Rules of rounders re-written to allow people to play in small groups during lockdown

One of the nation’s favourite summer sports has undergone a radical transformation so that families and small groups of people can play safely during lockdown.

Rounders England has put forward a new set of guidelines with jumpers replacing base posts, a triangle formation replacing the famous diamond, and the need for as few as two players to enjoy a game.

“Small Rounders”, as it has been named, is a game designed to get families out into the sun and enjoying some gentle exercise in a fun environment, says Natalie Justice-Dearn, CEO of Rounders England.

It can be played with a minimum of two players with each person taking it in turn to be the Batter, while others are Fielders.

The Bowler bowls to the Batter. The batter runs to the first jumper on their right and one point is awarded for each jumper that the Batter reaches.

Each Batter gets 5 consecutive hits, then joins the Fielders.

“And all you need is a jumper here, a jumper there, a tennis racquet, a rolling pin or a rounders bat,” said Ms Justice Dearn.

Traditional rounders games are played between two teams, each with a maximum of 15 players and there are four bases arranged in a diamond shape.

Players score half rounders for reaching second base and a full rounder for making it all the way around.

Formal Rounders activities have been suspended until the end of June 2020, covering league matches and team training, and Ms Justice-Dearn says that when the sport does come back formally, there will be new guidelines to follow.

“As and when restrictions ease a little bit more, we have developed a set of guidelines with social distancing in mind. You won’t have anyone on the bases and the backstop will be two metres behind the batter, for example,” she said.

“It is a non contact sport, so people shouldn’t be too close and you can stay fairly apart.

“We have got hundreds of teams up and down the country and we know there is a real hunger for it and people want to get back out playing again.”