the lead in the final inning the game is over as they have won the game. No additional runs count and no more at bats are needed.
Playoff’s
- The highest ranked team will always have the choice of taking the outfield first (home team), or bat first (visiting team).
- Playoffs are double elimination.
- Rosters will be locked a few weeks before the playoffs.
Mercy Rule
- A maximum of 6 runs per inning may be scored, except for the last inning where there is no maximum.
- Last inning is open inning (no 6 run mercy).
Forfeits
- A game shall be declared a forfeit if a team fails to field the required number of players prior to or during the game, refuses to continue the game after a suspension of play, intentionally tries to delay or hasten the game, or intentionally violates a rule of the game after being warned by the umpire. (see short handed rule for exceptions)
- A forfeit shall be declared if a player, ejected from the game by an umpire, does not leave the park when directed to do so.
- A forfeit shall be declared if an ejected player/ team does not give their name (or gives a fake name) to the umpire immediately after and ejection, or if the umpire asks a players name at any time and the player/ team refuses to give their name to the umpire.
- When a player is ejected and must leave the ball park, that player must move far enough away so that they may not be seen or heard by the participants of the game and may not participate with the game in any manner.
- An ejected player has 2 minutes to leave the park, if they fail to do so the game will be a forfeit.
If the ejected player does not leave the park in 2 minutes or continues to talk to the referee or other team one additional game will be added to the suspension. - An ejected player shall not say another word to the opposing team/ umpire after they are ejected or the game will be a forfeit.
- The team must give the umpire the ejected players name or the game will be a forfeit. If the team gives a fake name, or a name other than that of the ejected player the team captain will also have a 1 game suspension and a $20.00 fine.
- If a team refuses to give the name of the ejected player they can not play another game until the name is given.
- If a forfeit takes place the other team will be awarded the greater of a 6-0 win, or keep the current game score (if a partial game has been played) which ever is greater.
Profanity
- Any team member openly using profanity during a game shall be ejected from further participation in that game.
Scoring
- A run is scored when a player safely touches, in order first base, second base, third base and crosses the line behind home plate.
- A runner may not score ahead of a preceding runner who has not been retired.
- A run may not score if the last out of an inning is a force out or a preceding runner declared out.
- The score of a forfeited game shall be 6-0 in favor of the team not at fault.
Score keeping
- Both teams must have score keepers.
- Both teams must coordinate with the opposing team’s score keeper after each inning to ensure both teams have the proper score and eliminate any arguments regarding the score.
- After each at bat is over the outfield team is to confirm with the team that was just at bat how many runs were scored during that at bat.
- If any team fails to communicate the score with the opposing team when they ask they will forfeit the game.
Pitching
- Teams pitch to the opposing team
- Pitch must be rolled underhand (side arm is not permitted)
- A pitch must roll on the ground when passing over the plate “12” on either side of the plate is considered the strike zone.
- Pitching must be done with one hand.
- Pitch must be at a reasonable speed for kicking.
- The ball may not bounce more than once (ball is rolled) and bounce can be no higher than 12″.
- Unkickable – Umpires discretion to declare “unkickable” if speed is too fast or bounce is too high 12″, or bounces more than one. Umpire will declare “unkickable” and the pitch will be declared a ball. The “batter” can still chose to kick the unkickable ball and the play will count.
- Before each pitch, the pitcher must stand with one foot (pivot) on the pitching line 55′ away, facing the batter with the ball held in one hand. The pitcher must wait until the batter is in the batter’s box to pitch the ball.
- A step may be taken in any direction simultaneous with the release of the pitch provided the pivot foot remains in contact with the pitching line.
- If the pitcher crosses the mound during the follow through after the pitch, they have to move back and be behind the pitcher’s mound until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball. This is at the discretion of the umpire.
- The pitch shall be delivered over the plate with a maximum of 12″ on either side of the plate to be deemed a strike.
- 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.
Kicking
- The batter will kick the ball with their foot as it crosses the plate/ strike area.
- All kicks must be behind home plate. The kicker may step on home plate to kick.
- A foul ball is considered a strike (including the third strike).
- A kick occurring in front of the home plate is a foul (if such a kick is caught on the fly, it is an out)
- 3 strikes – batter is out. 4 Balls – batter takes a walk
- The batting order must be set before the game begins & all teams must have a proper batting order.
- Everyone on the team must bat in order (no sitting batters)
- The scorekeeper from the opposing team may request to see your batting order at any time during the game, if they ask you must show them your batting order.
- Teams must share their batting order or they will forfeit the game.
- The batting order consists of a minimum of 8 players (minimum 3 females).
- Teams may not have more than 2 consecutive males batting in order at any time for any reason.
- The batting order can follow a male, male, female pattern or Male, Female, Male Female, or Male, Female, Female, Female
- If a player comes late in the first inning they cannot be placed above anyone that has already been at bat and they must be placed at the bottom of the batting order in a way that there are not more than 2 males batting consecutively at any time.
- If a player comes late after the first inning they must be placed at the bottom of the batting order in a way that there are not more than 2 males batting consecutively at any time.
- If placing the new player at the end of the batting order means having more than 2 consecutive males batting the teams may re-arrange the bottom of the batting order to ensure the above rules are followed and the newly arriving player must be placed closest to the bottom of the batting order as possible.
- Only batters necessary to meet the above rules are allowed to be moved, the entire batting order is not allowed to be changed.
- If a team is caught violating the above by putting more than 2 males up to bat consecutively the team will receive an automatic out for that batter if the out of turn batter completes the at-bat and it is recognized by the opposing team before the next pitch is thrown (see below).
- Any batter batting out of order will be called out after the at-bat has been completed, before a pitch is thrown to the following batter. Once a pitch is thrown to the following batter no out will be called.
If a pitch has been thrown to the following batter but the team(s) notice the out of order batter and it is a male/ female violation and the batter is still on base this will be corrected by having a female take the runners spot if it is supposed to be a female on base and a male take the runners spot if it is supposed to be a male. - If a player or team notices the player taking the at-bat is out of turn during the at-bat the proper batter will replace the out of turn batter and assume the count.
- If the player batting out of turn has a hit that results in an out(s) the result of the hit stands (the player(s) are out) AND the batter is out for batting out of turn.
- If a player leaves for any reason before the game is complete that person is simply skipped in the batting order and it is not considered an out. The batting order must be adjusted so no more than 2 males are batting consecutively (if necessary). Example of a batting order with more males than females is below.
- If teams have enough male & female players to make a consecutive order they can do so, or they have the option of using a male & Female batting order as outlined below.
- If a team is playing short with 3 females and all 3 females are on the bases and a female comes up in the batting order, an out will be recorded. When/ If one of the female runners takes an out or scores a run (while the other 2 are still on a base) she may take the next female batting spot.
- A Male and Female batting order can be made and must be followed as outlined below:
- Males Females
Male 1 Female 1
Male 2 Female 2
Male 3 Female 3
Male 4 Female 4
Male 5
Male 6
Male 7
Male 8
Male 9
Male 10
- Males Females
The males must follow the male order and females follow the female order. No batter can bat out of turn and EVERYONE must bat.
The batting order would then look like this
Male 1
Male 2
Female 1
Male 3
Male 4
Female 2
Male 5
Male 6
Female 3
Male 7
Male 8
Female 4
Male 9
Male 10
Female 1
Male 1
Male 2
Female 2
And so on.
At no time can any male or female batter bat out of turn in their respective order.
Base Running
- There is no stealing
- There are no lead-offs
- Sliding is permitted.
- Safety base is used at first and safe line is used at home plate.
- Players do not touch home plate at any time, just cross the safe line to score.
- If a player steps on home plate at any time they are out .
- Do not touch home plate at any time, if a player steps on home plate they will be out. Players running home only have to cross the safety line.
- After the batter has made contact with the ball a batter is NOT out if they touch home plate on the way to first base.
- If a batter hits a foul ball and the ball is caught, then the batter is out.
The runners may advance after the ball is caught as long as they tag up before advancing. -
Runners must stay within the baseline. Fielders must stay out of the base line unless they are attempting to tag a runner out or catch the ball. Fielders trying to make an out on base may have their foot on base, but must lean out of the baseline. First base will have two bases side by side (similar to softball), one for the fielder and one for the runner which should eliminate collisions and injuries. Runners unfairly hindered by any fielder within the base line shall be called safe at the base to which they were running. This is left up to the discretion of the umpire.
- Neither leading off a base, nor stealing a base is allowed. A runner may only move off his/her base after the ball has been kicked and you can’t pass the runner in front of you. The instances above result in outs.
Walks
- A walk is awarded when a batter has received 4 balls before 3 strikes or a hit. Each batter who receives a walk is awarded first base. At no time does the walked batter advance to 2nd base regardless of sex.
Balls
- a pitch outside the strike zone
- the catcher playing next to or in front of the kicker before the ball is kicked
- any field player crossing the line between 1st & 3rd base before the ball is kicked
- Three (3) balls is a walk, and the kicker is awarded 1st base.
Fouls
- any ball that lands out of bounds
- a ball that has attempted to be caught in foul territory but unsuccessfully caught is still a foul ball.
- 3 fouls is an out
- a kicker touching (or kicking) the ball twice while on or behind home plate (i.e., in foul territory); but if such a kick is caught on the fly it is an out.
- any foul that hits a tree or other outside object is a dead ball and not eligible to be caught for an out. The ball remains a foul.
- a kick landing inbounds, but traveling out of bounds on its own before reaching first or third base. (Any ball touched by an in-bounds fielder is automatically in play).
Example: A kicker kicks the ball down the third base line, in bounds. No fielder touches it and the ball’s spin makes the ball travel to the left of third base, this is a foul ball.
Fielding
- All infielders must stay behind the imaginary line stretching from the pitchers line towards 1st and 3rd base until the ball is kicked. Failure to do so results in a ball or result the the play.
- All 4 outfielders must stay in the outfield (at least 20′ behind the imaginary bases arc ) and not approach or move into the infield until the ball is kicked.
- Outfielders may kick the ball to get into the infield quicker but can NOT kick the ball at a base runner to make an out. Infield players may not kick the ball to pass to another fielder or to get an out.
Catcher
- The catcher must be positioned within or directly behind the kicking box and behind the horizontal plane of the kicker, parallel to the front edge of home plate.
- The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion, nor speak to the kicker before or while the kick is taking place. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball.
Outs
- 3 outs by one team completes the teams half of the inning.
- Three (3) strikes, three (3) fouls, or fouling with 2 strikes
- Runner touched by the ball while not on base & the ball is in play;
- A fielder can throw a ball at a runner below the shoulders to get an out.
- No headshots! Runners hit in the neck or head with the ball will not be out unless they were ducking to dodge the ball…Play stops and the ball is dead after hitting a base runner and being declared out. Repeat offenders will be ejected, keep the throws low!
- A kicked ball (fair or foul) that is caught in the air.
- A ball thrown to fielder touching base beats the runner who is forced to run
- A runner off of his/her base when the ball is kicked.
Play ends/ time is called
- Play ends/ time is called by umpire when the pitcher has the ball in control within 5 feet of the pitchers line.
- When the 6 run mercy is reached
- In the last inning if the winning run crosses the plate.
- A runner intentionally touches or stops the ball (the runner is out)
- Interference is when any non-fielder, runner, or non-permanent object touches the ball.
- Any time there is interference, play automatically ends and runners proceed to the base to which they were headed.
Man Rule
- Teams are permitted to have one player who gets a free runner every time they are on base. This rule shall be known as the “Man Rule”. This player is to be identified the first time a runner is used for him/her.
- The man rule is used for only one position in the batting order, that runner can be male or female.
- It must be male running for a male or female running for a female.
- A batter must make it to first base on their own.
- There is no Courtesy runner(s) allowed.
Team Members
- Only registered players are eligible to play for your team. We make it very easy to add players to your roster right up until mid August when the playoff deadline starts (to avoid ringers).
- All players must be registered with NRS and NRSPA in order to be eligible to play in the league.
- Team captains are responsible to ensure all team members (including themselves) are registered and eligible to play.
- We want every team to have a game each week therefore we have no roster caps and allow players to play for more than one team during the regular season. Come playoff time players can only play for one team in the same division.
- Any team that has unregistered players playing for their team will take an automatic loss. Repeat offenders may lose another game and/ or the team captain will also serve a suspension.
- If teams are short they can borrow players from another team ONLY if the opposing team captain agrees to it BEFORE the game begins. Borrowed players must be registered with another team in the NRS league. Outside players are not allowed and must fully register with the team before playing.
Process for challenging player eligibility
- Play does not stop during this process until the player has been deemed illegal.
- All players must carry some form of picture ID and be ready to show the referee or the opposing team captain if asked.
- The team captain of the team challenging the eligibility of an opposing team’s player(s) must pull up the team rosters on the phone and approach the opposing team’s bench and speak to the team captain regarding the player in question with the roster.
If the team captain refuses to do so the team will get an automatic loss and the player in question will be removed from the field immediately. - The team captain (of the team in question) must verify the player in question is in fact on the roster and ID must be shown by the player to verify they are in fact the person listed on the roster on the website.
- If the player is found not to be on the team roster and/ or does not show ID to prove they are who they say they are, notify the umpire and they will be removed from the game and the offending team will take a loss for that game.
- Teams have until the beginning of their game to register players. All registrations are time stamped in our back end.
- This process can take place until 5 minutes after the game is complete.
Overall Standings Tie Breakers
- If there is a in the standings based on points the following will be used as a tie breaker.
- Total Most Points (3 points for a win, 1 for a tie)
- Plus minus
- Runs for
- Runs Against
- Head to Head (if applicable)
- If everything is equal a coin toss
Code of conduct
- Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game.
- Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and NRS staff.
- Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match whether in victory or defeat.
- Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.
Refrain from using foul or abusive language. - Any players/ team deemed in violation of the code of conduct can be removed from the league.
- Have fun!
Injuries / ejections during game play
- Team captains are responsible for bringing a first aid kit to every game.
- An injured player that is not able to continue playing does not mean an automatic out when that player comes up on the batting order. The next player in the batting order will be up to bat, the batting order must be re-arranged in a way that no more than 2 males are batting back to back.
- An ejected player that is ejected form the game must immediately leave the park and not return for the remainder of the game.
- There will not be an out when that player comes up on the batting order. The next player in the batting order will be up to bat. the batting order must be re-arranged in a way that no more than 2 males are batting back to back.
- Ejected players will receive an automatic 1 game suspension (potentially longer depending on the reason for ejection).
- In order for a player who has been suspended to be reinstated into the league a fine must be paid. Fines will be progressive for each suspension, and will double each consecutive time with a min of $20.00 for first offense based on the reason for the suspension.
- If the injured or ejected player leaves the team with less than 10 players the teams may borrow a player from other teams as long as the opposing team agrees to it. If the opposing team does not agree the team will have to play short.
- Team captain’s are responsible to bring their own first aid kit’s to each game.
Forfeit Fine – Less than 24hrs notice
All teams must give min 24hrs notice if they are not able to field a team or they will be charged a $50.00 late notice forfeit fee. The team will not receive any league points in the stadnings until the $50.00 fee is paid. Points not received during this time will not be reinstated. No team can play in the playoffs with an outstanding fine. If you owe a fine at the time the playoff schedule is being made/ updated your game will not be scheduled.
If a team fails to pay the $50.00 fine within a week the league can look for another team to take their place.
This is to ensure we are able to give opposing teams and referees enough notice that your team will not be able to make it to the game. No one likes going to a game only to find out the other team did not bother to show up.
This normally is not an issue as most teams respect each other enough to give proper notice, this fee is for those that don’t.
We are very lenient with this policy and as long as you have a few people show up and can form a team with other players playing before your game at the diamond, field and/ or court so the opposing team has a game to play your team will not be fined.
At the end of the season any money collected from the forfeit fine will be donated to a local charity such as project share.
- If a team forfeit’s 3 times during the season they risk removal from the league.
- If a team does not pay the fine within a week they risk removal from the league.
- No points will be awarded to to the team in the standings until the fine has been paid.
- A one week grace period may be implemented for teams to pay the fine.
No Alcohol Consumption
Please be reminded there is to be no alcohol (or any substance that may impede your ability to play safely) consumption while playing softball. This includes drinking out of red solo cups or hiding alcohol in any container. Drinking alcohol on the bench will result in the team forfeit of the game. If the Umpire smells alcohol on a player they can be removed from the game. Please respect this.
There is a zero tolerance for violence and aggression or racism. It will be up to the umpire to make the call and give the consequences for the game night (ejection from the game). It will be up to the head umpire and Niagara Rec Sports as to consequences given after the game regarding suspension from future games or potentially the entire league for the remainder of the season. Any physical violence, rough play or verbal abuse of an umpire/ league official/ player the player will be suspended indefinitely until a decision has been made regarding the duration of the suspension. Racism, physical violence and abuse towards an umpire/ league official/ player will result in removal from the league.
Any player who communicates with opposing teams/ players, umpires, NRS staff in a disrespectful manner, with disparaging remarks will be removed from the league and will not be permitted to play any future games or seasons. This included all forms of communication but not limited to in person, email, text, phone.
Any team can be removed from the league a result of any single players conduct deemed not suitable to the family friendly atmosphere our leagues are known for. This includes but is not limited to any ejection, verbal abuse towards an official/ player, any physical altercation including but not limited to grabbing, pushing, shoving, punching, choking. Choose your rosters with the above in mind.
Niagara Rec Sports reserves the right to remove or disallow any player from the league at any time throughout the year. No refunds will be given if/ when players are removed from the league.
Niagara Rec Sports reserves the right to add, alter, remove rules either verbally or on any rules page at any time as we deem fit, any rule changes will be effective immediately. Rules discussed at the team captains meeting are to be considered part of the league rules.
For other league rules visit this page.
Don’t forget to have fun!!