THE BALL. RULE 14. The Ball.[A] [Footnote A: The Spalding League Ball has been adopted by the National League for the past sixteen years, and is used in all League contests. For junior clubs (clubs composed of boys under 16 years of age) we recommend them to use the Spalding Boys' League Ball, and that games played by junior clubs with this ball will count as legal games the same as if played with the Official League Ball.] SECTION 1. Must not weigh less than five nor more than five and one-quarter ounces avoirdupois, and measure not less than nine nor more than nine and one-quarter inches in circumference. The Spalding League Ball, or the Reach American Association Ball, must be used in all games played under these rules. SECTION. 2. For each championship game two balls shall be furnished by the Home Club to the Umpire for use. When the ball in play is batted to foul ground, out of sight of the Umpire, the other ball shall be immediately brought into play. As often as one of the two in use shall be lost a new one must be substituted, so that the Umpire shall at all times after the game begins have two balls for use. The moment the Umpire delivers an alternate ball to the pitcher it comes into play, and shall not be exchanged until it, in turn, passes out of sight to foul ground. SECTION. 3. In all games the ball or balls played with shall be furnished by the Home Club, and the last ball in play becomes the property of the winning club. Each ball to be used in championship games shall be examined, measured and weighed by the Secretary of the Association, inclosed in a paper box and sealed with the seal of the Secretary, which seal shall not be broken except by the Umpire in the presence of the Captains of the two contesting nines after play has been called. SECTION. 4. Should the ball become out of shape, or cut or ripped so as to expose the interior, or in any way so injured as to be, in the opinion of the Umpire, unfit for fair use, he shall, upon appeal by either Captain, at once put the alternate ball into play and call for a new one. THE BAT. RULE 15. The Bat. Must be made entirely of hard wood, except that the handle may be wound with twine, or a granulated substance applied, not to exceed eighteen inches from the end. It must be round, not exceed two and three-quarter inches in diameter in the thickest part, and must not exceed forty-two inches in length. THE PLAYERS AND THEIR POSITIONS. RULE 16. The players of each club in a game shall be nine in number, one of whom shall act as Captain, and in no case shall less than nine men be allowed to play on each side. RULE 17. The players' positions shall be such as may be assigned them by their Captain, except that the pitcher must take the position as defined in Rules 8 and 29. RULE 18. Players in uniform shall not be permitted to occupy seats among the spectators.