On December 8, 1881, the National League approved the following rule changes:
~ the 3-foot line along first base was adopted for the first time
~ runners returning to their bases after a foul ball is not caught by the defense could no longer be put out
~ the fine against pitchers for hitting batters was repealed
~ on a ball that goes into the crowd, the runner can take as many bases as he can, and the defense can only put him out after having returned the ball to the pitcher in his box
The three-foot running lane along the first base line (QCBaseball.com)
