kickballs

Kickball is a recreational ball sport that shares elements of baseball and soccer, typically played in informal settings such as schools, community centers, and workplace leagues. Two teams of nine players each take turns as runners and fielders. The offensive team begins by kicking a rubber or plastic ball that has been inflated; upon a successful kick, the ball is rolled and runners advance around four base points arranged in a diamond. The ball is fielded by the defending team, who attempt to remove runners from the bases by throwing the ball into the bases or catching a kicked ball in the air. A runner is out if the ball is thrown into a base with them present or if a kicked ball is caught before it hits the ground.

The game originated in the United States in the late 19th century as a variation of baseball, developed for larger youth populations who enjoyed producing the ball with their feet rather than with a bat. Official rules were codified by the American Kickball Association around 1997, standardizing aspects such as game duration, base distances, and safe base intervals.

Variations of kickball exist globally, including Canada where the sport is known as "Kickball or Kicker," and Australia where it is sometimes played in backyard leagues. International players are rare but some local clubs have organized intercity tournaments. While not commonly featured in professional sports leagues, kickball remains popular for team bonding and physical education programs worldwide. The sport emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and non-competitive play, making it accessible to participants of all ages and skill levels.