Kickball was once a game only suited for grade school children. It was a game that we all enjoyed, as it was one of the few games where you didn’t have to be a super athlete/jock to be effective. Well, people have started to realize how much we all miss this beloved game, which is quite evident by the numerous kickball leagues that seem to be forming on a weekly basis all across the country. If you are looking for a kickball league to join, simply surf around the net, on sites like Google and Meetup.com, and you are sure to find at least one or two kickball leagues or groups in your vicinity.
You’ll have a great time re-living those glory days, but be warned, this game is not as easy as it was back when you were in 4th grade! One thing you will be quick to notice is that homeruns are nearly impossible. Unless you have a very strong and firm wind behind your back, and you are playing on a tiny field meant for tee-ballers, you will most likely not even have a chance of hitting the ball over the fence. Most kickballs are hollow and rubber . . . when these balls are lifted into the air, they tend to “get stuck” in the air and just hang up there like a balloon, thus giving the fielders plenty of time to catch up to it to make the catch. If you want to get on base and score runs, you have to keep the ball LOW. Ground balls and line drives work well . . . fly balls do not . . . well, they CAN work if you know a weak spot in the outfield that can’t catch a cold!
Getting on base in this game is extremely difficult against a decent defensive team, so to give your team the best chance of winning, designate each leadoff hitter to bunt toward 3rd base. Throwing an accurate and strong throw from 3rd base to 1st base is a hard feat to accomplish, so unless you run like a turtle, you are bound to be safe at 1st base. The second batter should do the same. Bunt to third. Unless he is cheating up near home plate, the 3rd baseman will be faced with more difficult throws, as throwing to 2nd base will be just as difficult as the throw to 1st base. Once the 3rd batter comes up, have him hit a slow ground ball toward 1st base. This hitter will most likely be thrown out, but in the process, he will allow the other 2 runners to advance to 2nd and 3rd base, with only one out. The next batter should do the same. Hit a ground ball toward 1st to allow the runner from 3rd base to score. If the 1st baseman is cheating up, anticipating a bunt or short kick, then go ahead and have at it. Kick that thing as hard as you can. Even a short pop-out will likely allow the runner to tag from 3rd base and score home . . . it’s hard to throw anybody out in this game. Just make sure not to hit it directly to the pitcher or 3rd baseman, as they will be closest to that baserunner and will have the best chances of getting him out. A short fly ball toward the right side of the field would be ideal. After this, you would have two outs, but you would also have a run! The next batter up will have no strategy. Just tell him to get a base hit and drive in that other run!
True, it’s not rocket science, but the above mentioned strategies should allow your team to score at least one run per inning . . . or at least one run per inning until the defense makes the necessary adjustments to thwart your strategy!
Whether you score any runs or not, just remember to have fun . . . just like you did back in 4th grade!
