The Clanie.—The game is played by nine men in each team, on a level field, on which is laid out the form of a 'diamond' 90 feet square, with bases at each of the four corners (see diagram). One of these bases is called the home-plate, and the others (beginning with the right) first, sec ond, and third respectively. Within the dia mond, in front of the home-plate and GO feet from it, is the pitcher's position or 'box.' l'he home team has the choice of innings— which team shall take the position 'in the field' or 'take the bat.' The fielders are divided into the battery (pitcher and catcher), the infield (the three basemen and short-stop), and the outfield (left, centre. and right fielders).
The fielding side having taken position, the pitcher delivers the ball to the batsman standing at the home-plate, who endeavors to hit it out of the reach of the fielders. and thereby succeed in reselling first base before the opposing side can field the ball to the baseman standing there. If the batsman fails to reach the base he is called 'out.' If he should reach the first base before the ball, and think it safe to do so, he next tries to reach the second base, and the third, or even the home-plate. When he has stopped at any base, another batsman is put in of his side, and he in turn attempts to hit the ball so as to allow the first batsman to advance around the bases, while he, in his turn, attempts to reach the first or any succeeding base. Then a third batsman of the same side comes in, and so on, until three men are put out in any way, when the other side takes its turn at the hat. A circuit of the bases is called a 'run.' and if any player makes it on a single bit it is called a 'home run.' A 'strike' is called (1) when the batsman fails to strike at a fair ball, i.e. one that passes over the home plate between his knee and shoulder; (2) if he strikes at any ball, fair or otherwise, and fails to hit it; a foul bit, i.e. one that falls outside the
lines from the home-plate to first and third bases extended, is called a strike, but the third strike is not called on a foul. The batsman becomes a base-runner (1 ) after three strikes are called; (2) when be makes a fair hit, the ball traveling between the above-mentioned lines until after it passes first or third base; (3) after four balls have been called by the umpire, a 'ball' being a pitched ball which is not touched by the bat and which passes outside the limits required for a strike; (4) if he is hit by the ball, unless he has made no effort to avoid it; (5) after the umpire calls a 'balk'; and (G) if prevented from striking by the interference of the catcher. In the last four cases, he cannot be put out before reaching first base. He is put out (1) when his third strike is held by the catcher; (2) when a ball hit by him is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground ; (3) when touched with the ball in the hands of a fielder while between bases; (4) when. if forced to run to any base, the ball is held by a fielder on that base before the runner reaches it; and (5) when hit by a batted ball. Nine innings for each side consti tute a game, and the team scoring the greater number of runs wins. In case of a tic at the end of the ninth inning, the play is continued until one side scores more than the other in the same number of innings.
For complete rules, consult Chadwick, Official Baseball Guide, in the Spalding Athletic Library (New York, annually). For practical instruc tion: Chadwick, Art of Pitching, Fielding, and (New York. 'SSG) : and J. N. Ward, Bascbuii (Philadelphia, 1888)•