Rounders Rules and Regulations

Rounders Rules

Teams

Games are played between two teams. Minimum number of players required to play is 5, maximum number your team can play with is 8. If you cannot produce 5 players to field a team your team must forfeit by contacting Play Rounders. 

If you are ever short of players you can ask players from other teams to sub for you.

Set Up

Each match is 36 minutes. During this time slot each team will have 18 minutes batting; trying to score as many rounders as possible. No one from the team will ever officially be “out”, you keep playing until your time is up and then switch. There will be a 2 minute half-time break. 

Uniform & Equipment

Teams are required to wear active/gym clothing and suitable trainers. Teams are welcome to wear matching coloured shirts but is not necessary. Play Rounders will provide the equipment. 

Umpire

There will either be one or two umpires officiating the match. The umpire’s role is to control the game, apply the rules and to judge the game fairly. Our umpires will be up-to-date on our rounders rules and regulations, so please ask them for any clarification on the night.

Playing whilst Pregant

Play Rounders strongly encourage women who are over 12 weeks pregnant to not continue playing until they are ready to return post-pregnancy. Players who are pregnant can stay registered with their team and return to play after their pregnancy. To learn more about our policy on playing whilst pregnant please click here.

Batting

Wait in the backward area well away from the 4th post. 

You cannot hit the ball behind you. If the ball goes behind, the player cannot run until it’s back in the field.

If you go out, go to the back of the batting line.

You can only enter the batting square when the umpire tells you to do so.

You can take a no ball and score in the usual way, but once you reach the 1st post you cannot return. You cannot be caught out or stumped out at 1st post on a no ball.

No Balls

The following ball action will not be accepted as an accurate throw:

– Not a smooth underarm action.

– Ball is above the head or below the knee.

– Ball bounces on way to you.

– Ball is thrown wide or straight at body.

– The Bowler’s foot is outside the sqaure during the bowling action.

Running around the track

If you stop at a post you must keep contact with the post, either hand or bat. If you don’t the fielding side can stump the following post to put you out. 

You can run onto a post even if it has been previously stumped (you don’t score if the post immediately ahead has been stumped).

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

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

At a post you do not have to move on for every ball bowled unless the rule above applies.

Once in contact with the post, you may turn the corner over the 2 metre line. If you turn the corner during a run and there is no contact with the post you will be deemed to have turned the corner and must run on.

You can move on as soon as the ball leaves the Bowler’s hand, including no balls.

You must touch the 4th post to officialy be ‘home’. 

You are out when…

– Caught.

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

– Running inside post (unless obstructed).

– The post you are running to is stumped.

– You overtake another batter on the track.

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

– Deliberately throw or drop the bat.

– Side out.

– If ordered to make and maintain contact with the post and refuse to do so.

– You lose contact with the post; when the bowler has the ball and is in the square (except on an over run). During the bowlers action but before they release the ball.

Scoring

You will receive one rounder when: the ball is hit and 4th post is reached and touched before next ball is bowled. The ball is hit and 4th post is reached on a no ball (you can’t be caught out on a no ball).

You will receive half a rounder when: the 4th post is reached without hitting the ball. The ball is hit and 2nd or 3rd post is reached and touched before next ball is bowled – but if you continue this run and are put out before reaching 4th post, the score will be forfeited.

You will receive a penalty for: an obstruction by a fielder, 2 consecutive no balls to the same batter, waiting batters or batters out obstruct a fielder.

The team with the highest number of rounders wins!

Find out more about our leagues by visiting ‘Tell Me More‘