The Bases and Foul Lines: 1882–1886: National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs; 1884–1886: American Association of Base Ball Clubs; 1884: Union Association

Baseball history diagram: Bases and Foul Lines: 1882–1886: National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs; 1884–1886: American Association of Base Ball Clubs; 1884: Union Association. The boundary line for a base runner going to first was first instituted in 1882 in the NL and in 1884 in the AA and UA. It began 45 feet from the Catcher's Line and ended at the center of first base. Click diagram to return to previous page.