Odessa Family YMCA Adult Kick Ball Rules
Table of Contents
Overview
Team & Player Rules
Game Format
Game Play Rules
Pitching & Batting
Base Running
Fielding Rules
Fouls, Outs & Violations
Sportsmanship & Conduct
Weather & Rescheduling
Playoffs & Championships
1. OVERVIEW
Kickball league for adults aged 21+.
Recreational & friendly competition.
Bunting is allowed (as per updated rules).
All rosters must be locked in by the registration end date.
2. TEAM & PLAYER RULES
Team Size: Minimum 10 players, maximum 15 on the roster.
Gender Rule: At least 3 women must be on the field at all times.
Roster Lock: All team rosters must be finalized by the registration end date.
Kicking Order Rules:
All players may kick; however, no more than two males may kick in a row.
Females may re-kick if necessary to maintain proper ratios (e.g., a team with 9 males and 4 females may assign a female to kick twice).
Male players may not kick again in the order until all female players have had an opportunity to kick.
Substance Policy:
Alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and substance use are strictly prohibited on YMCA grounds.
Any player present under the influence will result in team disqualification from the league.
3. GAME FORMAT
Game Length: 7 innings or 50-minute time limit.
Mercy Rule: 10-run lead after 5 innings ends the game.
Forfeit Time: 10-minute grace period after scheduled game time.
4. GAME PLAY RULES
Ball Type: Official rubber kickball, 10” or 10.5”.
Footwear:
No cleats with metal spikes.
Molded cleats, turf shoes, and tennis shoes are allowed.
Infield Line: No fielders inside the infield circle until the ball is kicked.
Substance Policy:
Alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and substance use are strictly prohibited on YMCA grounds.
Any player present under the influence will result in team disqualification from the league.
5. PITCHING & BATTING
Pitching:
Must be underhand.
Pitch must bounce at least two (2) times before reaching home plate.
No excessive spin or bounce over knee height.
All kickers start with a 1 ball / 1 strike count.
With two strikes, the kicker has one courtesy foul.
Kicking:
Kicks must be made by the foot only, and touched only once.
The plant foot must be on or behind the line in front of home plate.
No stopping the ball with your foot before kicking — this is an automatic foul.
6. BUNTING
Bunting is allowed.
A kicked ball must reach a line that is 40 feet from home plate (the bunt line) to be considered fair.
Any kick that does not reach the bunt line will be considered foul once it comes to a complete stop.
A kicked ball only needs to reach the line. It does not need to remain on or beyond it to satisfy the bunt requirement.
If the ball is fielded before it reaches the bunt line, it is in play and considered fair.
A kicked ball that is contacted by a fielder before it contacts the ground will be ruled fair or foul depending on its position when touched.
Defensive positioning rules:
When a male is kicking, any two defensive players (other than the catcher) may advance as far forward as the bunt line prior to the ball being kicked.
When a female is kicking:
7. BASE RUNNING
No leading off or stealing. Runners must remain on base until the ball is kicked.
Runners can overrun first base.
Runners must avoid fielders who are attempting to make a play.
Runners hit above the shoulders by a thrown ball = safe, unless ducking.
Head-First Slide Rule:
No head-first slides are allowed when approaching any base on the field.
If a runner’s momentum causes them to overrun a base, they may dive back in a head-first manner to regain possession of that base.
Courtesy Runner for Injured Kickers:
Injured kickers may receive a courtesy runner once they have safely reached base, all action resulting from their hit has stopped, and time has been called by the umpire.
If a female kicker is injured, the last female out becomes the courtesy runner.
If a male kicker is injured, the last player out (regardless of gender) becomes the courtesy runner.
8. FIELDING RULES
10 fielders max (4 infielders, 4 outfielders, pitcher, catcher).
No blocking bases without possession of the ball.
Catcher must stay behind the kicker and not interfere.
9. FOULS, OUTS & VIOLATIONS
Foul Balls:
Ball lands outside the base lines.
Missed kick that rolls backward.
Kicks not past the 40-ft bunt line.
Kicks made with knee or multiple touches.
Kicker crosses plant foot line during kick.
Stopping the ball before kicking.
Outs:
3 strikes.
Ball caught in air (fair or foul).
Forced out at base.
Hit by thrown ball while off base.
Second foul with 2 strikes.
10. SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT
Fighting of any kind will result in full team disqualification from the league.
No profanity, taunting, or aggressive behavior.
Respect all players, refs, and YMCA staff.
For The Odessa Family YMCA's full Code of Conduct Click here (Odessa Family YMCA Adult Kickball Code of Conduct.pdf)
11. WEATHER & RESCHEDULING
Games may be called off for lightning, heavy rain, or unplayable field conditions.
Makeups scheduled by league staff.
12. PLAYOFFS & CHAMPIONSHIPS
Top 4–8 teams make playoffs depending on league size.
Single elimination.
Tiebreaker: head-to-head, then run differential.
13. DRESS CODE
Footwear:
No cleats with metal spikes are allowed.
Molded cleats, turf shoes, and tennis shoes are allowed.
Shirts:
Shorts/Pants:
Players must wear appropriate athletic wear (shorts or pants) that allow for safe movement.
No spandex or non-athletic attire (e.g., dresses, skirts).
No jeans or non-athletic attire.
Hats and Accessories:
Hats and sunglasses are allowed but should not interfere with play or present safety hazards.
Players are discouraged from wearing jewelry (e.g., necklaces, bracelets) that could be dangerous during the game.
Protective gear such as braces or gloves is allowed, provided it does not pose a safety risk.
No offensive or inappropriate attire is allowed. Players wearing offensive clothing will be asked to change or leave the field.
For a printable version of our rules Click Here (odessa family ymca adult kickball rules.pdf)