A reinvention of the classic childhood game, adult kickball ventures into a wild, fun and competitive sport.
A creative escapism too many Americans school memories the sport has become an important and popular outlet across the USA and further abroad.
The original kickball was invented around 1917 by Nicholas Seuss, supervisor of Cincinnati Park Playgrounds in Cincinnati, Ohio. By the 1920s the high demand for kickball was being used in physical education around schools.
But since 1998 the adult’s realized that they wanted to play the thrilling game and WAKA was formed.
The World Adult Kickball Association has been developed with greater participation and involvement from many countries.
A WAKA kickball season generally consists of eight regular season games and a league championship tournament with qualifying teams eligible to compete in the annual Founders Cup World Kickball Championship held in Las Vegas.
Kickball has become popular among youth in South Korea, Japan, South America and Canada.
Oxford Brookes University has even taken a liking to sport and created the first recognised kickball club in the UK.
To watch highlights of Kickball please view the video from AgaveUnderground below.
The rules at a glance
Kickball is a simple game consisting of two teams, bases, and a big red ball. Played like baseball, the object is to score runs by completing the circuit. Games are played with 11 fielders and a pitcher.
Outs
In kickball, there are three outs per inning for each team, just like in baseball. A number of events lead to a player being called out including three strikes or fouls called on the kicker. Base runners can also be called out for not being on a base when the ball is kicked or interfering with a fielder making a play.
Pitching
The pitcher is permitted to begin their delivery on any point in the infield, but must deliver it from within the boundaries of the pitcher’s circle. The pitch in kickball is thrown underhand and must touch the ground at least one time before reaching the kicker at home plate.
Strike Zone
Kickball has a strike zone just like baseball. The width extends 1 foot on either side of home plate. The height is 1 foot from home plate. If any part of the ball crosses any plane of the official strike zone, a strike is called.
See the diagram below for more assistance.
By Liam Curtis
@JournoCurtis
