Constitution and Playing Rules of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs
Official — 1876. Philadelphia: Published by Reach & Johnston, №6 South Eighth Street
HERE IS MY painstakingly transcribed copy of the contents of this exceedingly scarce booklet, the only authorized publication of the Constitution and Playing Rules as adopted in convention at the meeting on February 2, 1876 that inaugurated the National League. The manuscript record of that meeting was given to Nicholas E. Young, newly named as the League’s Secretary-Treasurer, and presumably cleaned up a bit by him before releasing it to the printers.
Part 1 of this series commenced Monday: https://goo.gl/jel10E
Part 2 followed on Tuesday: https://goo.gl/mGIPNp.
A CONFERENCE of the REPRESENTATIVES of the following named PROFESSIONAL BASE BALL CLUBS, namely: [use of full caps below generally replaced by upper & lower case — jt]
Athletic of Philadelphia, represented by G. W. Thompson;
Boston of Boston, “ “ N. T. Apollonio;
Hartford of Hartford, “ “ M. G. Bulkeley;
Mutuals of Brooklyn, “ “ W. H. Cammeyer;
Chicago of Chicago,
Cincinnati of Cincinnati,
Louisville of Louisville,
St. Louis of St. Louis,
[above four] represented by W. A. Hulbert and Chas. A. Fowle,
was held at the “Grand Central Hotel,” in the city of New York, on Wednesday, February 2, 1876, at 12.30 p.m. All the delegates present having stated that their respective clubs were bound by their action, the Convention proceeded to organize by the selection of Mr. M. G. Bulkeley as Chairman, and Mr. Harry Wright as Secretary.
On motion of Mr. Apollonio, the clubs represented resolved themselves into the organization named in the Constitution.
Mr. Fowle presented a Constitution which, as amended, was adopted, as follows:
ARTICLE I.
NAME.
Name.
This Association shall be called “The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs.”
ARTICLE II.
OBJECTS
Objects.
The objects of this League are:
1st. To encourage, foster, and elevate the game of base ball.
2d. To enact and enforce proper rules for the exhibition and conduct of the game.
3d. To make base ball playing respectable and honorable.
4th. To protect and promote the mutual interests of professional base ball clubs and professional base bull players; and
5th. To establish and regulate the base ball championship of the United States.
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERSHIP.
Membership.
This League shall consist of the following named Professional Base Ball Clubs, namely:
Athletic B. B. Club of Philadelphia, Pa.
Boston B. B. Club of Boston, Mass.
Chicago B. B. Club of Chicago, Ill.
Cincinnati B. B. Club of Cincinnati, O.
Hartford B. B. Club of Hartford, Conn.
Mutual B. B. Club of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Louisville B. B. Club of Louisville, Ky.
St. Louis B. B. Club of St. Louis, Mo.
And such other professional base ball clubs as may from time to time be elected to membership under the following rules, namely:
1. No club shall be admitted from either of the cities above named other than the clubs mentioned, except in the event that either of such clubs shall lose its membership, and in no event shall there be more than one club from any city.
2. No club shall be admitted from any city whose population is less than seventy-five thousand (75,000), except by unanimous vote of the League.
3. No club shall be admitted unless it shall first have delivered to the Secretary of the League, at least thirty days before the annual meeting, a written application for membership, signed by its President and Secretary, accompanied by documents showing that such club bears the name of the city in which it is located, and that it is regularly organized and officered and (where the State law permits it) chartered, and accompanied also by a pledge that it will keep all its engagements with the clubs members of the League, and that it has not in its employ any player who has been dismissed or expelled by the League or any club member thereof.
4. The voting upon an application for membership shall be by white and black balls. Two black balls shall be sufficient to exclude the applicant, and no club shall be required, under any circumstances, to state how it voted upon such application.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS.
Officers; Board; How Chosen.
Section 1. The affairs of this League shall be conducted and controlled by five Directors, who shall constitute “The Board,” who shall hold their office for one year, and shall be chosen at the annual meeting in the following manner: The name of each club shall be plainly written upon a card — in full view of the delegates present — by the Secretary; the cards to be of the same size, shape, color, and material. The cards shall then be placed in some suitable receptacle and well shaken together; thereupon five of these cards shall be drawn successively and at random, and the delegates from the five clubs whose names are so drawn shall compose the Board.
President.
Sec. 2. The Board shall elect from their number a President, who shall be the President of the League. He shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of the League, and discharge the usual duties of such an officer. In the event of his absence the Board shall elect a President pro tem.
Secretary and Treasurer; Treasurer’s Duties; Secretary’s Duties; Salary; Guarantee.
Sec. 3. The Board shall also elect a gentleman of intelligence, honesty, and good repute, who is versed in base ball matters, but who is not, in any manner, connected with the press, and who is not a member of any professional base ball club either in or out of the League, to be the Secretary of the Board and of the League. The Secretary shall be the Treasurer of the League, and as such shall be the custodian of all the funds of the League, receive all dues, fees, and assessments, pay out such sums as he may be directed to do by the Board or by vote of the League, and render annually a report of his accounts.
He shall have the custody and care of the secretary’s official records and papers of the League; shall keep a true record of all meetings of the League and the Board; shall issue all official notices and attend to the necessary correspondence; he shall prepare and furnish such reports as may be called for by the Board, and shall be entitled to such books, stationery, blanks, and materials as the actual duties of his office may require.
He shall receive such salary as the League, salary, by vote, shall determine, which salary shall not be less than three hundred dollars ($300), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) per annum, and shall be reimbursed for all travelling expenses actually incurred by him in the service of the League; and the Board may exact from him such guarantees for the faithful performance of his duties as they may deem for the interest and safety of the League.
At the expiration of his term of office he shall account for and deliver up to the Board all the property and papers which may have come into his hands by virtue of his office.
Vacancy in the Board; Director’s Qualifications.
Sec. 4. In case of a vacancy in the Board by vacancy in reason of the death, resignation, or disqualification of any director, the club of which he was a member at the time he was chosen shall designate his successor, and at once notify the Secretary. But if such vacancy is caused by the withdrawal, disbanding, or disqualification of a club represented on the Board, the Board may fill the vacancy by election in the same manner as provided for the election of Directors in Article IV., Section 1, of this Constitution.
No person shall be qualified to act as a director who is not an actual member of the club he represents; nor shall any club, under any circumstances, be represented by more than one person on the Board.
Board’s Duties; Annual Meeting of Board and Report; Penalty.
Sec. 5. The Board shall have the general supervision and management of all the affairs and business of the League, and shall be individually answerable to the League for the faithful discharge of their trust.
The Board shall meet annually on the evening of the first Monday in December, at the place where the annual meeting of the League is to be held, but may hold special meetings whenever urgent necessity may require. They shall prepare a detailed report of all their doings, and present the same in writing to the League at its annual meeting, which report shall, if accepted, be filed with the Secretary, together with all official papers, documents, and property which may have come into their possession by virtue of their office.
Any director who shall disclose or publish any of the proceedings of the Board, except officially through the report of the Board, or when called upon by vote of the League, shall forfeit his office.
ARTICLE V.
CLUBS.
Clubs; Employment of Expelled Players Forbidden.
Section 1. Each club belonging to this League shall have the right to regulate its own affairs, to make its own contracts, to establish its own rules, and to discipline and punish its own players: Provided, That nothing shall be done in violation of, or contrary to, this Constitution or the Playing Rules.
No club shall employ as manager, scorer, or player any person who has wilfully violated any provision of this Constitution or of the Playing Rules, or who has been discharged, dismissed, or expelled from any club belonging to this League, or who shall be disqualified from playing with a club under any provision of this Constitution; and any club who shall employ or play in its nine a player disqualified by any provision of this Constitution, shall be at once considered as having forfeited its membership in the League, and all other League clubs must and shall, under penalty of the forfeiture of their membership in the League, abstain from playing any such club for the remainder of the season.
Territory.
Sec. 2. Every club member of this League shall have exclusive control of the city in which it is located, and of the territory surrounding such city to the extent of five miles in every direction, and no visiting League club shall, under any circumstances — not even with the consent of the local League club — be allowed to play any club in such territory other than the League club therein located.
Membership.
Sec. 3. The players and managers employed by the clubs belonging to this League shall be considered and treated as members hereof to the extent of being always amenable to the provisions of this Constitution, and entitled to all its privileges in matters of dispute, grievance, or discipline.
ARTICLE VI.
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS.
Dues.
Section 1. Every club shall pay to the Secretary of the League, on or before the first day of January of each year, the sum of One Hundred Dollars as annual dues, and any club failing to pay said sum by such time shall be considered as having withdrawn from the League.
Assessments.
Sec. 2. In case of necessity thereof the Board may levy a pro rata assessment upon the clubs, to be paid as the Board may direct.
ARTICLE VII.
FORFEITING MEMBERSHIP.
Forfeiting Membership.
The membership of any club belonging to this League shall be forfeited, if the League, by a two-thirds vote, shall so determine, under the following circumstances, namely:
1st. By disbanding, or by failing or refusing to keep its engagements in regard to games with other clubs.
2d. By failing or refusing to comply with any lawful requirement or order of the Board.
3d. By failing to keep its contracts with its players, either as to engagement or salary, where the player is not in fault.
4th. By wilfully violating any provision of this Constitution, or the Playing Rules adopted hereunder. And no club which has forfeited its membership shall be readmitted except by unanimous vote of the League.
ARTICLE VIII.
DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS.
Disputes and Complaints; Forfeiture of Membership of Clubs.
Section 1. Charges against clubs for conduct which, if proven, would render them liable to a forfeiture of membership under Article VII. of this Constitution, shall be preferred to the Board, who shall hear the evidence in the matter at their annual meeting, and certify their finding to the League at its first succeeding annual meeting, and the League shall, by vote, determine the question of forfeiture of membership: Provided, however, That nothing in this Section shall be construed as affecting the provisions of Article V., Section 1, of this Constitution during the playing season.
Disputes between clubs involving construction of this Constitution.
Sec. 2. The Board shall be the sole tribunal to determine disputes between two or more clubs which involve the interpretation or construction of this Constitution, or any of its Articles. When such a dispute arises, and either club shall signify to the other its desire for the Board to decide the matter, each club shall furnish to the Secretary as soon as possible a written statement of its side of the dispute, with the names of its witnesses, or an agreed statement of facts, if possible, which the Secretary shall docket in the order of its reception, and at the next annual meeting the clubs shall present themselves before the Board with their testimony, and the Board shall proceed to try the case impartially and render a true verdict. The Board shall have a right to put the witnesses under oath, and must do so if demanded thereto by either party. No director shall sit on the trial of a cause in which his club is interested, but must retire and permit the others alone to determine the matter. The finding of the Board, in such a case, shall be final, and under no circumstances shall be reconsidered, reopened, or inquired into, either by the League or any subsequent Board.
Player’s appeal from his club.
Sec. 3. The Board shall also be the sole tribunal for the hearing of an appeal made by any player who shall have been dismissed, expelled, or otherwise disciplined by his club. The matter shall be proceeded with in the following manner: The player shall file with the Secretary an affidavit signed by himself, in which he shall deny, under oath, that he is guilty of the offence for which he has been disciplined, accompanied by a request that an appeal be allowed him. The Secretary shall notify the club of the affidavit and request for appeal, and at the next annual meeting the club and the player shall appear before the Board with their testimony. The Board shall impartially hear the matter and render their decision, which shall be final and forever binding on both club and player. In the event the club appealed from is represented in the Board, that representative shall not be allowed to sit in the matter.
Disputes concerning Playing Rules; Arbitrators; Expenses.
Sec. 4. All differences and disputes arising between clubs, in which the interpretation, construction, or violation of the Playing Rules is involved, shall be adjusted in the following manner: The complaining club shall file a written statement of its grievance, accompanied with the affidavits of its witnesses, with the Secretary, who (unless the other club has also filed its statement and affidavits, or an agreed case has been prepared) shall immediately notify the defendant club of the fact that a complaint — briefly stating the nature, thereof — has been filed with him, and call for a counter statement with affidavits, which must be furnished to him within fifteen (15) days of the date of the notice. On receiving the counter statement, or agreed case, or in the event the defendant club does not comply with the call within fifteen (15) days, the Secretary shall notify the President of the matter, who shall appoint three disinterested persons, members of League clubs, as arbitrators, to the first of whom the Secretary shall transmit at once all the papers in the case, securely sealed, notifying him of the remaining arbitrators. Within three days such person shall attach his verdict in writing to the papers and transmit them to the second person, who shall within three days attach his written verdict and transmit them to the third, who, following the rule, shall finally return them to the Secretary, and he shall at once notify each club of the finding. A majority of the arbitrators shall determine the cause, and from their finding there shall be no appeal.
The expenses of all trials and arbitrations shall be equally borne by the parties litigant.
ARTICLE IX.
ANNUAL MEETING.
Annual Meeting.
Section 1. The annual meeting of the League shall be held on the first Thursday after the first Monday of December of each year, at twelve o’clock, noon, and at such place as shall be determined by vote at the previous annual meeting. The annual meeting shall not be held in (nor within fifty miles of) any city where a club member of the League is located; but shall be held in some easily accessible place, and, as near as may be, equidistant from the several club members.
Quorum.
Sec. 2. At such meeting each club shall be entitled to two representatives, who shall present a certificate from the President or Secretary of their club, showing their authority to act; but no club shall have more than one vote.
A representation of a majority of clubs shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a less number may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is obtained.
ARTICLE X.
PLAYING RULES.
Playing Rules.
The league at its first meeting shall adopt a code of Playing Rules, which may be altered, amended, or abolished at any subsequent annual meeting.
ARTICLE XI.
CONTRACTS.
Contracts; Contracts may be made at any time; No formality necessary; Requisites of contracts.
Section 1. Contracts hereafter made between the club members of this League, and their players shall be made under and in view of the following provisions:
No club shall be prevented from contracting with a player for the reason that he is already under contract with another club: Provided, The service to be rendered under the second contract is not to begin until the expiration of the first contract.
No formal words of contract shall be required. It shall be sufficient if the contract be made in writing, be dated, specify the time, indicate the service, and be signed by the player and some officer of recognized agent of the club and one witness.
Notice to Secretary.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of a club, as soon as it shall have entered into a contract with a player, to file a notification of the same, signed by the club and the player, with the Secretary of the League, who shall endorse thereon the date of its reception, and forthwith notify every other League club of such contract.
Release of players; Expulsion of players; Expulsion final.
Sec. 3. Whenever a club releases a player from his contract, that club shall at once notify the Secretary of the League in writing. In case the release shall have been granted for a cause that does not in any manner reflect upon the character of the player, there must be written upon the notice a statement to that effect, otherwise it shall be inferred from such notice that such player has been in fact dismissed, discharged, or expelled, and he shall not be eligible to make any contract for the remainder of the season with any League club.
A player who has been released from his contract without imputation may engage with any other club twenty days thereafter; but such other club, before engaging him, shall satisfy itself by application to the Secretary, that such release has been given without imputation on the player’s character.
No player who has been dismissed or expelled from a League club shall, at any time thereafter, be allowed to play with any League club (either the one expelling him or any other), unless, upon his appeal to the Board, such dismissal or expulsion shall have been set aside.
Sec. 4. A player whose contract has expired or become void by reason of his club’s disbanding or withdrawing from the League, may engage for the remainder of the season with any other League club, provided such engagement shall not commence within twenty days of such disbanding or withdrawal.
ARTICLE XII.
CHAMPIONSHIP.
Championship
Section 1. The Championship of the United States, established by this League, shall be contended for under the following rules, namely: No club shall be allowed to enter the lists for the championship until it has paid its annual dues. The championship season shall extend from the l5th day of March to (and including) the 15th day of November, and no game shall count in the championship series unless played during the championship season.
No game played on Sunday shall count in the championship series.
Each club entering the lists shall play ten games with every other club so entering, and if any club shall, of its own fault, fail to finish its series with every other club, its games shall not be counted at the close of the season, and such club shall not be eligible to enter the championship lists the ensuing season.
Sec. 2. Each club shall be entitled to have five of its games with every other club played on its own grounds; and when a club shall have first played one or more games, pursuant to agreement, upon its adversary’s grounds, it may require its adversary to play an equal number upon its own ground in return within a reasonable time (not to exceed two months), under penalty of forfeiture of the number of games due: Provided, however, That if any game arranged according to the requirements of this rule be prevented by rain, or if a tie or drawn game be played, the visiting club shall net be required to extend its stay, or to again visit such city for the sole purpose of playing off such tie or drawn game, or game prevented by rain.
Sec. 3. Clubs shall be entitled to forfeited games — to count in their series as games won by a score of nine runs to none — from other clubs in the following instances, namely:
Any club which has agreed to play with another club upon a day certain, and fails to meet its engagement, shall forfeit the game to the latter club, unless the failure is caused by an unavoidable accident in travelling, or the game is prevented by rain: Provided, however. That games shall be postponed upon the death of a player belonging to either of the contesting League clubs, at the request of either club.
Any club which shall appear on the field to play a game with another club, and present in its nine a player who is, or has been within twenty days, a member of any other League club, or who has been dismissed or expelled from any League club, without having been reinstated by the Board, shall forfeit the game to the other club: Provided, The other club shall not be in the same fault; and should both clubs be in such fault, and play the game notwithstanding, such game shall not count in the championship series, and games shall further be forfeited as provided in Section 1 of this Article.
Sec. 4. Drawn, tied, and postponed games shall not count in the series in favor of either contestant, but may be played off if sufficient time exist before the close of the season.
The club which shall have won the greatest number of games in the championship series shall be declared the champion club of the United States for the season in which such games were played. In the event two or more clubs shall have won the same number of games, then the club which shall have lost the smallest number shall be declared the champion.
The emblem of the championship shall be a pennant (of the national colors), to cost not less than one hundred dollars ($100). It shall be inscribed with the motto, “Champion Base Ball Club of the United States,” with the name of the club and the year in which the title was won; and the champion club shall be entitled to fly the pennant until the close of the ensuing season.
Sec. 5. The championship shall be decided in the following manner, namely:
Within twenty-four hours after every match game played for the championship, the home club shall prepare a statement, containing the full score of the game, the date, place where played, names of the clubs and of the umpire, and shall forward the same without delay to the Secretary of the League, who shall file the same carefully.
At the close of the season the Secretary shall prepare a tabular statement of the games won and lost by each club, according to the statements so sent him (which statements shall be the sole evidence in the matter), and submit the same, with the statements so sent him, to the Board, who shall make the award.
ARTICLE XIII.
FIELD RULES.
Field Rules.
Every club in this League shall be bound by the following Field Rules, and must have the same conspicuously posted or placarded upon its grounds, namely: No club shall allow open betting or pool selling upon its grounds, nor in any building owned or occupied by it. No person shall be allowed upon any part of the field during the progress of a game, in addition to those playing and the umpire, except the managers, scorers, and necessary servants of the two clubs, and such officers of the law as may be present to preserve the peace.
Players in uniform shall not be permitted to seat themselves among the spectators.
The umpire is the sole judge of play, and is entitled to the respect of the spectators, and any person hissing or hooting at, or offering any insult or indignity to him, must be promptly ejected from the grounds.
Every club shall furnish sufficient police force upon its own grounds to preserve order, and in the event of a crowd entering the field during the progress of a game, and interfering with the play in any manner, the visiting club may refuse to play further until the field be cleared; and if the ground be not cleared within fifteen minutes thereafter, the visiting club may claim, and shall be entitled, to the game by a score of nine runs to none (no matter what number of innings have been played).
ARTICLE XIV.
AMENDMENTS.
Amendments.
This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the League at any annual meeting.
We, the undersigned, Professional Base Ball Clubs of the United States, by our representatives in convention assembled, in the city of New York, this second day of February, A. D. 1876, lamenting the abuses which have insidiously crept into the exposition of our National Game, and regretting the unpleasant differences which have arisen among ourselves growing out of an imperfect and unsystematized Code, with a view of relieving ourselves from the incubus of such abuses, of promoting harmony and good-fellowship among ourselves, of elevating and fostering our national sport, and of protecting the interests of our players, hereby pledge each other that we will withdraw at once from the “National Association of Professional Base Ball Players,” and we hereby announce that we have this day organized ourselves into a “NATIONAL LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL BASE BALL CLUBS.”
ATHLETIC BASE BALL CLUB of Philadelphia, Pa. By George W. Thompson.
BOSTON BASE BALL CLUB of Boston, Mass. By A. T. Apollonio, Pres’t.
HARTFORD BASE BALL CLUB of Hartford, Conn. By M. G. Bulkeley, Pres’t.
MUTUAL BASE BALL CLUB of Brooklyn, N. Y. By Wm. H. Cammeyer.
CHICAGO BASE BALL CLUB of Chicago, Ill.
CINCINNATI BASE BALL CLUB of Cincinnati, O.
LOUISVILLE BASE BALL CLUB of Louisville, Ky.
ST. LOUIS BASE BALL CLUB of St. Louis, Mo.
[Four above clubs] By W. A. Hulbert and Chas. A. Fowle.
Messrs. W. A. Hulbert and Chas. A. Fowle were authorized to sign the foregoing for the Western Clubs, as will be seen by the following document:
LOUISVILLE, Dec. 17, 1875.
On motion, it was resolved, at a meeting of the Delegates of the following clubs, viz., Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Louisville Base Ball Clubs, that W. A. Hulbert and Chas. A. Fowle be appointed delegates to visit the Boston, Hartford, Athletic and Mutual Base Ball Clubs, and present the views of this meeting, looking towards the reform of the abuses of rules and regulations of the present National Association, and the said committee empowered to act for the said clubs above named, and the said clubs here represented agree to abide by the action of said committee.
(Signed) John P. Joyce, for Cincinnati B. B. Club.
(Signed) Chas. E. Chase, V. Pres. Louisville B. B. Club.
(Signed) Nath’l Hazard, for St. Louis B. B. Association.
(Signed) A. G. Spalding, Sec’y Chicago B. B. Club.
The Association next proceeded to election of a Board of Directors as called for in Sec. 1, Art. IV. of the Constitution, which resulted as follows:
1. M. G. Bulkeley, representing the Hartford B. B C
2. N. T. Apollonio, “ “ Boston B.B.C.
3. W. H. Cammeyer, “ “ Mutual B. B. C.
4. Chas. A. Fowle, “ “ St. Louis B.B.C.
5. Chas. E. Chase, “ “ Louisville B.B.C.
On motion, it was resolved, that the first name drawn, in electing the Board, Mr. M. G. Bulkeley, of the Hartford Club, be declared President of the League for 1876.
On motion of Wm. H. Cammeyer, Mr. N. E. Young was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the League.
On motion of W. H. Cammeyer, the salary of the Secretary and Treasurer was fixed at four hundred dollars ($400) per annum, and that he be required to give bonds in the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000) for the faithful discharge of his duties, to the President of the League. On motion, it was resolved, that the annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for 1876 be paid on or before June 1st, 1876.
On motion, it was resolved, that the publication of the Association Books, for the benefit of the Association, be left in the hands of the Secretary.
The Association next proceeded to the consideration of Playing Rules, which were adopted, as follows:
PLAYING RULES.
RULE I. — THE MATERIALS OF THE GAME.
The ball.
Section 1. The ball must weigh not less than five, nor more than five and one-quarter ounces, avoirdupois. It must measure not less than nine, nor more than nine and one-quarter inches in circumference. It must be composed of woolen yarn, and shall not contain more than one ounce of vulcanized rubber in mould form, and shall be covered with leather.
Furnishing the ball.
Sec. 2. In all games the ball or balls played with shall be furnished by the home club, and shall become the property of the winning club.
A legal ball.
Sec. 3. No ball shall be played with in any regular match game, unless it is of the regulation size, weight, and materials, and also have the name of its maker and the figures indicating its weight and circumference plainly stamped on its cover. Should any ball used in a regular match game prove, on examination by the umpire, to be illegal in size, weight or materials, balls of the same manufacture shall not be used thereafter in regular match games.
Changing the ball
Sec. 4. When the ball becomes out of shape, changing or cut or ripped so as to expose the yarn, or in any way so injured as to be unfit for fair use, a new ball shall be called for by the umpire at the end of an even innings, at the request of either captain. Should the ball be lost during a game, the umpire shall, at the expiration of five minutes, call for a new ball.
The bat.
Sec. 5. The bat must be round, and must not exceed two and one-half inches in diameter in the thickest part. It must be made wholly of wood, and shall not exceed forty-two inches in length.
The bases.
Sec. 6. The bases must be four in number, and they must be placed and securely fastened upon each corner of a square the sides of which are respectively thirty yards. The bases must be so constructed and placed as to be distinctly seen by the umpire, and must cover a space equal to one square foot of surface. The first, second, and third bases shall be canvas bags, painted white and filled with some soft material. The home base shall be of white marble or stone, so fixed in the ground as to be even with the surface, and with one corner facing the pitcher’s position, said corner touching the intersection of the foul lines.
Position of the bases.
Sec. 7. The base from which the ball is struck shall be designated the home base, and must be directly opposite the second base. The first base must always be that upon the right hand, and the third base that upon the left hand side of the striker when occupying his position at the home base. In all match games lines connecting the home and first bases, and the home and third bases, and also the lines of the striker’s and pitcher’s positions, shall be marked by the use of chalk or other suitable material, so as to be distinctly seen by the umpire. The line of the home base shall extend four feet on each side of the base, and shall be drawn through its centre and parallel with a line extending from first to third base.
RULE II. — THE GAME.
The innings.
Section 1. The game shall consist of nine innings to each side, but should the score then be a tie, play shall be continued until a majority of runs for one side, upon an equal number of innings, shall be declared, when the game shall end. All innings shall be concluded when the third hand is put out.
Positions of players.
Sec. 2. Positions of players and choice of first innings shall be determined by the two captains. The fielders of each club shall take any position in the field their captain may assign them, with the exception of pitcher, who must deliver the ball from his appointed position.
Substitutes.
Sec. 3. No player taking part in a game shall be replaced by another after the commencement of the fourth innings, except as provided in Section 14 of Rule VI.
Five innings necessary.
Sec. 4. No game shall be considered as played unless five innings on each side shall be completed. Should darkness or rain intervene before the third hand is put out in the closing part of the fifth innings of a game, the umpire shall declare “No game.”
Drawn games.
Sec. 5. Whenever a game of five or more innings is stopped by rain or darkness, and the score at the time is equal on the even innings played, the game shall be declared drawn, but, under no other circumstances, shall a drawn game be declared.
Rain.
Sec. 6. Should rain commence to fall during the progress of a match game, the umpire must note the time it began, and should it continue for five minutes, he shall, at the request of either captain, suspend play. Such suspended game shall not be resumed until, in the opinion of the umpire, the ground is in fit condition for fair fielding.
Calling play and time.
Sec. 7. When the umpire calls “play,” the game must at once be proceeded with. Should either party fail to take their appointed positions in the game, or to commence play as requested, the umpire shall, at the expiration of five minutes, declare the game forfeited by the nine that refuses to play. When the umpire calls “time,” play shall be suspended until he call “play” again, and during the interim no player shall be put out, base be run or run be scored.
Suspending play.
Sec. 8. The umpire, in any match game, shall determine when play shall be suspended, and, if the game cannot be fairly concluded, it shall be decided by the score of the last equal innings played, unless one nine shall have completed their innings, and the other nine shall have equalled or exceeded the score of their opponents in their incompleted innings, in which case the game shall be decided by the total score obtained, which score shall be recorded as the score of the game.
Ending a game.
Sec. 9. When the umpire calls a game, it shall end, but when he merely suspends play for any stated period, it may be resumed at the point at which it was suspended; provided such suspension does not extend beyond the day of the match.
RULE III. — THE PLAYERS.
Regular match.
Section 1. Every player taking part in a regular match game, no matter what number of innings be played, shall be considered a member of the club with which he plays. All matches shall be considered regular in the meaning of this rule in which nines of two contesting clubs of this League take part.
Betting prohibited.
Sec. 2. Any player who shall, in any way, be interested in any bet or wager on the game in which he takes part, either as umpire, player, or scorer, or who shall purchase or have purchased for him any “pool” or chance — sold or given away — on the game he plays in, shall be dishonorably expelled, both from the club of which he is a member and from the League.
A player who shall be similarly interested in any regular match game between two clubs of the League, shall be suspended from legal service as a member for the season during which he shall have violated this rule.
RULE IV — PITCHING.
The pitcher’s position.
Section 1. The pitcher’s position shall be within a space of ground six feet square, the front line of which shall be distant forty-five feet from the centre of the home base, and the centre of the square shall be equidistant from the first and the third bases. Each corner of the square shall be marked by a flat iron plate or stone six inches square fixed in the ground even with the surface.
Delivering the ball.
Sec. 2. The player who delivers the ball to the bat must do so while within the lines of the pitcher’s position. He must remain within them until the ball has left his hand, and he shall not make any motion to deliver the ball to the bat while any part of his person is outside the lines of the pitcher’s position. The ball must be delivered to the bat with the arm swinging nearly perpendicular at the side of the body, and the hand in swinging forward must pass below the hip.
A foul delivery.
Sec. 3. Should the pitcher deliver the ball by an overhand throw, a “foul balk” shall be declared. Any outward swing of the arm, or any other swing save that of the perpendicular movement referred to in Section 2 of this rule, shall be considered an overhand throw.
Foul balk.
Sec. 4. When a “foul balk” is called, the umpire shall warn the pitcher of the penalty incurred by such unfair delivery, and should such delivery be continued until three foul balks have been called in one innings, the umpire shall declare the game forfeited.
Balking.
Sec. 5. Should the pitcher make any motion to deliver the ball to the bat and fail so to deliver it — except the ball be accidentally dropped — or should he unnecessarily delay the game by not delivering the ball to the bat, or should he, when in the act of delivering the ball, have any part of his person outside the lines of his position, the umpire shall call a “balk,” and players occupying the bases shall take one base each.
Good balls.
Sec. 6. Every ball fairly delivered and sent in to the bat over the home base and at the height called for by the batsman, shall be considered a good ball.
Called balls.
Sec. 7. All balls delivered to the bat which are not sent in over the home base and at the height called for by the batsman, shall be considered unfair balls, and every third ball so delivered must be called. When “three balls” have been called, the striker shall take first base, and all players who are thereby forced to leave a base shall take one base. No “ball” shall be called until the ball has passed the home base.
Hitting at called balls.
Sec. 8. Should the batsman strike at a ball on which a “ball” has been called, such call shall be considered void, and the ball be regarded as fairly delivered.
Dead balls.
Sec. 9. All balls delivered to the bat which shall touch the striker’s bat without being struck at, or his (the batsman’s) person while standing in his position, or which shall hit the person of the umpire — unless it be a passed ball — shall be considered dead balls and shall be so called by the umpire, and no players shall be put out, base be run, or run be scored on any such ball.
RULE V. — BATTING DEPARTMENT.
The batsman’s position.
Section 1. The batsman’s or striker’s position shall be within a space of ground located on either side of the home base, six feet long by three feet wide, extending two feet in front of and four feet behind the line of the home base, and with its nearest line distant one foot from the home base.
The order of striking.
Sec. 2. The batsmen must take their positions in the order in which they are named on the score book. After the first innings, the first striker in each innings shall be the batsman whose name follows that of the third man out in the preceding innings.
Failing to take position.
Sec. 3. Any batsman failing to take his position at the bat in his order of striking — unless by reason of illness or injury, or by consent of the captains of the contesting nines — shall be declared out, unless the error be discovered before a fair ball has been struck, or the striker put out.
Refusing to strike.
Sec. 4. Any batsman failing to take his position at the bat within three minutes after the umpire has called for the striker, shall be declared out.
Specifying balls.
Sec. 5. The batsman, on taking his position, must call for either a “high ball,” a “low ball,” or a “fair ball,” and the umpire shall notify the pitcher to deliver the ball as required; such call shall not be changed after the first ball delivered.
Good balls to the bat.
Sec. 6. A “high ball” shall be one sent in above the waist of the batsman but not higher than his shoulder. A “low ball” shall be one sent in not lower than within one foot of the ground, but not higher than his waist. A “fair ball” shall be one between the range of shoulder high and one foot from the ground. All the above must be over the home base, and when fairly delivered, shall be considered good balls to the bat.
Calling strikes.
Sec. 7. Should the batsman fail to strike at a “good ball” or should he strike and fail to hit the ball, the umpire shall call “one strike”, and “two strikes”, should he again fail. When two strikes have been called, should the batsman not strike at the next “good ball” the umpire shall warn him by calling “good ball.” But should he strike at and fail to hit the ball, or should he fail to strike at or to hit the next good ball, “three strikes” must be called, and the batsman must run to first base as in the case of hitting a fair ball.
A fair strike.
Sec. 8. The batsman, when in the act of striking at the ball, must stand within the lines of his position.
A foul strike.
Sec. 9 Should the batsman step outside the lines of his position when he strikes the ball, the umpire shall call “foul strike and out”, and base-runners shall return to the bases they occupied when the ball was hit.
The foul ball lines.
Sec. 10. The foul ball lines shall be unlimited in length, and shall run from the front corner of the home base through the centre of first and third bases to the foul posts, which shall be located at the boundary of the field and within the range of home and first base, and home and third base. Said lines shall be marked, and on the inside, from base to base, with chalk, or some other white substance, so as to be plainly seen by the umpire.
A fair hit ball.
Sec. 11. If the ball from a fair stroke of the bat first touches the ground, the person of a player, or any other object, either in front of, or on the foul ball lines, it shall be considered fair.
A foul hit ball.
Sec. 12. If the ball from a fair stroke of the a foul hit bat first touches the ground, the person of a player, or any other object behind the foul ball lines, it shall be declared foul, and the ball so hit shall be called foul by the umpire even before touching the ground, if it be seen falling foul.
Hitting called balls.
Sec. 13. Should the batsman strike at any ball on which a “ball” has been called, the umpire shall disregard the call of such “ball,” and render his decision simply on the strike or hit made.
When bats-men become base-runners.
Sec. 14. When the batsman has fairly struck ball, he shall vacate his position, and he shall then be considered a base-runner until he is put out or scores his run.
How bats-men are put out; On the fly; On the bound; At first base; On three strikes; Balking the catcher.
Sec. 15. The batsman shall be declared out by the umpire as follows:
If a fair or foul ball be caught before touching the ground, provided it be not caught in a player’s hat or cap.
If a foul ball be similarly held, or after touching the ground but once.
If a fair ball be securely held by a fielder while touching first base with any part of his person before the base-runner touches said base.
If, after three strikes have been called, he fails to touch first base before the ball is legally held there.
If after three strikes have been called, the ball be caught before touching the ground or after touching the ground but once.
If he wilfully strikes at the ball to hinder the ball from being caught, or makes a “foul strike.”
RULE VI — RUNNING THE BASES.
Touching the bases
Section 1. Players running bases must touch each base in regular order, viz.: first, second, third, and home base; and when obliged to return to bases they have occupied they must retouch them in reverse order. No base shall be considered as having been occupied or held until it has been touched.
Forced off a base.
Sec. 2. No player running the bases shall be forced to vacate the base he occupies unless by the act of the batsman in striking a fair ball. Should the first base be occupied by a base-runner when a fair ball is struck, the base-runner shall cease to be entitled to hold said base until the player running to first base shall be put out. The same rule shall apply in the case of the occupancy of the other bases under similar circumstances. No base-runner shall be forced to vacate the base he occupies if the base-runner succeeding him is not thus obliged to vacate his base.
How put out when forced.
Sec. 3. Players forced to vacate their bases may be put out by any fielders in the same manner as when running to first base.
Overrunning first base.
Sec. 4. The player running to first base shall be at liberty to overrun said base without his being put out for being off the base after first touching it, provided that in so overrunning the base he make no attempt to run to second base. In such case he must return at once and retouch first base, and after retouching said base he can be put out as at any other base. If, in so overrunning first base, he also attempts to run to second base, he shall forfeit such exemption from being put out.
Running out of the line of bases.
Sec. 5. Any player running a base who shall run beyond three feet from the line from base to base in order to avoid being touched by the ball in the hands of a fielder shall be declared out by the umpire with or without appeal.
When a run is scored.
Sec. 6. One run shall be scored every time a base-runner, after having regularly touched the first three bases, shall touch the home base be-fore three hands are out. If the third hand out is forced out, or is put out before reaching first base, a run shall not be scored.
Taking bases on balks.
Sec. 7. When a “balk” is called by the umpire, every player running the bases shall take one base without being put out.
Taking bases on called balls.
Sec. 8. When three “balls “ have been called by the umpire, the batsman shall take one base without being put out, and should any base-runner be forced thereby to vacate his base, he also shall take one base. Each base-runner thus given a base shall be at liberty to run to other bases besides the base given, but only at the risk of being put out in so running.
Holding a base.
Sec. 9. A player running bases shall be considered as holding a base, viz., entitled to occupy it, until he shall have regularly touched the next base in order.
Running bases on fair and foul fly balls.
Sec. 10. No base shall be run or scored when a fair or foul ball has been caught or momentarily held before touching the ground, unless the base held when the ball was hit is retouched by the base-runner after the ball has been so caught or held by the fielder.
Returning to bases on foul ground balls.
Sec. 11. No run or base can be made upon a foul ball that shall touch the ground before being caught or held by a fielder, and any player running bases shall return, without being put out, to the base he occupied when the ball was struck, and remain on such base until the ball is held by the pitcher.
Sec. 12. Any player running the bases on fair or foul balls caught before touching the ground must return to the base he occupied when the ball was struck, and retouch such base before attempting to make another or score a run, and said player shall be liable to be put out in so returning, as in the case of running to first base when a fair ball is hit and not caught flying.
Obstructing base-runners.
Sec. 13. If the player running the bases is prevented from making a base by the obstruction of an adversary, he shall be entitled to that base and shall not be put out.
Substitutes in running bases.
Sec. 14. No player shall be allowed a substitute in running the bases, except for illness or injury, unless by special consent of the captain of the opposing nine; in such case the latter shall select the player to run as substitute. The substitute in question shall take his position so as to cross the batsman’s position, and in front of the home base, and he shall not start to run until the ball is struck at or hit. The substitute shall be the player running the bases.
How base-runners are put out; Preference given to the base-runner; Failing to touch a base; Obstructing a fielder.
Sec. 15. Any player running the bases shall be declared out if, at any time, while the ball is in play, he be touched by a fielder, with the ball in hand, without some part of his person is [sic] touching a base. Should the said fielder, while in the act of touching the base-runner, have the ball knocked out of his hand, the player so touched shall be declared out.
If a ball be held by a fielder on the first base before the base-runner, after hitting a fair ball, touches that base, he shall be declared out.
Any base-runner failing to touch the base he runs for, shall be declared out if the ball be held by a fielder, while touching said base, before the base-runner returns and touches it.
Any base-runner who shall in any way interfere with or obstruct a fielder while attempting — to catch a fair fly ball, or a foul ball, shall be declared out by the umpire with or without appeal. If he wilfully obstructs a fielder from fielding a ball, he shall be similarly declared out, and, if he intentionally kick, or let the ball strike him, he shall be declared out.
RULE VII. — THE UMPIRE AND HIS DUTIES.
Selecting an umpire.
Section 1. In selecting an umpire for a match game the visiting club shall submit the names of five persons, competent to act, who are not members of the visiting club. From this list the local club shall select two or more names, and answer not later than the following day. Should the visiting club be unable to secure the services of either of the two persons selected, then two more names shall be submitted to the local club to complete the list for them to select from. In case of the failure of the local club to select two of the names within forty-eight hours after said names have been telegraphed by the visiting club — if within five days of the day of the game — then the visiting club shall be at liberty to select one from the list of names sent, who shall act as umpire. All correspondence in relation to above shall be by telegraph.
Changing an umpire.
Sec. 2. The umpire shall not be changed during the progress of a match game, except for reason of illness or injury, or by the consent of the captains of the two contesting nines, in case he shall have wilfully violated the rules of the game.
Special duties; Special ground rules.
Sec. 3. Before the commencement of a match, the umpire shall see that the rules governing the materials of the game, and also those applicable to the positions of batsman and pitcher, are strictly observed. Also that the fence in the rear of the catcher’s position is distant not less than ninety feet from the home base, except it mark the boundary line of the field, in which case the umpire, for every ball passing the catcher and touching the fence, shall give each base-runner one base without his being put out.
Before calling “play” the umpire shall ask the captain of the players on whose ground the match is played, whether or not there are any special ground rules to be enforced, and if there are, he shall take note of such rules and see that they are duly enforced, provided they do not conflict with any rules of the game.
Reversing decisions.
Sec. 4. No decision rendered by the umpire on any point of play in base-running shall be reversed upon the testimony of any of the players. But if it shall be shown by the two captains of the contesting clubs that the umpire has palpably misinterpreted the rules, or given an erroneous decision, he shall reverse said decision.
Decisions on catches.
Sec. 5. Should the umpire be unable to see whether a catch has been fairly made or not, he shall be at liberty to appeal to the bystanders, and to render his decision according to the fairest testimony at command.
Interfering with the umpire.
Sec. 6. No person, not engaged in the game, shall be permitted to occupy any position within the lines of the field of contest, or in any way interrupt the umpire during the progress of the game. No player shall be permitted to converse with the umpire during any part of the contest, except the two captains of the contesting nines, and then only as provided in Section 4 of this rule.
Appealing to the umpire.
Sec. 7. The umpire shall render no decision in the game except when appealed to by a player, unless expressly required to do so by the rules of the game, as in calling “balls,” etc.
Interfering with players.
Sec. 8. The umpire shall not enter the field while the ball is in play, and he shall require the players on the batting side who are not at the bat or running the bases, to keep at a distance of not less than fifty feet from the line of home and first base and home and third base, or farther off if he so decide. The captain and one assistant only shall be permitted to coach players running the bases, and they must not approach within fifteen feet of the foul lines.
Unfair fielding and dead balls.
Sec. 9. Should any fielder stop or catch the ball with his hat, cap, or any part of his dress, the umpire should call “dead ball,” and base-runners shall each be entitled to two bases for any fair hit ball so stopped or caught. Should the ball be wilfully stopped by any outside person not engaged in the game, the umpire must call “dead ball,” and players running bases at the time shall be entitled to the bases they were running for, and the ball be regarded as dead until settled in the hands of the pitcher while standing within the lines of his position.
Violation of rules.
Sec. 10. Any match game in which the umpire shall declare any section of this code of rules to have been wilfully violated shall at once be declared by him to have been forfeited by the club at fault.
Sec. 11. No manager, captain, or player shall address the audience, except in case of necessary explanation; and any manager, captain, or player who shall use abusive, threatening, or improper language to the audience, shall be punished by suspension from play for twenty days and forfeiture of his salary for such period.
Sec. 12. No Section of these Rules shall be construed as conflicting with or affecting any Article of the Constitution.
It was agreed by and between all the clubs, members of the League, that all existing contracts between them (the League clubs) and players should be recognized by the League as if made under and according to the requirements of the Constitution of the “National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs.”
On motion, it was resolved that the first annual meeting of this League be held at Cleveland, Ohio, on the date called for in the Constitution.
The Secretary was instructed to send twenty-five copies of the Constitution and Playing Rules to each member of the League, when printed.
No further business appearing, on motion adjourned.
M. G. BULKELEY, President.
HARRY WRIGHT, Secretary, pro tem.
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Extract from the minutes of the “League,” held in New York, February 2, 1876:
Resolved, That the publication of the Association books, for the benefit of the Association, be left in the hands of the Secretary.
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WASHINGTON, D. C,
February 15, 1876.
By the authority vested in me by virtue of the above resolution, I hereby certify that Messrs. Reach & Johnston, of Philadelphia, Pa., have been granted the exclusive right to publish the official book containing the Constitution and Playing Rules of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, as revised and adopted at a meeting held at the Grand Central Hotel, in the city of New York, on the 2d day of February, A. D. 1876, and that the foregoing is a true copy of the same.
N. E. YOUNG,
Secretary.
The following is an official list of the Officers and Players of Clubs belonging to the “National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs,” for season of 1876.
ATHLETIC B. B. C. of PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Thomas J. Smith, President. A. H. Wright, Secretary.
Club Rooms, №45 South Eleventh Street.
A. J. Reach. David W. Force.
Alonzo Knight. Ezra B. Sutton.
William K. Coon. George W. Hall.
Weston D. Fisler. David Eggler.
William Fouser. Levi Meyerle.
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BOSTON B. B. C. of BOSTON, MASS.
N. T. Apollonio, President.
Harry Wright, Secretary, №39 Eliot Street.
Harry Wright. Andrew J. Leonard.
Joseph E. Borden. James O’Rourke.
Timothy McGinley. John E. Manning.
Timothy Murnan. Frank T. Whitney.
Thomas L. Beals. William R. Parks.
Harry C. Schafer. George Wright.
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CHICAGO B. B. C. of CHICAGO, ILL
W. A. HULBERT, President.
A. G. Spalding, Secretary, Room 5, №166 Randolph Street.
Albert G. Spalding. James White.
Calvin A. McVey. Roscoe C. Barnes.
Adrian C. Anson. John P. Peters.
Paul A. Hines. Oscar Bielaeki.
John W. Glenn. J. Fred Cone.
Robert Addy.
Note. — Mr. Andrus, of Jackson, Michigan, has signed contract to play with the Chicago Club for three months, with the privilege of extending time to cover balance of the season.
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CINCINNATI B. B. C. of CINCINNATI, O.
J. L. Keck, President.
G. H. VanVoorhis, Secretary, №80 Poplar Street.
Charles H. Gould. Emanuel Snyder.
Samuel J. Fields. Charles W. Jones.
William C. Fisher. Robert Clack.
Charles J. Sweasy. David P. Pierson.
Henry Kessler. A. S. Booth.
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HARTFORD B. B. C. of HARTFORD, CONN.
M. G. BULKELEY, President.
W. F. Hilton, Secretary. Address Box 177, Hartford, Conn.
Robert Ferguson. John J. Burdock.
Douglas Allison. Thomas Carey.
W. A. Cummings. Thomas York.
Thomas Bond. John J. Remsen.
Everett Mills. Richard Higham.
W. A. Harbidge.
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LOUISVILLE B. B. C. of LOUISVILLE, KY.
W. N. Haldeman, President.
Charles E. Chase, Vice-President, №12 Third Street.
George K. Speed, Secretary.
John C. Chapman, Manager.
John C Chapman. Joseph Gerhardt.
James A. Devlin. Charles Fulmer.
W. Scott Hastings. Arthur A. Allison.
Charles Snyder. John C. Carbine.
William L. Hague. George Bechtel.
Joseph J. Ryan.
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MUTUAL B. B. C. of BROOKLYN, N. Y.
Wm. H. Cammeyer, Manager.
Union Grounds, Williamsburg, N. Y.
Robert Mathews. Albert H. Nichols.
Nathan W. Hicks. Edward Booth.
Joseph Start. James J. Shandley.
James Hallinan. William J. Boyd.
William H. Craver.
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ST. LOUIS B. B. C. of ST. LOUIS, MO.
J. R. C. LUCAS, President.
CHAS. A. FOWLE, Secretary, №406 North Fourth Street.
S. MASON GRAFFEN, Manager.
George W. Bradley. Joseph W. Blong.
Lipman Pike. Dennis McGee.
Edgar E. Cuthbert. Thomas P. Miller.
Joseph V. Battin. Harmon J. Dehlman.
Richard J. Pearce. M.H. McGeary.
John E. Clapp.
Next, how Hulbert’s press campaign began, via Chicago Tribune reporter Lewis Meacham: https://ourgame.mlblogs.com/first-shot-across-the-bow-7643af4e0c83
