Setup
Players
- 16-20+
Materials
- Kickball ball
- Baseball Diamond
Scoring
- Points are scored when runners cross home plate.
Additional Setup Notes
- Kickball is typically played with 10 fielders, One pitcher, One Catcher, One player at each base, a shortstop between 2nd and 3rd base, and 4 outfielders
Objective
On offense
Kick the ball where another player can’t catch it and reach a base before a player catches the ball and tags you out.
On defense
Catch the ball before it hits the ground, or throw a runner out at one of the bases.
Gameplay
Kickball is set up and played almost identically to baseball, but instead of a pitcher throwing a baseball and the batsman hitting the ball with a baseball bat. The pitcher rolls a kickball, and the kicker kicks it with their feet.
One of the key differences between baseball and kickball is in kickball you are allowed to throw the ball at the base runners to get them out .
Kickball is played with one team on the field on defense and the other team kicking the ball one at a time in innings. An inning starts when the first team is kicking and ends after the second team kicks. The pitcher rolls the ball to the kicker and it is the kicker’s job to kick the ball somewhere on the field in the field of play. If the kicker misses the ball this is counted as a strike, three strikes and the kicker is out.
The field of play extends from either side of the kickers box at an angle to first and third base and that straight line continues to the end of the outfield. Any ball that is kicked and first touches the ground outside the field of play is considered a strike.
If the kicker kicks the ball into the field of play and a player on defense catches the ball before it hits the ground this is also counted as an out. If the ball is not caught before it hits the ground the kicker must run from home plate to first base and reach first base before the defense throws the ball to the first baseman or the runner is hit with the ball. If the kicker reaches first base and still has time to run they can advance to second base, then third base, and even all the way to home plate if they can make it. If a kicker makes it to first, second, or third base they stay at that base until the next kicker kicks the ball in the field of play when they are able to advance.
If a kicker kicks the ball in the field of play but so far that it travels outside the field this is a home run and the kicker and every runner on base advances to home plate.
Every runner that advances to home plate in an inning is counted as a point.
After three outs the teams switch sides and play continues. A game of Kickball has 7 innings so each team will have 7 attempts on offense and defense.
FAQs
Do I have to advance my base when my teammate kicks the ball?
If you are on a base that another player has to run to, yes you must advance bases. So if you are on first base and your teammate kicks the ball you must advance to second base. If you do not you will be a “force out” counting as an out in that inning for your team.
Can I shorten the field to make home runs easier?
Absolutely. If you are playing on a baseball diamond and want to shorten the field use some orange cones or any other easily visible object. Just make sure to line them up in the outfield with first and third base.
