The Petoskey Mossback Base Ball Club
Est. In 2009 To Play In 1863
Base Ball At
The Castle.
1860 BASE BALL RULES
BASIC PLAY
~ The striker tells the hurler where he wants the ball and the hurler must pitch the ball as requested. The hurler pitches the ball underhanded from anywhere behind the hurlers line.
~ The striker must stand on or straddle a line through home plate.
~ There is an umpire but he or she does not generally call balls or strikes. If the striker swings and misses, that is a strike.
~ If the hurler repeatedly fails to deliver fair balls to the striker, the umpire, after warning him, shall call one ball, and if the pitcher persists in such action, two and three balls; when three balls have been called, the striker is entitled to the first base.
~ Should a striker stand at the bat without striking at good balls repeatedly pitched to him, the umpire, after warning him, shall call one strike, and if he persists, two and three strikes. When three strikes are called, he shall be subject to the same rules as if he had struck at three fair balls.
~ When the striker hits the ball, the umpire calls the hit fair or foul according to where it first touches the ground. If the ball hits the ground fair, it stays fair even if it bounces foul before it reaches first or third base.
~ The players do not wear gloves or mitts and may not use articles of clothing such as a hat or mittens to catch a ball. Already you can see that the game we play is more gentlemanly and a few of the rules are a bit strange at first.
'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.​
​​Base Ball in the 1860's was real base ball. No big stadiums. No huge contracts. No gloves. Just good sportsmanship and lots of fun. Of course there had to be rules. As a fan of modern baseball, you already know most of them. When you watch Petoskey Mossback games, much of what happens will be familiar to you. To help you understand the rest and join in on the fun, here are some basics of base ball the way it should be played and the way we love playing it today.
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Now lets take a look at: MAKING AN OUT
The striker is out or, more dramatically, dead if:
~ A hit ball is caught on the fly or on the first bound, including foul ticks to the behind.
~ The striker swings and misses three pitches and the third strike is caught by the behind on the fly or first bound. (When this happens the striker is usually very embarrassed!) If the behind misses the pitch the umpire will call the ball fair and the striker must run to first base.
~ The striker is out if a foul ball is caught, either before touching the ground, or upon the first bound.
The striker or any base runner is dead if:
~ A ball arrives in the hands of a baseman whose foot is upon the base prior to a base runner who is require to make that base.
~ A ball in the hands of an adversary touches a base runner not safely on his base.
~ A base runner does not return to his original base before a fly ball caught in the air (not on a bounce) reaches the same base. The runner
does not have to tag up on fly balls caught on a bounce.
~ A base runner overruns any base and is touched by the ball in the hands of an adversary. This includes first base!
~ When three hands are dead, the round is completed. Are you starting to get an understanding of vintage base ball? Now, while we are on the subject of base running, here are a few more old time rules:
BASE RUNNING
~ A base runner may not advance on a foul ball even if it is caught and must return to his original base. He may be tossed out if not there after the ball has been settled in the hands of the hurler.
~ A base runner may advance at his own risk on a fair ball caught on the bound.
~ A base runner may advance after a fair ball is caught with- out bouncing if he has tagged his most recent base after the ball is in the hands of the fielder.
~ A base runner must run for the next base if the ball is hit and the force remains on even if an out is made behind the advancing runner.
~ If two hands are already out, no player running home at the time a ball is struck, can make an ace if the striker is put out. Getting a little confused? Don't worry, we are almost done. Here are a few important customs of the vintage game that impact play: a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.​
CUSTOMS OF THE TIME
~ Uncivil language, ungentlemanly behavior, spitting, or any actions that would offend a lady are not tolerated on pain of a fine.
~ After scoring an ace, a base runner must report to the tally-keeper and ring the tally bell for the ace to count.
~ Base tenders should play several steps in front of their base. The short scout plays inside the baseline but may play on either side of the second base.
~ Gardeners play in the center of their field, shaded neither to left nor right; they may play in or out as required by a striker's ability.
~ The first striker called to the line in a round is the person in the striking order after the player who made the last out in the previous round, even if the last out was made by an advancing base runner.
~ There is no bunting or sliding. ~ A fine repast and sharing of good fellowship, often including cigars and fine liquors follow a match. Here are a few rules or guidelines for you cranks on the sidelines:
CRANKS
~ Cranks are required to cheer on and otherwise encourage their preferred club through the use of any socially acceptable cheers or yells, including an enthusiastic HUZZAH!!
~ Cranks should feel free to salute particularly excellent or gentlemanly play by members of the opposing club as well and to display their displeasure with the rare ungentlemanly actions of any player.
~ When the umpire is uncertain about the proper ruling in any situation, he may ask for a crank call, a vote by the cranks. Cranks should cast their votes as objectively as possible under the circumstances.
~ Cranks should ask questions about any play or other aspect of the match they do not understand so they more fully enjoy their vintage base ball experience.
~ Above all and under all circumstances, cranks are required to thoroughly enjoy themselves and have an uproariously good time at all vintage base ball matches and activities!bout you.​
