ielder. One of the basemen
is captain and stands in the base at the end of the ground farthest
from the center. Each team has a guard stationed near each of its
opponents' bases, and a fielder whose general place should be near the
center of the ground but who is free to run to any part of the ground,
and who should pick up the ball whenever it goes afield. The ball
should then be put in play again from the center as at the start.

OBJECT OF THE GAME.--The object of the game is to have a captain catch
a ball from one of his basemen. A ball caught by the captain from the
guards or fielder of his team, does not count. Of course the guards
will try to prevent the ball being caught by a captain from one of his
basemen, or by one of the basemen from his fielder, and on the other
hand will try to secure the ball and send it back to their own basemen
or fielder.

START.--The ball is put in play by being tossed up in the center of
the ground by a third party between the two fielders, both of whom try
to catch it. The one who succeeds has first throw. Touching the ball
is not enough for this first catch: it must be caught in both hands.
In case of dispute, the ball should be tossed again. The ball is again
put in play in this way after each point scored; also after going
afield and being picked up by one of the fielders.

RULES.--The basemen may put one foot outside of their bases or
circles, but at no time both feet. Each guard must remain near the
base he guards but may not step within it even with one foot. Should
either side transgress these rules or make any other foul, the ball is
thrown to one of the basemen on the opposite side, who is given free
play to throw to his captain without interference of his own guard,
though the captain's guard may try to prevent its being caught. A
ball that goes afield is put in play again at the center, as at the
opening of the game.

FOULS.--It is a foul (1) to transgress any of the rules given above;
(2) to snatch or bat the ball from an opponent's hands; (3) to bounce
the ball more than three times in succession; (4) to run with the
ball; (5) to kick it; (6) to hand instead of throwing it; or (7) to
hold it longer than time enough to turn once around quickly, or three
seconds. Penalty for fouls consists in allowing opponents a free throw
from one of their basemen to their captain, as described under Rules.

SCORE.--The ball scores one point whenever a catch is made by a
captain fr