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 Changing the Rules Chronology of Changes to Major League Baseball Official Rules Table 4: Changes to Rule 4 |
| Table 4. Changes to Rule 4 (Starting & Ending Games) | ||
| DATE | RULE CHANGE | Rule |
| 1857 | The nine-inning game is introduced. | 4.1 |
| 1876 | The umpire says, "Play" for the first time. | 4.15A |
| 1879 | An umpire may terminate a game after a rain delay of thirty minutes. | 4.12 |
| 1882 | If an umpire imposes a fine or declares a forfeit, he must report it to the league secretary within twenty-four hours. | 4.18 |
| 1895 | The limits on fines change again-to not less than $25 and not more than $100. If the crowd becomes so unruly that the game is sped for more than fifteen minutes, the umpire may declare a forfeit. (If that happens, the visitors win, 9-0.) | 4.17 |
| 1901 | The catcher is no longer allowed to catch two strikes on a bounce. | 4.03 |
| 1920 | The umpire may suspend play at any time for an accident to a player or an umpire. | 4.12 |
| 1920 | After a thirty-minute rain delay an umpire may terminate a game. | 4.12 |
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