[{"command":"settings","settings":{"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"responsive","theme_token":"XNQbzBy8RzcrNrBpPEq-2ujS8b_ZatWEmBCxitsSA84"}},"merge":true},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":"#node-136","data":"\u003Carticle id=\u0022node-136\u0022 class=\u0022node node-article node-promoted clearfix\u0022 about=\u0022\/double-first-base-introduced-into-high-school-baseball\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:Item foaf:Document\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cheader\u003E\n\t                  \u003Ch2 class=\u0022title\u0022 \u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/double-first-base-introduced-into-high-school-baseball\u0022\u003EDouble First Base Introduced into High School Baseball\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n            \u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:title\u0022 content=\u0022Double First Base Introduced into High School Baseball\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta element-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022sioc:num_replies\u0022 content=\u00220\u0022 datatype=\u0022xsd:integer\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta element-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E  \n              \u003Cspan class=\u0022submitted\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:date dc:created\u0022 content=\u00222025-07-09T17:17:23-04:00\u0022 datatype=\u0022xsd:dateTime\u0022 rel=\u0022sioc:has_creator\u0022\u003ESubmitted by \u003Cspan class=\u0022username\u0022 xml:lang=\u0022\u0022 about=\u0022\/user\/1\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:UserAccount\u0022 property=\u0022foaf:name\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Ebcua\u003C\/span\u003E on Wed, 07\/09\/2025 - 5:17pm\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n      \n          \u003C\/header\u003E\n  \n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022content node-article\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 property=\u0022content:encoded\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeginning with the 2027 season, a double first base will be required in high school baseball games to minimize the risk of collisions by runners and fielders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis rule revision was one of 10 proposed by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee during its annual meeting held June 8-10 at The Alexander hotel in Indianapolis. The rules changes were accepted by the NFHS Board of Directors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew language was added to Rule 1-2-9 noting that the double first base must be white and a contrasting solid color. The white portion of the base is located in fair territory while the colored half is located in foul territory, split by the first base foul line. There is to be no space between the two portions of the double base.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Adding the double first base is symbolic to the evolution of the sport. It will immediately address running lane violations, and it will further protect the players from the violent collisions that have occurred at first base,\u201d said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. \u201cBy reducing collisions and enhancing safety, it preserves both the integrity of competition and the well-being of those who play.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral subsequent rules changes, including Rule 8-2-2a, outline how batter-runners and fielders shall use the double first base. The batter-runner should use the colored base on an initial play at first base unless a fielder is drawn into foul territory to receive a dropped third strike, in which case, the batter-runner would use the white portion of the base. Once the batter-runner reaches first base, the batter-runner must always return to the white base, including when leading off, returning on a pick-off attempt or tagging up on a fly ball.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA batter-runner may use either side of first base on a base-on-balls or on an extra-base hit to the outfield when there is no chance of a play to be made at first base.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterference is to be called on batter-runners if they only touch the white portion on a force play at first and collide with the fielder. Similarly, it is obstruction if a defensive player only touches the colored portion of the base and collides with the batter-runner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERule 2-5-1h was added to note that it is a fair ball if a batted ball hits or bounds over any part of the white portion of the double first base. Alternately, it is a foul ball if a batted ball hits or bounds over any part of the colored portion of the base (Rule 2-16-1h).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERule 3-4-6 was added to address defensive player meetings as charged conferences. Each team, when on defense, may be granted not more than one player-to-player meeting during an inning. Umpires shall deny any subsequent defensive team requests for that half-inning. Additionally, Rule 2-10-3 was added to define a player-to-player defensive meeting as having two or more defensive players.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA player-to-player defensive meeting is a natural and essential part of the game\u2014whether it\u2019s strategy, encouragement or clarification, but having multiple meetings in a half-inning adds additional time that lengthens a contest and is not in the best interest of the game,\u201d Hopkins said. \u201cA charged conference, however, involves direct coaching intervention with either a coach or a non-playing representative and is intended to provide instruction. The distinction ensures we honor both the flow of the game and the role of coaching.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo rules changes were approved to bring the Baseball Rules Book in line with all NFHS rules. Language added to Rule 1-4-4 allows a school\u2019s name, nickname, logo, mascot and\/or player\u2019s name to be permitted on a uniform top and\/or pants beginning in 2027.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, Rule 1-6-3 states that \u201cno player shall wear any audio (microphone) or video (camera) device during the game.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA complete listing of the baseball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nfhs.org\u0022\u003Ewww.nfhs.org\u003C\/a\u003E. Click on \u201cSports\u201d at the top of the home page and select \u201cBaseball.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the 2023-24 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, baseball is the fourth-most popular boys sport with 471,701 boys participating in 16,146 high schools across the country.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C!--break--\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-label\u0022\u003ETags:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/30\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Erule changes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item odd\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/5\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003EBaseball\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/63\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003E2026\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n      \u003Cfooter\u003E\n      \u003Cul class=\u0022links inline\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022node-readless first last\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/more\/node\/136\/teaser\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022\u003ERead less\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E    \u003C\/footer\u003E\n  \n    \u003C\/article\u003E \u003C!-- \/.node --\u003E","settings":null},{"command":"invoke","selector":"#node-136","method":"addClass","arguments":["more-load node-teaser"]},{"command":"readmore_ajax","speed":"350"}]