Welcome to Rounders for Fun
Welcome to Rounders for Fun, your guide to the popular game of Rounders. On the site we look at the history of Rounders, its connection to the games of baseball, townball and cricket; and we'll also help you to get the most out of the game by spelling out the rules and regulations of Rounders and the equipment required to play it.
A brief history of Rounders
Rounders is an English bat and ball team game, which has been played since the 16th century and, since then, has spread round the world in one form or another. In 1889, the world's first official Rounders association was established - the Liverpool & Scottish Rounders Association.
Rounders had become very popular in England by the 19th Century, next only to cricket, and Rounders is still played in Ireland and England to this day. Baseball, townball, and softball are all bat and ball games, played by teams, and they all originated from Rounders.
The inventor of Rounders
There is an interesting story about the inventor of Rounders. Back in 1903, in a modest building housing 'Spalding's Baseball Guide', publisher Mr A G Spalding strongly believed that baseball had evolved entirely in the United States and was out and out an all-American game.
He would not budge an inch from this belief. An Englishman and newspaper journalist, Henry Chadwick, was the first to cover baseball. He wrote an analytical story for Spalding's Baseball Guide, which directly contradicted the publisher's well-articulated belief about the origins of baseball. He said baseball was definitely derived from Rounders. Spalding called Chadwick to his room and this conversation is reported to have taken place:
Spalding:'What sort of garbage is this? How dare you write such rubbish in my guide?'
Chadwick: 'Sir, Rounders is the parent and Baseball is an offspring inheriting most of the parent's qualities. The fact that Rounders was played in 16th century and Baseball in 19th century is proof enough to support my writing.'
Spalding was not satisfied. He was not willing to come down from his stated position that Baseball was 'the great American pastime'.
He said: 'Well, I will appoint a commission to find out the origin of Baseball.'
He did and in 1907 the commission reported that Baseball was in fact a modified game of Rounders and that is was invented by Mr Abner Doubleday.
Rounders today
Today Rounders remains a highly popular sport mostly played by schoolchildren and groups of friends.
In 1943, the National Rounders Association was founded to arrange tournaments and decide on rules and regulations.
The NRA is recognized by the British Sports Council and allots grants to aid the sport annually.
ROUNDERS AND THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS
Rounders isn't currently an Olympic sport, so Rounders fans won't be able to enjoy any competitive matches as part of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
However, various groups will stage Rounders events through the UK and the world to mark the Olympic games. Visit Rounders England for details of Rounders events near you.