John Thorn, Major League Baseball's official historian, credits William Rufus Wheaton, not Abner Doubleday or Alexander Cartwright, with creating the first set of rules. Albert Spalding was the first to publish the rules for the mass market in 1908. The rules of the game have evolved since Wheaton first developed his guidelines for play. In 2009, these included multiple changes depending on the level of play.
Little League Rule Changes
One of Little League International's most revolutionary changes to the game came in 2009 when it rewrote the pitch count rules to prevent pitching arm overuse. Previously, pitchers had a cap of 85 pitches and could pitch in one game over the next four days during the regular season, or one game in three days during tournaments. The rules mandate that pitchers, regardless of in-season or tournament play, under 14 years old who throw more than 66 pitches must have four days rest; those throwing 51 to 65 pitches must have three days of rest; those throwing 36 to 50 pitches require two days of rest; and those throwing 21 to 25 pitches need one day of rest.
High School Baseball
The two major rule changes for high school baseball were passed by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The official rule-setting body for high school sports changed guidelines around being hit by a pitch. Batters were no longer awarded a base for being struck with a pitch and are instead instructed to remain at bat unless they reach ball four or strike three, according to the Alabama High School Athletic Association. For pitchers, language was changed to make it illegal to intentionally throw too close to, or "brush back," a hitter.
NCAA Baseball Rule Changes
The National Collegiate Athletic Association changed two rules in 2009 that affected a game's operation. In response to a minor league coach being struck in the head with a batted ball and dying, College Baseball Daily reports that base coaches were required to wear helmets during the 2009 season. The other restricted team celebrations at home plate when the ball was still in play or after a home run. Violating this rule resulted in the current play being called dead an the batter being ruled out.
Major League Baseball
Two rules changes were passed by Major League Baseball owners, though neither impacted how the game on the field was played. In cases where tiebreaking games to determine postseason qualifiers must be stopped due to weather or other reason, the game is considered suspended. Suspended games can be resumed and completed at the site of original game.
A second rule dealing with those tiebreaking games changed how home field is determined. Previously a coin had been flipped. Beginning with the 2009 season, the head-to-head record between the two teams was used to dictate the host. In case of a tie in that category, other performance-based information will be used.
References
- MLB.com; MLB Historian Sheds New Light on Game's Origin; Tom Singer; March 2011
- Little League Online: Little League Tournament and Regular Season Pitching Rules Made the Same by Adoption of New Rule
- Alabama High School Athletic Association: 2008-09 Baseball Rules Changes
- College Baseball Daily; 2009 NCAA Baseball Rule Changes; Brian Foley; September 2008
- MLB.com; Ownership Approves Two Major Rules Amendments; January 2009
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