Current ASA softball rules will govern kickball play except for the following modifications.

I. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

1. Participation is limited to currently-enrolled, fee-paying FSU students, faculty members, and full-time staff. FAMU & regular TCC students and members of the community are not eligible. All areas of eligibility are covered in the intramural bylaws which are available through the Campus Recreation Office and online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.

2. In order to participate in an Intramural contest each player must present their validated FSUCard. Exceptions must be directed to the Intramural Sports Office for consideration by the IM staff during regular business hours (9:00am-6:00pm). Bring a photo ID and proof of payment to obtain a waiver from the IM staff. No such waiver will be granted on the field.

II. TEAM COMPOSITION

1. Players can compete on one men's or women's team, regardless of league classification, and play for one co-rec team as well.

2. Men's, women's, fraternity, and sorority team line-ups may include up to 8 players. Co-rec team line-ups may include up to 8 players with no more than 4 males and 4 females. In a co-rec game, the kicking order will alternate between male and female kickers. 8 players will play in the field.

3. Teams in all leagues may begin and end a game with 6 or 7 players. In a co-rec game that starts with 7 players, a member of the majority gender must kick first in the line-up. For teams which begin with 6 or 7 players, any late arriving players may be added to the line-up or join the team in the field immediately (after properly signed in).

4. A team's roster is unlimited (unlimited number of substitutes). Limited free substitution is permitted in order to encourage maximum participation. Limited substitution is available to all players in the line-up. Once a substitute has entered the line-up, he/she must play for a full inning (team's offensive and defensive halves of a inning). This rule allows for re-entry of both the starter and any subsequent substitutes. In the event of an injury, a substitute may enter the game prior to the full inning period. Ejected players may not be replaced in the line-up or in the field. An out will be recorded when an ejected player’s turn occurs in the line-up.

5. The use of the EH / EK (extra hitter / extra kicker) is not permitted in any league.


III. EQUIPMENT & FIELD DIMENSIONS

1. All players must wear shoes; tennis shoes and soft-soled shoes are legal. Cleats that are rubber or rubber-type synthetic material that are non-chipping and do not form a cutting edge are legal. Sandals, flip flops, and boots are not permitted. No metal cleats or shoes with detachable cleats are allowed. Any player caught wearing metal cleats will be ejected from the game.

2. Kickballs will be provided by the Intramural Sports staff at the game site. Helmets are available, if desired.

3. Wrist and hand jewelry is NOT allowed to be worn by any participant during intramural kickball. This jewelry consists of any visible rings (including wedding bands), watches, bracelets, and any other such similar jewelry. Only medical alert bracelets are permitted. A player is subject to ejection for failure to remove any jewelry after first warning.

4. The distance between bases shall be 50 feet. The pitching line shall be a dashed line which connects 1st and 3rd bases and shall be approximately 35 feet from home plate. Solid white lines shall indicate the foul lines. The kicking line shall be a straight line which connects points 5 feet down the 1st and 3rd base lines from home plate. The bunt line shall be a straight line which connects points 35 feet down the 1st and 3rd base lines from home plate.

IV. GROUND RULES

1. There is no out-of-play area in IM kickball. Balls that are obstructed (over a fence, behind an immovable object) shall be declared dead with bases awarded to runners based on ASA obstruction guidelines.

2. Teams shall remain clear of the fields while games are in progress.

V. GAME TIME & LENGTH

1. Game time is forfeit time. A team needs at least 6 legal players to begin the game. Any team that forfeits a game will not be eligible for the playoffs. If the forfeiting team wishes to play the rest of its regular season games, the team captain must come into the Intramural Sports Office by noon on the next working day to present their case.

2. Each game has a 35-minute or 6-inning limit. Any inning started before the end of the 35-minute time period will be completed. No inning shall begin after 35 minutes.

3. Regular season games can end in a tie. Extra innings will be played only if they start before the 35-minute time limit. . All tournament games will continue into extra innings until a winner is determined.

4. (Mercy Rules) After four complete innings (or 3½ if the home team leads), if a team is ahead by 17 or more runs, the game will be called. After five complete innings (or 4½ if the home team leads), if a team is ahead by 9 or more runs, the game will be called.

5. (Insurmountable Leads) Due to the maximum of 8 runs per inning, if one team is ahead by 1 more run than the number of outs remaining for the opponent in a traditional six inning game (or the current inning if the 35-minute time limit has already been reached), the game will be called. For example, if the defending team leads by 7 runs, and the first 2 kickers get out in the final inning, the game will be called as only 6 outs / 6 possible runs remain for the kicking team.

VI. INCLEMENT WEATHER

1. The FSU IM Sports Office reserves the right to postpone or reschedule a contest if circumstances warrant such action. Regular season games cancelled by rain are generally not rescheduled. Contests postponed due to other reasons may or may not be rescheduled at the discretion of the Intramural Sports staff.

2. In the case of inclement weather, the Intramural Sports staff will not make a decision regarding the playing of games until after 5:00 pm. For information on cancellations, call the IM RainLine at 644-4483.
A. If inclement weather occurs after the closing of the IM Sports Office, decisions regarding the continuation of the games will be made on the field by the IM supervisors. If you have a question regarding whether a game will be played, call the IM RainLine at 644-4483.
B. When games are cancelled due to the weather, the fields will not be available for practice to avoid costly damage to the fields and potential injury to participants. Please note the flag pole near the IM Sports Complex building: a red flag flying indicates that the complex is closed; a green flag flying indicates the fields are open.

3. A game stopped because of inclement weather is a regulation game if four or more innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead) have been played. In the event that a game is stopped in the middle of an inning, the official score will revert the the score at the end of the last complete inning.

VII. PITCHERS

1. Teams will pitch to their own kickers. A member of the defensive team will position themselves no closer than 3 feet from the pitcher to act as a fielder.

2. Pitchers (of the kicking team) will not be responsible for playing defense. When the pitcher is struck by a kicked ball before it passes a member of the defensive team, the kicker will be called out and runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the at bat. In all other situations, the pitcher must move clearly out of the way of a defender making a play or the potential path of a throw. If, in the umpire's opinion, the pitcher interferes with any part of a defense's play, the umpire may call out a runner or the kicker as appropriate. The ruling will follow guidelines similar to "interference" and "obstruction" in the ASA softball manual.

3. The pitcher must be a member of the offensive team, but does not have to be one of the kickers in the line-up. All-time pitchers are permitted (must be signed-in as a team member). If the pitcher is a kicker in the line-up, when it is the pitcher's turn in the line-up, another player will be required to enter the game to pitch. Only 2 pitching changes are permitted in any half-inning. Examples include:
A. The first pitcher may pitch to the first 3 batters. Another pitcher enters to pitch to the next 2 batters. Finally, the original pitcher returns to pitch to the final 3 hitters.
B. The first pitcher pitches to batters 1 thru 4. Another pitcher enters to pitch to numbers 5 thru 7. A third pitcher rolls to the number 8 hitter in the order.

VIII. PITCHING

1. In the act of delivering the ball to the kicker, the pitcher shall stand with at least one foot in contact with the pitcher’s line until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. A legal delivery shall be a ball that is delivered underhand and a slow to moderate speed. Bouncies are permitted.

2. Each kicker will receive a maximum of 3 pitches. If a kicker allows three pitches to pass and has not kicked the ball, he/she will be out.

3. The pitcher has 10 seconds between pitches. If he/she exceeds this time, the kicker will lose the right to a pitch (from 3 down to 2, down to 1, then out).

IX. KICKING

1. All players in the line-up will kick in each inning. Therefore, up to 8 outs may be recorded during a team's at-bat.

2. The kicking order may change each inning.

3. The offensive team (pitcher or kicker) is responsible for notifying the defensive team when the last kicker is preparing to kick. If the final kicker kicks without the offense notifying the defense that it is their last kicker, that kicker will be ruled out and the inning will be over.

4. When the last kicker of an inning kicks, play reverts to regular "2-out softball play". Therefore, the inning will end when ANY out is recorded (when the kicker is put out or any baserunner is put out). The inning will also end when the defense is in possession of the ball while touching home plate. No tag is necessary at home plate during the last kicker's at-bat. No runs will score when a force out is recorded during the last kicker's at-bat.

5. The kicker must contact the ball behind the kicking line, which is approximately 3 feet in front of home plate. If, in the umpire's opinion, a kicker contacts the ball beyond the three-foot kicking line, he/she will be called out and all runners must return to their original base.

6. Any foul ball is an out (whether on the first, second, or third pitch).

7. There are no walks.

8. A kicked ball must clear the 30-foot bunt line in front of home plate to be in play. Balls that come to rest inside this area or that are fielded (touched by a defensive player with any part of the body above the waist) in this area are considered foul and an out will be recorded for the kicker. All balls fielded in this area are considered dead when touched by a fielder and all runners must return to their original bases. Fly balls caught in this area are also dead; runners do not have a chance to tag up.

X. RUNNING

1. No stealing is allowed. Baserunners may leave the base when the pitch is kicked. If a runner is off base before the pitch reaches the plate, the runner is called out and a "no pitch" is declared.

2. The base path for a runner is the direct line between the player and the base to which he is advancing at the time a play is being made on that specific base runner and the three feet to either side of that direct path. Note: this path may be different from the straight line connecting two bases. For example, a player who has run past 1st base a distance of about 10 feet decides to run for second. His/her base path for any tag plays is the direct line from where he/she made his turn towards 2nd base (10 feet down the line from 1st) and 2nd base. This is different from the direct line from 1st to 2nd base. For plays between home plate and 1st base, the runner shall run in the 3-foot lane of the foul side of the foul line.

3. A player who runs outside his bath path (including the 3-foot lanes on either side) in an attempt to avoid a tag shall be declared out.

4. Baserunners are responsible for avoiding all collisions with fielders anytime a fielder is making a play on the ball (fielding, throwing, catching). If the baserunner does not avoid the collision, play will be ruled dead, the baserunner is called out, the batter is awarded first (unless involved in the collision), and all runners return to their original base unless forced to the next base.

5. A defensive player cannot stand in the base path or obstruct the path of a base runner unless he/she is making a play on the ball. A fielder has absolute right to any position on the field to field a ball and all runners must avoid a fielder in these cases. In the event the defense obstructs a runner, the umpire shall award the runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction the bases they would have, in the umpire's opinion, reached had there been no obstruction. It is also obstruction when a fielder without the ball fakes a tag. In this case, bases are awarded as a normal obstruction AND the fielder will be ejected from the game.

6. Any runner in fair territory and not in contact with a base that is struck by a fair kicked ball is out except when (a) the ball has passed an infielder and in the judgement of the umpire, no other fielder had a chance to make an out, (b) when a runner is hit with a fair batted ball over foul territory and no other fielder had a chance to make an out, or (c) when a runner is touched with a fair batted ball after it is touched by any fielder, including the pitcher. In the event of one of these 3 exceptions, all runners must return to their previously occupied base and the kicker-runner is awarded first base. If the award of first to the kicker-runner causes another runner to be forced, that runner will advance to the next base.

7. In case of a possible double play, the baserunner must slide into the base or get out of the way of the thrown ball. Baserunners who fail to get out of the way may be charged with interference resulting in both the baserunner and the batter-runner being called out on the play.

8. When a defensive player has the ball and is waiting for the runner, and the runner remains on his feet and deliberately, with great force, crashes 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.

9. There is no out-of-play area. Overthrows must be retrieved by the defensive team unless obstructed by immovable objects (over a fence, etc). In the event of an obstructed ball, regular softball out-of-play rules will apply:
A. On an initial overthrow by an infielder that lands in an obstructed area, the award is 2 bases from the time of the throw; i.e., batter gets second base, any baserunners are awarded 2 bases from where they were at the time of the throw.
B. On an overthrow by the outfielder that lands in an obstructed area, the award is 2 bases from the time the fielder releases the ball, not when it goes out of play; i.e., if a man is one step away from second when the outfielder released the ball, the runner is awarded second and third.

10. When a fielder carries the ball over an out-of-play line, the play becomes dead and the baserunners are awarded one base (if unintentional) or two bases (if intentional) from the time the fielder carried the ball out of play.

11. All base awards are based on the position of the lead runner. For example, if two players are between 1st and 2nd at the time of an overthrow which lands out of play, the first runner will be awarded 2nd and 3rd (two bases) and the second runner will receive 2nd base only.

12. There are no courtesy runners in kickball.

XI. FIELDING

1. Defensive positioning is restricted by the following:
A. No more than 6 players (including a "fielding pitcher" and catcher) may position themselves within the infield area prior to a pitch being kicked. In a game with 8 fielders, 2 must begin each play in the outfield area.
B. Each team must provide a catcher. The catcher must field from behind the kicker. The catcher must remain at least 3 feet behind the kicker and may not cross home plate until the ball is kicked.
C. If a team provides a "fielding pitcher", the "fielding pitcher" may align themselves on either side of the offense's pitcher no closer than 3 feet from the pitching rubber. The "fielding pitcher" may not position themselves in front of pitcher's rubber (closer to the plate) until a ball is kicked.
D. Only one other infielder, other than the "fielding pitcher", may position themselves inside the diamond (inside the 1st/2nd/3rd base diagonals) until the ball is kicked.

2. In co-rec play, a maximum of 3 males and 3 females may play in the infield. This maximum includes the pitcher and catcher. The remaining players will play the outfield.

3. The kicker is out in situations similar to softball (forceouts, flyouts, etc). In addition, a runner is out when he/she is hit by a thrown ball below the shoulders. Any runner hit above the shoulders is safe. In this case, the play continues but the runner who was hit above the shoulders is NOT liable to be put out until after he/she touches the next base. However, if the runner intentionally uses the head to block the ball or ducks, the runner will be called out (the ball is immediately dead and runners must return to the base they last touched).

4. In the event a fielder intentionally throws a ball towards and contacts a runner's head, the play will be immediately dead and the fielder will be ejected. The runner will be awarded home and all runners in advance of the runner hit by the ball will also score.

5. There is no infield fly rule.

XII. APPEAL PLAYS

1. An appeal play is one in which an umpire cannot make a decision until requested by a member of the defensive team. Appeals must be made prior to the next legal or illegal pitch or before the defensive team has left the field.

2. Once the ball has been returned to the infield and time has been called, any infielder (including the pitcher or catcher), with or without possession of the ball, may make a verbal appeal on a runner missing a base, a runner leaving a base too soon, or the batter batting out of order. The plate umpire should acknowledge the appeal, and the administering umpire should then make a decision on the play. Baserunners cannot leave their base during this period, as the ball remains dead until the next pitch.

XIII. OTHER RULES

1. There will be a coin-toss prior to each game to determine the home team.

2. A player who is bleeding or has blood on his/her uniform cannot participate until the bleeding is stopped or the uniform is changed. If the player accomplishes this task within a reasonable time (to be determined by the umpire), the player may remain in the game. If the situation is not handled in a reasonable amount of time, the player must leave the game and be replaced. The player is then subject to the re-entry rule. If no substitutes are available, play will continue without the player. The player, then, may re-enter the game when he/she is deemed legal for participation.

3. The pitcher may receive a maximum of 3 warm-up pitches prior to the first inning. Warm-up pitches are prohibited at all other times. Infield practice is not permitted prior to any inning.

XIV. SPORTSMANSHIP

1. Sportsmanship is an important part of intramural sports. Teams receive sportsmanship ratings at the conclusion of each game on a scale of 0 to 4 with 4 as an excellent rating. Teams must average a 3.0 during the regular season to qualify for the playoffs.

2. Teams are responsible for keeping their spectators under control. Misconduct of spectators and players may result in ejection and/or forfeiture of the game. Spectators must remain clear of the field of play. Only players are permitted in the playing area.

3. Any player who uses foul language, violently protests a call, or curses an official or supervisor, will be removed from the game. In addition, he/she will have to meet with the Director of Intramural Sports during office hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) before he/she is eligible to participate again. Any player who touches an official or supervisor will be placed on suspension from all intramural activities for a minimum period of one calendar year from the time of the incident.

4. If at any time a team has 2 players or spectators ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct, the offending team will immediately forfeit the game.

5. FSU Intramural Sports does not recognize the use of coaches. Only the team captain may speak to the umpires regarding administrative matters (protests, ejections, disqualifications, etc.).

6. Teams shall assist in removing trash and equipment from their game area at the conclusion of their game.

7. Umpires and supervisors are college students employed by FSU Campus Recreation to provide a service to the participants of FSU Intramural Sports. Officials are employed regardless of experience to fulfill a need for a large number of officials to cover all the games being played. Officials undergo clinics and evaluations to help them to constantly improve in their abilities. Supervisors are trained to handle conflicts that occur during games and are there to answer questions that participants may have regarding Intramurals. The supervisors can be identified by the FSU IM shirt or sweatshirt they will be wearing. FSU IM supervisors are veteran officials or trained tournament personnel who have complete authority to make decisions regarding problems or special situations. Supervisors have been selected for their knowledge of intramural sports regulations and rules, maturity, professionalism and a sincere interest in intramural sports.

8. Additional information regarding sportsmanship may be obtained from the Intramural Sports office or online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.

Call the IM Sports Office at 644-2430 or email us for more information.