(last revision 5/10/24)
This rule set is designed for the weekly slow pitch leagues. Tournaments, draft leagues, indoor leagues and fast pitch leagues may play under a modified rule set.
10 Point Rules Summary
Full Rule Book
1.1 On defense, 10 players take the field with a maximum of 5 men.
1.2 On offense, teams will maintain a set kicking order that alternates male/female kickers.
1.3 Females may take the spot of a male, but never vice versa.
1.4 Teams may carry additional players on the bench. ‘Bench’ players may be included in the kicking order and freely subbed into defense.
1.5 Teams designated as ‘free agent teams’ may adhere to different gender rules based on the gender ratio of signups for that league.
1.6.1 A team with less than 8 players (minimum 4 females) will forfeit and a scrimmage will occur in place of a game.
1.6.2 No subs should be used if a team can field a lineup of 5m/5f with their own roster. The opposing captain must grant a courtesy to bring in sub players to exceed 5m/5f.
1.6.3 Teams that have 4 players of a gender may bring in sub players to field a complete team but should not exceed 5 players of each gender by the use of subs.
1.7 Players that become injured can be removed from the game without penalty.
2.1.1 Players are required to conduct themselves in a respectful, civilized manner.
2.1.2 Unsportsmanlike actions include and are not limited to yelling, name calling, inappropriate gestures, aggressive words, intimidating behavior, physical touch, intentionally reckless actions, flagrant abuse of rules, attempts to demean, embarrass or humiliate an opponent.
2.2.1 Umpires have wide latitude to eject players who exhibit these behaviors.
2.2.2 Eject players must immediately exit the field and play cannot continue until they do. The league reserves the right to take further action against ejected players.
2.3 Only captains may approach an umpire to discuss a call. Captains also have a responsibility in controlling the behavior of their teammates.
2.4.1 The umpire will exhibit and interpret these rules based on the ‘spirit of the game’, and the umpire’s decision is final in all matters.
2.4.2 In the absence of a clear rule, the umpire may default to established baseball rules or spirt of the game
2.5.1 The 8-4-12 Mercy Rule states;
2.5.2 A team that is losing by 8 runs or more can play with 12 total players on the field. The 2 added players can be of any gender.
2.5.3 A team that starts the kicking portion of the inning down by 8 or more runs receives 4 outs for the full duration of the inning, regardless if they score and are no longer trailing by 8+ runs.
2.6 10 is the maximum score differential that will be recorded. The differential will be based on the score of the losing team. (example; a 20 to 3 game gets reported as 13 to 3).
2.7.1 During Playoffs, ‘A’ Bracket games are played with a more stringent set of rules.
2.7.2 The higher seed has the choice to be home or away.
2.7.3 Captains may request a kicking order from the opposing captain.
2.7.4 There is no mercy rule.
2.7.5 All competing players must be on the team’s roster and are subject to a roster check.
3.1 Playing areas vary and may include ‘throw downs’ on grass fields as well as baseball diamonds. The umpire’s reasonable judgment will prevail when the field’s infrastructure does not provide all of the below;
3.2 The playing field shall be a diamond with equal sides of 60ft. The distance from home to second shall be 84ft and 10 inches.The bases should be measured from the back corner of each base.
3.3 An orange safety bag is placed to the right of first base in foul territory and separated by a disc cone. The offense is compelled to use the orange base unless safety reasons require otherwise.
3.4.1 Six cones will be used to mark the following areas: 2nd base, 3rd base, two on the right field line, two on the left field line.
3.4.2 Cones may become displaced. In the case where there are no painted foul lines, the cones only provide context and it is up to the umpire to decide if a ball is foul or fair.
3.5 The pitching mound is located directly in the center of the diamond and 42ft and 5 inches from home plate. It is marked with 6 disc cones forming a circle.
3.6 An agreed upon area past foul territory shall be determined as ‘out of play’.
3.7 The official LI-Kick ball is a Baden KB-10.
3.8 One base coach is permitted at 1st base and 3rd base.
4.1.1 Games are 9-innings long, with 3 outs per half-inning.
4.1.2 Time, weather and light constraints may require games to go less than 9-innings and this call will be made by either the league director or umpire, and communicated to captains.
4.1.2 When time, weather or light constraints are foreseeable, it is commonplace for the league director or umpire to declare ‘no new inning’ past a certain time.
4.1.3 Games may be brought to an immediate halt when time, weather or light conditions pose an immediate safety risk.
4.1.4 Games will be called ‘official’ if 50% of the game is completed at the time the game is halted. Games will be replayed with a fresh start if less than 50% of the games is completed.
4.2.1 A game will begin with a pregame meeting between the umpire and captain(s) from each team.
4.2.2 Home/Away is determined by a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors at the pre-game captain’s meeting.
4.2.3 It is “rock, paper, scissors, SAYS, shoot”.
4.3 If the home team is ahead at the bottom of the final inning, the home team wins the game and the bottom of the inning will not be played.
4.4 Games tied at the end of 9-innings will play 1-inning of overtime, if time allows. Regular season games will end in a tie if the game is still tied after 1 additional inning.
5.1.1 Team will maintain a kicking order which alternates genders.
5.1.2 Male players cannot kick back to back. Teams that have an even gender ratio will kick ‘straight through’. Teams that do not have even gender ratios may maintain separate kicking orders for each gender.
5.1.3 Players arriving late can be inserted to the kicking order without penalty.
5.1.4 Players may kick without a requirement to field (designated kicker). Players must be in the kicking order to be eligible to play defense (no designated fielders).
5.2 The kicker has the option to decline a pitch. There are no strikes, balls, walks, or hit by pitches.
5.3 The umpires may call a first or a second strike (by never a third) if the kicker intentionally turns down a perfectly pitched ball (pace of play strike). An umpire may call this with no prior ‘warning’.
5.4 A player that ‘swings and misses’ will not be awarded a strike, just to avoid the additional embarrassment.
5.5.1 Kickers must kick with their plant foot entirely behind the front of home plate (the plane extends laterally). Balls that are kicked while the kicker has their plant foot in front of home plate shall be ruled an immediate dead ball and the kicker receives one foul.
5.5.2 In instances where space behind home plate is limited, an agreed up ‘kicking line’ may be drawn to represent the area where a kicker may plant their foot. This area is considered legal to kick from and in fair territory.
5.6 A double kick occurs when a kicker makes a secondary contact with the ball. The ball will be called ‘foul’ if the secondary contact occurs in foul territory and ‘out’ if the secondary contact occurs in fair territory.
5.7 All foul balls count as strikes. A kicker is called ‘out’ on the 3rd foul/strike.
5.8 Bunting is legal however we play with ‘The Catcher Rule’ A kicker will be given two strikes and the ball will be called dead if the catcher is able to possess the ball before the kicker reaches first base. The kicker will kick again.
5.8.1 The ball is ‘live’ and play will continue in the case where the catcher does not beat the runner at first base.
6.1 Two foul lines originate at home plate and extend to (and beyond) 1st base and 3rd base. The entirety of the foul lines, bases and home plate are in fair territory The area of foul territory is determined by the position of the ball (not the position of the player) in relation to these lines.
6.2. A foul ball is defined as
6.3: If a defensive player catches a foul ball, an ‘out’ is recorded and play is continued as live.
7.1 This is a slow pitch league.
7.2 There are no balls or strikes called.
7.3 Pitching must be underhand only. Pitches must be thrown in good faith with no intent to deceive, bounce, spin or speed the ball past the kicker.
7.4 There is no mechanism for an intentional walk.
7.5 Pitchers must release their pitch from within the pitcher’s mound.
7.6 The pitcher must remain in the pitcher’s mound until the ball is contacted by the kicker.
8.1.1 10 players play the field, with a maximum of 5 men.
8.1.1 Additional players may be on the bench and subbed in at will.
8.2.1 Pitcher and catcher are the only defined positions. The 8 other players are free to begin play in whichever position/area they prefer. There is no encroachment line/area.
8.2.2 Pitchers must pitch and remain on the mound until the ball is kicked.
8.2.3 Catchers must remain behind the plane of the kicker until the ball is kicked. An umpire will use his/her best judgment when determining the reasonableness based on the available space behind home plate.
8.2.4. A kicker will be awarded either the result of the play, or first base, if a pitcher or catcher commits a positional foul.
8.2.5 Pitchers and Catchers are allowed 1 position change per inning.
8.3.1 Bunting is legal however we play with ‘The Catcher Rule’ A kicker will be given two strikes and the ball will be called dead if the catcher is able to possess the ball before the kicker reaches first base. The kicker will kick again.
8.3.2 The Catcher must be the first and only player to touch the ball to invoke ‘The Catcher Rule’.
8.3.3 Fly balls caught by the catcher will be an ‘out’ and the ball is live.
8.4 Defensive players must remain clear of the base paths unless in possession of the ball or making an imminent play on the ball. Obstruction will be called when a defensive player not in possession of the ball or not actively involved in a play contacts, impedes, or blocks a baserunner.
8.5 The defense can record outs by catching a fly ball, recording a force out, tag out or peg out.
8.6 There is no infield fly rule and ‘intentional’ drops are not disallowed. Don’t like it? Blame your kicker for kicking a pop fly to second base.
8.7 An overthrow is a ball thrown, kicked, or deflected into out of play territory while making a defensive play toward a player or base. In the case of an overthrow, the ball is called dead and all advancing runners will receive the base they are advancing to, plus the next additional base.
8.8.1 A play ends when any defensive player, with possession of the ball, establishes both feet within the pitcher’s mound. At that point the umpire shall call ‘time’. Any runners will be called back to the base closest to them at the time the fielder established position (half way rule).
8.8.2 An umpire may not immediately call ‘time’ and offer the defense a chance to record an out on any runners not on a base. However, play will be considered over at the time the defense establishes position in the pitcher's mound (while not attempting to record an out), not when the umpire verbally announces ‘time’.
8.8.3 While the defense has the option to extend the play, an instinctual reaction or even a pump fake is not a great enough action to consider the play as being continued.
9.1 Runners must remain on a base until the ball is contacted. Players taking a lead after the pitch and before the kick will be called ‘out’. The play will be called dead before the kick is attempted.
9.2 Once the ball is kicked, the play is live and runners can continue advancing until the defense returns the ball to the mound or the umpire calls the play dead.
9.3 Runners choose their base path but must not deviate more than 3 feet laterally on either side of their established base path. Runners that do will be called ‘out’ and play will continue.
9.4.1 Striking a player with a ball in an attempt to record an out (pegging) is permitted.
9.4.2 Runners are protected from the neck and above from peg out attempts (head hunting). A player hit in the neck or above will automatically be awarded the next base. The ball is ‘live’ and play continues.
9.4.3 Runners give up their head hunting protection if they make any attempt to elude a peg, including ducking, diving, jumping and sliding.
9.4.4 Play will be called dead when an offensive player intentionally touches the ball.
9.5.1 Runners must give way to fielders actively fielding the ball. Runners will be called ‘out’ for interference for contacting a fielder.
9.5.2 Obstruction on the defense occurs when a defensive player not in possession of the ball or not actively involved in a play contacts, impedes, or blocks a baserunner. In the case of obstruction, the umpire will let the play proceed and then award bases to the runners to which they would have safely advanced in the umpire’s judgment, had the obstruction not occurred.
9.6.1 Runners must use the orange safety bag at first base when play is being made. If there is no play being made, runners may use the white bag.
9.6.2 1st base is the only base that can be overran. Runners who make any attempt to advance to second base are considered ‘live’ and give up the protection of over running first.
9.6.3 When a play is being made at first base, runners must enter the ‘running lane’ within 5 yards of first base. The running lane is the area on the right side of the foul line in foul territory which leads the runner to the orange safety bag .Runners will be called ‘out’ if they contact the first baseman when the option to use the ‘running lane’ exists.
9.7.1 Runners must tag up before advancing on caught fly balls.
9.7.2 Runners may legally tag up on the ‘first touch’ and need not wait till a catch is completed to begin advancing.
9.8: A runner is called ‘out’ and the play will continue as ‘live’ if the runner is hit by a kicked ball while on the base path or standing on a base (provided that the contact occurs in fair territory). The base provides no safety.
9.9 A runner who passes or makes contact with the runner in front of them will be called ‘out’ and play will continue.
9.10 If a base becomes displaced from its original position during the course of play, a ‘phantom base’ will be assumed and play will continue assuming as if there is a base in the original spot.
9.11: Sliding is permitted. However, runners who while sliding, contact fielders who have established themselves in legal positions, will be called ‘out’.
9.12.1 A play is called ‘dead’ when a defensive player is on the mound with possession of the ball. Runners will be called back to the base closest to them at that time, whether it be the base they are coming from or advancing to (half way rule), unless a force dictates the runners must advance.
9.12.2 Base runners have no ‘right to make an attempt to advance’. The play is called dead when a defensive player is on the mound with possession of the ball.
9.13 In the event that a run is scored and a third out is obtained the run is only awarded provided that all of the following have occurred:
9.14.1 Pinch runners are permitted In cases of injury, however the player being subbed out may not reenter the game on offense or defense.
9.14.2 Should there be no available pinch runner on the bench, the pinch runner will be the last player called ‘out’ of the same gender.
10.1 It is the responsibility of the scoring player to flip the scoreboard to register their run.
10.2 It is the responsibility of the team to monitor the kicking order of the opposing team.
10.3 Is the responsibility of the umpire to maintain the inning and out count
10.4 The umpire has ultimate jurisdiction over all these areas
10.5 It is the responsibility of umpire to report the final score
Tournaments have many variables including the number of teams playing, number of fields available and time available. In general;
T.1 Tiebreakers to determine standings are; (1) runs against, (2) run differential, (3) runs scored, (4) the m/f kick-and-run. Head-to-head is only used in a 2-way tie and will be used before runs against.
T.2 Pool play games can end in a tie. Playoff games will go to as many extra innings as necessary.
Division 1 of Tournaments are played with the same rules as above, with the exception;
T.3 6m and 4f play the field.
T.4 Teams will kick with a lineup that is ‘straight through’.
T.5 Men can kick back-to-back, but never three in a row, including the wrap around.
T.6 Pool play games will be 6-innings in length or no-new inning being allowed to start at the 50th minute.
T.7 Playoff games will be 7-innings in length.
T.8 The is no mercy rule in D1
T.9 The number of teams advancing to the playoffs will be roughly 50% of the D1 field.
T.10.1 A prize pool based on the number of teams will be established.
T.10.2 Currently assumed to be $75 per team.
Division 2 of Tournaments are played with the same rules as above, with the exception;
T.11 Pool play and playoff games will be 5-innings in length with no-new inning being allowed to start after the 50th minute.
T.12 Volunteer umpires will be used.
T.13 The number of teams advancing to the playoffs will be less than 50% of the D2 field.
T.14 A non-monetary prize will be awarded to the winner.
T.15 A separate ‘team spirit’ or ‘best dressed’ prize will be awarded.
WS.1 A ball is kicked and hits the runner who is standing on second base.
WS.2 There are no outs and a runner on third base. The ball is kicked directly back to the pitcher who holds the ball on the mound. The runner on third base attempts to run home.
WS.3 The defensive player pegs out a runner, who in an act of frustration, punches the ball, causing it to go into the outfield and allowing other runners to advance.
WS.4 A team losing by 10 runs is in the mercy rule and starts the inning with 4 outs. The rally and score 7 runs, bringing the difference to 3 runs.
WS.5 A player shows up late to the game. The captain asks you if they can enter the game.
WS.6 Half of a kicker’s plant foot steps over home plate when kicking the ball. The ball is caught by a defensive player.
WS.7 The ball is thrown back to a player on the pitcher’s mound and, believing that the play is over, an advancing runner stops running and starts walking back to the base. The fielder throws the ball to a baseman who tags the runner with the ball.
WS.8 There is 1 out and a runner on 1st and 2nd. The ball is popped into the air above the second base area. The fielder allows the ball to drop in order to tag the runner at 2nd and record a force out on the runner advancing from first.
WS.9 The ball is popped into the air and a base runner loudly yells “I GOT IT’ into the ear of fielder attempting to catch the ball.
WS.10 A runner is safe at first base and over runs the bag. They then ‘turn left’ as they return back to the base. The fielder at first base tags the runner with the ball.
WS.11 A pop fly is caught by the catcher, before the kicker reaches first base.
WS.12 When making a play at first base, the first baseman and base runner collide.
WS.13 The third baseman is playing ‘aggressively close’ in anticipation of a bunt.
WS. 14 A ball is kicked to deep center field and the kicker is attempting to achieve a double. While rounding first base, they run into the first baseman, causing them to slow and then get tagged out at second base.
WS.15 A captain wants to have a pinch runner for a player with ‘bad knees’ with intent the player will get to kick again in a subsequent inning.