Rules Of The 1860s Game

No Overruns of any bases---Including First! Runner may be tagged out, so be sure to slow up a little to stop on first.
No Leading---may only steal once ball has left pitcher’s hand---sliding allowed. This rule is currently being debated within the league for historical accuracy---but this is the way we’ve played in the past and it does cut down on teams stealing every base.
*Fair/Foul Rule---if a ball touches fair territory, then bounces foul, it is in play---and is a fair ball! Unlike modern baseball, it need not get past third or first on the line. Be very conscious of this rule as some teams will "chop" a ball into the ground with a swing to use this rule.
Foul/Pitcher Rule---if a ball is caught in foul territory, any player caught off of a base when the ball gets back to the pitcher is out. This rule is more important than it looks---if the ball returns to the pitcher quickly, the runner needs to be aware. Similar to forgetting to "tag up" in modern baseball.
*One Bounce Rule (Fielding)---a ball may be caught "on the fly" or on one bounce for an out. Purposeful one bounce catches in the outfield are discouraged (and might be booed by educated fans)---but is still an out. This is true in fair or foul territory---so if you drift into foul ground and catch a ball on a bounce---it is an out. This is very important for the catcher! If a ball is tipped and caught, or tipped and caught on a bounce, it is an out. If you catch a ball on one bounce, base runners may advance. If you catch a ball "on the fly" they must tag up.
*One Bounce Rule (Running)---if a ball is caught on the fly, you must return to your base to "tag" before moving on (same as modern baseball). However, if a ball is caught on a bounce, you may keep running. So, if you see a sinking liner that will obviously bounce before a fielder catches it---keep running! It is very important to watch and predict what a fielder will do.
No Bunting---it would have been deemed very "ungentlemanly" to bunt. You must swing at pitches, though there is nothing against a "soft swing."
Substitutions---except for injuries, a player may only play once in the field in a game. As this suggests, a player may play a full 9 innings, or only one. Once a player has been lifted from the field, however, they are out for the remainder of the match. There are unlimited position switches, however, so it is possible that a player may be moved inning by inning to cover positions. In our league, every present team member at a match must play at least one inning in the field, but the lineup for hitting is based on the number of players. Thus, if we bring 15 players to a game, everyone hits through the lineup, though they may only play a short time in the field.
Balls/Strikes---since we are playing by 1861 rules (before balls and strikes were commonly called)---a player may take as many pitches as they wish. Three swings, however, with the final one a clean miss, is an out. Again, as with the foul rule above---be extremely aware of what a ball does when it is tipped---if a catcher gets it on the fly or on one bounce, the batter is out, and the runners on base must return to their respective base before the pitcher gets the ball. A very quick double play can occur this way. By the 1870s, batters could call either a "high strike" (ball between shoulders and belt) or a "low strike" (ball between belt and knee). If we play in a game outside of our league where 1870s rules apply, strikes will be called.
Vintage Protocol---UNSTATED RULES OF PLAY

Umpire’s Calls---We play with a single umpire officiating matches. Sometimes he will miss a call or botch a play. Do not protest or get upset, and never argue the call. This would have been viewed as extremely poor etiquette, and would have caused gasps through both teams, fans, small children, etc. The captain may speak to the umpire only.
Profane Language---Discouraged, frowned upon, outright forbidden.
Gentlemanly Play---It was common to cheer players on both teams for fine play. Help a guy up, ask if he’s OK after a hard slide, encourage your teammates---these are rules to play by both then and now.