EQUIPMENT

The PB Sports Club is fully committed to ensuring a top-notch and efficient sporting experience for all its members. As such, we are pleased to inform you that all necessary equipment will be provided for your convenience. From the essential scoreboard and timer to the specialized 10” rubber ball, we have taken into consideration every aspect of the game to ensure a seamless and fair competition. Our goal is to provide a well-equipped and professional environment so that players can focus solely on their performance and enjoyment of the sport.

1. All games will be played with a league provided 10″ rubber kickball.
2. The umpire has the final say in determining whether any equipment used during a game is allowed or not. Any questionable equipment should be brought to the attention of the umpire for a decision.
3. It is a requirement for players to wear shirts and shoes/cleats (NO METAL SPIKES) during game time.
4.  Players may wear protective equipment, providing it does not offer the wearer an unfair performance advantage. Any equipment deemed by the umpire as a performance enhancement (EG football gloves) must be removed or the player will be removed from play.

PLAYER CONDUCT

PLAYER CONDUCT

1. Only captains may speak to the umpire in regards to a call. We ask that all captains respectful to all Pbsports Officals, and staff. If this becomes an issue, and captain has been warned, a player whom argues may be ejected. Fighting, Swearing, and anything deemed unnecessary may also result in an ejection. Overall, players need to conduct themselves respectfully on and off the field.
2. Players who are removed from a game may have to serve a one or more game suspension while waiting for review by the tournament director.
3. Physical altercations, such as fighting, punching, slapping, or spitting, will not be tolerated and player(s) will be ejected from the tournament entirely, and ask to leave the facility immediately. ZERO TOLLERANCE POLICY!
4. Harsh language towards officials or fellow players, use of profanity, and repeated verbal altercations can also lead to player ejections.
5.  Any player who is ejected from a game and subsequently serves a one or more game suspension may be permitted to return to the tournament upon approval from the tournament director.

UMPIRES

1. Games must be officiated by at least one authorized official, the Head Umpire. When available, at least two officials umpire each game: a Head Umpire, and a First Base Umpire. The Head Umpire governs all game play and issues all final rulings, and has final authority on equipment issues. The maximum amount of umpires is three, with a Third Base Umpire.
2.  Prior to each game, the Head Umpire must conduct a meeting with the Captains of each team, to address any ground rules in effect, to ensure the exchange of team lineups, and to identify the designated Captains who will be authorized to discuss calls with the Umpires during the game.
3. Umpires have jurisdiction over play and may:
   a) call a time out;
   b) call off a game due to darkness, rain or other cause at the Umpire’s discretion;
   c) penalize a player, with a card or a game ejection, for any reason. This includes but is not limited to unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, delay of game and excessive verbal abuse. Ejected participants must leave the field area and may not return to the game.

Umpires have jurisdiction over play and may pause the game if lightning, or similar delay occurs. The Umpire will consult the Tournament Manager to determine when it is safe to continue; 

1. Umpires may make rulings on any points not specifically covered in the rules (at the time of occurrence), but the ruling shall not be deemed as a precedent for future rulings. Captains may appeal to the Head Official once per pool play game and up-to three times per playoff game. The Head Official will oversee the umpires in the finals.
2. Umpires are in charge of keeping a record of the final game score.
3. Please understand that any touching, threatening or abusive language and behavior towards the umpire will deem suspension from the tournament. If needed, the Police will be called and reports filed. Any abuse towards the umpire will not be tolerated and action taken accordingly.

Gameplay

• Only official PB Sports Club game balls are allowed.
• Players cannot switch to their own balls during the game.

Rosters

1. It is a requirement for all participants to have reached the age of 18 and have their name listed on the team roster or waiver for the tournament

2. Maximum players allowed per roster is 18.

3. It is a requirement for all players on the roster to have signed the waiver in order to participate in the playoffs. Teams are permitted to make additions to their roster until the third game in the tournament, at which point the roster will be finalized before the start of playoffs.

4. A team can play with 6 players from their own roster, as long as they have at least 2 female players. 

5. Players are allowed to be on two rosters as long as they are in separate divisions (Advance and Intermediate) but they are required to pay for each division they participate in. 

• Intermediate Division Playoffs: Teams may only have a maximum of three advanced players, and all the players must have participated in at least one full game during round robin / pool to qualify for the playoffs.
• Advanced Division Playoffs: Intermediate players can compete, but they must have played in at least one game during the tournament to be eligible for the playoffs. 

6. Prior to each game, the team must submit its kicking lineup to the umpire. Once the lineup cards have been presented to the umpire, they are deemed official and any additional players may only be added at the bottom of the lineup. All substitutions must also be promptly communicated to the umpire as they occur.

7. It is permissible for teams to have more than ten players but they must have 3 female players on the field in the event that there are only 2 female players there will be an Automatic out at the bottom of the lineup (Exception: This rule may not apply to free agent teams that have only 2 female players.)

8. Injured/Ejected Players: If a player is injured during a game, the captain must notify the umpire to remove the injured player from the lineup card with no additional penalty (unless the injured player is a female and her removal drops the kicking lineup under the required ratio – the spot then becomes an automatic out). An injured player that has been removed from the lineup cannot return to the game. If a player is ejected from the game, their spot in the Kicking lineup will be recorded as an automatic out.

🚨Roster Checks: Players have the right to ask for a roster check of the opposing team after the start of the game and before the end of the game. These requests must be made with the coordinator during game play, and if it is found that the opposing team is playing with an “illegal player” (i.e. not on that team’s roster or not signed) then staff reserves the right to remove the player and or forfeit the game. PB sports club staff decisions are final and roster checks may not be made by players once the game has finished.🚨

Pitching

• • Each team must have 1 pitcher and 1 catcher while on defense.
  • A legal pitch:
    
    • Pitcher Must be behind the encroachment line.
    • Must bounce at least twice before reaching the front of the plate.
      
      • If the second bounce lands on the plate, it’s ruled a ball.

  ADVANCED PITCHING .

  1. The Pitcher may throw the ball in any style they choose but cannot pitch overhand (side arm pitches and flipping the wrist in attempt to create a curved delivery are allowed).

  2. Any pitches that bounce more than one foot above the ground will be considered illegal and ruled a “ball”.

  3. Pitchers are allowed to pitch the ball whatever speed they choose.

  4. The Ball Must Bounce twice before crossing the plate to be deemed a legal pitch. If the 2nd bounce occurs at the plate it will be called a ball. The Lead official has final call on Strike vs Ball

  5. The pitcher must remain behind the designated pitching line when delivering the pitch. If the pitcher crosses the line before releasing the ball, the pitch will be called a ‘ball’ by the umpire.( the Pitcher is allowed to move when the player makes contact with the ball)

  Intermediate Pitching

  1. SOCIAL PITCH STYLE: The pitcher can only pitch underhand (no side arm pitches and no flipping the wrist in attempt to create a curved delivery). The penalty for an illegal pitch is ONE (1) ball added to the count. The ball must bounce at least twice before it crosses the plate.
  2. A pitched ball that crosses the encroachment line, will be considered a legal pitch. This includes intentional and nonintentional pitches.
  3. A pitched ball must touch the ground at least twice prior to reaching the front of the plate. If the second bounce is on the plate, the pitch is a ball
  4. Pitcher’s plant foot, upon release, must be on or behind the front edge of the pitching strip and no wider than one (1) feet from the nearest edge of the pitching strip.

Out

1. Any foul ball caught while in the air is considered an out. However, if a player drops a foul ball within the boundaries of foul territory, it retains its classification as a foul ball. Any foul ball caught while in the air is considered an out. However the play is still live, and a player can tag up and advance.
2. It is a violation for players to hit a runner above the shoulders with a thrown ball, and will result in being called safe. Additionally, any runner who is hit above the shoulders will be credited with an extra base. In the event that a runner deliberately uses their head to block the ball, they will be declared out, If a player slides or dives into a base and contact is made in the head/neck area runner will still be ruled out. 
3. Defensive players are allowed to kick the ball to get an opponent out as long as they don’t interfere with any runner. After receiving the ball, they have three options to secure an out: throwing the ball at the runner, tagging them with the ball, or stepping on a base (only in a force out scenario)
4. In order to obtain an out, the first baseman is required to have one foot on first base (not the safety bag). If the first baseman does not make contact with first base before the runner, the runner will be deemed safe.
5. Hypothetical boundary applies to instances of overthrown and caught fly balls that are deemed fouls: including thrown over or beyond the fence or hypothetical boundary line when there is no fence. Ball contact with tents, gates, fences, or any other object not part of the playing field, will be considered a dead ball.
6. The absence of an infield fly rule can be attributed to the uncertainty of successfully catching a fly ball in kickball. This is counterbalanced by the implementation of a no “cheese” rule, wherein the umpire has the authority to deem a fielder’s intentional failure to catch a fly ball, particularly for the purpose of making a double play or gaining some other advantageous position, as grounds for calling both runners safe. This is at Umpire’s discretion, and cannot be argued by any players. 

Defense

1. Player are allowed to be anywhere without following any formal positions.

2. The pitcher and fielders are required to remain behind a parallel line extending from the first base line to the third base line, which passes through the pitcher’s mound up to when the ball is kicked.

3. If a player is thrown out by a ball (Contacted with a ball that leaves the defender’s possession) the ball is considered a dead ball and no further bases can be taken by base runners.

4. If a player is tagged by a ball (Contacted with a ball that is IN the defender’s possession) the ball is considered a live ball until time is called by the lead official.

5. Any foul ball caught while in the air is considered an out. However a player can tag up and advance as the ball is still considered a live ball.

Defensive ENCROACHMENT & OBSTRUCTION 

ALL PLAYER ENCROACHMENT 

• All PBSportsClub Officials will have an Encroachment Flag, ready to throw if an Encroachment occurs. Umpires have been advised to throw the Encroachment Flag immediately once they see the foul. The play will be played out in the entirety. If a Runner is called safe on a defensive encroachment, the Offense has the right to keep the result of the play. If a Runner is called/thrown out as a result of the encroachment, this will be null and void, and the kicker will go back to kick and be rewarded 1 ball onto the count. 

PITCHER ENCROACHMENT

• Occurs when a Pitcher fails to deliver the pitch while his/her entire body remains on or behind the encroachment line before the ball is kick Failure to do so results in a Pitcher Encroachment call.
• If a Pitcher falls during the delivery of their pitch and slips due to field conditions, it should not be considered Pitcher Encroachment. However, if the Pitcher is subsequently the first person to touch the Kicked Ball and derives an advantage from initially being in an encroaching position, this would be deemed encroachment.

CATCHER ENCROACHMENT

• Catchers must start 3 feet behind the kicker, regardless of where the kicker begins their approach. Catchers are allowed to move forward (to coincide with the kickers forward motion prior to kick) However no body part of the catcher can be in front of the kicker until contact is made by the kicker with the ball regardless of where the kicker makes this.
• Failure to comply with the statement above will result in an Encroachment flag being thrown, and assessed the associated penalty.
• Offense (Kicker) cannot evoke an encroachment call by deliberately starting and stopping (Faking) their forward progress to interfere with the catcher’s momentum. Kicker’s cannot run up and then back pedal. If this becomes an issue and a warning has already been given once during the game the Pitcher will be rewarded a strike to the count. Umpires will have full discretion to this call.  

Obstruction (Player Safety)

• Fielders cannot stand within the baseline, on the base, or in a position that blocks the base. No contact may be made by the fielders to the runners, unless making an active play on the ball forces the defender to do so. If this occurs it will result in the Baserunner being awarded the base they were attempting to take, at the discretion of the Umpire. Fielders at a base must ALWAYS leave a clear lane for the runner to access the base, until the ball is in their possession and control. If a Fielder is in a blocking position before having control of the ball, and the Baserunner is approaching, Obstruction may be called even if there is no collision.
• 1^st Base Obstruction. Offense (Kickers) must use the outside bag when running through 1st, contact with the inside bag (Defense’s bag) will result in an out being called.
• 1^st Base Obstruction. Defense must use the inside bag when making an out at 1st, contact with the outside bag (Kicker’s bag) will result in safe being called.

⚠️ Overthrow Rule

Definition of an Overthrow:
An overthrow happens when:

• A thrown or kicked ball misses the target and ends up in foul territory.
• A peg attempt misses a runner.
• A throw to a teammate is wild, dropped, or mishandled.

Not an Overthrow:

• A dropped or bobbled kicked ball.
• A successful peg that bounces off a runner, even if the runner is safe.

Advancing on an Overthrow:

• Runners can only take ONE base, but this is not automatic. The runner must show intent to advance.
• The runner advances at their own risk—they can still be tagged out.
• Overthrows at second base don’t apply to this rule (ball is still live).
• Overthrows at third base or home may be called out-of-play—umpire discretion applies.

Important Notes:

• A runner must be already rounding the base when the overthrow happens to be eligible to take the next base.
• If a fielder makes a play on a runner after the overthrow, runners are free to advance as normal.
• If there’s no play attempt, the ball should be left or gently returned to the pitcher.
• If a runner goes beyond the allowed base and interferes with the play, a Dead Ball may be called.

End of Play:

• • Once the pitcher has control of the ball and is within 5 feet of the pitching strip, the play will be blown dead by the head official. 
  • If a runner is already moving toward the next base at that time, they may continue.
    
    Backstop Rule
  • A defensive backstop must be positioned 6 feet behind home plate.
  • The backstop’s only job is to retrieve balls not put in play (balls/strikes).
  • In the Event where defense is playing with the minimum amount of players or has injured players unable to backstop, offense will backstop and the kicker in the on deck circle will be back stop throughout the game for both teams. 

  • • If the backstop interferes with a live ball, it will be ruled a Dead Ball, and all runners will be awarded one base.

Offense

1. Bunting is permitted by all players, but any bunted ball resulting in a double kick will be deemed a foul ball. Additionally, any ball that comes to rest on or is retrieved from home plate will be categorized as a fair ball.  

2. There are no specific guidelines for the order in which males or females should kick.

3. In a kicking order, if a male is walked and a female is next, the female can choose to either take a walk or kick. The umpires will enforce this rule if asked, but it is not their responsibility to notify the kicker in every walk situation.

4. Each kicker begins with a 1-1 count and is granted one courtesy foul. A kicker will be declared out after committing a second foul ball. Four balls result in a walk.

Examples:

1. If a player hits two consecutive foul balls, the player is out.
2. If a player’s first pitch is a strike and the next pitch after is a CALLED strike that player is out.
3. If a player’s first pitch is a foul ball followed by a strike, the player is out.
4.   If a player’s first pitch is a Called strike they have 1 good foul to use. A 2^nd foul after the 1^st one is an out.

Married/Sub 

Playoff

🏟 Playoff Field TBD prior to the playoff release

1. All qualified teams are permitted to participate in the playoffs.

2. It is imperative to note that only those players who have submitted a signed waiver are permitted to participate in the playoffs. Furthermore, teams have the flexibility to make additions to their roster at any point before the third game of the tournament .

3. If it is determined by PB Sports Club staff that a player is not currently listed on the roster or has not been registered on the roster prior to playoffs, said player will be disqualified and the team may face penalties such as forfeiting the game.

4. NO MERCY RULE, In the playoffs

5. In the event of a tie after 7 complete innings in a playoff game, the Texas Tiebreaker rule will be implemented. Under this rule, both teams will begin the subsequent inning with a runner on second base, specifically the player who made the last out in the previous inning. This process will continue until there is a determined winner.

• • If the game is still tied, proceed to the 10th inning. Each team will start with a runner on third base with one OUT, with the runner being the player who made the last out in the previous inning.

1. Head-to-head matchup result, (2) Run Differential, (3) Runs Scored, and (4) Coin Flip 

1. Run Differential, (2) Runs Scored, (3) Runs Allowed, and (4) Coin Flip 

• 3-1 Record: 3 wins and 1 loss out of 4 total games results in a 75% winning percentage (3/4 = 0.750).
• 2-0-2 Record: 2 wins, 0 losses, and 2 ties out of 4 total games results in a 66.7% winning percentage (2 wins + 0.5 ties are counted in some systems, but typically it is calculated as total wins divided by total games: 2/4 = 0.500; or with a specific tie formula). Regardless of the exact calculation, a 3-1 record has a better percentage. 

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