Clause history · American four-wall
Rule 16 Rule 16: how the wording changed
7 rulebooks state this rule, from 1873 to 1931. No rewording or change was found.
How to read this page
- Added words are underlined and sit inside [+ +].
Removed wordsare struck through and sit inside [- -].- Each rulebook says in words what kind of change it is: unchanged (same wording as the rulebook it was compared with); punctuation only (only punctuation, spacing or capitals differ); moved (same wording, in another place or under another number); reworded (the sense is the same, said in other words); changed (the rule now says something different).
- A program matched each clause with the one before it. Automatic matches were made by the program alone; machine-reviewed ones were also checked by a second program. A person has not checked either, so a wrong match is possible.
Rulebook by rulebook
The table has one row per rulebook; each date jumps to its wording below.
| Date | Rulebook | Clauses, by kind of change |
|---|---|---|
| 1873 | James's Four-Wall Rules, 1873 | 2 first recorded |
| 1886 | Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886 | 2 unchanged |
| 17 March 1889 | The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889 | 1 unchanged, 1 moved |
| 1 January 1920 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1 January 1920 | 1 first recorded |
| 1923 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923 | 1 punctuation only |
| 1928 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928 | 1 first recorded |
| 1931 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1931 | 1 moved |
The wording
Each part of the rule is followed on its own, oldest rulebook first. Rulebooks of other codes that borrowed the wording appear in their place by date.
Rule 16, part 1 of 4
Begins: “In a match for a prize the contestants are…”
1873 James's Four-Wall Rules
In a match for a prize the contestants are allowed one minute for refreshments at the expiration of each game before commencing another.
- 1886 Spalding Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
17 March 1889 The Sun Four-Wall Rules
Compared with Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886.
Same words as the rulebook it was compared with. Nothing to mark.
Rule 16, part 2 of 4
Begins: “The one failing to respond to the call of…”
1873 James's Four-Wall Rules
The one failing to respond to the call of time loses the match.
- 1886 Spalding Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
- 17 March 1889 The Sun Four-Wall Rules Unchanged automatic Read the rule
Rule 16, part 3 of 4
Begins: “If the server fails to return the adversaries' play,…”
1 January 1920 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
If the server fails to return the adversaries' play, it counts as a hand out.
1923 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1 January 1920.
If the server fails to return the
adversaries'adversary's play, it counts as a hand out.1 word added, 1 removed.
Rule 16, part 4 of 4
Begins: “If a returned ball hits an adversary as decided…”
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
If a returned ball hits an adversary as decided by the referee before hitting the front wall, it is out of play and it shall be served over without penalty to either side.
1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928.
If a returned ball hits an
adversaryadversary, as decided by therefereereferee, before hitting the front wall, it is out of play and it shall be served over without penalty to either side.2 words added, 2 removed.
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