Deshong Four-Wall Rules, 1903

Rule 1 Game

Twenty-one aces shall constitute a game.

Rule 2 Aces, returns and service

An ace is when a server sends the ball to any part of the outer court beyond the ace line, and it is not returned to the front wall by an opponent. All balls must be recovered on the first bound after reaching the floor. That is, a ball can take the circuit of the four walls before it can be termed returnable. The service is considered to be very difficult when the ball, after hitting the front wall, takes in either the side walls on a fly, bounds on the floor, and then comes off the back wall, or after hitting one side wall bounds from the floor to the back wall, and thence to the other side wall. The great trouble in recovering these balls is that the force of their flight is expended when they come in contact with the last wall, and, therefore, drop dead to the floor. If the ball is returned to the front wall the server must recover it, either on the fly or first bound; if he fails the hand is out, and his opponent becomes server. It is allowable to serve at either side of the court, but always within the two parallel lines. Stepping beyond the inner line twice in succession, or hitting either side wall, roof or floor before striking the front wall, or serving three short balls in succession, shall cause the loss of a hand.

A low sharp service that can be placed at a side angle of the court without any rise to the ball, or sent to the extreme outside corners, is particularly destructive. Then there are the “Scotch twist,” a high service that sends the ball around the court in an irritating fashion, and a towering ball, that does not commence to drop until reaching the corners, and then continues its fall close to the wall. There are a few players, but they can be counted upon one’s fingers, who can serve the ball to the right and left without changing their position. This requires a great deal of skill and experience, but it can be done effectively, and should be seen oftener in practice.

Rule 3 The ball

The ball shall be one and seven-eighth inches in diameter and one and five-eighth ounces in weight.

The brilliancy of the game depends as much upon a good ball as a good pair of hands. An improperly made ball is discouraging to an expert; in fact, no one who has any regard for the safety of his hands, should indulge in the game without first testing the quality of the little sphere. The Spalding regulation handballs are made with extreme care, by experts, and range in price from $1.00 for the regulation “Match” ball to 75 cents for the “Expert,” and 25 cents for the “Amateur,” which has a leather cover. A rubber handball can also be bought for the latter price. The Irish regulation handball—known as “Red Ace” when made of red rubber and “Black Ace” when made of black rubber—costs 35 cents each.

The Irish ball, as a general rule, differs considerably from the one used in America. They are smaller, and the harder the ball, the better an Irish expert likes it. As he depends chiefly upon service for his success, he wants a ball that will fairly batter down a front wall. That is the reason why seven-eighths of the players in Ireland at the present time object to the American style of playing the game and adopting their ball. Take the service away from them, and you destroy all the effects of their playing.

Rule 4 Four-handed match

In a four-handed match, parties winning the toss are allowed only one hand at the commencement. The server’s partner shall stand inside of the ace line, with his back to either the right or left wall, until the service ball strikes the front wall. All balls striking an opponent shall be a hinder.

The server’s partner and one of the opponents generally stand side by side against the left-hand wall, if the service is from the right. The recoverer is on the alert in the outer court the same as in a single-handed game. It is not compulsory, however, that the opponent of the server’s partner shall stand just outside of the ace line. He can go in the outer court and help his partner to recover service, but he may be more useful at the line, particularly to take all line service to the left on the fly. This is a very important position against a heavy server, because in a majority of instances it results in the disposing of the hand.

Rule 5 Hinders

A hinder is when a ball strikes your opponent and retards it from reaching the front wall. For instance, if the recoverer of service should strike either of his opponents with the ball on the way to its destination, it is termed a hinder. If said recoverer, however, strikes his partner instead of an opponent, it is an ace against him. Then, again, if the server should be hit by his partner’s ball, it is a hand out. A great many of these hindrances are accidents, pure and simple, but in some instances they can be avoided, and if, in the opinion of the referee, the hinder was intentional, an ace can be counted against the side committing it, or a hand be declared out, just as the case may be. A server at work frequently hits his partner while standing within the ace line; this is also called a hinder. If a ball from a server strikes either of his opponents, before or after bounding, it becomes nonplayable and is counted an ace.

Rule 6 Ball served inside the ace line; use of the foot

When a ball from the server drops anywhere inside of the ace line, the player has the privilege of using his hand or foot; if the hand is used, it counts the same as if it was served regularly over the line; if the foot, the striker or his partner has the privilege of stopping the ball before it reaches the front wall. If the ball after being struck with the foot gets to the front wall, the striker or his partner shall have to return it before stopping it.

The use of the foot is not very frequent, and is not considered to be at all scientific. There is considerable talk of barring the play altogether. It is claimed that it would be difficult as well as dangerous to cultivate the style, and what effectiveness could be reached would be more than offset by injuries to players.

Rule 7 One hand

Only one hand shall be used in striking the ball, otherwise a foul is committed, and the punishment is the loss of a hand or an ace.

Rule 8 Change of hands

After a server and partner shall have been retired they must be allowed sufficient time to take their positions in the outer court.

Rule 9 Referee

All claims shall be decided by the referee, whose decisions are final.

This is one of the most interesting features connected with the game as it is played in America. If there is a single-handed or double-handed match, a man is usually selected for referee who has the entire confidence of the principals and spectators, and strange to say, that in all the important contests within the experience of the writer, it has never been a difficult matter to agree upon that official. And his labors are very exacting, too, and without he makes himself master of the situation at once, he will be in a far worse position than the poor umpire on a baseball field. But a conflict between a handball player and a referee rarely occurs. If an appeal is made by a player, and sometimes it is done very vigorously, the referee generally decides the point quickly and with such firmness that convinces the player that to dispute the decision would be useless and costly. The referee has the power to inflict various punishments upon those who violate the playing rules, and obedience to that official is considered to be imperative.

While not being covered by the rules, it is incumbent upon each and every man to make as neat an appearance as possible while in the court. This is carried out in almost every instance, and in no other athletic exercise is this feature so strictly observed. Twenty years ago men could play under any conditions—bare feet was a favorite with many, while in other instances scanty attire prevailed. If a man were to appear under these circumstances at the present time he would soon be told that he was not wanted.