[{"command":"settings","settings":{"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"responsive","theme_token":"y0YQo6GYTXvqagHNaOq4JfjHPEUBt_xe5HK2sdLwlyU"}},"merge":true},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":"#node-151","data":"\u003Carticle id=\u0022node-151\u0022 class=\u0022node node-article node-promoted clearfix\u0022 about=\u0022\/2027-nfhs-baseball-rules-changes\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:Item foaf:Document\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cheader\u003E\n\t                  \u003Ch2 class=\u0022title\u0022 \u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/2027-nfhs-baseball-rules-changes\u0022\u003E2027 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n            \u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:title\u0022 content=\u00222027 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes\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=\u00222026-07-08T18:00:00-04:00\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\/08\/2026 - 6:00pm\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 next year, one-way electronic communication will now be allowed from the coach to the pitcher \u003Cu\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eand\/or\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E the catcher for the purposes of calling pitches. Prior, the catcher was the only defensive player allowed to receive communication from the coach. While the coach must still be located in the dugout\/bench area, the committee believes this change responsibly integrates electronic communication that enhances game management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBat certification was addressed with USA Baseball assuming bat-testing standards. \u003Cu\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEffective in 2028\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E, there will be an additional class of permitted non-wood bats. Bats that are not made of a single piece of wood shall meet either the USA Baseball Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (USA Baseball BBCOR) of .50 or the USA Baseball Bat Performance Standard (-4, -5, -6). Bats must be labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn addition, the NFHS remains committed to fostering the growth and development of high school baseball players,\u201d Hopkins said. \u201cAs the game continues to evolve with the adoption of the USA Baseball BBCOR standard, expanding the available drop-weight options provides younger and developing players with additional opportunities to build proper mechanics, confidence and skills while maintaining the safety and performance standards expected in education-based athletics.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional rules changes include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEye shade must be a solid stroke and not include words, numbers, logos or other symbols within the eye shade.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse of electronic communication devices by players on the field is prohibited (except as outlined with one-way coach to player communication). This includes amplifying devices, wireless communication devices, headphones, etc., for the purposes of recording, streaming or transmitting audio or video. The prohibition does not include medical devices.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECoaches will be allowed to use a handheld electronic scoring device or other scoring material while in the coach\u2019s box.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cs\u003EHigh school baseball teams will be given the option to use an 18-inch first base or the double first base. The larger base is presented as an alternative to the previously mandated double first base.\u003C\/s\u003E\u00a0(not approved for New Jersey HS baseball in 2027)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cs\u003EWhen using a tiebreaker to end a regulation game, an option is now available to start each half-inning with a runner on second base. The runner would be the last scheduled batter in that respective half-inning.\u003C\/s\u003E\u00a0(not approved for New Jersey HS baseball in 2027)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C!--break--\u003E\u003Cbr \/\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 and then \u201cRules.\u201d The print version of the 2027 Baseball Rules Book will be available for purchase in October at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.NFHS.com\u0022\u003Ewww.NFHS.com\u003C\/a\u003E, and the digital version will be available in September via NFHS Digital at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.NFHS.org.\u00a0\u0022\u003Ewww.NFHS.org.\u00a0\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the 2024-25 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, baseball is the fifth-most popular sport for boys with a total of 472,598 boys participating at 16,110 schools across the country. In addition, 1,381 girls played high school baseball.\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\/28\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Enfhs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item odd\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/38\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003ERules Changes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/65\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003E2027\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\/151\/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-151","method":"addClass","arguments":["more-load node-teaser"]},{"command":"readmore_ajax","speed":"350"}]