Clause history · American four-wall
Rule 20 Rule 20: how the wording changed
7 rulebooks state this rule, from 1873 to 1931. The wording was reworded or changed 2 times.
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 | 1 first recorded |
| 1886 | Spalding Four-Wall Rules, 1886 | 1 punctuation only |
| 17 March 1889 | The Sun Four-Wall Rules, 1889 | 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 changed |
| 1928 | A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928 | 1 changed |
| 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 20, part 1 of 2
Begins: “In all cases when a ball is taken foul…”
1873 James's Four-Wall Rules
In all cases when a ball is taken foul and the players play it or not, it shall be decided as a foul ball.
1886 Spalding Four-Wall Rules
Compared with James's Four-Wall Rules, 1873.
In all cases when a ball is taken foul and the players play it or
not,not it shall be decided as a foul ball.1 word added, 1 removed.
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 20, part 2 of 2
Begins: “When, in the opinion of the referee, the ball…”
1 January 1920 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
When, in the opinion of the referee, the ball is covered intentionally or a player is hindered intentionally he should decide that point against the offending player.
1923 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1 January 1920.
When, in the opinion of the referee,
the ball is covered intentionally ora player is hindered intentionally he should decide that point against the offending player.6 words removed.
1928 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1923.
When,When in the opinion of the referee, a player is hindered intentionally heshouldshall decidethatthe point against the offending player.3 words added, 3 removed.
1931 A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules
Compared with A.A.U. Four-Wall Rules, 1928.
WhenWhen, in the opinion of the referee, a player is hindered intentionally he shall decide the point against the offending player.1 word added, 1 removed.
All rules: clause history. The family tree is at Rulebooks.