The Colonial Version of Baseball

By: Justin Choi 7C1 ID2

Without a doubt, one of America’s favorite sports is baseball. However, baseball has taken many transformations to become the favorite American game today.

Almost unquestionably, Rounders is baseball’s ancestor. It probably started out in England during “Tudor Times” (late 1400s) and when colonists came over, they brought Rounders with them.

In England and in the Colonies, Rounders was played as a recreation for schoolboys and schoolgirls. It wasn’t until 1744 when Rounders was mentioned as a sport alongside “base-ball” in A Little Pretty Pocket-Book by J. Newbery. The sport was then explained in detail in the 1828 publication of The Boy’s Own Book.

Two teams play against each other. Each team consists of a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 15 players but there may be no more than 9 players on the field at one time.

There are four posts (bases) but the field is in the shape of a pentagon (one open side), not a diamond, as we know it today. There is a square for the bowler (pitcher) and a square for the batsman (batter).

If on deck (as it is called today) wait well behind the 4th post in the backward area. If out, wait in the backward area away from the 1st post. The batter has to swing if the ball is over the batting square, above knee high and below the head. Even if the batter misses or doesn’t swing, he can run to the first post (first base). The batter can run once there is contact with the bat (no foul territory), but can only run as far as the first post if the ball goes behind the batting square. You switch sides after 9 outs and you play games of 2 innings.

Take notice of the batting square, 3rd post and batting stance

The pitcher throws from the Pitcher’s Square. He must attempt to throw the ball in the Batter’s Square, above the knees and below the head. He must throw in an underarm motion. There is “no ball” (similar to a “ball” today) if…There is no smooth underarm actionBall is above head or below kneeThe ball hits ground before reaching batter’s squareThe ball is wide or straight toward the bodyThe bowler steps out of the pitcher’s squareThree of these result in a “walk” to 2nd post.

There are many ways to get out. Some are very similar to those of modern day baseball.Ball is caught on a “pop-fly”You are taggedYou are hit with the ball (pegged)The base you are running to is tagged before you arrive (stumped)You step out of the batting square before hitting/missing the ballRunning inside the posts (unless obstructed)You lose contact with the post when bowler (pitcher) has possession of ball in pitcher’s squareYou obstruct (you have right of way only on the track)

This is where the name “Rounders” come from. A “rounder” is a run (1 Point). However you can get ½ a rounder, ½ a point.1 rounder for reaching 4th post except if you didn’t hit the ball (1/2 rounder)½ Rounder if 2nd post reached after hitting the ball or you reach 4th post without hitting the ball.Penalty of ½ rounder if there is an obstruction by fielder or 2 consecutive no balls to the same batter

Many rules of base running is similar to those of today’s baseball:To stop at a post, you must keep contact with the post w. hand or batIf the bowler has the ball in his hand, you may not move on except when you are between posts – carry on to the nextYou may not have two runners a post. The first must move on if the second arrivesYou don’t have to move after every ball bowledYou can move on for every ball bowled, even “no balls” (stealing)You must touch 4th post on getting home.

Gregory, Paul. Baseball & Softball. Geng, Don Baseball. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 2001Sports. New York: DK Publishing Inc., 2005Jacobs, Greg. The Everything Kids’ Baseball. Avon MA: Adams Media, 2008Basic Rounders Rules Dec. 19, 09 <http://web.mac.com/jackiecharlton2/iWeb/Site/Rounders%20Rules.html>Rounders Dec. 19, 09 http://www.hickoksports.com/history/rounders.shtmlThe Origin of Baseball Dec. 19, 09 http://www.bestsyndication.com/Articles/2006/p/penn_f/05/050206_history_of_baseball.htm

By: Justin Choi