Rules

1. Each team should consist of TEN members with a maximum of six men. However it is permissible to field a team with less than ten people. A maximum of two substitutes are allowed. The substitutes can only be made at ‘half-time’ following both teams’ first innings. No runners are allowed. All team members must belong to the Harwell Laboratories Recreation Association, any team member not belonging will have a 2 points deducted from the team. Consistent infringement will lead to disqualification from the tournament, as will a team that persists in playing non-members. Where disqualification is an issue the committee's decision is final.

2. No player may play for more than one team.

3. The pitch will be marked out by the Recreational Association on an opportunity basis.

4. Each team will have two innings of TEN minutes duration.

5. The bat shall not be bigger than the following dimensions:
   Length 46 cm, Circumference 17 cm.

6. The game shall be played only with a tennis ball provided by the rounders club.

7. There will be TWO umpires whose decisions are FINAL.

8. For all players, one complete circuit of the pitch while the ball is in play shall count as a rounder.
   Additionally, if a player reaches second base on his/her hit it will count as a half-rounder.
   Note that if a player is subsequently out after passing second base, the half-rounder score will stand.

9. Bowling shall be underarm only. The bowler can be male or female. If the bowler is female, she is allowed a maximum of TWO PACES run-up. Her front bowling foot must be inside the bowling square when the ball is bowled, and not pass the square during the bowling action. Male bowlers must not attempt any run up or move either feet from the bowling square during the entire bowling action. A no-ball will be given for any infringement.

10. A ball must be bowled so that it reaches the area between the batter's chin and knees over a 0.75m base. A no-ball will be given outside these limits - provided the ball is not struck in front of the batting line. However, if the ball is clearly a ‘No Ball’ it can be called so - even if it is hit in front of the line – but only at the umpire’s discretion.

11. The batter has only one strike at the ball, and must run even if he/she fails to make contact with the ball, unless a no-ball is called by an umpire. The ball must be hit on the full and not allowed to bounce first. A ball that bounces before the batting line is a no-ball.

12. A player can run on a no-ball and CANNOT be caught out, but CAN be out in all other ways. Provided the batter hits the ball and the first bounce is in front of the line, a half rounder will be awarded if the batter reaches second base on a no-ball and a rounder will be given if the batter completes a full circuit of the pitch on a no-ball. The bowling team will concede a "half rounder" for every three no-balls bowled per match. A no-ball from which a rounder or half rounder is scored will still count towards the total of no-balls.

13. A batter hitting the ball behind so that its first bounce is in the area behind the batting base may proceed around the pitch but no score at all will be awarded for such a hit. Fielders should play the ball as soon as possible. If a fielder fails to take a catch and the ball thereby bounces, then the call as to whether the ball is behind or not shall be based upon where, in the umpire’s opinion, the ball would have bounced if the fielder had not touched the ball.

14. A batter missing the ball may attempt to achieve a full circuit of the pitch, and if successful is awarded a half-rounder.

15. A batter may not leave or pass a base whilst the ball is "dead" (see rule 18) but if past may continue to the next base, or if less than half-way, have the option of returning to the previous base. In this case the batter can be out as per rule 15c.

A batter is out if he or she:

1. is caught from a good ball.

2. is stumped out by a fielder (foot or hand on the base are both acceptable).

3. is touched with the ball by a fielder between bases, (throwing the ball at the batter is not allowed) or whilst running past a base.

4. if the batter’s inside foot goes inside the diamond at a base (even above), unless necessary to avoid a fielder.

5. runs before the bowler has bowled to the next batter.

6. runs to a stumped base before the next ball is bowled.

7. DELIBERATELY interferes with the play of the fielders (e.g. kicks the ball).

8. if the batter goes out of turn in the batting order then only (s)he is out

9. engages in dangerous play while taking a shot, at the discretion of the umpire (see Notes for Umpires U.2).

On all narrow decisions the batter has the benefit of the doubt.

16. When all the others in the team are out, the last batter shall receive three balls and can be caught out on any of these.

17. If a batter is overtaken by another, then the person overtaken is out.

18. All play ceases when the bowler holds the ball and simultaneously touches the bowling base ("dead ball"). ONLY the bowler can create a dead ball. A batter having passed third base, but not fourth, shall continue to fourth base, but is not awarded a rounder. N.B. If the bowler receives the ball whilst touching the bowling base, the ball is dead and the bowler may not throw to a base trying to achieve a stumping.

19. Fielders should allow batters an unimpeded run around bases. Fielders on bases should stand INSIDE the diamond to allow a batter to pass, except when attempting to touch a batter whilst holding the ball. The umpires should award an additional rounder to the batting or fielding side for deliberate obstruction unless the batter scores.

20. Rounders are deductible for dissent, and in extreme cases (i.e. abuse of umpire) a player or players may be sent off.

21. If a team fail to turn up within a reasonable time (to be decided by the umpires on the day) the opponents are awarded the match.

22. All footwear with a stud, cleat, blade, spike, screw-in, heeled boots and shoes, working boots, walking boots or any other footwear liable to "cut-up" the ground or cause injury to other players are banned by the Harwell Laboratories Recreational Association from the Rounders pitch.. Any player wearing footwear banned by the Rec. Soc. will be sent off. If a player is unsure if their footwear is legal, clarification is available from Tony Betteridge.

23. Players or fielders must not slide instead of running. A player may be given out or incur a penalty of ½ rounder at the umpire’s discretion if sliding causes danger to other players or causes damage to the pitch

Notes for Captains

C.1 Batters are awarded a half-rounder for reaching second base on their hit. This rule change, which aligns the Harwell rules to those of the National Rounders Association, was made at the 2008 AGM. The change is intended to even up the contest between the batting and fielding sides (which has been one-sided in recent years) in favour of a higher-scoring game, which we hope will be more fun and encourage more interest in the competition. Captains will need to think more carefully about where they place their fielders!

C.2 Please remind your teams of rules that are often forgotten i.e. you can be given out if you cut the corner at a base, you can still be out tagged by the ball when returning to a base, you can be given out if you run from a base before the bowler bowls the next ball.

C.3 All players must be members of the Harwell Laboratory Recreational Association (HLRA). It is important to note that non-members are not covered for third party insurance and that the team captain would be liable if a player is not a member. Teams will lose 2 points for playing non-members.

C.4 Each captain should try to ensure a full team for each game. However it is permissible to field a team with less than ten people. A maximum of two substitutes are allowed. The substitutes can only be made at ‘half-time’ following both teams’ first innings. No runners are allowed. If a team is short, batters are not allowed to run twice.

C.5 If a RAL team has a match scheduled on an STFC sports day, the match can be re-arranged. If a game is cancelled for any other reason, the team canceling will forfeit the match and be subject to a mandatory deduction of one (1) point. If a game is cancelled due to bad weather, captains should contact Mike Poole for a new date. Please note that team captains must attempt to contact Mike Poole between 11.30 am and 12 noon prior to the cancellation of any game due to bad weather for confirmation that the pitches are unplayable. If the pitches are playable, then the matches should proceed.

C.6 Two teams are delegated to provide umpires for each match. Players are reminded that umpiring is voluntary and umpires should not receive abuse. Failure to provide an umpire will result in teams having TWO points deducted. If a team fails to provide an umpire more than twice it will be disqualified. If your game is cancelled, inform the captain or umpires who would be officiating in your game. If you cannot umpire a game then try to swap duties with another team so that you do not lose 2 points. If you do this, then please advise Mike Poole in advance so that if the other team didn’t subsequently turn up, they lose the points not you.

C.7 Matches will start at 12.30pm unless both captains can agree a different time. Please make sure umpires are informed of any changes. Because most staff only have ONE HOUR for lunch, umpires will start the match at 12.35pm at the very latest. If one or more of your nominated team are not present at that moment, then when they do arrive they will not be allowed to join the game until the completion of the particular innings if you are batting and they have already missed a go.

C.8 Captains are reminded that if they wish to add players to their squads then they must advise Katie Hopgood of the player’s name and Rec. Soc. number.

Summary of Contacts

Unless there is a dire emergency, please use e-mail, fax or conventional post rather than the telephone.

Notes for Umpires

U.1 Batters are awarded a half rounder for reaching second base on their hit.

U.2 Dangerous play while batting. Batters can be given out for dangerous play while taking a shot. This could include throwing the bat, hitting the ball after it has bounced, or endangering close fielders e.g. the bowler. This is given AT THE UMPIRES DISCRETION.

U.3 Please ensure full names are given on score sheets to allow the new trophy for ‘best’ man and woman in the competition to be awarded.

U.4 Rule 10: ‘No Ball’. This is given AT THE UMPIRES DISCRETION and his/her decision is final.

U.5 All umpires should know the rules and ensure that they have a full set of the current rules whilst umpiring a match. To get a good view of the pitch, umpires should position themselves so as to get a good view of the pitch and bases. Players should note that umpiring is voluntary and umpires should not receive abuse

U.6 Teams are permitted to play with less than ten people.

U.7 Games are to start at 12.30pm. Failing this, the umpires must start the game at 12.35pm with the players present at that time. If a player turns up late he can join provided the umpires and captains are aware this may happen and all are notified when the player actually arrives and joins in. If a player has already missed a turn in batting then he/she is out and can join when the innings is over.

U.8 Keep record of rounders and half-rounders scored.

U.9 A circuit of the pitch from a ball not struck will achieve a half rounder.

U.10 Keep a total of 'no-balls' bowled per match and add a half rounder to the score for every three 'no-balls' bowled (see rule 12).

U.11 Watch for catches and call "OUT" loudly and promptly if the ball is held.

U.12 Call "BEHIND" loudly and promptly if the first bounce of the ball is behind the batting line (see rule 13).

U.13 Call "NO-BALL" loudly and promptly if the ball bowled does not comply with rules 9 and 10.

U.14 Give decisions at bases for stumpings, obstructions, or when a batter runs inside a post (unless necessary to avoid a fielder).

U.15 Watch for undue time wasting on behalf of the fielding side, and if necessary, warn the captains. Up to two minutes per innings may be added on for extra time. (For example, bowlers should not wait for fielders to re-position themselves if the next batter is ready).

U.16 The innings will finish once time is up (including any added at 12), as soon as the ball is returned to the bowler.

U.17 Disputes must be settled during the match. No matches will be replayed following disputed results.

U.18 Umpires can deduct rounders for dissent, and in extreme cases (i.e. abuse) a player or players can be sent off. The decision is entirely up to the umpires and their word is final.

U.19 Umpires MUST ensure that the spectators and the batting teams do not encroach onto the field or interfere with play.

U.20 At the end of the match make sure the organisers receive the score sheets promptly.

U.21 Obtain signatures of both the umpires and captains on both score sheets. If the other umpire has not turned up, then clearly identify which team you are from so that you don't lose 2 points instead of them.