University of Chicago

Revised: Fall 2021

PLAYERS

• A team consists of eight (8) players in the field.
  • Coed = at least 4 female-identifying players in the field (when playing with 8 players)
• A team may start and play with as few as six (6) players.
  • Coed = at least 3 female-identifying players in the field (when playing with 6 or 7 players)
• A catcher is not required if playing with only 6 players.
• The defense may set up in any alignment however no player may be in front of the pitcher prior to the ball being kicked. 
• Teams must mutually agree on any deviations from these rules prior to the start of play. 

GAME PLAY

• A game consists of five (5) innings or 45 minutes, whichever comes first.  A new inning will not begin after the 45-minute time limit has expired.  If a full inning is not able to be played, the score will revert to the last full inning.
• Team captains shoot-it-out to determine home/away. 
• There is a ten (10) run limit per team, per inning.
• During the regular season, extra innings will be played if time allows.
• During playoffs, extra innings will be played until a winner is determined.
• An umpire will be provided for each game by the IM Office.
• A 5-minute grace period from the scheduled start of the game will be given to late arriving teams.  After 5 minutes, a forfeit will be declared. 

PITCHING

• Teams pitch to their own team members.
• There will be one pitch per kicker unless it is fouled off which will result in one additional pitch.  A subsequent foul will result in the kicker being out.
• Pitchers must not intentionally interfere with a kicked ball and allow fielders to make a play.

KICKING

• All players playing in the field must also be in the kicking order.
• All players present should be included in the kicking order (not limited to only the players in the field).
• The batting order must be set prior to starting play and the same order kept throughout the game.  Late arrivals can be added to the end of the order.
• Coed teams should not have more than 2 consecutive male-identifying kickers in the order (other players may be inserted into the lineup to ensure this).
• 2 foul balls will be an "out".
• Bunting is NOT allowed.
• Balls hitting an object (backboard, fan, flag, etc.) or the ceiling on the fly are considered a live ball and can be caught on the fly for an out.  Balls hitting the curtain cannot be caught for an out however and are live.
  • Balls hitting the ceiling or an apparatus in fair territory are fair regardless of where the ball comes down.  Same applies for foul balls.  
• The infield fly rule will not apply.
• Homeruns are any ball that clearly goes over the top of the curtains in fair territory. 

BASE RUNNING

• Yes pegging – a runner will be out if they are hit by a ball (below the head) while not on a base.
  • Players not in a regular standing/running position (e.g. bending down to avoid being hit) who are hit in the head can be ruled out on the umpire's discretion.
• No leading-off or stealing bases. The runner can't leave a base until the kicker makes contact with the ball.
• A runner is out if they are off the base in fair territory and struck by a kicked ball.
• Base runners are responsible for avoiding all collisions with fielders and will be called out if this occurs.
• Fielders may not be in the base path or on a base unless they are attempting to make a play.   
• No Sliding.  Violation of this rule will result in the runner being called out.
• If the runner makes contact with a base and the base slides the runner is "safe" if it occurred before the tag or put-out.
• Once the pitcher has the ball back in the general vicinity of the "mound" baserunners that are in between bases may proceed (at their own risk) to the next base but no further.  Baserunners on a base when the pitcher receives the ball must stay at that base.