A SUMMARY OF 1886 RULES
- The ball is the same size as a modern base ball. The center is made of rubber.
- Bats must be made of wood. The handle may be wound with twine or a granulated substance may be applied. It must be round, but may be flat on one side, 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 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.
- Seven 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.