Beep Kickball

Recreational Tips

How is Beep Kickball played for fun?

Player with a number three jersey kicks a red kickball.

Beep Kickball is an adapted sport for people who are visually impaired or blind. It is played on a flat grassy field with a ball that beeps and two bases that buzz. There is no second base, no throwing the ball and no running around all the bases. There are 5 players on each team and everyone wears a blindfold to equalize the differences in vision.  Simply explained, the offensive player kicks the ball and runs to tag the buzzing base, either first or third. If he tags the base before a fielder picks up the ball, he is safe and scores a run. If a fielder picks up the ball first, the runner is out. Three outs, six innings, game over!

Suggestions for recreational play with novices

For elementary kids, the field is set up like a baseball diamond with first and third bases 60 feet from home plate and 10 feet outside the baseline. The foul arc is 30 feet and a home run is 80 feet. For teenagers and adults, the bases are 80 feet, the foul arc is 30 feet and a home run is 100 feet.  Adjust the distances according to your group’s sizes, ages and abilities.

Every player wears a blindfold to equalize the differences in vision. I recommend everyone practice for a few minutes first without a blindfold and that very young children not be required to wear one until they are comfortable.

The five fielders are placed in the field per the diagram below. Encourage the fielders to communicate with their teammates while moving and REQUIRE them to drop to their knees if they hear FREEZE FREEZE  FREEZE  or STOP STOP  STOP  being called.

The umpire hands the beeping ball to the kicker and the kicker places the ball on the ground and kicks it. He can place kick it, run and kick it or drop kick it. There are three “strikes” before being called out, but most kids kick the ball on the first or second try. The ball has to be kicked farther than the foul arc and inside the baselines to be a fair ball.  A fair fly ball kicked beyond the home run arc is a home run, but the kicker still has to run and tag the base.

After kicking the ball, the kicker runs to tag the base that buzzes (they are buzzed randomly), either first or third, and tries to get there before a fielder picks up the ball. If they miss the base, they should go back and tag it. If they tag the base before a fielder picks up the ball, they score a run. If the fielder picks up the ball first, the runner is out. Three outs per inning, six innings, game over!

A sighted field spotter is in the field with the players to help them locate the ball by calling their name or number when the ball is kicked. After calling a number or name, the spotter must be quiet. If they fail to be quiet, a run is awarded to the kicker. The field spotter can place the fielders anywhere in the field and help the players return to their positions after each play. This procedure can be modified based on how young or how novice the fielders are. The younger and more novice the fielders are, the more instruction the field spotter should give them during the play. 

Be sure to have enough sighted safety people to yell FREEZE, FREEZE, FREEZE if a collision is imminent. ANYONE can stop the play if they are concerned about safety.

How do you play Beep Kickball recreationally?

Here are a few highlights of playing beep kickball recreationally. Modify these guidelines according to your group, be flexible and have fun!  

Game Rules

  • A team has 5 players on the field
  • Only first and third bases are set up, using the specially designed buzzing bases
  • A game lasts 6 innings unless tied or unless time runs out, 3 outs per inning
  • Only one sighted player, a field spotter, is needed on the defensive team
  • Only one sighted player, a coach, is needed on the offensive team
  • All visually impaired players wear blindfolds to make it fair

Field Setup

Beep Kickball Field Drawing shows bases, home plate, player positions and measurements.

Elementary

  • First and third bases are 60 feet from home plate
  • A 25 foot arc from home plate is drawn for the foul line
  • A 80 foot arc is drawn from home plate for the home run line

Middle School

  • First and third bases are 70 feet from home plate
  • A 25 foot arc from home plate is drawn for the foul line
  • A 90 foot arc is drawn from home plate for the home run line

High School and Adults

  • First and third bases are 80 feet from home plate
  • A 30 foot arc from home plate is drawn for the foul line
  • A 100 foot arc is drawn from home plate for the home run line

Field Positions

Kicker (Blindfolded)

  • The goal of the kicker is to kick the ball inside the base foul lines and farther than the foul arc
  • The ball is placed on home plate to kick
  • Upon kicking the ball, the kicker listens for one of the bases to buzz and then runs and tags the base
  • The kicker may kick the ball via a place kick, a running place kick or a punt
  • The kicker may not step any farther forward than home plate

Fielders (Blindfolded)

  • There are 5 fielders in the field
  • Once the ball is kicked, the fielders can and should communicate with each other
  • The fielders must have the ball in hand and off the ground before the runner touches the base to record an out
  • Tie goes to the defense (unlike baseball)

Field Spotter (Sighted)

  • Assists the fielders in getting positioned in the field and returning after each play
  • Alerts their team as to which section of the field the kicked ball is coming towards
  • The field spotter calls out the number one for a ball on the first base side, two for center, three for a ball kicked on the third base side
  • The field spotter can stop play to avoid collisions and request time outs
  • The field spotter can communicate information about the kicker, i.e. left footed, big kicker, etc.
  • There can be one or two field spotters

First and Third Base Safeties (Sighted)

  • Makes sure the runners don’t collide with anything or anyone by calling FREEZE
  • Guides the kicker back home after running if needed
  • Stands between home plate and the base and visually follows the runner
  • Moves away from the runner if too close
  • Raises both hands when runner tags the base
  • Reconnects the base wires if separated during play by tripping
  • Sets the base back up if knocked over, pointing the speaker toward home plate

Field Safety (Sighted)

  • Makes sure the fielders don’t collide with anyone or anything by calling FREEZE
  • Stands behind fielders and between the ball and an obstruction (like a tree)

Umpire (Sighted)

  • Before each new kicker, the head umpire, who stands to the side of home base, asks “READY IN THE FIELD?” and the field spotter replies “READY IN THE FIELD” and it’s up to the field spotter whether the fielders count off. 
  • Then the umpire says QUIET to the players and spectators so players can hear the beeping and buzzing
  • Next the umpire hands the beeping ball to the kicker and says PLAY BALL and the kicker kicks the ball
  • First and third base safeties double as base umpires and call HERE and raise their arms upon the runner tagging the base
  • The UMPIRE listens for the HERE while watching the fielders and calls OUT or SAFE
  • If there is a dispute, the field and base umpires may be consulted, but the umpire makes the final call