Chapter XI: Section 1: Must not weigh less than five nor more than five and

one-quarter ounces avoirdupois, and measure not less than nine nor more than nine and one-quarter inches in circumference. The Spalding League Ball, or the Reach American Association Ball, must be used in all games played under these rules.

SECTION. 2. For each championship game two balls shall be furnished by the Home Club to the Umpire for use. When the ball in play is batted to foul ground, out of sight of the Umpire, the other ball shall be immediately brought into play. As often as one of the two in use shall be lost a new one must be substituted, so that the Umpire shall at all times after the game begins have two balls for use. The moment the Umpire delivers an alternate ball to the pitcher it comes into play, and shall not be exchanged until it, in turn, passes out of sight to foul ground.

SECTION. 3. In all games the ball or balls played with shall be furnished by the Home Club, and the last ball in play becomes the property of the winning club. Each ball to be used in championship games shall be examined, measured and weighed by the Secretary of the Association, inclosed in a paper box and sealed with the seal of the Secretary, which seal shall not be broken except by the Umpire in the presence of the Captains of the two contesting nines after play has been called.

SECTION. 4. Should the ball become out of shape, or cut or ripped so as to expose the interior, or in any way so injured as to be, in the opinion of the Umpire, unfit for fair use, he shall, upon appeal by either Captain, at once put the alternate ball into play and call for a new one.

THE BAT.

RULE 15. The Bat.

Must be made entirely of hard wood, except that the handle may be wound with twine, or a granulated substance applied, not to exceed eighteen inches from the end.

It must be round, not exceed two and three-quarter inches in diameter in the thickest part, and must not exceed forty-two inches in length.

THE PLAYERS AND THEIR POSITIONS.

RULE 16. The players of each club in a game shall be nine in number, one of whom shall act as Captain, and in no case shall less than nine men be allowed to play on each side.

RULE 17. The players' positions shall be such as may be assigned them by their Captain, except that the pitcher must take the position as defined in Rules 8 and 29.

RULE 18. Players in uniform shall not be permitted to occupy seats among the spectators.

RULE 19. SECTION 1. Every club shall adopt uniforms for its players, but no player shall attach anything to the sole or heel of his shoes other than the ordinary base ball shoe plate.

SECTION. 2. The catcher and first baseman are permitted to wear a glove or mitt of any size, shape or weight. All other players are restricted to the use of a glove or mitt weighing not over ten ounces, and measuring in circumference around the palm of the hand not over fourteen inches.

PLAYERS' BENCHES.

RULE 20. The Players' Benches must be furnished by the Home Club, and placed upon a portion of the ground outside of, and not nearer than twenty-five feet to, the players' lines. One such bench must be for the exclusive use of the visiting club, and one for the exclusive use of the home club, and the players of the competing teams shall be required to occupy their respective benches while not engaged in active play.

THE GAME.

RULE 21. SECTION 1. Every Championship game must be commenced not later than two hours before sunset.

SECTION. 2. A Game shall consist of nine innings to each contesting nine, except that

(a) If the side first at bat scores less runs in nine innings than the other side has scored in eight innings, the game shall then terminate.

(b) If the side last at bat in the ninth innings scores the winning run before the third man is out, the game shall terminate.

A TIE GAME.

RULE 22. If the score be a tie at the end of nine innings, play shall be continued until one side has scored more runs than the other in an equal number of innings, provided that if the side last at bat scores the winning run before the third man is out the game shall terminate. A DRAWN GAME.

RULE 23. A Drawn Game shall be declared by the Umpire when he terminates a game on account of darkness or rain, after five equal innings have been played, if the score at the time is equal on the last even innings played; but (exception) if the side that went second to bat is then at the bat, and has scored the same number of runs as the other side, the Umpire shall declare the game drawn without regard to the score of the last equal innings.

A CALLED GAME.

RULE 24. If the Umpire calls "Game" on account of darkness or rain at any time after five innings have been completed, the score shall be that of the last equal innings played, unless the side second at bat shall have scored one or more runs than the side first at bat, in which case the score of the game shall be the total number of runs made.

A FORFEITED GAME.

RULE 25. A forfeited game shall be declared by the Umpire in favor of the club not in fault, at the request of such club, in the following cases: