Double First Base to be utilized for 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament

[Velho]

Not clear if this was just decided or underreported from being decided previously.

 

https://www.secsports.com/news/2024/05/double-first-base-to-be-utilized-for-2024-sec-baseball-tournament

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 20, 2024)-----The Southeastern Conference will implement the use of a double first base on an experimental basis throughout the SEC Baseball Tournament.

The purpose of the double first base is to reduce collisions between the defense and the batter-runner at first base. It has been utilized in a number of SEC non-conference contests this season.

Guidelines for using the double first base, as prescribed under NCAA playing rules, includes:

• A batted ball hitting or bounding over the white portion of the bag is a fair ball. A batted ball hitting or bounding over the colored (orange or green) bag without first touching or bounding over the white section is foul.
   
• 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 and the batter-runner must use the colored base except in the case of a dropped third strike. After a dropped third strike, if the fielder is drawn to the side of the colored base, the runner would go the white base and the fielder to the colored base. On a dropped third strike, the fielder and batter-runner may touch either the white or colored base.
   
• If there is a play on the batter-runner and the batter-runner touches only the white portion of the double base and the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base, it is treated the same as missing the base. Penalty:  Batter-runner is out.
   
• On extra-base hits or other balls hit to the outfield when there is no chance for a play to be made at the double base, the batter-runner may touch either the white or colored section of the base. Should, however, the batter-runner reach and go beyond first base, they may only return to the white section of the base.
   
• Once the batter-runner reaches first base, they shall then use only the white base.

The SEC Tournament is scheduled to begin with four games on Tuesday. The championship game is slated for Sunday.

[Jimurray]

19 minutes ago, Velho said:

Not clear if this was just decided or underreported from being decided previously.

 

https://www.secsports.com/news/2024/05/double-first-base-to-be-utilized-for-2024-sec-baseball-tournament

 

• Any part of a batted ball hitting or bounding over the white portion of the bag is a fair ball. All of a batted ball hitting or bounding over the colored (orange or green) bag without first touching or bounding over the white section is foul.
   
•  

They forgot to consult with @beerguy55 and add the bolded.

[beerguy55]

3 hours ago, Velho said:

A batted ball hitting or bounding over the colored (orange or green) bag without first touching or bounding over the white section is foul.

This is worse than any "tie goes to the runner" discussion...

[Jimurray]

2 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

This is worse than any "tie goes to the runner" discussion...

Brings to mind the OBR interp, literally correct, that an outfield fly could be partly over fair but first touch foul. Is NCAA going to go instant replay to see if more than half the ball is over white? Otherwise the round ball did not first bound over the white.

[SeeingEyeDog]

So, they will play through the SEC bracket WITH the double-bag, likely send 8 or 9 teams to Omaha and then...play through the Championship bracket WITHOUT the double-bag?

~Dawg