If you've been thinking about joining an adult league but aren't sure you're "sporty enough," kickball is the answer. Everyone played it as a kid. The rules fit in a paragraph. Nobody expects you to be good, and the people who are good usually aren't the ones having the most fun.
Co-ed kickball leagues are some of the most popular adult leagues in Los Angeles, and they're built as much around meeting people as around the game. This guide covers how they work, what the co-ed rules look like, what to wear and how to join if you don't have a team.
Why kickball is the easiest yes
Most adult sports have some barrier to entry. Softball needs a glove and some throwing skill. Volleyball punishes anyone who hasn't played. Soccer is a lot of running.
Kickball asks very little. You need to be able to kick a big rubber ball and run to first base. That's it. The skill gap between a former athlete and someone who hasn't played anything since middle school is smaller than in almost any other sport, which makes games close and keeps everyone involved.
It's also cheap to run, so it tends to be one of the more affordable leagues out there. If you're curious how prices compare across sports, see how much adult sports leagues cost in Los Angeles.
How co-ed kickball rules work
Kickball rules look a lot like baseball or softball. Two teams, a diamond, three outs an inning and a pitcher who rolls the ball to the kicker. A few rules differ from league to league, so read your league's version, but these are common.
Gender ratios on the field
Co-ed leagues usually require a minimum number of women on the field at all times, for example four women in a lineup of ten or eleven. If your team is short on women for a night, you may have to play with fewer people or take an automatic out in that lineup spot. This is the rule that catches new teams most often.
Kicking order
Many leagues require the kicking order to alternate or mix genders so one group doesn't kick back to back for the whole lineup. Some leagues add an automatic out if the order breaks the rule.
Other common rules
- No bunting, or bunts only past a line.
- No head shots. Throwing at a runner is allowed in most leagues to get an out, but hitting someone in the head usually means they're safe.
- Limited fouls. Two or three fouls and you're out, depending on the league.
- A mercy rule to keep blowouts from going on forever.
You'll pick all of this up in your first game. Nobody shows up knowing every rule.
Tip: Before the season starts, ask the captain or league how many women are required on the field. If your team is building a roster, recruit for that number plus one or two extra so one absence doesn't cost you outs.
The social side of kickball
Kickball is a social sport first. Many leagues partner with a local bar where teams go after games, and some build the whole season around it with themed weeks, team shirts and end-of-season parties.
That's the real draw for a lot of players. You see the same people every week, you get to know your team and the teams you play, and by the end of the season you have a group of friends you didn't have before. If you're new to the city, it's one of the best ways to meet people. Our guide for making friends in LA through rec sports goes deeper on that.
You don't have to drink to fit in. Plenty of people grab a soda or just hang out for a bit. The point is to stick around.
Where kickball leagues play in LA
Kickball leagues in Greater LA mostly play on public park fields, often on weeknights under lights or on weekend afternoons. Where the field is matters more than you'd think. Pick one you can reach after work without sitting in traffic for an hour.
The kickball page lists leagues across the area, and you can narrow to kickball in Los Angeles or kickball in Venice if one of those is close to you.
Joining a kickball league solo
You don't need a team. Kickball is one of the easiest sports to join alone, and most leagues are set up for it.
- Register as a free agent. Most social kickball leagues have an individual sign-up. The league places you on a team that needs players or groups you with other solo players.
- Ask the organizer. If you don't see an individual option, send a message. Organizers want full rosters.
- Bring one friend. If going alone feels like a lot, sign up as a pair. Many leagues will keep you together on the same team.
Free agent teams are honestly a great place to land. Everyone is new to each other, so there's no inside group to break into. Our guide on how to join a sports league without a team has the full rundown.
What to wear to kickball
Kickball is low-maintenance, but a few choices make it more fun.
- Shoes with grip. Turf shoes or running shoes are fine. Some leagues ban metal cleats, so check before you wear them.
- Athletic shorts or pants you can run in.
- Your team shirt if the league provides one. Many leagues require matching colors.
- Sunscreen for day games, and a layer for night games, since LA evenings cool off fast.
- Water. Bring more than you'd expect.
You don't need a glove or any other gear. The league provides the ball and bases.
When to sign up for kickball
Many kickball leagues run several seasons a year, with registration opening a few weeks before each one starts. Popular nights and locations can fill early, especially in spring and summer.
If the league you want isn't open yet, set an alert and we'll email you when co-ed kickball leagues open near you.
Say yes to your first season
Kickball is the league for people who aren't sure they're league people. It's low stakes, cheap and built for meeting new friends. Grab a friend or sign up solo, show up a few minutes early to the first game and stay for the hang after. That's really all there is to it.