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The Huntington Champion Hill Toppers Vintage Base ball Club met in official session on Nov. 17, 2005 at the Knights of Columbus meeting room in Huntington, Indiana. By unanimous vote the club approved the playing of all home games (And those it had authority over.) by the Rules of 1862 with amendments and additions acted upon in that meeting. The Rules of 1862 as printed on the Vintage Base Ball Association web site are adopted in full except where found to by impracticable and suspended by the club or its official representative. The following list is the amended and/or added rules as approved by the Huntington Champion Hill Toppers Vintage Base Ball Club; Sec. 5a The Hurler must 'present the ball to the Striker. The presentation may be with the held ball extended in front of the Hurler or held over the Hurler's head. The presentation must have a momentary pause. Sec. 15a The Runner may be put out by ball resting securely in the hands of an adversary tagging the base prior to the Runners arrival if the Runner has been forced to advance. Sec. 15b If two or more Base Runners occupy the same base, the base belongs to the lead Runner and all other Runners are subject to be declared out up on being tagged with the ball. Sec. 16a Base Runners may advance at their own risk if the ball is caught for an out on the first bounce. Sec. 16b If the ball is caught on the fly, fair or foul, the Runner may return to his base freely. The Runner may advance at his risk on a ball caught on the bounce. Sec. 16c The Shortstop may shift to a different position to best cover the Striker’s stance and hitting ability. The Outfielders must position themselves ‘straight away’. Sec. 16d Base men may play two steps off their base in any direction. Sec. 17a The first Striker of the inning shall bat in the order as is done in the ‘modern’ game. Sec. 17b. The Striker must have one foot ‘planted’ on a line at home plate when striking the ball. Failure to do so results in a dead ball and a strike call. Sec. 18a The Runner may not over run any base, except the home base, without suffering the chance of being tagged with the ball for an out. Sec. 19a The Runner may not slide or steal at anytime. A Runner who slides must be called out and a Runner who steals will be sent back to his original base with a warning from the Umpire. Sec 19b Runners may step off the base one ‘ax handle’ step prior to the pitch by the Hurler. Sec. 22a ‘The Gentlemen’s Rule. If the ball hits a structure, carriage/wagon, tree, other object, or inadvertently a player, then bounces once off the ground it may be caught for an out. If there is a purposeful drop or deceptive play by a fielder it will be considered unsportsmanlike play and the Striker (and any Runner) will be awarded the base. Sec. 29 The home team shall decide upon the Umpire and Tally Keeper . There may be two Tally Keepers. Sec. 30a Managers may substitute freely during a match. Sec. 37a The Umpire may call strikes upon a Striker after a proper warning. Any Striker who seems to delay a fair strike at a fair ball shall have a strike called by the Umpire and three strikes, called or by swinging shall declare a Striker out. The Umpire will call a non swinging strike if , in the Umpire's opinion, the Striker could have fairly struck the pitch. Sec. 37b Bunts and attempted bunts, are not allowed as they are considered beneath a Gentleman Ballist. The hurled ball must be swung at in some manner. The Umpire shall declare a Striker out for using a bunt or attempting a bunt. Points of emphasis;
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