Metro Sports League Rules Kickball
This set of rules is established to govern Kickball games in the MSL.
Updated September 2nd, 2026
Conduct
In the spirit of sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome, embrace kindness, have fun, and stay positive. Remember, we are a social league, and nobody wants to take a trip to the emergency room. Keep a relaxed attitude, engage positively with other players, and respect one another.
Metro Sports League has zero tolerance for aggression and fighting in our league. If a player or team is involved in an altercation, Metro Sports League reserves the right to remove any player or team from the league with no refunds.
Metro Sports League reserves the right to end any game early if the safety of any player, ref, or MSL worker is called into question.
Be mindful that no alcohol is permitted on the fields, as it violates state park regulations. Violators risk immediate expulsion to maintain a positive relationship with the facilities and ensure continued permission to use them.
Players suspected of having alcohol on the field may face permanent bans, affecting both individuals and their teams without refunds. Anyone bringing alcohol, weapons, or controlled substances to the field faces immediate removal.
These regulations are in place to safeguard players, enhance enjoyment, and foster camaraderie while respecting league partners and establishments.
Team Size and Player Eligibility
To participate in Metro Sports League, players must be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver. Teams with 11 players constitute a full roster, with no maximum limit of players on a team. MSL may add individual players to teams if they do not have the 11 player minimum before the start of the season.
All players must be registered. An un-registered player on a team who participates will result in the forfeit of that game for that team. Subsequent violations will result in no longer being able to participate in the league with no refunds.
All teams must register their players prior to the start of the first match of the season. Teams will not be able to add additional players after the start of week 2 of the season.
All players present for their match must participate in fielding as well as kicking. If a player is suspected of not participating in both offense and defense, the team may be disqualified for that match.
Kickball will consist of 11v11 on the field. For Co-Ed, a minimum of 3 girls will be required on the field at all times.
Games will be strictly on schedule and will start on time. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled game time to ensure you have enough time to change and be on the field before your scheduled start time.
Teams with fewer than 11 players on the field can participate without a catcher on the field. Teams with fewer than 8 players or 3 girls will be required to forfeit their match and receive a loss.
Forfeits
Due to a tight field schedule, games will start on time. If a team is unable to consistently begin their match on time, penalties such as point deductions, playoff ineligibility, and potential removal from the league will be considered.
The minimum number of players required to start a match will be 8. Teams with fewer than 8 players after a grace period of 5 minutes after the scheduled start of their game or no female players (for co-ed) will be required to forfeit their match for the evening and receive a loss.
Equipment
Metal cleats are not allowed. Molden/plastic or artificial turf cleats can be worn. Players found playing with metal cleats will be asked to step off the field and change their shoes.
(This is a rule mandated by New Rochelle Parks. Metal turf deteriorates the artificial turf much quicker than molded shoes)
MSL provides game balls for each match. Bases, cones, and any equipment for the field will be provided.
Loose jewelry (necklaces, hoop earrings, bracelets, etc.) is not allowed during your match.
Game Length and Clock
Games consist of 7 innings, or 50-minutes, whichever comes first. Regular season ties may persist.
During the post-season: If tied after 7 innings or 50 minutes of game time, teams will start each half-inning of extra innings with an automatic runner on second base. Games will continue until the score is no longer tied at the end of the inning.
Captains
Each team must have one or two team managers. Only team captains can interact with the referee should a dispute arise. The captain is responsible for team registration, handling any disputes on the field, relaying communications from the league to their team, and submitting their kicking order each week.
Players CANNOT approach the referee for any disputed calls on the field. Only team captains can approach the referee on the field during a match.
Referees/Sports Officials
Referees must be treated with respect on the field. Once a call has been made, the referees' decisions are final on the field. Any disrespectful or aggressive behavior towards the referee or any player will result in removal from the facility. Please treat our referees and each other with respect.
Referees will be assigned behind home plate as well as on first base. The head referee will be behind home plate.
Scoring
Points on the leaderboard are awarded based on the following:
Win = 3 Points
Tie = 1 Point
Loss = 0 Points
Forfeit = -3 Points
When teams are tied, Runs Against (lower), then Runs Scored (higher) will be used to determine placement on the leaderboard.
If a team is down by 10 or more runs after the 4th inning, the losing team can choose to take a loss and enact the mercy rule. After a 13 run difference, the mercy will be automatically triggered, with the game ending. Teams may continue to play for fun until the 50-minute mark, but any additional runs scored will not be recorded on the standings.
Start of Play
The head referee will randomly assign heads/tails to each captain at the start of a game and flip it. The winner of the coin toss will choose whether to kick first or go in the outfield.
Gameplay
1. Kicking & At-Bat Rules
The Count: Three (3) strikes or three (3) fouls result in an out. Strikes and fouls count the same.
The Strike Zone: A pitch must bounce at least two (2) times before crossing the front of home plate. It must cross no more than 12” to the left, right, or above the plate. Any gender can pitch.
Walks: Four (4) balls result in a walk. Intentional walks are strictly prohibited and result in an automatic Home Run.
Legal Kicks: All kicks must occur below the waist. The kicker’s plant foot must be entirely within the kicking box or on home plate.
Foul Balls: A kick is a foul if:
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It lands out of bounds, or travels out of bounds on its own before passing 1st or 3rd base.
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The plant foot is partially or entirely in front of home plate. This will result in the defending team deciding to accept a foul, or the result of the play) .
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The ball is contacted twice on or behind home plate (if caught on the fly, it’s an out).
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The kicked ball hits an outside object (cannot be caught for an out).
Bunting: Bunting is allowed. Fielders must wait for the kicker to come in contact with the ball before passing the encroachment line. However, the catcher can retrieve the ball and tag the runner out or throw to 1st base.
2. Pitching Rules
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Style & Momentum: Pitches must be delivered by hand, with no restriction on release style. Pitchers can take a running start of up to 5 feet but must release the ball with their plant foot no more than one foot from the pitching strip, staying behind the strip until the ball is kicked.
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Stopping Play: Once an infielder throws the ball back to the pitcher’s box, runners cannot advance unless they have already passed the previous base prior to the throw. Running the ball to the pitcher does not stop play.
3. Baserunning Rules
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The Baseline & Contact: Kickball is non-contact. Runners have the right of way, and fielders must stay out of the baseline unless fielding a ball or making a tag. Runners cannot deviate more than 5 feet from the baseline to avoid a tag, or they are out.
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Stealing & Leading: Neither is permitted. Runners can only leave the base after the ball is kicked.
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Tagging Up: Runners can tag up and advance on caught fly balls (fair or foul) at their own risk. They must touch their originating base on or after the moment the ball is first touched by a fielder.
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Overrunning First Base: Runners may overrun first base safely, provided they turn right (running along the foul line). If they turn left they become live and can be tagged out.
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Safety Base: The only instance where a kicker may run to the inside base is to avoid a collision with another player. Otherwise, kickers will run to the safety base, with fielders using the inside base to get a kicker out.
4. Defensive Fielding Rules
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Catching Position: The catcher must start behind the kicker (within or directly behind the kicking box) and cannot cross home plate or restrict the kicker's motion before the kick. If a catcher comes in contact with a kicker, the kicker automatically gets 1st base.
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Infield Positioning: All infielders must remain behind the encroachment line (an imaginary line between 1st and 3rd base) until the ball is kicked. Violation results in encroachment (kicking team chooses a 'ball' or the result of the play).
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Overthrows: If a ball is thrown out of play or into foul territory, runners are allowed to advance at their own risk. It is not automatic. If the defense makes another play on a runner, all runners can continue advancing freely.
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If a referee calls out encroachment against the defending team during a pitch, the kicking team can choose between the result of the play or a ball towards the count.
5. How Outs are Recorded
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3 strikes or 3 fouls.
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Missing a spot in the kicking order.
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A pitched ball that hits the kicker and is caught in the air by a defender.
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A live kicked ball that hits any runner on OR off base.
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A thrown or tagged ball hitting a runner off base.
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Headshot Exception: If the ball hits the runner in the head or neck (and they are not sliding, ducking, or dodging), the runner is safe and awarded the base they were approaching.
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Force outs (fielder controls the ball on the base before the runner arrives; ties go to the runner).
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Interference (intentionally striking a live ball, blocking a fielder's view, or reckless contact).
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Receiving physical assistance from a teammate or base coach while running.
6. Dead Ball Stoppages
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Referees will call an immediate dead ball for interference, a live ball hitting a runner, severe injuries, outside interference (animals, children, stray balls), popped kickballs, or safety hazards. Action ceases instantly, and the referee will dictate where runners are placed.
Mid-Game Substitutions
Kicking: Pinch runners are only allowed if a baserunner is ill or injured. The pinch runner must be the same gender as the baserunner being replaced.
Outfield: Substitutions for outfield positions can only take place prior to the start of the inning. Mid-inning substitutions are not allowed except during illness or injury. The outfielder being substituted must be the same gender as the player replacing them.
Yellow/Red Cards
Yellow cards are issued for unsportsmanlike conduct, aggressive dissent, delaying restarts, and/or persistent fouling. When a yellow card is given to a player, that player will automatically receive an out on their next kick and will go to the back of the lineup.
Red cards indicate ejection for serious fouls, violent conduct, denial of goal-scoring opportunities, offensive language, or a second yellow card. A player receiving a red card will be removed from the match and the team given an out for each time that player would have been up to kick.
Postseason Play/Playoffs
Depending on the number of teams registered, playoff games are not guaranteed for every season. In the event of a tie after full time in a playoff match, then one additional inning will be played. If neither team breaks the tie after one extra inning, the first team to get on base will be declared the winner.
No guests are allowed in the league. If a team is caught during the playoffs with an unregistered player, that team will automatically be disqualified from the playoffs.
The same mercy rule as the regular season applies. If a team is down by 10 or more runs after the 4th inning, the losing team can choose to take a loss and enact the mercy rule. After a 13 run difference, the mercy will be automatically triggered, with the game ending. Teams may continue to play for fun until the 50-minute mark, but any additional runs scored will not be recorded on the standings.
If tied after 7 innings or 50 minutes of game time, teams will start each half-inning of extra innings with an automatic runner on second base. Games will continue until the score is no longer tied at the end of the inning.
The playoff schedule will be based on a team’s rank in the standings for the regular season.
Weather
Games are played rain or shine (except during thunder and lightening). MSL will notify captains about severe weather conditions that might endanger play or travel. If ongoing games must halt due to weather, the league director will decide on restart or rescheduling.
If a game has to be cancelled during play, the game will either be called as-is if it is after the start of the 4th inning, or replayed from the beginning at a 0-0 score if the 4th inning hasn’t started.
Rescheduled games will be communicated via email to all captains, with potential shifts to other weekdays or double-headers for makeups based on field availability.