RULES & REGULATIONS
Created 08/02/07
(Revised 02/07, 11/08, 02/09, 09/09, 12/09, 12/11, 6/15, 6/17, 05/18, 11/19, 01/22, 1/23, 4/26)
COPYRIGHT 2007-2024 ST. LOUIS BIGBALLS KICKBALL LEAGUE - STL BBK LLC
Players:
1) Each player must be 18 years of age to play in the BigBalls Kickball League. Players over 21 years of age may consume adult beverages in moderation.
2) Each player must sign and agree to the waiver form when registering.
3) Each player must be registered prior to the first game in order to receive an official BigBalls jersey. You are allowed to register individual players to a team up to the determined deadline to receive a jersey. Note: Winter players receive hoodies with no custom name or number.
4) Teams are responsible for their players and each player is responsible for their own actions on and off the field. Teams and players may incur disciplinary actions as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct included but not limited to warnings, suspensions, fines, behavioral modification plans, or the league can permanently expel players or entire teams from the league. The offender(s) have the right to appeal to the league Commissioner, along with the team Captain, within 48 hours of the offense.
Teams:
1) Each team must register at least 14 players on the roster to be eligible to play. Although it is recommended that teams hold a roster of 20, exceptions can be made to the 14 player requirement by the Commissioner only. Failure to meet the minimum may result in forfeiture of season awards. There is no team player maximum.
2) All players must bring their current season league issued shirts as proof of payment. If you fail to bring your team shirt you will be fined $5.00 each day to cover the verification of paid registration. You can avoid this fine by bringing with you, to the field, your registration confirmation email, proof of payment, and a valid state issued I.D. The official will verify this. Repeated violations can result in probation and suspension.
3) If you would like your team to have a person play for a single day, that person can pay a $10.00 sub fee that must be paid to the official BEFORE your first game and sign a paper liability waiver. This fee covers them for the day for any game on any field whether they play one game or more. A Guest Player paying to play is now considered a rostered player. The responsibility to pay this fee falls to the team itself. Any team found using an unpaid sub player will forfeit their games for that day, their right to season awards, and the end of the season gathering if applicable.
4) Each team must field a minimum of 8 rostered players in order to play the game; otherwise it is considered a forfeit. A team can pick up, at max, 2 other unpaid substitutes as long as they already have 8 rostered players and they are registered BigBalls players from other teams.
5) Male/Female Participation: To increase participation, a team may field 10 defensive players only when at least two players are of the opposite gender. The position of catcher does not count. If a team shows up with only male or only female players, that team must play with only 8 players including the catcher. The gender of an individual is determined by their personal identification.
6) Substitutions can be made from players on other teams that play on the same day, Kickball Warriors, and Guest Players. Free substitution players from other teams on the same game day may not offset a rosterd team player nor can a team pick up free sub players if they already have 10 rostered players. During regular season, a team is always able to pick up a paid sub player.
7) Roster Audit: Teams are subject to roster audits at any time. Any team found using an unpaid sub player will forfeit their games for that day, their right to season awards, and the end of the season gathering when applicable.
Captains:
1) Each team will have a designated registered Captain who oversees the entire team. The registered Captain is responsible for the following:
a. Initially registering the team
b. Primary contact person with the league
c. Must attend the mandatory captain’s meeting (or send a representative) when applicable
d. Coordinating/organizing their team
e. Their team understanding and learning the game play rules
f. Their team during game play, any disciplinary actions, and any punishment appeals
2) The Registered Captain is also responsible for the following, however if the Captain is not present any team member can take the responsibility as Acting Captain for the day's game(s):
a. The team during game play
b. Ensuring all players participating are listed on the lineup sheet in kicking order prior to the start of the game
c. Only the Captain / acting Captain can dispute calls to an Official during the game in a courteous manner
d. Requesting time outs
e. Verifying final score on the score sheet at game’s end with initials
Officials:
1) All games are officiated by one BigBalls Game Official.
2) Each Official is responsible for their field and final score reporting and reports to the Field Manager(s). Field Managers can also be Officials.
3) Officials DO NOT keep score, that duty falls to the Home Team. It is suggested that the away team independently keeps score as well and teams verify scores throughout the game.
4) The Official governs all game play and issues final rulings. They keep track of strikes, balls, and outs. Officials have jurisdiction over game play and may:
a. Call Time Out
b. Penalize a player, including game ejection, for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ejected players must leave and may not return to any BigBalls organized fields for the remainder of the game day.
c. Report penalized or ejected players to the League Field Manager and Commissioner to impose warnings, suspensions, fines, behavioral modification plans, or permanently expel players or entire teams.
Game Play:
1) Each team must field a minimum of 8 players to run an official game. A team may have as many players as they like on their roster, but only up to 10 take the field at a time.
2) All players who are playing the field must be in the kicking order, however a player can kick without playing the field.
3) An official lineup sheet must be maintained throughout the game.
4) When playing with a full 10 players, teams must play 4 players in the Outfield – Left Fielder, Left Center Fielder, Right Center Fielder, and Right Fielder. The remaining 6 players will play in the Infield- First Baseman, Second Baseman, ShortStop, Third Baseman, Pitcher and Catcher.
5) The Home team will record the score for the game. The Official will keep track of the innings, count, and outs for the game. The visiting team should also keep track of the score to make sure that there are no discrepancies. The final score is then verified by both the home and visiting team Captains with initials on the score sheet at the end of the game.
6) Regulation games last 7 innings or 55 minutes (from the annotated game time, not when the game actually starts), whichever comes first. This means that no inning will start after 55 minutes have elapsed. If an official deems a full inning cannot be completed by the 55 minute timeframe the game can be called at that point. If a game is tied after 7 full innings both teams will continue if time permits.
7) If one teams forfeits, the game will be marked as a 7-0 loss, but if both teams both of the teams scheduled to play forfeit, the game will be marked as a 0-0 double loss. Note: This is important because standing tie-breakers are determined by runs FOR a team.
8) Game time is Forfeit time. The schedules are posted well in advance of the season start. Teams need to be on the field ready to pitch / kick at the posted game time. Games start on the hour and this is when the home team should be ready in the field.
9) Any game that has at least 3 complete innings is considered a full game in the case that a game is called due to inclement weather, etc. The score at the last complete inning will be the score of the game, even if the score was tied and/or runs are scored in the current inning when the game is called. A game that is called off before 3 innings of play shall not be considered a regulation game and will be rescheduled if possible. All efforts are made by the League to make up games.
10) Each team can score, at max, 10 runs per inning. When a team scores 10 runs in an inning, even if the team has less than 3 outs, the inning will end. The 10 run rule is waived on the final inning.
11) There will be a 15 run ‘mercy’ rule in effect for each game. If at any point past the 3rd inning a team takes a lead of 15 or more runs, the score will be finalized there. Teams are welcome to finish the game for "funsies" at this point.
12) Games can end in a tie if game time has elapsed.
Ball in Play:
1) No defensive player may advance forward of the 1st to 3rd baseline until the ball is kicked. Failure to abide by this rule results in a ball if the ball is not kicked regardless of where / how it crosses the plate. This line DOES NOT annotate how far the ball must travel after being kicked.
2) The ball must be in the infield and held by a defensive player with no advancement in play possible in order to call a time / end the current play. An official may call time or end a play at any time.
3) If a runner touches or is hit by the ball while off of a base during live play, the runner is out.
4) Defensive players are allowed to kick or throw the ball towards another team player in the field.
5) There is NO infield fly rule. However, if the Official determines that the infielder dropped the ball intentionally to make a double play, the Official may call just ONE out on the kicker and all on-base runners must return to the original base regardless of the bases held by the runners.
6) If the ball goes foul, but is still in play, and is caught by a player before touching the ground, the kicker is out and the play is live. A line 15 ft wider than the base line determines if a ball is out of play. Any ball caught past this line is considered a "dead ball" and is still a foul / strike but does not count as an out.
7) Each team receives 2 one-minute time outs per game that can only be called by the Captain. It is at the Official's discretion to allow the time out.
8) If a ball is kicked fair and goes foul before crossing first or third base, it is considered a foul ball. However if a ball appears to be going foul and a player stops it in fair territory it is fair ball and is in play.
9) A play is considered dead when the ball is held in control by the pitcher in the vicinity of the pitcher’s mound or when time is called by the Official. The defined vicinity is determined by the Official. All runners must stop their advances at that time unless they were actively in motion toward the next base.
10) Out of Play:
a. If the ball is kicked out of the playing area (foul / out of play) from the batter’s box, it is considered a strike.
b. If the ball goes out of play during normal play all runners will receive the base to which they were advancing plus 1.
c. If a player stays on a base, stops forward motion toward the next base, or is retreating to their previous base, they are awarded only the next base.
d. Players may not "force" or advance players leading them on the bases.
e. Home plate cannot be "occupied" thus even if a runner is standing still on 3rd base and a runner is progressing from 2nd to 3rd base when the ball goes out of play, both runners are awarded Home.
Pitching: (All this boils down to is make the ball smooth and easy to kick)
1) The strike zone / home plate is indicated by an 18"h x 36"w white mat. Home plate / strike zone is determined by the mat in its entirety.
2) If the bottom of the ball is 10 inches or higher as it crosses the plate, it is considered a ball. A BigBalls kickball is 10" so this can give you an idea of how high a bounce can be.
3) If the ball falls short of the plate and does not cross the kicking line, it will be called a ball.
4) The pitcher must stay behind the mound, indicated with a white line extending from 1st to 3rd, prior to releasing the ball. The pitcher may cross the line only on follow through and may not advance towards home after the ball is released before the ball is kicked. If a pitcher is having issues getting the ball to the plate the official may allow them to pitch from a bit closer as long as the official does not deem it as an attempt to gain defensive advantage.
5) Only underhand pitching is allowed. Sidearm, overhand, and kick pitching are not permitted and will be considered a ball. Any repeated offense can result in the pitcher being removed from playing as pitcher and possibly the game .
6) Civil Pitching - Slow and easy to kick. Intentionally making the ball harder to kick or bouncy can result in a ball.
7) The official may determine any pitch "too bouncy" if they believe the pitch was released high, regardless of how it crosses the plate. This does not include balls that hit random bumps and take an unintentional hop.
8) Intentional walks result in the kicker receiving 2 bases.
Kicking:
1) The order of kickers must remain consistent with the kicking order as listed on the lineup sheet. If a kicker is out of order, an out shall be charged for that kicker. The correct kicker in the proper order will then be up.
2) All kicks must be made with the foot. However, there are instances such as "miss-kicks" where a ball may be kicked with shin, knee, or thigh. These are all considered legal when done unintentionally at the officials discretion. If the official deems there was a double kick, where the ball makes contact with the kickers leg and / or foot twice, a strike will be called.
3) All kicks must occur at or behind home plate. A strike will be called if the player kicks in front of the plate as annotated by a line at the front of the plate. If a player’s plant foot is on or past the kicking line on the kick, the play will immediately be called dead and a strike will be assessed. There is a long white line at the front of home plate to indicate where a player must kick behind.
4) If a kicker kicks the ball and it hits the kicker just after the kick and is in play forward of the plate / kicking line, the player is considered out. If the player is still behind the plate / kicking line a strike will be assessed.
5) Bunting is NOT allowed. Each offense is a STRIKE. If the Official feels that a full kick was intended the ball is played as normal. This is KICKball. Players should intend to kick the ball and follow through completely. It is at the discretion of the official to determine if the player used any means to bunt or intentionally stifle their kick. Continued instances of bunting or intentionally shorting your kick can result in an OUT and / or removal from the game.
Strikes:
1) A count of 3 strikes is an out.
2) A strike is a pitch within the strike zone, either not kicked or missed by the kicker.
3) A double kick or a kick occurring in front of home plate is considered a dead ball and a strike.
4) Foul balls are counted as strikes even if it is the 3rd strike.
Balls:
1) A count of 4 balls is considered a walk and the kicker is awarded first base, or second if the walk was intentional as deemed by the official. Any runners currently on base directly in a ‘force’ situation advance to the next base.
2) Any pitch outside the strike zone, annotated by the entire mat, that is not missed or touched by the kicker is considered a ball.
3) Any pitch that falls short of the home plate and does not cross the kicking line is considered a ball.
4) Any pitch that is bouncing higher than 10 inches and not kicked as it comes across the plate will be considered a ball.
5) If a fielder advances forward of the 1st to 3rd base line before the ball is kicked, time will be called and the kicker is awarded a ball. A warning will be issued to the fielder, a second offense can result in ejection.
6) The pitcher must be behind the pitchers line when releasing the pitch or it will be considered a ball.
7) If a catcher advances forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked time will be called and the kicker is awarded a ball. A warning will be issued to the fielder, a second offense can result in ejection from the position or game.
Fouls:
1) Any Ball that is kicked and lands in between the base and out of play line on each side of the field.
2) Any kick landing in fair territory but traveling out of bounds to foul territory on its own before reaching 1st or 3rd base is considered foul. If a ball crosses into foul territory after landing in play past 1st or 3rd base it is considered a fair ball.
3) Any ball touched in foul territory then dropped, regardless of where it then lands, will be counted as foul. A ball caught in foul territory is an out and the play is live. Any ball touched by a fielder in fair territory is considered in play even if the ball is headed towards or then lands in foul territory.
4) All foul balls are counted as strikes, even for a third strike.
Outs:
1) A count of 3 strikes is an out. Each team gets 3 outs per inning.
2) A runner touched by a ball while not on a base during live play is considered out.
3) Any kicked ball that is caught in play in fair or foul territory is considered out and the play is live.
4) Any runner off the bag before the ball is kicked is considered out. Officials may call a dead ball when they see the infraction, assess a strike to the runner, and inform the runner to remain on base until the kick is made.
5) Foul balls are considered strikes. Any combination of strikes and fouls that add up to 3 strikes is considered an out.
6) If a runner is on base and runs to the next base and the play is NOT a Force play, the fielding team must tag the or hit the PLAYER with the ball.
7) If a runner is running to the next base as the result of a Force play (the runner has to run to the next base because the following runner/kicker advances the play by a kick) the fielder only needs to tag the BASE and does not need to tag the player. The fielder must have control of the ball completely as deemed by the official.
Base Running:
1) Runners must stay within the base line when advancing. Fielders must stay out of the base line unless making a play. Fielders trying to make an out on any base may have their foot on the bag but must make an attempt to not intentionally block the base. Runners hindered by a fielder within the baseline shall be safe at the base to which they were running unless the infielder is going for the ball. It is the Official’s discretion to determine whether or not the fielder is blocking the bag.
2) A player running to First Base should make every attempt possible to utilize the orange safety bag if their intent is to run through the bag and stay a first. The Fielder may not impede or use the orange safety bag to make an out. A runner is not required to utilize the safety bag.
3) Once the Official calls time out on a play, the play is dead and you must stay on your current base.
4) Neither leading off nor base stealing is allowed. Any runner who is off their base when the ball is kicked will be called out.
5) Sliding safely is allowed, even into first base. A runner will be called out if the runner intentionally barrels into a fielder and possibly ejected from the game.
6) If a base runner advances past or touches the runner in front of them, they will be called out.
7) Fielders hitting a runner with the ball above the shoulder level is not allowed. A runner hit above the shoulders is not considered out and the play is live. If a runner intentionally uses their head to block or deflect the ball, the runner is called out. This rule only applies when the player is running upright. If a player ducks, dodges, or slides and the head becomes lowered and the runner is hit in the head with the ball, the runner is called out because the ball was not obviously directed at the head. If the Official deems that a player intentionally headhunts a runner in a lowered position, the runner is safe and the Fielder may receive a warning or be ejected from the game at the official's discretion.
8) In the case of a pop-up that is caught by a Fielder, all runners must tag their originating base after the catch is made, before running to the next base. A runner may leave their base upon first contact by a fielder.
9) If a fielder makes an attempt to catch a ball / makes contact with a kicked fly ball but does not make the catch, it is considered "First Contact" and players may now tag up / leave their base regardless if the catch is made after the initial contact.
10) If a ball travels outside of the playing area, base runners are awarded the base which they were advancing toward plus 1. If a base runner is stopped or standing on a base they are awarded the next base. Runners in motion cannot ‘force’ advancement of other runners.
11) A play is considered dead when the ball is held in control by the pitcher in the vicinity of the pitcher’s mound and they are not actively pursuing an offensive runner. All runners must stop their advances at the base they are either on or in motion toward. Whether a player have passed a base by the time the pitcher receives the ball is at the official's discretion.
12) In order for a designated runner to be utilized, a player must have been injured in the current game. The designated runner will be the player who recorded the last out for their team. Once a player utilizes a designated runner they must be removed from the lineup and cannot play for the remainder of the day. An official may waive the right to a designated runner if they believe it is being used to gain an advantage.
Standing Tie Breakers:
1) Division standings are determined by number of games played and win-loss-tie record.
2) Ties in the standings are broken by the HEAD TO HEAD record of the tied teams. If a tie still exists the tie breaker then goes to RUN/POINT DIFFERENTIAL in games between the tied teams, OVERALL RUN/POINT DIFFERENTIAL, then by DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER.
SEASON STIPULATIONS
1) Each season will be scheduled to include nine (9) weeks - six (6) of which are regular season play, one (1) is the end of the season gathering, and two (2) are "make-up" weeks in case of things such as rain-outs and park cancellations. Starting Spring 2022, and only for Spring seasons, we will allow up to four (4) "make-up" weeks to accommodate more rain-out weekends when possible.
2) All steps necessary will be taken to ensure that each season is completed to accommodate 6 weeks of play with each week consisting of a double header for each team. Week 7 will be a bonus week / end of the season gathering
3) Any scheduled week that is rescheduled due to a "rain-out" will be moved to the end of that season's schedule and the remaining weeks will be played as already scheduled.
4) If at the end of the allotted nine (9) weeks at least four (4) weeks of regularly scheduled or rescheduled games have been played, that will be considered a full season.
5) If the decision to cancel games is made by the league itself and not the park due to a rainout etc, that week will be added to the season in addition to the scheduled nine (9) weeks.
6) DO NOT contact the league if you believe there will be a rainout. If there is a rainout for any game day all teams and players will be alerted by 9am on game day. You will receive a league wide email, a post will be made to our league FaceBook page, our website homepage will have an alert, and the schedules will be adjusted.
DISCLAIMER: The St. Louis BigBalls Kickball League reserves the right to adjust and change the rules and schedules at any time to enhance your game play experience. All rules are written with specific intent and are not open to interpretation. If there is confusion over a rule please ask your official or contact the league at BigBallsOffice@yahoo.com with any questions.
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ST. LOUIS BIGBALLS KICKBALL LEAGUE
STL BBK LLC
