| It is really hard to say where baseball got it | | | | out. If this is achieved he will score a point for his |
| beginnings, because there were so many bat-n-ball | | | | team. If, the runner gets out he is sidelined until it |
| games through the centuries. Yet, in my research, | | | | is time to change sides. |
| one early bat-n-ball game stood out. This game | | | | Getting the runners out is done in several |
| was called "Rounders." | | | | different ways. (1) when the ball is hit the fielder |
| I asked a few of my baseball buddies if they had | | | | catches it either in the air or on one bounce and |
| ever heard of this game. To my surprise | | | | the fielder catches it; (2) the fielder throws the |
| absolutely no one knew what I was talking about. | | | | ball at the runner and hits him with it; or (3) the |
| So, I am going to share with everyone, how this | | | | runner lets go of the sanctuary after the play has |
| really interesting bat-n-ball game works. | | | | stopped or when another striker comes up to hit. |
| In 16th century England the bat-n-ball game called, | | | | The most important way of getting the runner |
| "Rounders" was played between two teams. | | | | out is by capturing the castle, this can happen |
| These teams consisted of six to nine players. One | | | | when there is no one defending it. The defenders |
| of the teams played in the outfield while the other | | | | have to defend the castle at all times. If, it comes |
| played in the in-field. The field was laid out with | | | | down to only one defender left in the castle, this |
| four stakes which were driven into the ground. | | | | defender can keep the team alive by doing this. |
| Each stake was spaced out around 5 or 6 feet | | | | The next striker will need to hit the ball and run |
| apart in a triangular pattern. The stakes were | | | | around all the sanctuaries without getting out. This |
| called "Sanctuaries". In the middle of the | | | | will have to be done twice in a row. If the finial |
| sanctuaries lay a marker (usually a flat rock). This | | | | defender can't accomplish this, then the fielders |
| is where the ball was thrown from. Directly in | | | | can swoop in and retrieve the marker because |
| front of this marker (again usually about 5 or 6 | | | | they will be no one in the castle to defend it. The |
| feet away) was a large marked off area which | | | | defenders also have to be very careful not to |
| was called the "Castle". This is where the | | | | step out of the marked off area of the castle or |
| in-fielders or defenders stayed. | | | | they will be out. If they do step out, then all the |
| When the fielders are in the field and the | | | | team members that were out can return to the |
| defenders are in the castle one team member will | | | | castle. Now, the fielders have to start over trying |
| get up with a bat, (usually a flat stick). He is | | | | to get all of the defenders out again. Also, when |
| known as the "Striker". The fielder throwing the | | | | one defender is running around the sanctuaries |
| ball is called the "Feeder". When the ball is thrown | | | | the fielders have to be very careful not to block |
| the striker hits it. He then can run to any | | | | him. If they do, he gets an automatic pass and |
| sanctuary as long as it is on the outside of any | | | | scores a point. |
| sanctuary and it must be in a counter clockwise | | | | Teams keep playing until someone calls the game |
| route. The striker then becomes known as a | | | | or darkness falls. The team with the most points |
| runner. He can only grab the sanctuary stake | | | | wins. |
| once and can't let go until the ball is hit again or he | | | | Basically that is the game of "Rounders" The |
| will be out. The runner can stay on the sanctuary | | | | game has evolved in the many centuries that it's |
| as long as he likes. There is no limit to how many | | | | been around. Just the rules and objectives have |
| runners can be on any one sanctuary at a time | | | | changed, but not drastically. You can see a lot of |
| just as long as they can hold the sanctuary stake. | | | | similarities between the games of baseball |
| Runners must successfully go around each | | | | rounders. |
| sanctuary and return to the castle without getting | | | | |