Chapter XVI: Section 1: If, after three strikes have been declared against him while

Batsman, and the Catcher fail to catch the third strike ball, he plainly attempts to hinder the Catcher from fielding the ball.

SECTION. 2. If, having made a Fair Hit while Batsman, such fair hit ball be momentarily held by a Fielder, before touching the ground, or any object other than a Fielder: _Provided_, it be not, caught in a Fielder's hat or cap.

SECTION. 3. If, when the Umpire has declared three strikes on him, while Batsman, the third strike ball be momentarily held by a Fielder before touching the ground: _Provided_, it be not caught in a Fielder's hat or cap, or touch some object other than a Fielder, before being caught.

SECTION. 4. If, after Three Strikes or a Fair Hit, he be touched with the ball in the hand of a Fielder _before_ he shall have touched First Base.

SECTION. 5. If, after Three Strikes or a Fair Hit, the ball be securely held by a Fielder, while touching First Base with any part of his person, _before_ such Base Runner touches First Base.

SECTION. 6. If, in running the last half of the distance from Home Base to First Base, while the ball is being fielded to First Base, he runs outside the three-foot lines, as defined in Rule 7, unless to avoid a Fielder attempting to field a Batted Ball.

SECTION. 7. If, in running from First to Second Base, from Second to Third Base, or from Third to Home Base, he runs more than three feet from a direct line between such bases, to avoid being touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder; but in case a Fielder be occupying the Base Runner's proper path, in attempting to field a batted ball, then the Base Runner shall run out of the path, and behind said Fielder, and shall not be declared out for so doing.

SECTION. 8. If he fails to avoid a Fielder attempting to field a batted ball, in the manner described in Sections 6 and 7 of this Rule; or if he in any way obstructs a Fielder attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball: _Provided_, that if two or more Fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the Base Runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the Umpire shall determine which Fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not decide the Base Runner out for coming in contact with any other fielder.

SECTION. 9. If, at any time while the ball is in play, he be touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder, unless some part of his person is touching a base he is entitled to occupy: _Provided_, the ball be held by the Fielder after touching him; but (exception as to First Base), in running to First Base he may overrun said base, without being put out for being off said base, after first touching it, provided he returns at once and retouches the base, after which he may be put out as at any other base. If, in overrunning First Base, he also attempts to run to Second Base, or, after passing the base he turns to his left from the foul line, he shall forfeit such exemption from being put out.

SECTION. 10. If, when a Fair or Foul Hit ball (other than a foul tip as referred to in Rule 39) is legally caught by a Fielder, such ball is legally held by a Fielder on the base occupied by the Base Runner when such ball was struck (or the Base Runner be touches with the ball in the hands of a Fielder), before he retouches said base after such Fair or Foul Hit ball was so caught: _Provided_, that the Base Runner shall not be out in such case, if, after the ball was legally caught as above, it be delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder holds it on said base, or touches the Base Runner with it; but if the Base Runner in attempting to reach a base, detaches it before being touched or forced out, he shall be declared safe.

SECTION. 11. If, when a Batsman becomes a Base Runner, the First Base, or the First and Second Bases, or the First, Second and Third Bases, be occupied, any Base Runner so occupying a base shall cease to be entitled to hold it, until any following Base Runner is put out, and may be put out at the next base or by being touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder in the same manner as in running to First Base, at any time before any following Base Runner is put out.

SECTION. 12. If a Fair Hit ball strike him _before touching the Fielder_, and in such case no base shall be run unless forced by the Batsman becoming a base runner, and no run shall be scored; or any other Base Runner put out.

SECTION. 13. If, when running to a base or forced to return to a base, he fail to touch the intervening base or bases, if any, in the order prescribed in Rule 47, he may be put out at the base he fails to touch, or being touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder, in the same manner as in running to First Base; _Provided_, that the Base Runner shall not be out in such case if the ball be delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder holds it on said base or touches the Base Runner with it.

SECTION. 14. If, when the Umpire calls "Play," after any suspension of a game, he fails to return to and touch the base he occupied when "Time" was called before touching the next base: _Provided_, the Base Runner shall not be out in such case if the ball be delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder holds it on said base or touches the Base Runner with it.

WHEN BATSMAN OR BASE RUNNER IS OUT.

RULE 51. The Umpire shall declare the Batsman or Base Runner out, without waiting for an appeal for such decision, in all cases where such player is put out in accordance with these rules, except as provided in Rule 50, Sections 10 and 14.

COACHING RULES.

RULE 52. The coachers shall be restricted to coaching the Base Runner only, and shall not be allowed to address any remarks except to the Base Runner, and then only in words of necessary direction; and shall not use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect upon a player of the opposing club, the Umpire or the spectators, and not more than two coachers, who may be one player participating in the game and, any other player under contract to it, in the uniform of either club, shall be allowed at any one time. To enforce the above, the Captain of the opposite side may call the attention of the Umpire to the offence, and upon a repetition of the same, the offending player shall be debarred from further participation in the game and shall leave the playing field forthwith.

THE SCORING OF RUNS.

RULE 53. One run shall be scored every time a Base Runner, after having legally touched the first three bases, shall touch the Home Base before three men are put out by (exception). If the third man is forced out, or is put out before reaching First Base, a run shall not be scored.

THE UMPIRE.

RULE 54. The Umpire shall not be changed during the progress of a game, except for reason of illness or injury.

HIS POWERS AND JURISDICTION.

RULE 55. SECTION 1. The Umpire is master of the Field from the commencement to the termination of the game, and is entitled to the respect of the spectators, and any person offering any insult or indignity to him must be promptly ejected from the grounds.

SECTION. 2. He must be invariably addressed by the players as Mr. Umpire; and he must compel the players to observe the provisions of all the Playing Rules, and he is hereby invested with authority to order any player to do or omit to do any act as he may deem necessary, to give force and effect to any and all such provisions.

SPECIAL DUTIES.

RULE 56. The Umpire's duties shall be as follows: