General Definitions.

RULE 58. "Play" is the order of the Umpire to begin the game or to resume play after its suspension.

RULE 59. "Time" is the order of the Umpire to suspend play. Such suspension must not extend beyond the day of the game.

RULE 60. "Game" is the announcement by the Umpire that the game is terminated.

RULE 61. "An Inning" is term at the bat of the nine players representing a club in a game, and is completed when three of such players have been put out, as provided in these rules.

RULE 62. "A Time at Bat" is the term at bat of a Batsman. It begins when he takes his position, and continues until he is put out or becomes a Base Runner; except when, because of being hit by a pitched ball, or in case of an illegal delivery by the Pitcher, as in Rule 30.

Scoring.

RULE 63. In order to promote uniformity in scoring championship games, the following instructions, suggestions and definitions are made for the benefit of scores, and they are required to make all scores in accordance therewith.

Batting.

Sec. 1. The first item in the tabulated score, after they player's name and position, shall be the number of times he has been at bat during the game. The time or times where the player has been sent to base by being hit by a pitched ball, by the pitcher's illegal delivery or by a base on balls shall not be included in this column.

Sec. 2. In the second column should be set down the runs made by each player.

Sec. 3. In the third column should be placed the first base hits made by each player. A base hit should be scored in the following cases: When the ball from the bat strikes the ground within the foul lines and out of reach of the fielders. When a hit ball is partially or wholly stopped by a fielder in motion, but such player cannot recover himself in time to handle the ball before the Striker reaches First Base. When a hit ball is hit so sharply to an infielder that he cannot handle it in time to put out the batsman. In case of doubt over this class of hits score a base hit, and exempt the fielder from the charge of an error. When a ball is hit so slowly towards a fielder that he cannot handle it in time to put out the batsman. In all cases where a base runner is retired by being hit by a batted ball, the batsman should be credited with a base hit. When a batted ball hits the person or clothing of the Umpire, as defined in rule 35.

Sec. 4. In the fourth column shall be placed Sacrifice Hits, which shall be credited to the batsman, who when but one man is out, advances a runner a base on a fly to the outfield or a ground hit, which results in putting out the batsman, or would so result if handled without error.

Fielding.

Sec. 5. The number of opponents put out by each player shall be set down in the fifth column. Where a striker is given out by the Umpire for a foul strike, or because he struck out of his turn, the put-out shall be scored to the Catcher.

Sec. 6. The number of times the player assists shall be set down in the sixth column. An assist should be given to each player who handles the ball in assisting a run out or other play of the kind. An assist should be given to a player who makes a play in time to put a runner out, even if the player who should complete the play fails, through no fault of the player assisting. And generally an assist should be given to each player who handles the ball from the time it leaves the bat until it reaches the player who makes the put out, or in case of a thrown ball, to each player who throws or handles it cleanly and in such a way that a put out results, or would result if no error were made by the receiver.

Errors.

Sec. 7. An error shall be given in the seventh column for each misplay which allows the striker or base runner to make one or more bases when perfect play would have insured his being put out, except that "wild pitches," "bases on balls," "bases on the batsman being struck by a pitched ball," or "case of illegal pitched ball, balks and passed balls," shall not be included in said column. In scoring errors of batted balls se Section 3 of this RULE.

Stolen Bases.

Sec. 8. Stolen bases shall be scored as follows: Any attempt to steal a base must go to the credit of the base runner, whether the ball is thrown wild or muffed by the fielder, buy any manifest error is to be charged to the fielder making the same. If the base runner advances another base he shall not be credited with a stolen base, and the fielder allowing the advancement is also to be charged with an error. If a base runner makes a start and a battery error is made, the runner should receive the credit of a stolen base and the battery error is scored against the player making it. Should a base runner overrun a base and then be put out; he should receive the credit of a Stolen Base.

Earned Runs.

Sec. 9. An earned run shall be scored every time the layer reaches the home base unaided by errors before chances have been offered to retire the side.

The Summary.

RULE 64. The Summary shall contain:

Sec. 1. The number of earned runs made by each side.

Sec. 2. The number of two-base hits made by each player.

Sec. 3. The number of three-base hits made by each player.

Sec. 4. The number of home runs made by each player.

Sec. 5. The number of bases stolen by each player.

Sec. 6. The number of double and triple plays made by each side, with the names of the players assisting in the same.

Sec. 7. The number of men given bases on called balls, by pitched balls.

Sec. 8. The number of men given bases from being hit by pitched balls.

Sec. 9. The number of men struck out.

Sec. 10. The number of passed balls by each Catcher.

Sec. 11. The number of wild pitches by each Pitcher.

Sec. 12. The time of game.

Sec. 13. The name of the Umpire.

Amendments.

RULE 65. These playing rules may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors of this League, held between the close of the Championship season in any year and the commencement of such season in the next year. No alteration of them during such championship season shall be permitted unless such change shall be adopted by the vote of three-fourths of a quorum of said Board, and shall thereupon and within thirty days be ratified by all the members of this league. This ratification shall be evidenced by a certified copy of a resolution, ratifying such change, passed by the Board of Directors of each corporation and member hereof transmitted to the Secretary of this League by the secretary of each corporation. Upon the receipt of a copy of such resolution, duly certified as aforesaid from all of the members within the period above prescribed, the Secretary of this League shall forthwith notify every member of this League and every Umpire in its employment of such change.

The Rules of the Game: A Compilation of the Rules of Baseball 1845–1900