Kickball

Kickball is the playground classic played like baseball on a diamond, except the pitcher rolls a big rubber ball to home plate and the kicker kicks it. This kickball game is a cartoon schoolyard version: kick and run the bases for the Blacktop Dinos, then switch sides to pitch and field against three CPU teams. Play free online, no download needed.

Kickball rules in brief

• Innings: teams take turns kicking and fielding. A half inning ends when the fielding team gets three outs, then the teams switch.
• Running the bases: after a kick the kicker runs to first. Runners go around first, second and third, and reaching home plate scores a run.
• Outs: a kicked ball caught in the air is an out. So is a runner tagged with the ball while off a base, or a force out, when the ball beats a forced runner to the base. In many schoolyard versions you can also get a runner out by hitting them with the ball below the shoulders. Rules vary, and this game uses that rule.
• Strikes: a missed kick or a roll you let go past is a strike, and three strikes is an out. Leagues treat fouls differently; here a foul counts as a strike.

How to play: kicking

• Timing: tap the field or press Space as the rolled ball reaches the yellow ring at the plate. A kick right on the ring is a perfect kick and goes farthest. Early kicks pull to the left, late kicks go right, and too early or too late is a miss.
• Aim and loft: before the ball arrives, aim with the Aim buttons or arrow keys and pick Low for a grounder, Line for a line drive over the infield or High for a pop fly. A perfect high kick can clear the fence for a home run.
• Read the roll: the line at the bottom of the field says whether the pitch is slow, medium or fast, smooth or bouncy, and straight or curving. A bouncing ball kicked while it is up pops up.

How to play: running

The kicker always runs to first, and forced runners move up one base. After that, press Run (or R) to send runners to the next base, or Back (or B) to send them back. Tap one runner to move only that runner. If a fly ball is caught, runners must return to their base, and a fielder who gets there first doubles them off. A forced runner can head back while a catchable fly ball is still in the air.

How to play: pitching and fielding

When you field, set the roll’s speed, bounce and curve, then press PITCH. Fast, bouncy, curving rolls are harder to kick. After the kick you control the fielder nearest the ball, marked with a yellow ring. They chase the ball on their own, or you can tap, drag or use the arrow keys to move them. With the ball in hand, tap a base (or press 1 to 4) to throw there, tap a runner (or press G) to throw at them, or press Space for the best throw. Wait three seconds while runners are moving and the fielder throws for you.

Quick games, the league and the rivals

Choose 3 or 5 innings. A Quick Game is one game against a rival you pick. The League is a four-team round robin: you play each rival once, a win is worth 2 points and a tie 1, and the top team after three rounds wins the title. Each half inning ends after 3 outs or 5 runs, and a game still tied after two extra innings is a tie.

• Recess Rockets: big, high kicks, but slow runners and shaky gloves.
• Sandbox Sharks: the fastest runners, always looking for an extra base.
• Lunchbox Lions: the surest hands and strongest arms, plus curving pitches.

Tips

• Aim for the gaps. Line drives that land between the outfielders become hits.
• Save High for good timing. A weak pop fly is an easy catch.

FAQ

Is this kickball game free?

Yes. There is no account and nothing to install. Your record, league table and titles are saved in your browser.

Does it work on phones and Chromebooks?

Yes. On a phone, tap to kick, tap runners to send them and tap bases to throw; the game area won’t scroll the page. On a Chromebook or laptop, use the keyboard or mouse.

Can I pause?

Press P or Esc, or use the pause button. The game also pauses when you switch tabs.

How is kickball different from baseball?

There is no bat: a big rubber ball is rolled, not thrown, and the kicker kicks it. For the bat-and-ball version, try Baseball.

Want more playground games? Try Soccer Game for 5-a-side matches or the chase game Tag Game.