How Often Do Baseball Rules Change?

Baseball rules change with regular frequency, both in the major leagues and the minors. The official Major League Baseball rule book has been amended in some manner nearly every year since 1877, with the changes including the elimination or reworking of previous rules as well as the introduction of new rules. In minor league baseball, the rules might vary from one league to the next, with those rules also subject to review and change on an annual basis.

More facts about baseball:

• For a short time in the early history of baseball, fly balls that bounced over or went through the outfield fence were considered home runs. This rule required that the ball must travel at least 250 feet (76.2 m) before bouncing, and that the bounce had to take place in fair territory. The rule was changed before the 1930 season in the American League and before the 1931 season in the National League.


• The first World Series took place in 1903. Boston and Pittsburgh played a nine-game series that included one tie game. Boston emerged as the winner of the series, winning five games to Pittsburgh's three.


• The first All-Star Game between players from the American and National leagues took place in 1933. Two ties have occurred in All-Star games, in 1961 and in 2002.