Genesee Country Village & Museum

Men’s matches at Genesee Country Village & Museum are played according to the rules and regulations adopted by the National Association of Base-Ball Players in New York on December 14, 1864. Here are a few of the highlights:

Equipment

No gloves or protective gear are authorized. Bats must be round, made of wood of any length, and may not exceed 2½ inches in diameter.

The ball must weigh not less than 5.5, nor more than 5.75 ounces, avoirdupois. It must measure not less than 9.5, nor more than 9.75 inches in circumference. It must be composed of India-rubber and yarn, and covered with leather.

Striking

The umpire calls the striker to the line. The striker must stand on a line drawn through the center of the home base. The striker shall keep one foot on this line. He may step forward or back with his other foot. There is no restriction on stepping into fair territory.

Pitching

The ball must be pitched underhand, and not “jerked” or thrown to the bat. The pitcher must have both feet on the ground when the ball leaves his hand. He must stand and deliver the ball within two lines that are 12 feet long and 3 feet apart. Any violation of these rules is considered a baulk, which the umpire must call immediately and unasked. The pitching motion is described as being like the pendulum of a clock. It is permissible to impart a bias or twist to the ball. The ball may be pitched at any speed.

The pitcher must deliver the ball as near as possible over the center of the home base, and for the striker. If the pitcher fails repeatedly, the umpire may call balls, after a warning. Three balls is a walk, and all base-runners advance, whether forced or not.

Balls and Strikes

Batters may call for location of the pitch, but they are expected to swing at hittable pitches. If a batter fails to swing at hittable pitches, the umpire may call strikes, after a warning. Three strikes constitute an out. A hittable pitch is defined as one foot from the ground, to head high, and within the legitimate reach of the bat.

Foul Balls

Foul balls are not strikes. A foul tip caught by the catcher in the air or on one bounce, regardless of the count, is an out. If the pitched ball hits the batter, first base is not awarded. The ball is dead and runners may not advance.

Leading Off

Leading off base is permitted. As a matter of convention, leads should be limited to a few steps away from the base. The runner may not overrun first base.

Sliding

Sliding was not prohibited in the 1860s. However, at Silver Base Ball Park, sliding is not allowed out of concern for players’ safety and well-being.

Stealing

As a matter of convention, stealing is allowed only on a passed ball, wild pitch, or a muff by the catcher (defined as any time a pitched ball bounces more than once), or on a “pickoff” attempt by the pitcher or catcher.

Infielders and outfielders are allowed to position themselves as the game conditions may warrant, or where directed to play by their captain.

Umpire

There is only one umpire/referee. His decision is final, and there is no arguing a call. The umpire may occasionally take into account a spectator’s view of a play before making a call.

Fair-Foul Rule

Fair and foul are determined by the baselines. The baseline is fair. Home base is therefore ¼ fair, and ¾ foul. 1st and 3rd bases are ½ fair and ½ foul.

Boundrule

While any struck ball may be caught in the air or on a first bound for an out, it is considered more “manly” for a player to catch the ball on the fly.

Foulballs / Running

There is no infield fly rule. Base runners must ‘tag-up’ when a fair ball is caught on the fly. Base-runners may NOT advance on any foul ball, and must return to their bases. They are subject to being put out in returning to their base, if the foul ball has first gone to the pitcher.