For: Rounders (film)

Rounders (Irish: cluiche corr) is a sport played between two teams, each alternating between batting and fielding. The game originates in England most likely from an older game known as stool ball. The first nationally formalised rules were drawn up by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Ireland in 1884. The game is regulated by the (GAA) in Ireland and the National Rounders Association (NRA) in Great Britain. Both have different, although similar, game-play and culture. Competitions are held between teams from both traditions with games alternating between codes, often one version being played in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Game-play centres around innings where teams alternate at batting and fielding. A maximum of nine players are allowed to field at one time. Points ("rounders") are scored by the batting team by completing a circuit around the field through four bases or posts without being put 'out'.

The earliest nationally formalised rules of play were devised by the GAA in Ireland in 1884. In 1889, associations were formed in Liverpool and Scotland. The NRA was not formed until 1943. Baseball (both the "New York game" and the now-defunct "Massachusetts game") as well as softball are likely to share the same historical roots as rounders (see origins of baseball) and bears a resemblance to the GAA version of the game. Rounders is linked to British Baseball, still played in Liverpool, Cardiff and Newport. Although rounders is assumed to be older than baseball, literary mentions of "base-ball" pre-date those of rounders. Rounders is now played from school-level to international.

Overview

In many respects, identical to Baseball. It is, however, considered a school game, very popular among girls.

Rounders is played at international level. Canada, England, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales compete against each other, and the Pakistan Rounders Association held its first national competition in 2006. There are plans to develop the game in other Asian countries and Zimbabwe also has a national body for roundersFact: date=February 2008.

The 2008 Rounders World Festival will be held in Sheffield, England, on June 28

Common rules

While the GAA and NRA codes differ, they share much in common:

Equipment

The ball is hard with a cork centre, covered in white leather and comparable in size to a tennis ball (a standard tennis ball or "soft" rounders ball is often substituted in school games). In Ireland, a hurling ball called a sliotar is used. Bats are similar in shape to baseball bats and can be made from wood or aluminum. Four bases are laid out, with a fifth marker placed in-line between home and second base indicating where the bowler stands.