Rounders

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1. A team consists of up to 9 players, with a maximum of 6 male players. For the purposes of these rules, the word "batsman" denotes a male or female player.
   
   
2. The bowler must be female. She must bowl underarm.
   
   
3. A batsman must run outside all of the bases (no contact is necessary). A batsman is deemed to be "in" when any part of his/her person passes the base. A batsman running all the way round past all the bases before the next ball is bowled scores one rounder. A batsman having hit a ball into play and running to second base before the next ball is bowled scores half a rounder.
   
   
4. To run out a batsman, a member of the fielding side must stump a base before the batsman passes it. This can be done by holding the ball against the base, or by touching the base with any part of the body providing that the fielder is holding the ball. To avoid collision with the running batsman the first base fielder must stand inside the base and the running area should be clear of fielders. A batsman running to a stumped base is out. A base once stumped remains stumped until the next ball is delivered by the bowler. The batsman must not slide into bases. The batsman is deemed to have right of way unless the fielder is genuinely attempting to field the ball any obstruction will be considered that the batsman is safe.
   
   
5. When a batsman is half-way or more between bases, he/she must continue to the next base and cannot turn back.
   
   
6. One good ball only is allowed for each batsman, except for the last batsman left in who is allowed the best of three good balls. The last batsman must shout "taken" to the ball he wishes to take.
   
   
7. A no-ball is a ball bowled such that, in the opinion of the umpire, the ball on reaching the batsman passed:
   1. above the batsman's head;
      
      
   2. below the batsman's knee;
      
      
   3. beyond the end of the bat;
      
      
   4. directly into the batsman's body as the batsman stands awaiting the delivery.
   
   Note that (iv) is relative to the batsman's position before the ball is bowled. So if the batsman moves into the path of the ball, it is a good delivery.
   Three consecutive not taken no-balls score half a rounder to the batting side and the batsman will have the option to advance to first base safely.
   
   
8. Batsmen waiting at bases may run on a no-ball but may still be stumped out.
   
   
9. A batsman taking a no-ball cannot be out caught, but he/she may still be stumped. If a batsman decides to run on a no-ball, he/she should shout "taken".
   
   
10. When a ball is hit, if it lands behind the base-line (the line joining fourth base with the front edge of the batting square), the batsmen may run to first base only. The batsman shall not leave first base until the ball has crossed back in front of the base-line. (If the ball lands in front of the base-line and then rolls behind, it counts as a normally hit ball, and the batsmen need not stop at first base.)
    
    
11. A rounder scored without the batsmen hitting the ball (ie due to mis-fielding) scores as half a rounder.
    
    
12. If the batting square is stumped before the next batsman due to bat has passed fourth base, the whole team is out. The batting square is stumped in the same way as a base.
    
    
13. If the bowling square is stumped, batsmen who are running between bases must stop at the next base. If a batsman is less than half-way between bases, he/she must return to the previous base. The bowling square is stumped in the same way as a base.
    
    
14. If a good ball is struck by a batman and then caught by a fielder without the ball first touching the ground, the batsman who struck the ball (and that batsman only) is out.
    
    
15. If a base is stumped when two batsmen are there, the first batsman is out.
    
    
16. A batsman injured during a match may use a runner.
    
    
17. A batsman may run as soon as the ball leaves the bowler's hand.
    
    
18. A rounders game shall consist of two innings per team. The team batting first shall be decided by the toss of a coin. A team may enforce a follow on if their opponent's first innings score is not greater than half of their own.
    
    
19. If a batsman remains in the batting square for a period of more than 10 seconds after a good ball has been delivered, the batsman is "timed out" and takes no further part in the innings. In this situation, the decision must be given by the umpire and the batsman should wait for the umpire's signal before retiring from the batting square. A batsman leaving the batting square before the umpire's signal must continue to first base and cannot return to the batting square. If the penultimate batsman in the team is "timed out", the last batsman remaining will be allowed only one good delivery and not the best of three as under Rule 6.

Special Competition Rules

1. The "Stanton Trophy Rules of Rounders" (see above) will apply for the duration of each game. These rules are slightly different to the standard rules of rounders, so each captain should familiarise him/herself with them.
   
   
2. Each match will start at 6pm on the day allocated on the fixture schedule.
   
   
3. Each team shall provide an umpire for every match. The umpire should preferably be from a neutral team (arrangements may be made with members of other teams on a reciprocal basis). If no neutral umpire is available, each team must supply an umpire from their own stanton trophy team.
   
   
4. A team failing to supply an umpire must then appoint one from within the members of their own team. The umpire so appointed shall not take part in the rounders game as a player, but must officiate during the game as an umpire. An umpire must be appointed by each team even if a team has less than the full complement of players.
   
   
5. If the opposition refuse to supply an umpire, the team captain may, at his/her discretion, either claim the result of the game by default or play the game with one umpire.
   
   
6. If a game is started, it must be played to a conclusion and the result will stand. No game may be claimed by default retrospectively.
   
   
7. The team captains should confirm the fixture with the opposition captain at least 24 hours in advance. A team captain wishing to cancel a fixture should inform the opposition captain at least 24 hours in advance. The opposition will then be awarded a default victory.
   
   
8. A team failing to fulfil a fixture loses the match to the opposition. A team fails to fulfil a fixture if less than three members of the team arrive at the rounders pitch by 6.20pm.
   
   
9. A fixture may only be postponed if the weather renders the pitch unplayable or dangerous (eg heavy rain or persistent light rain making the surface too slippery). The captains are jointly responsible for the decision as to whether the game may be played safely. The captains must both in form the organiser of their decision.
   
   
10. Bad weather (see Rule 9) is the only acceptable reason for postponing a game. "I can't raise a side because my best players are not available tomorrow" is not an acceptable reason for postponement. A captain not able to raise a side should cancel the game (and concede it) in accordance with Rule 7.
    
    
11. The rounders organiser may, at his discretion, make exceptions to Rule 10 to allow postponements in certain circumstances (eg clash with other Stanton Trophy events such as cricket). All postponements other than bad weather must be authorised by the rounders organiser.
    
    
12. All incidents not covered by the Special Competition Rules or the Stanton Trophy Rounders Rules should be referred to the organiser whose decision is final.