Origins The game originated in the UK and

Origins: The game originated in the UK and has been played there since Tudor times, with the earliest reference being in 1745 in ‘A Little Pretty Pocket. Book’ where it is called "baseball".

Equipment: • The ball (sliotar) circumference is 22. 7 -25. 5 cm (9"-10") • bats may be 70– 110 cm (27"-43") long and up to 22 cm (8. 6") in diameter • Bases are normally marked with temporary square mats 64 cm (28") wide for home-base and the pitchers stand 46 cm (18") wide for all others

Players: • Three substitutes may be made during play to the list of field players. • A maximum of nine players are allowed to field at one time. • There is no limit for the number of batters a team may list.

Rules: A batter is out if • on a third good ball, the batter fails to swing • on a third good ball, the batter fails to strike the ball and the catcher holds the ball before it touches the ground • throwing or tossing the bat in a dangerous manner • on a third good ball the batter strikes the ball in to the foul area • the bowler or catchers view is obstructed for a second time (a warning will be issued on the first instance) • deliberate contact is made with a fielder carrying the ball • touching of a base that has been 'tagged' by another fielder carrying the ball (return to the previous base is allowed before touching it, if the previous base is still unoccupied) • an attempt to occupy a base occupied by another batter (with the exception of 1 st base, which another batter must vacate to make way for the current batter)

So where is it played…. • After rules were first formalised in Ireland, in 1889 associations were established in Liverpool and Scotland. • Rounders is linked to British baseball, still played in Liverpool, Cardiff and Newport. Although rounders is assumed to be older than baseball, literary references to early forms of "base-ball" in England pre-date use of the term "rounders". Rounders is now played from school -level to international.

So what’s the big deal. . Although not widely televised, and not considered a major sport like rugby and football. It is common to see rounders played by primary and secondary schools during P. E. So why is it played, well the rules are quite simple as is taken more lightly than cricket. There is a reason why when you ask people about Rounders it brings a smile - revisiting memories of a sport they played at School. It is a fun, team sport that both boys and girls can play whatever their ability. Rounders also helps develop core skills in running, batting, throwing, catching, and fielding.