Chapter 38

Guards may move around freely on their own half of the ground, but each should be responsible for guarding one particular baseman. Guards may not step within bases.

Guards may not enter the neutral strip except when called there in rotation, as explained under "Start" to put the ball in play.

The play of the ball need not be in consecutive order from base to base, but may zigzag across the circle. It does not score when caught a second time by the same baseman during a given play, such a catch ending the possible score for that team for that round of the ball; and it cannot score after being caught by the captain, though his catch scores.

START.--The ball shall be put in play by the referee, who shall toss it up in the center of the neutral strip between two guards, one from each team, who shall try to secure it. To touch the ball shall not give the guard possession of it; it shall be held in both hands. In case of dispute, the referee shall again toss the ball.

Guards shall be called in regular succession to the neutral strip to put the ball in play. The two called shall be from similar positions on opposite sides of the field.

The ball is put in play from the center at the opening of the halves, and after a foul, but not after a score made in regular play; in other words, the ball continues in play until a foul is called or the half ends.

SCORE.--One point shall be scored for a team whenever one of its basemen catches a ball thrown by any other of its basemen except the captain. When the entire succession of outer basemen have thus caught the ball, whether in regular rotation or not, two extra points shall be scored; thus with 5 basemen, 6 points would be scored for such a play.

Two points additional shall be scored when such a play ends with a successful throw to the captain. With 5 outer bases, this would mean a score of 8 points.

Under all other circumstances, one point only shall be scored whenever the captain catches the ball from a baseman of his team.

No score shall be made on a catch by a baseman or captain from a guard.

One point shall be scored for the opponents whenever a foul is made, and the ball shall then be put in play again from the center.

The ball shall cease to score:

(1) After being caught by the captain; (_i.e._, the captain's catch scores, but no throw made by him scores if caught).

(2) When it gets to the hands of a baseman who has previously had it in the same play; (_i.e._, this catch does not score).

(3) When it gets to the hands of an opponent.

The ball continues in play under all of the above-mentioned circumstances. When a foul is committed it goes to the center for a new start.

FOULS.--It shall be a foul: to carry the ball (_i.e._, to take more than one step with it).

To hold it longer than time enough to turn around quickly, or three seconds.

To touch the ball in any way while it is in the hands of any other player.

To touch or trip an opponent.

For guards to step into the neutral strip or the opponents' territory.

It shall be a foul for a baseman to step out of his base with more than one foot at a time, or for a guard to step within a base in any way.

One point shall be scored for the opponents whenever a foul is committed, and the ball is then put newly in play.

Printed in the United States of America.