Rules of the game of Base Ball (Adopted 1860)

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by Sir Fines A. Lot Bilderback

The rules and regulations adopted by the National Association of Base Ball Players in March 1860, govern the game of base ball as played by The Roosters, with some adaptations. There are less than 40 written rules for base ball of that era. All else was left to the codes of general behavior of the time.

Prior to a Rooster match, the umpire assembles the opposing nine for a review of these rules. No bunting, no sliding, no leading off, no stealing, no betting, no swearing and a real gentleman never sweats.

The pitcher or "hurler", standing with his legs crossed, holds one hand behind his back and in the other holds the ball in front of himself so all can see. He delivers the ball in an underhand motion as directed by the striker. Strikes are called only on a clean swing and miss. Fouls don't count as strikes. The umpire may warn a striker who is not swinging at good strikes and begin calling strikes. He may not call balls.

The umpire calls a baulk whenever the pitcher or "hurler" fails to complete a delivery after beginning his throwing motion or has either foot in advance of the line when delivering the ball. The umpire calls all foul balls immediately in a forceful manner. Fair balls are not called.

All fielders must hold their initial positions until the ball is struck. Basemen must be within one step of the sack. Outfielders stand in the middle of their fields. The catcher or "behind" is about 25 feet from home base. The short stop plays in a triangle formed by the second and third bases and the pitcher's point, but may make adjustments depending on the striker.

A hit ball is considered fair or foul by where it first hits the ground. A fair ball remains in play anywhere. Trees, fences and privies don't count.

A ball caught in the air or on the first bound, fair or foul, puts the striker dead.

A baserunner is dead if he is forced at any base or tagged in a nonforce situation. He may not over run any base, including first. Running more than three feet from the base path is not allowed.

Base runners may be doubled off base on a foul ball that is first returned to the pitcher. Base runners may be doubled off base on a fair ball the fielder returns to the base; he does not have to return it to the pitcher first.

An ace is scored by the base runner successfully making all four bases and reporting this fact to the scorer or tally keeper. It is a custom among the 1860 vintage base ball clubs to have the player ring the tally bell to announce the score to the throng or "cranks" even though this practice may not be supported in the historical record.

At a Roosters match, spectators will see base ball when it was in its youth. It was truly a gentleman's game played for pleasure, but soldiers returning from the Civil War camps brought the game home to their communities for all to enjoy.

1860 Base Ball Terms

* The term "hurler" is a 20th century term according to the Dickson's Baseball Dictionary. The term "pitcher" appears in the 1860 rules.

** The term "behind" was used in the 1840s and 1850s until it was replaced by the term "catcher" in 1858

*** The term "home run" has been in use since the earliest days of base ball