A.A.U. Four-Wall Hardball Rules, 1931

Rule 1

Standard hard ball courts shall have four walls enclosing a floor space for playing, approximately 65 feet long and 25 feet wide. The front wall should be 30 feet high and the back wall 12 feet high. The side walls may be of even height with the front wall for their entire length, or may taper down to the height of the back wall.

The building and use of standard courts is advised, although for the time being championships may be held on courts of other sizes, but not less than four walls. Such courts should be at least 50 feet long and 22 feet wide, with height in proportion.

Rule 2

The ball shall be a standard hard ball. The size should be not less than 1⅝ inches nor more than 1⅞ inches in diameter; and the weight not less than 1½ ounces nor more than 1¾ ounces.

The material used should be the best grade rubber and yarn in the correct proportions to ensure the proper speed.

Rule 3

Twenty-one points shall constitute a game. Preliminary matches shall consist of the best two out of three games, and finals the best three out of five games. Losers in the semi-finals must play off for third place.

Rule 4

First service shall be determined by the toss of a coin and shall alternate beginning each game thereafter.

Rule 5

If the players cannot agree upon a ball, a new ball or one that has been newly broken in shall be selected by the referee.

Rule 6

A serving space enclosed by two parallel lines 6 feet apart shall be drawn across the width of the floor, 3 feet each side from the center of the court. The inside line shall be called the service-line and the outside line the short-line, over both of which the ball must be served. In serving, the ball must be bounced on the floor between the short and service lines and struck on the first bounce. Missing the ball puts the server out.

Rule 7

In courts less than 55 feet in length, a front wall service-line shall be drawn across that wall 6 feet above and parallel with the floor, above which the ball must be served. Failing to do so counts as a short ball against the server.

Rule 8

Two partner's service boxes shall be marked out on the floor between the service-line and the short-line by painting a line 18 inches from each side wall parallel with that wall. The server's partner must stand inside either of these boxes with his back to the side wall, until the ball has been served over the short-line Failing to do so counts as a short ball against the server. If he is struck by a served ball while in the box, the ball shall be declared dead and served over again.

Rule 9

Should the server or his partner step outside the short-line before a served ball has crossed that line, a short ball shall be declared against the serving side.

Rule 10

The server in the act of serving must bounce the ball between the service and short lines and must keep both feet within the outer edges of these lines. Failing to do so shall count as a short ball.

Rule 11

Any combination of two unplayed short balls as described, in succession, shall be declared a hand out against the serving side.

Rule 12

A hand out shall be declared against the server if he is struck by or stops a served ball before it crosses the short line.

Rule 13

Hitting the ceiling, side wall, or floor, before or at the same time as the front wall, shall count a hand out against the server. The front wall must be hit first.

Rule 14

It is optional with the receiving side to accept and play a short ball. If a short ball is played with either hand or foot it becomes a fair ball.

Rule 15

Should a player on the receiving side step inside the short line before a served ball has crossed that line, the ball shall be declared out of play and a point awarded the serving side.

Rule 16

After the service the ball must be returned to the front wall by the receiving side. Failing to do so scores a point for the serving side.

Rule 17

If the receiving side fails to return the opponent's play to the front wall a hand out will be declared against the former.

Rule 18

In the play after the service, if a player hits his partner with the ball, it is a point or hand out against his side, according as he is on the receiving or serving side. If a player hits an opponent with the ball when the opponent is as near or nearer to the front wall, the point shall be played over again. If the opponent is behind the player when struck by the ball, a point or hand out shall be declared against such opponent, according as he is on the receiving or serving side.

Rule 19

A ball which bounces over or clears the back wall shall be declared dead and played over again. Should the ball hit any obstruction on the ceiling, back wall, or side-walls, court rules shall prevail.

Rule 20

Every player is entitled to a free and unobstructed opportunity to play the ball. If he is interfered with unintentionally it is called a hinder and is played over.

Rule 21

When, in the opinion of the referee, a player is hindered intentionally he should decide that point against the offending player.

Rule 22

In doubles, both players on a side are entitled to a fair and unobstructed chance at the ball and either one is entitled to a decision on a hinder, even though it naturally would be his partner's ball and notwithstanding the fact that his partner may be attempting to play the ball or that he may already have missed it.

The referee should be liberal in rendering decisions under this rule, so as to discourage any practice of playing the ball where an adversary cannot see it until too late to get into position and it is no excuse that the ball is "killed dead" or that the adversary "could not get it." He is entitled to a chance to try, and in the absence of this chance is entitled to the decision.

Rule 23

It is the duty of the side that has played the ball to keep out of the way of the side that is playing, and under no circumstance shall a player be forced to run around an adversary in order to reach the ball. Hinders, when claimed, should generally be allowed unless clearly in the opinion of the referee there was no hinder.

Rule 24

It is the duty of the referee to decide all hinders and covered balls without being appealed to by the players, as it is often distasteful to a player to make claims especially in close cases, and failure to claim a hinder or covered ball does not relieve the referee from the duty of rendering a decision.

Rule 25

A player may not claim a hinder when interfered with by his partner.

Rule 26

In doubles it is customary to serve to the adversaries alternately, but this is not compulsory.

Rule 27

Kicking the ball is allowed.

Rule 28

During a play the ball may not be played by a player after it has been touched either by his partner or by himself.

Rule 29

In all match games there should be a referee and a scorekeeper who should sit next to the referee. The referee shall have charge of the game, direct the players, make the decisions and enforce the rules. The scorekeeper shall keep a correct tally of the games and for the benefit of the players shall call out the total aces as they are made, together with the opponent's score. For instance 8—14, 9—14, 10—14, and so on.

Rule 30

During tournament or match play, leaving the court without consent of adversary forfeits the series, unless excused by the referee.

Rule 31

After the completion of a rally both players shall be allowed a reasonable time to get in position, after which the referee may call play.

Rule 32

The referee's decision is final.

Rule 33

Any player refusing to abide by the decision of referee forfeits the match.

Rule 34

Hands or fingers may be covered but only with soft material or soft gloves of kid or cloth. No hard material shall be used on any part of either hand.

Rule 35

Drawings shall be held 48 or 72 hours before the contest.

Rule 36

In a three-game match an interval of one minute shall be allowed after the first game without leaving the court and five minutes after the second game, when the players may leave the court. In a five-game match, an interval of one minute shall be allowed after the first, second and fourth games without leaving the court, and seven minutes after the third game, when the players may leave the court. A player failing to resume play at the end of any of these rest periods may be disqualified by the referee and the match forfeited to his opponent.

Rule 37

In championship, as well as all open tournaments, it shall be permissible for two unattached players to compete as a team in doubles events, provided they are members of the same sectional association of the A.A.U.