English Rounders and American Baseball

No basketball, football (with the uprights, helmets, and brown leather ball), volleyball, or baseball here in England.  They do have "net ball" which is much like basketball without a backboard, rugby which is much like football without the pads and helmets, soccer, tennis, and rounders.  I would like to introduce you to rounders.  The game is most like baseball, but I must admit that it is odd to be "out" if you drop the bat and not "out" if you swing and miss the ball.  Below you find a few of the similarities and differences.

Rounders versus Baseball

Similarities	Differences
1.  2 teams – (1) batting and (1) fielding	1.  If the batter swings and misses, s/he runs to the first base/post.
2.  Positions - pitcher (aka bowler), & Batter	2.  The batter swings with one arm and runs with the bat.
3.  Materials (bat and ball)	3.  The inning continues until every person on the batting team is "out" or the time runs up.
4.  4 bases or posts	4.  The field is set up as a square with the batter standing between “first” and “home” posts. (see picture below)
	5.   A “rounder” (aka run) is not earned unless   the batter makes it around the entire field with his/her hit (aka homerun).  A “half-rounder” can also count in scoring and occurs when the batter makes it halfway around the field on his/her hit (aka double).
	6.  The batter is not out if s/he swings and missed the ball, but is out if s/he drops the bat.
	7.  A batter is also out if s/he leaves the base before the bowler (aka pitcher) has bowled.  NO STEALING BASES!!!

Rounders field

Here are pictures from a recent game I watched.  Note how the batters swing with one arm and run with the bat.

Note:  Batter swings with one arm

Note:  Batter runs with bat

I would introduce you to cricket, but that requires more study on my end.  Kevin and I watched a portion of a game with avid fans, however, I need more than a couple hours of tutoring.  It is a game of subtly and patience with matches lasting days.