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 Changing the Rules Chronology of Changes to Major League Baseball Official Rules Table 7: Changes to Rule 7 |
| Table 7. Changes to Rule 7 (The Runner) | ||
| DATE | RULE CHANGE | Rule |
| 1848 | A rule is introduced requiring that a baseman must hold the ball in order to put out a runner. (Before this the base runner was out if the ball hit him.) | 7.08 |
| 1848 | Only the batter-runner making for first may be retired on a force. (Before this any runner could be retired on a force.) | 7.08 |
| 1864 | When a runner circles the bases, he must touch each one. | 7.02 |
| 1870 | A runner is allowed to overrun first base. | 7.08 |
| 1880 | The runner hit by a batted ball is out. | 7.08 |
| 1920 | A runner may not run the bases in reverse order "for the purpose of confusing the fielders or making a travesty of the game." | 7.08 |
| 1956 | A base runner who interferes with a batted ball in order to break up a double play is to be declared out, as is the batter. | 7.08H |
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