e rules now began to have an important effect upon the
game and to make it more modern. The rules for base running did not permit
the runner to leave his base after a fly until the ball had been in the
pitcher's hands and had been once pitched to the bat. This rule prevailed
until 1859, when the present rule was adopted.

Efforts were made in 1860 at two conventions to abolish the "out" on a
fair fly, but it was twice defeated. Fly games were allowed, however, by
mutual consent.

In 1861 an attempt was made, similar to the one in 1858, to give the game
to the club having the most runs in an uncompleted inning, thus not
compelling the leading club to go to the bat in the last half of the ninth
inning.

"Fly Game" Voted Down.

At the convention in 1863 the committee on rules again reported in favor
of the fly game, and it was again voted down. An important move, however,
was made in regard to the pitcher. This compelled him to stand perfectly
still while delivering the ball, without taking a step forward, in a space
twelve by three feet. For the first time, call balls were introduced to
punish the pitcher for wildness, just as the striker had been penalized,
previously, for not striking at good balls. Base runners, heretofore
permitted to go around or near bases in a circuit, had to touch them.

In the convention of 1864 the catch of a fair ball on the ground no longer
put a man out, as the fly game was adopted by a vote of 32 to 19. In 1865
the rule dividing professionals from amateurs was adopted by a nearly
unanimous vote of the representatives of almost two hundred clubs.

In 1867 the batter was prevented from taking a forward or backward step in
striking at the ball upon the penalty of "no strike." This was a very
confusing feature of the play of the previous season, it being attempted
to help base running. The pitcher now stood in a space six feet square.
The batter could take two steps forward, provided he had one foot back of
the line of his position when he struck at the ball.

The rule relating to compensation described as professionals all who were
paid for their services either by "money, place, or emolument."

Arthur Pue Gorman, afterward United States Senator from Maryland, was
elected president of the National Association at a meeting held in Clinton
Hall, New York, December 12, 1866, when there were more than two hundred
clubs represented.

Baseball Invades the West.

Meanwhile, baseball had