For the amusement of the rules historians out there;
Quoting from the Umpire's Guide I have at hand. You guess the year;
"A ball held at first base - (note): In order that the player running to first base be put out, the ball, hit by the bat and fielded to the first baseman by some one of the nine fielders - counting himself - must be securely held by the base player BEFORE the base runner reaches the base. If simultaneously, the base runner is not put out, the ball must positively have been held BEFORE the player reaches the base or the Umpire must decide the base runner "not out.""
From the first professional Base Ball Umpire's Guide published; DeWitt's 1875.
So, ...in what year are we proposing that it changed??? (tongue firmly in cheek)
Paul "Coot" Hunkele
http://www.vbba.org