When was the first year of the ground rule double?

Answer 1

1888 was the first year for the ground rule double. However back then it was for a batted fair ball that cleared the fence that was less than 210 feet from home plate. It was changed in 1892, the distance now being less than 235 feet from home plate. In 1926 it was changed again, this time the distance was less than 250 feet. Finally in 1932 it was changed to a fair batted ball that bounces over or goes through a fence or into the stands.