Kickball Outs

There are outs in kickball, just like in baseball, the game it is based on. However, the rules for getting players out are slightly different. Keep reading to learn how outs work in kickball.

Definition

An out in kickball is when the fielding team successfully gets the kicker or base runner to make a mistake on the field, tags them before they can reach a base, or performs another action that causes the player to leave the playing field. When a player is ruled out, they are not forced to leave the game. On the contrary, the player must return to the bench and wait for their turn to be at-bat again.

Types of Outs

There are a lot of ways players can get out in kickball:

• Strikeouts
• Foul Outs
• Catches
• Force Outs
• Tag Outs
• Pegging
• Interference
• Incorrect Base Running

Strikeouts

A strikeout is when the kicker is called out after getting three strikes thrown by the pitcher. Strikes are called by the head umpire who stands behind home plate. The head umpire uses something called the strike zone to determine if a pitch is a strike or ball. If the kicker gets three strikes, it's a strikeout. If the kicker gets four balls, they get to go to first base for a walk.

Foul Outs

In kickball, a foul out is a type of out that occurs whenever a player kicks too many foul balls. Unlike in baseball, where a player can hit unlimited foul balls without getting out, according to the rules of kickball, if a player kicks three foul balls on their turn, they are given an out. However, like baseball, the two foul balls before the third do not count as strikes.

Catches

A catch in kickball is when a fielder grabs a kicked ball out of the air before it touches the ground. The fielder must secure the ball for it to be ruled a successful catch. For example, if the kickball touches the ground while the fielder is making the catch, the kicker will not be called out.

Force Outs

A force out is when a fielder, typically a baseman, gets possession of the ball and touches the bag with their foot while holding the ball. Touching the bag with the ball at first base will always result in an out, since the kicker is required to go to first base after they kick a ball inbounds. Force outs can only happen at second base, third base, and home plate if there is a kicker occupying the preceding base.

Tag Outs

A tag out is different from a force out since it requires the fielder to physically take the ball and touch it to the body of a base runner. Tag outs only result in a player being called out if they are off of any base.

There are usually strict rules in kickball that state a player can not tag a base runner out in the head by pegging or throwing the ball at them. However, some kickball leagues allow for pegging below the knees. Make sure you consult the rulebook for your kickball league since you could cause serious injury to another player if you peg them with the ball.

Interference

There are a lot of types of interference in kickball. If a spectator, player, referee, fielder, or obstruction interferes with the game, then interference will be called. Interference results in the previous play being discounted. If a base runner interferes with a fielder's attempt to field the ball, such as kicking it while running the bases, they will be called out by the referee.

Incorrect Base Running

Base runners must touch the bases in order of first base, second base, third base, and home plate to score a run. If a base runner runs the bases out of order or doesn't touch a base, they will be ruled out.

The Referee

The referee of your kickball game is responsible for calling players out. There are up to three referees in a kickball game:

• Head Referee
• First Base Referee
• Third Base Referee

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