Double First Base Coming to High School Baseball

The change has been approved but won't happen until 2027.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS - Beginning 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. 

The rule revision was approved by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee during its annual meeting held in June in downtown Indianapolis. 

The double first base must be white and a contrasting solid color. The white portion of the base will be located in fair territory while the colored half will be in foul territory.

"Adding 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,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “By reducing collisions and enhancing safety, it preserves both the integrity of competition and the well-being of those who play." 

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

A 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.

Interference 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.

For more information, visit https://nfhs.org/stories/double-first-base-introduced-into-high-school-baseball.