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 Changing the Rules Chronology of Changes to Major League Baseball Official Rules Table 2: Changes to Base on Balls Rules |
| Table B. Changes to Base on Balls Rules | ||
| DATE | RULE CHANGE | Rule |
| 1877 | A time at bat is not charged to a batter who walks. | 10.16 |
| 1879 | There are nine balls in a walk. | 6.08A |
| 1880 | The base on balls decreases to eight. | 6.08A |
| 1881 | The base on balls is seven. | 6.08A |
| 1884 | A base on balls is six. | 6.08A |
| 1886 | A base on balls is five. | 6.08A |
| 1887 | A base on balls is scored as a hit and counted as a time at bat. This rule lasted one season only. | 10.16 |
| 1888 | A base on balls is not counted as a hit and not charged as a time at bat. | 10.16 |
| 1889 | A base on balls is four, and there it remains. | 6.08A |
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