Rounders rules

Rounders is a team sport played with four players per team, consisting of one bowler and three outfielders. In the variation known as 'Chain Rounders', the bowler rolls the ball underarm to the batter. Upon successfully hitting the ball, the batter must run around four bases marked by cones, with the rest of the team forming a continuous chain behind them. Each base reached scores one run, with a maximum of four runs for completing the circuit. Batters can choose to pause at a base if they risk being run out. Fielders aim to stop the runners by either returning the ball to the bowler or stumping the base ahead of the runner. After all team members have had their turn at batting, teams switch roles.

The full game of rounders includes specific rules for scoring and getting out. A 'no ball' is called if the ball is bowled above the head, below the knee, bounces before reaching the batter, or is thrown wide or directly at the batter's body. Batters can still run on a no ball but cannot return to the first post once they've passed it. Scoring varies: one rounder is awarded for reaching the fourth post before the next ball is bowled, half a rounder for reaching the fourth post without hitting the ball, and another half for reaching the second post after a hit. Additionally, penalty half rounders can be awarded for fielder obstructions. Players can be ruled out for reasons such as being caught, running inside the posts, having the post they're running towards stumped, overtaking another player, or causing obstruction. While running, players must carry the bat and maintain contact with the post to avoid being put out. They can only move between posts when the bowler does not have the ball in their square and must touch the fourth post to complete a run.