Indoor base ball, like basket ball, is a game that may be played in the winter months in the gymnasium and it may also be played outdoors in a comparatively small space. When well played, it may become as exciting as the outdoor game. Its similarity to the outdoor game makes it easier for a majority of the players to understand it quickly. The ball is pitched by a pitcher to a batter who tries to hit it, in order to run to first base. Each batter in turn tries to advance her teammates and herself so that they each may touch each of the four bases in turn, thus making a run. There are nine innings. In each inning each team has a turn at bat, or an opportunity to bring in runs. The three main points are batting, pitching and fielding.

The pitcher throws the ball with a straight arm and with an underarm throw. Of course, she endeavors to find the batter’s weak spots and pitch accordingly. The fewer hits made by the batter, the greater the glory of the pitcher.

The batter must use common sense, and not let the pitcher fool her. To make every hit count is the rule for the batter; thus she must judge the ball, hit to a favorable spot in the field, working with the object of advancing such of her teammates already on the bases. The base runner should always be wideawake, ready to take advantage of any opportunities offered to her.

The fielders must be quick to judge a ball, quick to catch it, and throw immediately to the necessary spot to head off any incipient scoring by a base runner.

A quick, well-played game of indoor base ball is lots of fun.

Indoor Base Ball Rules.

THE DIAMOND OR INFIELD.

The game is played on an indoor floor. The diamond or infield is marked out at one end, the remaining floor is the outfield. At each of the four corners of the diamond is a base, usually made of canvas and half filled with sand. The distance along the sides is 27 feet if possible. There should be a box for the pitcher, 7 by 3 feet, and 23 feet distant from center of home base. A batsman’s box, one on each side of the home base, six inches distant from the base. The boxes are each 4 by 3 and extend a foot in front of a line drawn through center of the base and 3 feet behind. Foul lines should be drawn from the home base to first and from third to home, outside the side lines, so that the bases are inside the foul lines.

THE BALL AND BAT.

The regulation indoor base ball and bat are used.

THE PLAYERS.

There may be seven to nine players on a side, placed in position by the captain. There must be one player who stands within the pitcher’s box and pitches the ball according to rule. A substitute may be put in to run for a player by consent of both captains.

THE GAME.

The game has nine innings for each side. If there is a tie the game is continued by innings until one side has won, or game is discontinued. Choice of innings is decided by the toss of a coin.

THE SCORE.

One run, i. e., one point to the side making the run, is scored when a base runner runs to and touches each of the three bases and touches home base before three players of her side are out.

THE PITCHER.

The pitcher delivers the ball with the arm parallel to the body. The pitcher may not take more than one step.

THE BALL.

The ball is good if it passes over any portion of the home plate no lower than the batsman’s knee and no higher than her shoulder.

It is counted a balk by the pitcher if she makes any motion to deliver the ball without doing so or holds the ball so long as to delay the game.

An illegal ball is delivered by the pitcher if she steps out of box or takes more than one step while pitching that ball.

A dead ball is a pitched ball which strikes the batter.

A batted ball is fair unless it strikes outside the foul line first.

A blocked ball is a ball batted or thrown that is stopped or handled by a person not playing. The ball is returned to the pitcher and runners remain on the same bases.

A strike is:

1. A ball struck at by the batter without her touching it.

2. A foul tip caught.

3. A good ball, legally delivered by the pitcher, not struck at by the batter.

4. A good ball which the batter deliberately interferes with.

A foul strike is a ball batted when the batter is out of her position.

The batsman is out:

1. If she bats out of turn.

2. If she fails to take her position one minute after umpire calls for batter.

3. If a foul hit made by her is caught by the catcher before the ball touches the floor or the wall.

4. If she makes a foul strike.

5. If any attempt be made to hinder the catcher or if the ball is intentionally fouled.

6. If, first base being occupied by a base runner, the batter has three strikes, except when two players are already out.

7. If, on the third strike, she is hit by the ball. The base runner must touch in regular order first, second, third and home bases.

The batter is a base runner immediately after:

1. A fair hit.

2. Four balls.

3. Three strikes.

4. Illegal delivery by pitcher.

The player is granted one base for the above, also the player may advance one base if:

1. Succeeding player is granted a base.

2. If umpire is struck by a batted or thrown ball.

3. If she is prevented from making a base by an adversary.

If the ball is fumbled on the third strike or fourth ball the base runner may take as many bases as she can get.

The base runner may only leave her base when the ball has been struck, or, if it is not struck, it has reached the catcher.

The base runner is brought back if:

1. She starts too soon.

2. For a foul strike.

3. A dead ball.

4. A foul hit not legally fielded. The pitcher must wait for her to return.

The base runner is out:

1. If having made a fair hit, this is fielded before it touches the wall or floor.

2. If there is any intentional interference with the ball just batted.

3. If the third strike is caught before touching the ground.

4. If, after three strikes or a fair hit, the base runner before touching first base is touched by a fielder with the ball in her hands, or if the ball is securely held by fielder touching first base before the base runner touches first base.

5. If she does not run directly.

6. If she obstructs the fielder.

7. If she fails to touch the bases in regular order.

The base runners may be coached from the coacher’s box.

There are two umpires who control the game. One judges all balls, strikes, blocks, dead balls, balks, illegal deliveries, fair and foul hits, ground hits, foul strikes. All decisions at the home plate are made by her. Time and play are called. She stands in a position behind the catcher.

The other judges the base plays. She stands near base line where she can best see field of play.

The two change positions at the end of each inning.

A regulation score card should be used.