Westfield Wheelmen House Rules

Westfield Wheelmen House Rules of 1886

Governing Overhand Play

Since the revival of the Westfield Wheelmen in 2006 (originally existed from 1878-1901), we have played more than 40 games and we have yet to play by rules with any form of consistency or interpretation even though we say we play by “1886” rules. A typical opening conversation between two captains and the umpire at home plate before the game goes something like this…

Home Team Captain: “Ok, today’s game will be played by the rules of ‘1886.’”

Visiting Team Captain: “Ok, that’s fine…can you tell me what version of ‘1886’ rules we are using, is it the National League, the American Association or some other unknown “local” rules (each had their own version, each slightly different)?

Home Team Captain: “Uuummm…right…Sir…what do you think?

Umpire: “Sure ‘1886’ is fine…STRIKER TO THE LINE!”

Visiting Team Captain scratches his head and returns to his troops.

Historical Background

The time period from 1884 to 1895 was the most progressive and stormy time in base ball rules history. This was a period when ballists were just figuring out how to effectively throw overhand which in-turn forced a change in many areas of the game (which, ironically, is also the most controversial areas facing today’s vintage ballist). These changes include such things as improving catcher’s gloves for safety and lessening pass-balls, changing bat diameters to accommodate faster pitching and cut-down on foul balls, adjusting ball & strike counts, hit batsmen status, resizing the pitcher’s box, limiting the pitcher’s movements prior to pitching…etc. All these ideas were put into place in the mid to late 1880s and and early 1890s and were effective in trying to keep balance with improved pitching and decreasing offense.

Equipment

Bats –

“Vintage” bats are preferred
Modern with a diameter 2 1/2 acceptable

Gloves

Catcher –

The pancake glove (1888) is acceptable if agreed upon by both clubs. At that point, each club has the choice to use or not. Anyone dare to try 1888 rules? (see highlighted rules below)
1930's replica fielder's mitt acceptable.

Fielders –

Standard “vintage” full finger and half finger or no gloves.
Vintage Base Ball Factory’s Foxy Irwin II is acceptable

Rules We Are Never Quite Sure What To Do About -

Bases can be loose. Sliding into loose bases – runner remains safe if slide forces base to move away from runner.
1^st and 3^rd bases placed entirely in fair territory.
Pitchers box is 4’ wide by 5’7” long (1886).
The front of the pitchers box is 50’ to the center of home plate.
Coin toss choice for batting first or second goes to home team captain.
Umpire may ask for a gentleman’s call only if he did not see the play clearly enough. A player may not ask for this appeal.

Basic National League Rules & Practices 1885-1893 / Overhand to 60' 6" Era

1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893

Balls 6 7 5 5 4 4 4 4 4

Strikes 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3

HBP Ball Ball Take Base Take Base Take Base Take Base Take Base Take Base Take Base

Foul Ball No Count No Count No Count No Count No Count No Count No Count No Count No Count

Foul Tip Catch Out Out Out Out Strike Strike Strike Strike Strike

Pitch Zone Request Yes Yes No / Knees to Shoulders No / Knees to Shoulders No / Knees to Shoulders No / Knees to Shoulders No / Knees to Shoulders No / Knees to Shoulders No / Knees to Shoulders

Quick Pitch Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Drop 3rd K - 1st Base Occ. / Less than 2 out Batter Live Batter Live Batter out (after 4 strikes) Batter Out Batter Out Batter Out Batter Out Batter Out Batter Out

Infield Fly Rule No No No No No No No No No

Pitchers Box (boxes to have four courner markers) 50' / 4'x6' measured from center of home 50' / 4'x7' measured from center of home 50' / 4'x5' 6" measured from center of home 50' / 4'x5' 6" measured from center of home 50' / 4'x5' 6" measured from center of home 50' / 4'x5' 6" measured from center of home 50' / 4'x5' 6" measured from center of home 50' / 4'x5' 6" measured from center of home 60' 6" / 12" rubber slab / measured to the back of home

Pitching Restrictions Pitcher to keep both feet on ground during delivery Pitcher no longer had to keep both feet on ground during delivery Pitcher to keep rear foot on back line of box Pitcher to keep rear foot on back line of box Pitcher to keep rear foot on back line of box Pitcher to keep rear foot on back line of box Pitcher to keep rear foot on back line of box Pitcher to keep rear foot on back line of box Pitcher pitched from rubber

Home Plate 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher 12" square rubber / In fair territory / pointing toward pitcher & catcher

Returning to base on foul ball on ground Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out Runner could return freely as long as he ran or risk being called out

Who bats first Coin toss / Home team calls the toss Coin toss / Home team calls the toss Home team captain's choice Home team captain's choice Home team captain's choice Home team captain's choice Home team captain's choice Home team captain's choice Home team captain's choice

Other Notes Bases straddle foul lines Bases are now within fair territory Umpire moves behind pitcher with runners on base and returns to side of catcher when bases clear

Catchers "mitt" era begins