Westfield Wheelmen House Rules

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 be put out by throwing to pitcher first and then to the base. Pitcher did not need to be in the box Runner could be put out by throwing to pitcher first and then to the base. Pitcher did not need to be in the box Runner could return freely Runner could return freely Runner could return freely Runner could return freely Runner could return freely Runner could return freely Runner could return freely

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

Anyone Wanna Try What Was Considered To Save Base Ball in 1893?

During the winter meetings of 1892-1893 the National League owners were considering major changes to the game to bring back the fans to the game who had left due the game becoming "boring" from the pitcher/catcher evolution domination (read further in the 'Strange Rules' page on this site). One of the ideas was to completely revamp the diamond to four bases and home (see diagram which shows both the regular diamond and the proposed diamond). The idea was that this wider diamond would create more offense, more stealing chances (the distance between bases was just 70' but the distance for the catcher to throw the runners out was also shorter. The distance to 1st and home would remain at 90'). Other changes associated with this change would be to have 10 innings, a fourth outfielder, the shortstop now becomes a baseman.

Any vintage clubs up for this? Contact me 1961genovese@gmail.com