Rules

2027 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes

by Melvin Simon

Earlier this month, NFHS published a press release discussing the planned high school baseball rules changes for 2027. Larger First Base Option Allowed in High School Baseball. The press release discusses the high school baseball rule changes recommended by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee at its meeting last month and subsequently approved by the NFHS Rules Review Committee and the NFHS Board of Directors. This article provides an overview of the announced changes.

Double First Base – You’ll recall that the 2026 NFHS baseball rules changes included the option to use a double first base in 2026 (not utilized in Virginia or Maryland), which would then become mandatory for all play in 2027. This was discussed, and it was decided that an alternative option to the double first base would be to instead allow the use of an 18-inch first base (similar to what MLB uses). Here’s a quote from the press release: “The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee believes that providing schools with the option of using either an 18-inch first base or a double first base gives administrators the flexibility to enhance player safety while recognizing the varying needs and resources of member schools,” said Elliot Hopkins, director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee. “Both options are designed to reduce the potential for collisions at first base and support a reduced risk playing environment without changing the fundamental nature of the game.”

Electronic Communications – One-way electronic communication will now be allowed from the coach to the pitcher and/or the catcher for the purposes of calling pitches. The coach must still be located in the dugout/bench area.

• Use of other electronic communication devices by players on the field is prohibited. 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.

Handheld Electronic Scoring Devices – Coaches will be allowed to use a handheld electronic scoring device or other scoring material while in the coach’s box. Of course, they would not be allowed to use that device for other purposes, such as recording video or audio or making or receiving phone calls.

Eye Shade/Eye Black – Use of this product must be a solid stroke and not include words, numbers, logos or other symbols within the eye shade or eye black.

Tie Breaker – When 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. This option will need to be authorized by individual state associations for use in their states.

Looking ahead to 2028

Bat Certification – USA Baseball will be assuming bat-testing standards. Effective in 2028, 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 BBCOR .50 or the USA Baseball Bat Performance Standard (-4, -5, -6). So, existing BBCOR .50 certified bats will remain legal. But lighter bats (drop-4, drop-5, drop-6), certified to the new USA Baseball Bat Performance Standard, will be allowed in addition to the standard BBCOR .50 drop-3 bats. Bats certified to meet this new standard will be labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark.

An excellent overview and discussion of the changes is available on the “Umpire Classroom” YouTube channel. In Patrick Faerber’s recently posted video Reviewing the 2027 Rules Changes – The Pregame: An Umpire Classroom Podcast, he goes over these changes, providing his perspective on implementation and their potential impact on the game. In the video, he also discusses the following additional change:

Runner’s Lane Interference – An expected editorial change to the runner’s lane rule will clarify that it only applies on throws that come from behind the batter-runner.

According to the NFHS press release, the digital version of the 2027 Baseball Rules Book will be available in September, and the print version will be available in October. If you have any questions about these rules changes or any other rules-related questions, please contact NVBUA’s Rules Interpreter, Bob Nasser.