Rules of Danish Longball

The main rules of classic Danish longball are:

• The bowler pitches the ball to the batter, who must use their hand or bat to hit the ball.
• The ball must be hit within the field of play, which is called ‘the square’.
• The ball must hit the ground at least once before it bounces or rolls off the field.
• The batter must then run to the other side of the square to a ‘safe zone’.
• The runner may rest in safety, but to earn a ‘run’ they must make it safely back to the originalside of the square without getting out.
• Each side bats its entire line-up of players.
• Five rounds of play are recommended for a full match of Danish longball.

When this version is played in Britain it’s usually an alternative to cricket, so timed ‘innings’may be used along with a set of stumps.

A player is out if:

• the hit is caught by one of the fielding team;
• the ball does not touch the ground of the marked area;
• the fielders hit a runner outside the safe-zones with the ball;
• or they run outside the side lines of the square.