The double first base bag is coming to PIAA baseball in 2027. Butler area coaches are in support
Runners will be seeing double at first base come next high school baseball season.
The PIAA is adopting the National Federation of State High School Associations’ mandate of a double first base bag beginning with the 2027 campaign.
Attached to the traditional white base, in fair territory, will be a base of a different color in foul territory. The rule is designed to avoid collisions between fielders and runners.
“I think it’s a good thing. It’s another safety measure added to the game,” Butler coach Josh Forbes said. “They’ll be an adjustment period for the players, I’m sure.
“But players are bigger today, runners are faster. ... The throwing lane and running path will be clear to everyone. To me, it’s a no-brainer.”
High school softball teams have been using the double base. Division I college baseball used it in 2026, and it is coming to Division II.
The double base provides clear throwing and running lanes for players during plays at first base.
“High school tends to follow the lead of rule changes that are successful in the NCAA,” former Mars coach Jason Thompson said. “I can see where it can make a difference. Going back two or three seasons, 60 games or so, I can think of a couple of collisions, first basemen getting their foot stepped on — this will eliminate that sort of thing.
“The running lane will be more defined, too. This will clear up the confusion that way.”
Teams have known for a few years this was coming. The NFHS announced the rule change in 2025 for the 2027 season, giving state associations and coaches a few years to prepare.
Knoch coach John Negley is for the change and spent a lot of practice time this past season acclimating his players to the double base rule.
“You see potential collisions on bad throws to first where the first baseman is reaching across the bag,” he said. “This double bag will take away a lot of that.”
The colored bag is only for batters trying to run to first base. Negley pointed out when the runner “runs through the bag” after collecting a single, he has to return to the white bag, not the bag in foul territory he just ran across. If they stand on the colored bag, the first baseman can tag them out.
“Some Division I college softball players have been called out for returning to the wrong bag and being tagged by the first baseman,” Negley said.
Butler first baseman Ryan Rattigan recalled a play in the state championship game in which he was nearly injured when a Neshaminy batter, who had laid down a bunt, collided with him as he tried to field the throw.
“He nearly knocked my arm off,” said the rising senior. “That’s what it felt like. With the double base, that contact would probably have been avoided.
“I haven’t played in a game with this new rule yet, so I can’t say what impact it’s gonna have. But it will feel a lot safer playing first base.”
