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 Changing the Rules Chronology of Changes to Major League Baseball Official Rules Table G: Rule Changes 1900-1909 |
| Table G: Rule Changes 1900-1909 | ||
| DATE | RULE CHANGE | Rule |
| 1900 | A pitcher must win at least fifteen games to qualify as the league leader in the category of Winning Percentage. (The earlier rule stated that a pitcher must appear in twenty-five games.) | 10.23 |
| 1900 | The shape of home plate is changed, from a twelve-inch square to a five-sided figure seventeen inches wide. | 1.05 |
| 1901 | The first two fouls are termed strikes (in the National League). | 6.05B |
| 1901 | The catcher is no longer allowed to catch two strikes on a bounce. | 4.03 |
| 1901 | The infield fly rule is in effect when there are no outs as well as one out. | 6.05E |
| 1901 | The American League joins the majors (the National League got started in 1876), and the rule discrepancies begin. For instance, the National League declares that any foul ball not caught on the fly is a strike unless the batter has two strikes on him. The AL does not agree-at least not right away. | 6.05 |
| 1901 | If an offense is "flagrant" enough, the league president may suspend a player or coach who has been fined and/or ejected by an umpire | 9.05C |
| 1903 | If there is only one umpire in a game, he may stand anywhere on the field he likes. | 9.03A |
| 1903 | The American League agrees that any foul ball not caught on the fly is a strike unless the batter has two strikes on him. | 6.05 |
| 1904 | The height of the pitcher's mound is established. It may not be higher than fifteen inches above the base lines and home plate | 1.07 |
| 1906 | The umpire gets authority over the groundskeeper. | 9.01E |
| 1908 | Pitchers are forbidden to scuff or soil a new ball. | 8.02 |
| 1908 | The sacrifice fly rule is adopted, exempting the batter from an at-bat when a run scores after a catch. | 10.09 |
| 1908 | Four umpires are assigned to the World Series for the first time. Only two work in a game at a given time. | |
| 1909 | The pitcher or catcher is charged with an error if a batter reaches first base on a wild pitch or passed ball. | 10.13 |
| 1909 | All four umpires assigned to the World Series work in each game. | |
| 1909 | A bunt on a third strike is a strikeout. The catcher is credited with the putout. | 10.17 |
| 1909 | If a runner is thrown out on an attempted double-steal, neither runner shall be credited with a stolen base. | 10.08 |
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