INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Starting in the 2027 season, high school baseball games will require the use of a double first base to reduce the risk of collisions between runners and fielders. This change is part of a series of rule revisions proposed by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
“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. By reducing collisions and enhancing safety, it preserves both the integrity of competition and the well-being of those who play,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee.
The double first base will consist of a white portion in fair territory and a contrasting colored portion in foul territory, with no space between them. New rules outline how batter-runners and fielders should use the base. For instance, batter-runners should use the colored base on an initial play unless a fielder is drawn into foul territory, in which case the white base is used. Interference and obstruction penalties are also defined for improper use of the base.
Additional rule changes include limiting defensive player meetings to one per inning to maintain the game’s pace. “A player-to-player defensive meeting is a natural and essential part of the game—whether it’s 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,” explained Hopkins.
Other updates include allowing school names and logos on uniforms and prohibiting players from wearing audio or video devices during games. These changes align the Baseball Rules Book with other NFHS rules.
Baseball remains a popular sport, with 471,701 boys participating in 16,146 high schools nationwide, according to the 2023-24 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey. A complete list of the new rules is available on the NFHS website.