Kickball is a sport that contains elements of baseball, softball and soccer. Kickball rules are made to offer a fun game that is played in a safe environment. Competitive kickball rules and regulations are governed by the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA), which is based in the United States. It was invented in the United States around 1942. Kickball is currently a playground and recreational game primarily played in North America. It is also a favorite game of youth in South Korea. The goal is to score runs/points by running around and touching all four bases in order without getting out. There are many rules in kickball.
First of all, the participants are divided into two teams, the kicking team and the pitching team. The number of players on the field can vary, but most commonly there are a minimum of seven players on the field and a maximum of 11. Depending on the league you are playing in, there may or may not be a referee enforcing the rules. World Adult Kickball Association rules say games should consist of five innings and should last no less than 45 minutes and no more than 90 minutes. The pitching team fields players in a manner similar to baseball. This side consists of a pitcher and catcher; first, second and third baseman; and three outfielders.
If an eighth player is not available, teams can play without a catcher. The pitcher rolls the ball toward the kicker; the ball must be rolling on the ground as it passes over home plate. Once a ball is in play, members of the pitching team try to get the kicker out either by tagging him with the ball or, while holding the ball, touching the base the player is headed for. When the pitching team earns three outs, the inning is over and the teams trade places. The kicking team places one player behind home plate who is responsible for kicking the ball into play.
Kickers must be in the kicking box and behind home plate when they make contact with the pitch. The ball is hit either fair or foul. Foul balls are kicks that land the ball anywhere outside the playing field, and are considered strikes. When the kicker gets three strikes, he is out and the next player in line kicks. Players must kick the ball into fair territory and run to first base. If a player is already on first base, he advances to second base, and so on. Players must make it to the base without being tagged out by an opposing player. A kicker who rounds all three bases and tags home plate scores a run.
The team with the most runs at the end of five innings wins the game. Some terms used in kickball are: Strike Out: If a player kicks and fails to put the ball into play after three good pitches Fly Out: If a player kicks the ball in the air and it is caught by a defensive player before it hits the ground Tag Out: If a defensive player tags or throws and hits an offensive player with the ball before they get on base A Force Out: If a defensive player gets the ball to a base before the offensive player arrives and the offensive player cannot return to the previous base because it is occupied by one of his teammates.
