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 Changing the Rules Chronology of Changes to Major League Baseball Official Rules Table 3: Changes to Rule 3 |
| Table 3. Changes to Rule 3 (Game Preliminaries) | ||
| DATE | RULE CHANGE | Rule |
| 1872 | An "injured" ball is to be changed only in even innings upon request of the captain of either team. | 3.01 |
| 1886 | An umpire may introduce a new ball at any time. Before this year, when a ball was lost, the umpire gave the team five minutes to find it before he threw in a new one. An umpire must have two baseballs at his disposal at all times. | 3.01 |
| 1891 | Substitutions are allowed at any time during a game, but once he has been substituted for, a player may not return. | 3.03 |
| 1897 | Intentionally discoloring or injuring the ball is punishable by a $5 fine. The ball is replaced. | 3.02 |
| 1910 | The captain of a team must notify the umpire-in-chief of any substitution. | 3.03 |
| 1920 | The ball has its gloss removed before a game by the umpire | 3.01 |
| 1954 | Offensive players are required to "carry all gloves and other equipment off the field . . . while their team is at bat." | 3.14 |
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