This is a short summary of the rules we use for our 1884 games.  Only significant differences from modern rules are listed.  They are adapted from the National League Rules for 1884, as set forth in the 1884 Spalding Guide.  Whenever possible, we welcome the opportunity to play double-headers, with one game played by the following rules, and another game played by the rules of our opponent's choice. When we are playing in tribute to the 1884 World Championship series, the similar 1884 American Association rules are adapted.

THE FIELD AND EQUIPMENT

* Pitcher's box six by four feet, fifty feet from home plate, "and so placed that the six feet lines would each be two feet distant from and parallel with a straight line passing through the center of home and second bases."

* Batsman's lines are a box 6 by 3 feet, one foot away from home.

* Ball to weigh between five and 5.25 ounces, with circumference of nine to 9.25 inches.

* The ball to be furnished by home team, and to be given to winning club

* On the appeal of either captain, a new ball may be called for if the one in play is out of shape, or cut so badly as to expose yarn.

* Bats must be of wood, up to 2.5 inches in diameter, up to 42 inches long

FIELD MANNERS

* The batting side is to remain seated on bench except batters and runners.  Two players after batter must have bat in hand.

* "The captain, and one assistant only, may occupy the space between the player's lines and the captain's lines, to coach base-runners."  This area is from fifteen to fifty feet from the foul lines.  In effect, this means that only one base coach may be used if the captain is batting or on base, and the coaches may not go nearer than fifteen feet to the base paths.

* Substitutes may be used only in event of illness or injury, with the permission of the opposing captain.  We recommend leniency regarding injuries, real or feigned.

* "The choice of first innings shall be decided by the two captains."  A coin toss was standard.

* Pitcher to be fined from ten to fifty dollars if umpire deems him to be throwing at batter intentionally.

THE UMPIRE

* Only captain and his assistant may address the umpire regarding points of play for any reason.  Violators to be fined five dollars.

* Any person insulting the umpire (player or spectator) must be promptly ejected.

* "The umpire shall not reverse his decision on any point of play upon the testimony of any player engaged in the game, or upon the testimony of any bystander."

* The umpire "must keep the contesting nines playing constantly from the commencement of the game to its termination, allowing such delays only as are rendered unavoidable by accident, injury or rain."

* Umpire can order any player to follow any rule - violators may be fined five to fifty dollars.  Players using "abusive, threatening or improper language" may also be fined five to fifty dollars.

* Umpire is particularly encouraged to fine players for loafing while taking the field, for failing to keep bats in racks, straying from bench, for intentionally distracting fielders, using indecent or improper language to any person.

* Time cannot be called to dispute umpire's calls.  This "is a gross violation of the rules, and the Umpire shall promptly fine any player who interrupts the game in this manner."

* Umpire can call time only for injury to himself or a player (after ball returned to pitcher), or if rain causes spectators to seek shelter.  If rain falls for thirty minutes thereafter, game shall be terminated.

* Fines will be strictly enforced and collected at the 1884 amounts.  All fines collected will be donated to a mutually agreed upon charity.

PITCHING AND BATTING

* Batters may call for a high ball or a low ball.  Otherwise, the pitcher is free to deliver either a high or low ball.  A high ball is over home plate, between the belt and shoulder.   A low ball is between the belt and knee.

* Any pitching delivery is permitted - overhand, sidearm or underhand - as in modern ball.

* A balk is called if: motion made to deliver ball without delivering it; ball held by pitcher long enough to delay game unnecessarily; delivered when any part of pitcher is outside of pitcher's box.

* A dead ball is called if batter is hit by pitch, or if his bat is hit without swinging.  Play stops.  Batter does not take base.  The pitch is called as a ball (or a strike if in the strike zone).

* The batter is out on a "Foul strike" if he hits the ball while he is outside batsman's lines. 

* Foul balls are not counted as strikes.

* Any foul ball caught on the fly is an out - even "foul tips."

* Foul balls caught off rebound from any object are not outs.

* Batsman becomes a base-runner "instantly after three strikes have been declared by the umpire."  In effect, a third strike is treated exactly like a fair ball.  If it is dropped, the runners may be forced out.

* Batter is entitled to take first base after six balls - provided he does it on the run.  He may be thrown out if he walks to base.  The same is true of runners forced to other bases on a walk, or moving forward on a balk.  They have free passage only if they run.

* Base runners get one base if a pitch gets past the catcher, and touches any building or fence within 90 feet.

* "The Base Runner shall not have a substitute run for him."

* Runner out if straying more than three feet out of line, unless he is avoiding a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.  In that case he is to run behind fielder.

* Batter can safely overrun first base, and can turn to second.

* Batter out if he fails to take position within one minute after being asked to do so by umpire.

* No infield fly rule is in effect.