Rounders today

Today Rounders remains a highly popular sport mostly played by schoolchildren and groups of friends. 

In 1943, the National Rounders association was founded to arrange tournaments and decide on rules and regulations. 

The NRA is recognized by the British Sports Council and allots grants to aid the sport annually.

Whether you can reach 1st Post or 4th Post, Rounders can give you, your friends and your family a fun sport to help keep you fit and healthy.

When you ask people about Rounders it brings a smile, revisiting memories of a fun, team sport they played at school.  But Rounders is for everyone - schools, universities and colleges, adults, families and even a great activity for corporate away days.

If you would like to return to Rounders or try Rounders for the first time just type your postcode into our club locator and it will find your nearest club. Alternatively, our Regional Rounders Officers are located across the country and would be happy to see you at one of the many taster days and festivals they hold throughout the year. Our newly formed STAR Centres and Indoor Leagues also make it easier for people to play and develop their skills in Rounders all year round.

Rounders England has many ways in which we can support schools in developing Rounders through resources, courses and competitions and our current work with colleges and universities will provide more opportunities for competitions between HE / FE institutions across the country. 

 

Whatever level you play Rounders at or wherever you play, Rounders England has a membership package to suit your needs, bring you many benefits and help you develop your skills in Rounders

etting up the pitch 

Although these measurements are not critical and may be reduced slightly for younger players.  Ideally, the total playing area should be about 40 yards square, but a smaller area is often quite satisfactory if that is all that is available.  The rounders bat or stick is normally one standard size for all players and ideally each batsman should have his own stick.  However, when only one stick is available the batsman leaves it for the next batsman after hitting the ball.

The History of Rounders 

As a sport, rounders must be considered modern since it has only recently gained “official” status with written rules and a National Association.  However, the origins of the game go back many years with historical associations and many similarities to such games as cricket, stoolball and, of course, baseball and softball.  Today it is becoming increasingly popular with schools, clubs and families as an ideal team sport for a variable number of mixed ability participants.

Rules for The Game

The official game of rounders is played between two teams of nine players each, but in casual games numbers can be easily adjusted to suit the number of players available.  However, it is advisable to have 3 or 4 outfielders and therefore, teams of 5 or 6 players are a suggested minimum.  Each team completes an innings in turn, a game consisting of an agreed number of innings.  Captains toss a coin up to decide which team bats first.  The fielding team consists of a bowler, backstop and 7 outfielders.  The objective of the batting team is for each batsman in turn to strike the ball to a part of the field where he will have time to run round the outside of the four posts in turn and so complete a “Rounder” and have another turn.  The team getting the greatest number of Rounders wins.  Each batsman receives only one “good” ball to attempt to strike and he must run even if he misses it.  A “good” ball must be bowled underarm and must reach the batsman below head level, above knee level, and within reach of the outstretched rounders stick.  A “no ball” may, however, be hit by the batsman if desired, this is advantageous since he cannot be caught out from a “no ball”.  Alternatively, he may, of course, ignore the “no ball” and wait for the bowler to bowl a “good” ball.  If the ball is hit into the area behind the batting line, he may only run to first post.  If a “Rounder” is completed by a batsman after actually missing the ball, only a “half-rounder” is counted.  A batsman is out (a) if a fielder catches the ball, or (b) if the fielder touches the post the batsman is running to with the ball before the batsman reaches it.  He is also out if he leaves a post before the subsequent batsman has started his run, as he must remain in contact with the post at all times when not actually running and cannot return to a post once he has left it.  If the batsman does not have time to complete a  “Rounder” before the ball is returned from the outfield, he may stop at posts 1, 2 or 3,  and then run on to complete the circuit when the next or subsequent batsman has started running.  In this event he waits in line to have another turn for his team, but does not count a “Rounder”.  When a batsman is out he does not, of course, have another turn and the innings, therefore, continues until all batsmen are out, with some players usually having several turns in an innings.  When the last batsman in a side is left, he will, of course, have to run complete “Rounders” in order to have another turn.

Playing Rounders

Whether you play Rounders seriously or as an enjoyable club or pastime, we hope your participation in the fast growing sport of rounders will be a successful and enjoyable one.