British Rounders

Go around the bases the British way! Create an authentic Rounders playing area, and learn to play baseball as the English do.

• 1.

  Rounders originated in England and is very similar to U.S. baseball and softball. In both games there are nine innings, a diamond-shaped playing area, and three outs per inning. In Rounders, the batter hits a ball and runs around four bases to score a rounder. The team with the most rounders at the end of the game wins.

• 2.

  One major difference in the games is that in Rounders you are not allowed to throw the bat after hitting the ball and running to first base. Find out the official rules for Rounders. Use Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils and white paper to make a chart that compares the U.S. baseball or softball to British rounders. What other similarities did you find? What differences are there? Discuss your findings with your classmates.

• 3.

  With the permission of your teacher, find an asphalt or concrete surface that is at least 6 months old. Make sure the area will provide adequate space to play Rounders safely. With a Crayola Washable Sidewalk Paint Kit, test a spot to make sure the paint will not stain.

• 4.

  Mix paint colors if you wish. Paint the Rounders playing area with the paint roller and Crayola® So Big® Brush in the kit. A typical Rounders playing field is diamond shaped. Measure the exact dimensions of the field.

• 5.

  Paints wash from skin with soap and water. Normal laundering procedures remove stains from most cotton, polyester, acrylic fabrics, and their blends. For best results, wash immediately in hot water. Do not use pre-wash products as they may set stains. Sev

• 6.

  After the paint dries, get the necessary equipment to play your game. A tennis ball is used as the ball and typically a flat bat is used to hit the ball. A baseball bat will also work. Now you are ready to play Rounders!

• 7.

  Remove paint after 2 weeks if it has not washed off in the rain. Wash surface with the water pressure from a garden hose. Light brushing with a broom or nylon brush may be necessary to remove some paint.

Benefits

• Children research the game of British Rounders and learn the conventions and rules of the game.
• Children compare Rounders to U.S. baseball or softball.
• Children create a Rounders playing area and engage in the game according to British rules.

Adaptations

• Compare dimensions of a baseball field to a Rounders playing area. In Rounders, the major axis is 21 m and the minor axis is 18 m. The pitching base is 1 m in diameter and 7 m from the batting plate. The batting plate is .5 m square and the batting box is
• Research to find out about other British sporting events. Make a presentation to your class to discuss your findings.
• Create a variation of the game of baseball. Paint the playing area and explain the rules to your classmates before playing the game.