A SUMMARY OF 1884 RULES
- The ball is the same size as a modern base ball. The center is made of
rubber.
- Bats must be made of wood. It must be round, and may not exceed 42
inches in length.
- The bases are 90 feet apart.
- Home base is a white rubber or white stone 12 inch square, placed
completely in fair territory.
- First, second, and third bases are 15 inch square canvas bags,
centered on the
corners of the diamond, so that first and third base are half in fair
territory and
half in foul territory.
- The pitcher's box is 6 feet long by 4 feet wide, the front line being
50 feet from
the home base.
- Base coaches are to be15 feet back from the foul lines.
- The batter's box is 6 feet long by 3 feet wide, 1 foot from the
home base, and
centered on the home base.
- There is one umpire who is positioned behind and to the side of the
catcher.
- The batsman must call for a 'high ball' (belt to shoulder) or a
'low ball' ( belt to
knee) or both.
- A balk is called if the pitcher starts his motion but does not deliver
the ball, or if
he steps outside of his position during the delivery. One base
is awarded to
all runners.
- If the pitched ball hits the batter or the bat without the batter
striking at it, it is a
dead ball. A called ball is given to the batter.
- A fair ball must pass first or third base in fair territory.
- The batter is out if he commits a foul strike, that is, if he steps
out of the
batter's box when hitting the ball.
- Six balls constitute a walk. Runners only advance one base if
they are forced to do so.
- Three strikes constitute a strikeout. If the third strike is not
caught by the
catcher, the batter must make a run to first base.
- A runner hit by a batted fair ball is out.
- Choice of innings is determined by a bat toss or coin toss.
- A foul ball is not counted as a strike.
- There were no time outs permitted between pitches, unless special
circumstances dictated, as an injury or a broken bat needing to be
replaced.
- The batter is not awarded a base if hit by a pitched ball.
- Leading off bases is permitted.
- Stealing bases is permitted.
- Sliding is permitted.
- Runners may overrun first base.
- Tagging up is permitted on caught fair and foul balls. Runners may
be put out
in returning to their bases as in a force.
- There is no infield fly rule.
- There are no restrictions on pitching other
than the two balk infractions.
- Foul balls and outs should be called immediately by the umpire.
- Possession of the ball is necessary after a tag out.