Page:Spalding's Baseball Guide (1894).djvu/139

 at 4 must be of whitened rubber and so fixed in the ground as to be even with the surface.

The First Base at G, the Second Base at E, and the Third Base at H, must be of white canvas bags filled with soft material and securely fastened in their positions described in Rule 9.

The lines described in Rules 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 must be marked with lime, chalk, or other suitable material so as to be distinctly seen by the Umpire.

THE BALL.

The Ball: See Foot Note.

Must not weigh less than five or 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.

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. At no time shall the ball be intentionally discolored by rubbing it with the soil or otherwise.

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.

Should the ball become out of shape, or cut or ripped so as to expose the interior, or in any way so injured