There are only two essential elements of rounders equipment required to play: a bat and a ball.
How professionally your game of rounders is set out is the choice of the players and will probably also depend on the occasion the game is being played.
For those who want a complete rounders pitch layout, there is a wide choice of the different equipment available:
Rounders Bats
Rounders bats are generally round and made of wood with a maximum length of 460mm and diameter of 170mm. They often have a grip on the handle to prevent the bat slipping.- Soft sponge covered bats are also available and are ideal for primary school Early Years children aged 5- 8
- Plastic bats can be suitable for all weather or beach use and are ideal for training junior players
- Flat wooden bats are also an option for training young or new players and for including players of limited ability in the game.
- The Lancashire flat bat is primarily used in the Lancashire Rounders league and is available in Light (300g)and Heavy weight (380g) options
- Finally, some club or competition style bats include a metal area made of aluminium for striking the ball
Rounders Balls
At a basic level you can simply use a tennis ball to play the game, but a regulation rounders ball should be between 180mm and 200mm in circumference with any stitching sitting flush with the rest of the ball. Balls are generally white but bright yellow, pink or orange balls are also available and give extra stand out and add a fun dimension to the game.- Balls are generally made with an outer layer of PU for home use or leather for top quality match balls with a cork core
- Lighter balls weigh around 60g whilst good quality match balls can weigh up to 80g
- Low bounce soft hollow PU balls are also available to play indoors and are also ideal for younger players
Bases
For an informal game, bases can be fabricated from jumpers, or anything you may have available.Alternatively bases can be plastic cones or stumps or wooden stumps.
Specially designed rounders bases are made of rubber. Plastic posts and are then designed to stand in the bases and should have a safety cap on top.
For indoor play, mats can be used to mark the bases instead of posts.
