Regulations of 1860s Base Ball

BASE BALL IS A GENTLEMAN’S GAME:

• Matches are conducted according to the highest standards of sportsmanship, gentlemanly behavior, courtesy and respect for others.
• There is no: swearing, spitting, scratching, consumption of alcohol, chewing or tobacco or wagering.
• Gentleman shall forbear from commenting on the umpire’s judgement, receiving it in entire silence.

THE UMPIRE’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Calls foul balls immediately, does not call fair balls.
• May ask players and spectators for assistance in making decisions.
• May call strikes after warning a batter who repeatedly lets good pitches pass, does not call balls.
• Levies fines—on the spot—for ungentlemanly conduct.

A STRIKER IS OUT WHEN:

• A batted ball is caught on one bound off the ground—or on the fly—fair or foul.
• After three called and/or swinging strikes. Foul balls are not strikes.

A BASERUNNER IS OUT WHEN:

• Forced at a base, the force remaining on no matter where the first out is made.
• He or she overruns first, second or third base and is touched by the ball in the hands of an adversary.
• A foul ball is returned to the base after settling in the hands of the pitcher, before the baserunner returns.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• This ball must be pitched (underhanded), not jerked or thrown to the bat.
• Players do not wear gloves or other protective equipment.
• A batted ball is determined fair or foul by where it first hits the ground.
• A baserunner may advance at risk if a batted ball is caught fair on one bound.
• The leadoff batter is the player who follows the player making the last out in the previous inning.
• The striker must stand on a line drawn through the center of the home base.
• There was no penalty for sliding in 1860—however, due to uncertainty regarding the prevalence of sliding as a tactic, The Frogs do not practice it.

BASE BALL TERMINOLOGY: