A SUMMARY OF 1876 RULES
- The ball is the same size as a modern base ball. The center is made of rubber.
- Bats are made of wood, and may not exceed 42 inches in length.
- The bases are 90 feet apart. They are 12 inch squares, and the 1st and 3rd bases are placed half in fair and half in foul territory.
- Home base is a flat 12 inch white square, placed completely in foul territory.
- The pitching distance is 45 feet, marked by a 6 foot square, which the pitcher must stay within while delivering the ball.
- Pitching is underhand.
- A balk is called when the pitcher fails to deliver the ball once he starts his motion unless he accidently drops it, or if he steps out of the lines while delivering the ball. All runners advance one base on a baulk
- Any pitch made that is not underhand is called a foul balk, with 3 such calls in 1 inning resulting in a forfeit.
- Three balls constitute a walk. Balls are called on every 3rd unfair ball delivered by the pitcher. Runners advance one base if they are forced to do so.
- Three strikes constitute an out. The striker must request either a high (waist to shoulder) or low (1 foot above the ground to the waist) strike, or a fair strike (both). After the striker has 2 strikes, if he lets a good pitch go by without striking at it, the umpire must call 'good ball', thereby warning him that the next good ball will be called.
- A foul ball is not counted as a strike.
- The striker must stand within the batter's box, and if he strikes the ball while stepping outside the box, the umpire shall declare a foul strike, and call the striker out.
- A fair or foul ball is determined by where the ball first touches the ground.
- The striker is out if a ball is caught on the fly. Runners must tag up on a fly catch, and risk being put out as in a force.
- The striker is out if a foul ball is caught on the first bound. Runners must return to their bases, without risk of being put out.
- A foul ball not caught on the fly is considered a dead ball until it is returned in the hands of the pitcher.
- The striker is permitted to overrun first base, and may return without being put out as long as he makes no attempt to run to second base.
- Each inning after the first, the striker following the player who made the last out will strike first.
- Bunting is permitted.
- Leading off bases is permitted.
- Stealing bases is permitted.
- Sliding is permitted.
- There is no infield fly rule.
- Choice of innings shall be determined by the captains.
- There are no time-outs permitted between pitches.
- The striker is not awarded a base if hit by the pitch, which is a dead ball.
- If a pitched ball, not swung at, hits the bat, or the batter, it is a dead ball.
- A runner hit by a batted ball is not out, unless the umpire deems it intentional.
- Possession of the ball after a catch once it has been securely held, or after a tag, is not necessary.