These rules are designed to facilitate play of baseball (Town ball) as done in the 1850's and 1860's. The basic object and course of play are assumed to be familiar to the reader. These rules in general specify variations from modern practice with the intent of allowing re-creation of the games as played in its formative years. It will be helpful to refer to the vocabulary listing below the rules.

1. The thrower must attempt to throw the ball where the striker wishes it thrown. Upon stepping to home base the striker will indicate with the bat where he wishes the ball thrown to him.

2. The thrower must throw the ball underhanded beginning his throw with his legs crossed, the ball in one hand before him and his other hand behind his back. He may take one step forward while throwing.

3. The umpire will mark a line on the ground 45 feet from home base toward second base, behind which the thrower must remain while throwing the ball to the striker.

4. The thrower must complete a pitch once begun; he may not balk. Should he do so, all runners on bases may advance one base.

5. The striker must keep the bat in contact with his shoulder until the thrower releases the ball.

6. The striker is obligated to hit well-thrown balls. The umpire normally will not call "balls" or "strikes", and no player "walks". The umpire may encourage the striker to attempt to hit well-thrown balls. The umpire may call strikes or even declare a striker dead if the umpire believes the striker is consistently failing to swing at well-thrown balls.

7. A striker who swings and misses at three consecutive pitches is dead. The umpire may penalize a striker for repeatedly and intentionally allowing a well-thrown ball to pass to avoid a strikeout.

8. Foul ticks do not count as strikes. Foul ticks caught in flight or on their first bounce cause the striker to be dead.

9. Batted balls are determined to be fair or foul by the umpire, according to where they first hit the ground. The umpire must declare balls fair or foul at his earliest opportunity in a loud, clear voice.

10. If the last of three balls struck at is missed by the striker and not caught by the behind either flying or on the first bounce, it is a fair ball and the striker must run for first base.

11. Strikers may not bunt.

12. Runners may not slide into bases.

13. Baseman must stand in contact with their bases until the ball is hit by the striker's bat or is caught by the behind.

14. Fielders must stand in the middle of their areas until the ball is hit by the striker's bat or is caught by the behind.

15. Runners may not lead off bases.

17. Strealing bases is prohibited.

18. Fly balls ball in caught in flight or on the first bounce cause the striker to be dead.

19. In force-out situations, runners need not be tagged with the ball. The baseman need only receive the ball with his foot in contact with the base before the arrival of the runner. In other situations , however, runners may be tagged dead.

20. Runners may not go beyond three feet from a straight line between the bases.

21. Players may not intentionally prevent others from catching or fielding balls or reaching bases.

22. All handling of the ball should be done with the bare hands. Gloves may not be worn. If a ball is caught in a hat or with another item of clothing or is received from a spectator, it must be returned to the thrower before being used further in play.

23. The behind may play anywhere on the field.

24. The shortstop may play anywhere on the field.

25. The loss of a ball in play in vegetation, over a fence, onto a building, or because of other obstacles does not retard play. (There are no "ground rules doubles: or similar restrictions.)

26. The four bases are at the corners of a square 30 yards apart. They must be made in a manner so that they are visible to the umpire.

Vocabulary Players and spectators are encouraged to use the following terms, derived from the early years of baseball: