BASE RUNNING RULES.
WHEN THE BATSMAN BECOMES A BASE RUNNER.
RULE 46. The Batsman becomes a Base Runner:
SECTION 1. Instantly after he makes a Fair Hit.
SECTION. 2. Instantly after four balls have been called by the Umpire.
SECTION. 3. Instantly after three strikes have been decided by the Umpire.
SECTION. 4. If, while he be a Batsman, without making any attempt to strike, his person—excepting hands or forearm, which makes it a dead ball—or clothing be hit by a ball from the Pitcher; unless, in the opinion of the Umpire, he intentionally permits himself to be so hit.
SECTION. 5. Instantly after an illegal delivery of a ball by the Pitcher.
BASES TO BE TOUCHED.
RULE 47. The Base Runner must touch each base in regular order, viz., First, Second, Third and Home Bases, and when obliged to return (except on a foul hit) must retouch the base or bases in reverse order. He shall only be considered as holding a base after touching it, and shall then be entitled to hold such base until he has legally touched the next base in order, or has been legally forced to vacate it for a succeeding Base Runner.
ENTITLED TO BASES.
RULE 48. The Base Runner shall be entitled, without being put out, to take the base in the following cases:
SECTION 1. If, while he was Batsman, the Umpire called four balls.
SECTION. 2. If the Umpire awards a succeeding batsman a base on four balls, or for being hit with a pitched ball, or in case of an illegal delivery—as in Rule 46, Section 5—and the Base Runner is thereby forced to vacate the base held by him.
SECTION. 3. If the Umpire calls a "balk." SECTION. 4. If a ball, delivered by the Pitcher, pass the Catcher and touch the Umpire, or any fence or building within ninety feet of the Home Base.
SECTION. 5. If, upon a fair hit, the ball strikes the person or clothing of the Umpire on fair ground.
SECTION. 6. If he be prevented from making a base by the obstruction of an adversary.
SECTION. 7. If the Fielder stop or catch a batted ball with his hat or any part of his dress.
RETURNING TO BASES.
RULE 49. The Base Runner shall return to his base, and shall be entitled to so return without being put out:
SECTION 1. If the Umpire declares a Foul Tip (as defined in Rule 39), or any other Foul Hit not legally caught by a fielder.
SECTION. 2. If the Umpire declares a Foul Strike.
SECTION. 3. If the Umpire declares a Dead Ball, unless it be also the fourth Unfair Ball and he be thereby forced to take the next base, as provided in Rule 48, Section 2.
SECTION. 4. If the person or clothing of the Umpire interferes with the Catcher, or he is struck by a ball thrown by the Catcher to intercept a Base Runner.
SECTION. 5. The Base Runner shall return to his base, if, while attempting a strike, the ball touches any part of the Batsman's person.
WHEN BASE RUNNERS ARE OUT.
RULE 50. The Base Runner is out:
SECTION 1. If, after three strikes have been declared against him while Batsman, and the Catcher fail to catch the third strike ball, he plainly attempts to hinder the Catcher from fielding the ball.
SECTION. 2. If, having made a Fair Hit while Batsman, such fair hit ball be momentarily held by a Fielder, before touching the ground, or any object other than a Fielder: Provided, it be not, caught in a Fielder's hat or cap.
SECTION. 3. If, when the Umpire has declared three strikes on him, while Batsman, the third strike ball be momentarily held by a Fielder before touching the ground: Provided, it be not caught in a Fielder's hat or cap, or touch some object other than a Fielder, before being caught.
SECTION. 4. If, after Three Strikes or a Fair Hit, he be touched with the ball in the hand of a Fielder before he shall have touched First Base.
SECTION. 5. If, after Three Strikes or a Fair Hit, the ball be securely held by a Fielder, while touching First Base with any part of his person, before such Base Runner touches First Base.
SECTION. 6. If, in running the last half of the distance from Home Base to First Base, while the ball is being fielded to First Base, he runs outside the three-foot lines, as defined in Rule 7, unless to avoid a Fielder attempting to field a Batted Ball.
SECTION. 7. If, in running from First to Second Base, from Second to Third Base, or from Third to Home Base, he runs more than three feet from a direct line between such bases, to avoid being touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder; but in case a Fielder be occupying the Base Runner's proper path, in attempting to field a batted ball, then the Base Runner shall run out of the path, and behind said Fielder, and shall not be declared out for so doing.
SECTION. 8. If he fails to avoid a Fielder attempting to field a batted ball, in the manner described in Sections 6 and 7 of this Rule; or if he in any way obstructs a Fielder attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball: Provided, that if two or more Fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the Base Runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the Umpire shall determine which Fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not decide the Base Runner out for coming in contact with any other fielder.
SECTION. 9. If, at any time while the ball is in play, he be touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder, unless some part of his person is touching a base he is entitled to occupy: Provided, the ball be held by the Fielder after touching him; but (exception as to First Base), in running to First Base he may overrun said base, without being put out for being off said base, after first touching it, provided he returns at once and retouches the base, after which he may be put out as at any other base. If, in overrunning First Base, he also attempts to run to Second Base, or, after passing the base he turns to his left from the foul line, he shall forfeit such exemption from being put out.
SECTION. 10. If, when a Fair or Foul Hit ball (other than a foul tip as referred to in Rule 39) is legally caught by a Fielder, such ball is legally held by a Fielder on the base occupied by the Base Runner when such ball was struck (or the Base Runner be touches with the ball in the hands of a Fielder), before he retouches said base after such Fair or Foul Hit ball was so caught: Provided, that the Base Runner shall not be out in such case, if, after the ball was legally caught as above, it be delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder holds it on said base, or touches the Base Runner with it; but if the Base Runner in attempting to reach a base, detaches it before being touched or forced out, he shall be declared safe.
SECTION. 11. If, when a Batsman becomes a Base Runner, the First Base, or the First and Second Bases, or the First, Second and Third Bases, be occupied, any Base Runner so occupying a base shall cease to be entitled to hold it, until any following Base Runner is put out, and may be put out at the next base or by being touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder in the same manner as in running to First Base, at any time before any following Base Runner is put out.
SECTION. 12. If a Fair Hit ball strike him before touching the Fielder, and in such case no base shall be run unless forced by the Batsman becoming a base runner, and no run shall be scored; or any other Base Runner put out.
SECTION. 13. If, when running to a base or forced to return to a base, he fail to touch the intervening base or bases, if any, in the order prescribed in Rule 47, he may be put out at the base he fails to touch, or being touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder, in the same manner as in running to First Base; Provided, that the Base Runner shall not be out in such case if the ball be delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder holds it on said base or touches the Base Runner with it.
SECTION. 14. If, when the Umpire calls "Play," after any suspension of a game, he fails to return to and touch the base he occupied when "Time" was called before touching the next base: Provided, the Base Runner shall not be out in such case if the ball be delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder holds it on said base or touches the Base Runner with it.
WHEN BATSMAN OR BASE RUNNER IS OUT.
RULE 51. The Umpire shall declare the Batsman or Base Runner out, without waiting for an appeal for such decision, in all cases where such player is put out in accordance with these rules, except as provided in Rule 50, Sections 10 and 14.
COACHING RULES.
RULE 52. The coachers shall be restricted to coaching the Base Runner only, and shall not be allowed to address any remarks except to the Base Runner, and then only in words of necessary direction; and shall not use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect upon a player of the opposing club, the Umpire or the spectators, and not more than two coachers, who may be one player participating in the game and, any other player under contract to it, in the uniform of either club, shall be allowed at any one time. To enforce the above, the Captain of the opposite side may call the attention of the Umpire to the offence, and upon a repetition of the same, the offending player shall be debarred from further participation in the game and shall leave the playing field forthwith.
THE SCORING OF RUNS.
RULE 53. One run shall be scored every time a Base Runner, after having legally touched the first three bases, shall touch the Home Base before three men are put out by (exception). If the third man is forced out, or is put out before reaching First Base, a run shall not be scored.
THE UMPIRE.
RULE 54. The Umpire shall not be changed during the progress of a game, except for reason of illness or injury.
HIS POWERS AND JURISDICTION.
RULE 55. SECTION 1. The Umpire is master of the Field from the commencement to the termination of the game, and is entitled to the respect of the spectators, and any person offering any insult or indignity to him must be promptly ejected from the grounds.
SECTION. 2. He must be invariably addressed by the players as Mr. Umpire; and he must compel the players to observe the provisions of all the Playing Rules, and he is hereby invested with authority to order any player to do or omit to do any act as he may deem necessary, to give force and effect to any and all such provisions.
SPECIAL DUTIES.
RULE 56. The Umpire's duties shall be as follows:
SECTION 1. The Umpire is the sole and absolute judge of play. In no instance shall any person, except the Captain of the competing teams, be allowed to address him or question his decisions, and they can only question him on an interpretation of the Rules. No Manager or any other officer of either club shall be permitted to go on the field or address the Umpire, under a penalty of a forfeiture of a game.
SECTION. 2. Before the commencement of a Game, the Umpire shall see that the rules governing all the materials of the Game are strictly observed. He shall ask the Captain of the Home Club whether there are any special ground rules to be enforced, and if there are, he shall see that they are duly enforced, provided they do not conflict with any of these rules.
SECTION. 3. The Umpire must keep the contesting nines playing constantly from the commencement of the game to its termination, allowing such delays only as are rendered unavoidable by accident, injury or rain. He must, until the completion of the game, require the players of each side to promptly take their positions in the field as soon as the third man is put out, and must require the first striker of the opposite side to be in his position at the bat as soon as the fielders are in their places.
SECTION. 4. The Umpire shall count and call every "Unfair Ball" delivered by the Pitcher, and every "Dead Ball," if also an unfair ball, as a "Ball," and he shall count and call every "Strike." Neither a "Ball" nor a "Strike" shall be counted or called until the ball has passed the Home Base. He shall also declare every "Dead Ball," "Block," "Foul Hit," "Foul Strike," and "Balk," "Infield" or "Outfield Hit," as prescribed in Rule 45, Section 9.
CALLING "PLAY" AND "TIME."
RULE 57. The Umpire must call "Play" promptly at the hour designated by the Home Club, and on the call of "Play" the game must immediately begin. When he calls "Time" play shall be suspended until he calls "Play" again, and during the interim no player shall be put out, base be run or run be scored. The Umpire shall suspend play only for an accident to himself or a player (but in case of accident to a Fielder "Time" shall not be called until the ball be returned to and held by the Pitcher, standing in his position), or in case rain falls so heavily that the spectators are compelled, by the severity of the storm, to seek shelter, in which case he shall note the time of suspension, and should such rain continue to fall thirty minutes thereafter, he shall terminate the game; or to enforce order in case of annoyance from spectators.
RULE 58. The Umpire is only allowed, by the Rules, to call "Time" in case of an accident to himself or a player, a "Block" as referred to in Rule 35, Section 3, or in case of rain, as defined by the rule.
INFLICTING FINES.
RULE 59. The Umpire is empowered to inflict lines of not less than $25.00, nor more than $100.00, for the first offence, on players during the progress of a game, as follows:
SECTION 1. For vulgar, indecent or other improper conduct or language.
SECTION. 2. For the Captain or Coacher willfully failing to remain within the legal bounds of his position, except upon an appeal by the captain from the Umpire's decision upon a misinterpretation of the rules.
SECTION. 3. For the disobedience by a player of any other of his orders, or for any other violation of these rules.
SECTION. 4. Immediately upon notification by the Umpire that a fine has been imposed upon any Manager, Captain or player, the Secretary shall forthwith notify the person so fined, and also the club of which he is a member, and in the event of the failure of the person so fined to pay to the Secretary the amount of said fine within five days of notice, he shall be debarred from participation in any championship game until such fine is paid.
SECTION. 5. The Umpire may remove a player from the playing field for a violation of Section 1 of this rule, in addition to a fine, but under no circumstances shall he remove a player for a violation of Section 2 of this Rule, unless upon a repetition of the offence prescribed therein.
FIELD RULES.
RULE 66. No club shall allow open betting or pool-selling upon its ground, nor in any building owned or occupied by it.
RULE 61. No person shall be allowed upon any part of the field during the progress of the game in addition to the players in uniform, the Manager on each side and the Umpire; except such officers of the law as may be present in uniform, and such officials of the Home Club as may be necessary to preserve the peace.
RULE 62. No Umpire, Manager, Captain or player shall address the spectators during the progress of a game, except in case of necessary explanation.
RULE 63. Every Club shall furnish sufficient police force upon its own grounds to preserve order, and in the event of a crowd entering the field during the progress of a game, and interfering with the play in any manner, the Visiting Club may refuse to play further until the field be cleared. If the ground be not cleared within fifteen minutes thereafter, the Visiting Club may claim, and shall be entitled to, the game by a score of nine runs to none (no matter what number of innings have been played).
GENERAL DEFINITIONS.
RULE 64. "Play" is the order of the Umpire to begin the game, or to resume play after its suspension.
RULE 65. "Time" is the order of the Umpire to suspend play. Such suspension must not extend beyond the day of the game.
RULE 66. "Game" is the announcement by the Umpire that the game is terminated.
RULE 67. An "Inning" is the term at bat of the nine players representing a Club in a game, and is completed when three of such players have been put out, as provided in these rules.
RULE 68. A "Time at Bat" is the term at bat of a Batsman. It begins when he takes his position, and continues until he is put out or becomes a base runner; except when, because of being hit by a pitched ball, or in case of an illegal delivery by the Pitcher, or in case of a sacrifice hit purposely made to the infield which, not being a base hit, advances a base runner without resulting in a put out, except to the Batsman, as in Rule 45.
RULE 69. "Legal" or "Legally" signifies as required by these Rules.
SCORING.
RULE 70. In order to promote uniformity in scoring championship games the following instructions, suggestions and definitions are made for the benefit of scorers, and they are required to make all scores in accordance therewith.
BATTING.
SECTION 1. The first item in the tabulated score, after the player's name and position, shall be the number of times he has been at bat during game. The time or times when the player has been sent to base by being hit by a pitched ball, by the Pitcher's illegal delivery, or by a base on balls, shall not be included in this column.
SECTION. 2. In the second column should be set down the runs made by each player.
SECTION. 3. In the third column should be placed the first base hits made by each player. A base hit should be scored in the following cases:
When the ball from the bat strikes the ground within the foul lines, and out of reach of the Fielders.
When a hit ball is partially or wholly stopped by a Fielder in motion, but such player cannot recover himself in time to handle the ball before the striker reaches First Base.
When a hit ball is hit so sharply to an infielder that he cannot handle it in time to put out the Batsman. In case of doubt over this class of hits, score a base hit, and exempt the Fielder from the charge of an error.
When a ball is hit so slowly toward a Fielder that he cannot handle it in time to put out the Batsman.
That in all cases where a Base Runner is retired by being hit by a batted ball, the Batsman should be credited with a base hit.
When a batted ball hits the person or clothing of the Umpire, as defined in Rule 48, Section 5.
SECTION. 4. In the fourth column shall be placed Sacrifice Hits, which shall be credited to the Batsman, who, when no one is out, or when but one man is out, advances a Runner a base by a bunt sacrifice hit, which results in putting out the Batsman, or would so result if the ball were handled without error.
FIELDING.
SECTION. 5. The number of opponents put out by each player shall be set down in the fifth column. Where a Batsman is given out by the Umpire for a foul strike, or where the Batsman fails to bat in proper order, the put out shall be scored to the Catcher.
SECTION. 6. The number of times the player assists shall be set down in the sixth column. An assist should be given to each player who handles the ball in assisting a run out or other play of the kind.
An assist should be given to a player who makes a play in time to put a Runner out, even if the player who could complete the play fails, through no fault of the player assisting.
And generally an assist should be given to each player who handles or assists in any manner in handling the ball from the time it leaves the bat until it reaches the player who makes the put out, or in case of a thrown ball, to each player who throws or handles it cleanly, and in such a way that a put out results, or would result if no error were made by the receiver.
ERRORS.
SECTION. 7. An error shall be given in the seventh column for each misplay which allows the striker or base runner to make one or more bases when perfect play would have insured his being put out, except that "wild pitches," "base on balls," bases on the Batsman being struck by a "pitched ball," or in case of illegal pitched balls, balks and passed balls, shall not be included in said column. In scoring errors of batted balls see Section 3 of this Rule.
SECTION. 8. Stolen Bases shall be scored as follows:
Any attempt to steal a base must go to the credit of the Base Runner, whether the ball is thrown wild or muffed by the fielder, but any manifest error is to be charged to the fielder making the same. If the Base Runner advances another base he shall not be credited with a stolen base, and the fielder allowing the advancement is also to be charged with an error. If the Base Runner makes a start and a battery error is made, the runner secures the credit of a stolen base, and the battery error is scored against the player making it. Should a Base Runner overrun a base and then be put out, he shall receive the credit for the stolen base. If a Base Runner advances a base on a fly out, or gains two bases on a single base hit, or an infield out, or attempted out, he shall be credited with a stolen base, provided there is a possible chance and a palpable attempt made to retire him.