STOOLBALL ENGLAND

About

Originally managed by the National Stoolball Association, the sport of Stoolball has been overseen by Stoolball England since 2010. A game that is sometimes referred to as ‘cricket in the air’ or to a lesser extent as ‘bittle-battle’, it is today more commonly known as the national sport of Sussex. Most likely exclusively played in England, the popularity of stoolball has faded since the 1960s. It is still played at league level in Sussex, Kent, Surrey and parts of the Midlands. Having originated in Sussex, it dates back at least to the 1400s and may even have been the forerunner to cricket. The game features aspects of cricket, baseball and rounders. Nearly all early references to stoolball describe it as a game played during Easter celebrations. It would have been regarded as an exhibition rather than a competitive game.  

Stoolball is played on a field 15 metres long and with an 82-metre diameter boundary. Each team has 11 players with one team fielding and the other batting. Bowling is done with an underarm action from a bowling crease 9.1 metres from the batsman’s wicket. The ball reaches the batsman in full as in baseball or softball and does not bounce as in cricket. An over consists of 8 balls with the bowler attempting to hit a ‘wicket’ that is a square piece of wood fastened to a post at head or shoulder height. The batsman hits the ball with a flat bat that resembles a frying pan. The batsman scores ‘runs’ by running between the wickets. Four runs are scored when the ball rolls over the boundary or six when the ball lands over the boundary. The fielders attempt to either catch the ball or run the batsman out by hitting the wicket with the ball before the return can be completed to the wicket.  

National Stoolball Association

Close (esc)

Popup

Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page.

Age verification

By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol.

Search

Shopping Cart

Your cart is currently empty.
Shop now