Rounders Rules

Simplified Rules

Teams

• Games shall be played between 2 teams.

• A team consisting of a maximum of 15 players and a minimum of 6 of whom no more than 9 may be on the field at one time.

Batter

• Wait in the backward area well away from 4th Post.

• If out, wait in the backward area well away from 1st Post.

• You will have one good ball bowled to you.

No Ball if:

• Not smooth underarm action.

• Ball is above head or below knee.

• Ball bounces on way to you.

• Is wide or straight at body.

• The bowler's foot is outside the square during the bowling action.

You can take a normal run on a no ball, but once you reach 1st Post you cannot return. You score in the normal way.

Scoring

• 1 rounder if 4th Post reached and touched before next ball is bowled.

• 1 rounder if 4th Post reached on no ball (you cannot be caught out).

• 1/2 rounder if 4th Post reached without hitting the ball.

• 1/2 rounder if 2nd Post reached after hitting the ball (you stay at 1st whilst ball is in the backward area).

• Penalty 1/2 rounder for an obstruction by a fielder.

• Penalty 1/2 rounder for 2 consecutive no balls (to the same batter).

• 1 rounder for a backward hit if 4th Post reached (you stay at 1st whilst ball is in the backward area).

Out When

• Caught.

• Foot over front/back line of batting square before missing or hitting a ball.

• Running inside Post (unless obstructed).

• The Post you are running to is stumped.

• You lose contact with the post during bowler's action when he has possession in his square.

• You overtake.

• You obstruct (you have right of way on track only).

Running Around The Track - Please Carry The Bat

• If you stop at a post you must keep contact with the Post, hand or bat. If you do not, the fielding side can stump the following Post to put you out.

• You can run on to a post even if it has been previously stumped.
(You do not score if you do it on 4th Post).

• When the bowler has the ball in his square, you cannot move on, but if you are between Posts, you can carry on to the next.

• You cannot have two batters at a Post. The umpire will ask the first to run on when second one makes contact.

• At a Post, you do not have to move on for every ball bowled.

• You can move on as soon as the ball leaves the bowler's hand, this includes no balls.

• You must touch 4th Post on getting home.

Leaflets containing these details, marking a pitch and diagrams are available for 50p plus postage.

Rule books with the full rules, priced at £3. 00 members, £5. 00 non members, are also available.

NRA Publications Secretary
55 Westland Gardens
Westfield
Sheffield
S20 8ES

Click here for a score sheet

How to Mark out a Rounders Pitch