How to Play Rounders

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You will need:

• a bat, or play football rounders if you can't find a bat
• a soft ball
• 4 objects to use as bases
• players!

The Aim

The aim of the game is to hit the ball as far away as you can and run around as many bases as possible.  If you manage to run around all four bases, this is called a run and the team who is batting gets one point. 

Each base will be looked after by one person on the other team.  They should stay on and around this base and make sure they are always watching where the ball is. 

If a person running around the bases is running towards them, they should be ready to catch the ball from any of the other fielders, if they catch the ball before the runner gets to their base they can put the ball onto the base and the player will be stumped out. 

If you are a fielder your job is to get to the ball as quickly as possible and be aware of where the runner is so that you can throw to whichever base is shouting for the ball.

Teamwork is so important here, if the team are not shouting to (NOT AT) each other, you will not got anyone out.

Similarly, if you are batting it is important to talk to each other.  If you are standing on 2nd base and somebody is on 3rd base you need to tell them if you are going to run otherwise if you run to 3rd base and they are still there, you will both be out and it will be your fault not theirs!

1. Find a suitable and safe place to play.  This could be a backgarden or a nearby field (make sure you have permission to play on the field or you could get into trouble)
2. Split yourself into teams and decide who wants to bat first and who wants to bowl.  Don't ruin the game and argue over this though, remember you'll both get a chance at batting.
3. If you are bowling, throw the ball towards the other player (your opponent)
4. If you are batting hit the ball (obviously!)  Then decide if the other team are likely to reach the ball and stump you out before you make 1st base.  Run around as many bases as it is safe to do so.
5. Keep playing until all the team have been stumped out.  OR decide how many times the bowlers will bowl before the game, so you could say "We're going to bowl to you 50 times" and therefore after 50 balls you will swap to batting and they will bowl to you 50 times. 

Remember that this is supposed to be a fun game, it's good to have some friendly competition and want to win but you will upset your friends if you start getting angry or sad that you are losing. 

Have fun, winning is not everything!