Skip to Content

Double First Base to be utilized for 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament

Natchez, MS, USA / ListenUpYall.com
Caleb Isbell
May 20, 2024 | 4:32 PM
Double First Base to be utilized for 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament


The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is set to implement the use of a double first base on an experimental basis throughout the SEC Baseball Tournament. This measure aims to enhance player safety by reducing collisions between the defense and the batter-runner at first base. The double first base has already been utilized in several SEC non-conference games this season.

Guidelines for Using the Double First Base

According to NCAA playing rules, the double first base will be governed by specific guidelines:

  1. Fair and Foul Balls:
    • A batted ball hitting or bounding over the white portion of the base is considered fair.
    • A batted ball hitting or bounding over the colored portion (orange or green) without first touching the white section is deemed foul.
  2. Plays at First Base:
    • When an initial play is being made on the batter-runner at first base, the defense must use the white section of the double base, while the batter-runner must use the colored section.
    • In the event of a dropped third strike, if the fielder is drawn to the side of the colored base, the runner should use the white base and the fielder the colored base. Both the fielder and the batter-runner may touch either section of the base in such scenarios.
  3. Appeals and Penalties:
    • If a play is made on the batter-runner and the runner touches only the white portion of the double base, the defense can appeal before the runner returns to first base. This situation is treated as if the runner missed the base, resulting in the batter-runner being called out.
  4. Extra-Base Hits and Outfield Plays:
    • On extra-base hits or balls hit to the outfield where no play is made at the double base, the batter-runner may touch either the white or colored section. However, if the batter-runner goes beyond first base, they must return only to the white section.
  5. Post-Arrival at First Base:
    • Once the batter-runner reaches first base, they are required to use only the white section of the base for subsequent plays

The SEC Tournament kicks off at 9 A.M. today for the LSU Tigers as they take on the Georgia Bulldogs, and tonight at 7:30 the Mississippi State Bulldogs will face the Ole Miss Rebels.

Comments

Leave a Reply