losing side who was first put out. The victim stands with head down
and back arched facing the wall, while the victors line themselves at
thirty feet distant and take turns "burning" the captive--that is,
hitting him with the ball--if they can. It must be remembered that the
dangerous baseball is never used in these games, and the other ball
does no injury to the lad struck.




CHAPTER XVI

BASEBALL, THE GREAT AMERICAN GAME. A FEW POINTERS THAT MAY HELP YOU


The best baseball field is level and smooth. It is best, if it can be
had, to start with the right kind of a layout.

The catcher, or back stop, as he is called by professionals, is
usually in front of the observation stand, or a board wall or other
obstruction. This is usually ninety feet from the home plate.

If you fasten a cord one hundred and twenty-seven feet four inches
long straight out in the field, the place for second base is found.

This done, take a rope or line one hundred and eighty feet long,
fasten one end to the home plate and the other to second base; then
draw the middle of the line at first to the right and then to the
left, till it is tight. This will mark the places of first and third
base.