Kickball Rules

I. Governing Rules

The rules of the World Kickball Federation will apply in all cases except where a special Oregon State University Intramurals rule applies.

II. Eligibility

All participants must be either students registered at Oregon State University or Faculty/Staff/Affiliate with a Recreational Sports Membership. For more information on eligibility, consult the Intramurals Handbook.

III. Uniforms and Equipment

  • No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.) is allowed on the field at any time. Players must remove items immediately or leave the game. Taping over jewelry is not allowed.
  • Appropriate athletic attire is required.
  • No boots or sandals are permitted. Athletic, closed-toe shoes must be worn. No metal cleats are allowed.
  • No braces, casts, guards, or supports that may cause other players harm are permitted.
  • The Intramurals program will provide bases and a game ball.

IV. The Playing Field

  • The kick box is a rectangle with the front aligned with the front of home plate and is marked by orange cones.
  • The kicker does not need to start inside the kick box; however, the kick must occur within the kicking box (behind the cones).

V. Pregame

  • All participants must bring their ID card to play.
  • Team managers must check in with the supervisor on duty before each game to verify their roster.
  • Team managers or captains must participate in a captains meeting five (5) minutes prior to the game.

VI. Game Time

  • The game time listed on the schedule is the official game time.
  • A defensive team consists of eight (8) players.
  • Each team must have a minimum of six (6) players to begin and continue a game.

VII. Playing Time

Game Length

  • A game consists of six (6) innings or forty (40) minutes, whichever comes first.
  • No new inning will begin once the time limit expires.
  • An inning started before the time limit expires will be completed.
  • Championship games do not have a time limit.

Extra Innings

  • If the score remains tied after six (6) innings or forty (40) minutes, extra innings will be played.
  • The team at bat begins each extra inning with a runner on second base (the last scheduled kicker or a substitute).

Mercy Rule

  • A team leading by 20 runs after three (3) complete innings.
  • A team leading by 15 runs after four (4) complete innings.

VIII. Pitching Regulations

  • Teams will pitch to their own kickers.
  • Pitchers are members of the offensive team and do not play defense.
  • If a pitcher is struck by the kicked ball before it passes a defensive player, the kicker is out and runners return to their previous bases.
  • Pitchers must move out of the way of defenders making a play or the path of a throw.
  • If a pitcher interferes with a defensive play, the umpire may call out the kicker or a runner.
  • The pitcher does not need to be a kicker in the lineup. All-time pitchers are permitted if signed in as team members.
  • If the pitcher is in the kicking lineup, another player must pitch when it is their turn to kick.
  • The pitcher must keep at least one foot on the pitching rubber until the ball leaves their hand. Bounces are allowed.
  • Each kicker receives a maximum of three (3) pitches.
  • If three pitches pass without the ball being kicked into fair play, the kicker is out.

IX. Kicking

  • There are no walks.
  • A play ends when the third out is recorded.
  • A play ends when the ball is held by a defender who is touching the pitching rubber.
  • Runners not on base may advance if they are beyond halfway; otherwise, they must return to the previous base.
  • The kicker must contact the ball within the kicking box. Contact outside the box is a foul ball and counts as a pitch.
  • Foul balls on the first or second pitch are fouls.
  • A foul on the third pitch results in an out.
  • A kicked ball must clear the bunt line to be considered in play.
  • A ball touched before reaching the bunt line is a foul.

X. Fielding

  • No more than six (6) defensive players may be in the infield before the ball is kicked.
  • In an eight-player defense, two (2) players must start in the outfield and may not enter the infield until the ball is kicked.
  • Each team must provide a catcher who must remain at least three (3) feet behind the kicker and may not cross home plate before the kick.
  • If a team uses a fielding pitcher, that player must remain at least three (3) feet from the pitching rubber and may not move in front of it before the kick.
  • Only two (2) defensive players may be inside the base paths before the kick.
  • No defender may be in front of the imaginary line connecting first and third base before the kick.
  • The kicker or runner is out by force outs, fly outs, or when hit by a thrown ball below the shoulders.
  • A runner hit above the shoulders is safe unless the runner intentionally ducks or uses their head to block the ball.
  • There is no infield fly rule.

XI. Substitutions

  • If a team has more than eight (8) players, substitutions are allowed freely.
  • Players may substitute for any player at any time.
  • There are no courtesy runners.
  • If a runner is injured, the replacement must be a substitute or, if none are available, the player who made the last out.

XII. Conduct

The Intramurals program promotes positive sportsmanship at all contests and activities. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes acts of deceit, disrespect, or vulgarity, including taunting.

XIII. Ejections

Any player ejected from a game will be immediately suspended from all Intramurals activities. Disqualified players cannot be replaced. The following actions can result in ejection:

  • Improper language
  • Unsporting conduct

Contact: Sport Programs Office, (541) 737-4083, 111 Dixon Recreation Center
Revised: 4/1/2025