2027 NFHS Rules Changes

[BigBlue4u]

From the NFHS

NFHS - Baseball Rules.url

[The Man in Blue]

Well . . . this is some interesting stuff.

After we we were told the double first base would be required, it is not.  And it is some extraordinary rationale and mental gymnastics to get us here:

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1-2-9: The Field

Change:

ART. 9 . . . Effective January 1, 2027, the double first base or a larger first base with the dimensions of 18 inches square will be required. The double first base shall be a white base and a contrasting solid color.  The white portion of the base is located in fair territory, and the contrasting solid colored base shall be located in foul territory.  The double first is split by the first base foul line.  They shall be installed with no space between the two portions of the double first base. Second and third bases shall be white bags, 15 inches square. The larger first base will be white, 18 inches square and 2 to 5 inches in thickness, and made of canvas filled with a soft material, or molded rubber or synthetic material, and shall be securely attached to the ground or an anchor system as in Diagram 2. Bases may have tapered edges and /or be designed to disengage from their anchor systems.

Rationale: The double first base is intended to enhance player safety.  The larger dimension bag has been in use at other levels of baseball with similar results with respect to player safety. Secondarily, the larger dimension first base can be implemented without additional rules interpretations, case plays or additional education for players, coaches, and umpires.

 

 

Eye black is now regulated.  There is nothing else worthwhile for us to spend our time on now. 

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1-5-12: Player Equipment

(NEW) ART. 12 . . . Eye shade (grease or no-glare strips or stickers) must be one solid stroke with no words, numbers, logos or other symbols within the eye shade and shall not extend further than the width of the eye socket or below the cheekbone.

Rationale: This is a universal rule adaptation by every NFHS Rules Committee to be uniformed for every applicable NFHS Sport Rule publication.

 

 

Other changes:

BBCOR is now USA Baseball BBCOR, so a new stamp is being introduced.

Electronic communication to the pitcher is now allowed.

Stricter language on players wearing recording devices.

Electronic scorebooks (read: iPhones and iPads) are now allowed in the coaching boxes.

Starting extra innings with a runner on second has been added to the "speed up suggestions" for potential state adoptions.

[Umpire in Chief]

Anybody have any interesting State rule changes?

[BLWizzRanger]

If cell phones and ipads are allowed to be held by the coaches in the box, how long before the first ejection because the coach is now taking video of everything and they have the nut cutter on video to show you how bad you missed it?

Oh, I cant wait.

[The Man in Blue]

35 minutes ago, BLWizzRanger said:

If cell phones and ipads are allowed to be held by the coaches in the box, how long before the first ejection because the coach is now taking video of everything and they have the nut cutter on video to show you how bad you missed it?

Oh, I cant wait.

 

I agree, the recording is going to happen.  Humans cannot resist the temptation when it is right there.  NFHS issued more language on recording, but . . . 

Here is my question (and I have had it happen): Coach is using his iPhone to keep the book, but is scrolling, texting, and even answering a call since his device is handy and in front of him.  What are you doing?  What guidance is NFHS going to offer?

[The Man in Blue]

2 hours ago, Umpire in Chief said:

Anybody have any interesting State rule changes?

 

Our HS season is in the spring, so IHSA rarely puts anything out before the end of February or early March (clinic season).  Each season, it leaves our middle school season in this strange space between the previous year's rules and the new rules.

[BigBlue4u]

3 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Here is my question (and I have had it happen): Coach is using his iPhone to keep the book, but is scrolling, texting, and even answering a call since his device is handy and in front of him.  What are you doing?  What guidance is NFHS going to offer?

Let's look at it this way:  What possible advantage can a coach gain by scrolling, texting and answering a call?  Nothing comes to my mind.  How about yours?

[The Man in Blue]

31 minutes ago, BigBlue4u said:

Let's look at it this way:  What possible advantage can a coach gain by scrolling, texting and answering a call?  Nothing comes to my mind.  How about yours?

 

Why do I care about advantage?  Does it say he can do this as long as it is not an advantage?  (Not personal, but I loathe this line of thinking in umpires.)

But sure, I will play along with your line of logic of "advantage."  Coach in the press box is calling/sending information down to him.  Now you have prohibited electronic communication.

If he/she is using it for anything other than scorekeeping, it is a prohibited device.  That is what comes to my mind.  My bigger concern is safety.  Yes, I have prevented/chastised coaches in the coach's boxes from taking calls and texting.  (Not run them from the game, but instructed them to stop or come back when they are done.) 

I have made coaches take off their legal communication ear piece (legal in the dugout on defense, not legal on offense in the coach's box).

[BigBlue4u]

I understand your thinking.  But let's look at it from another perspective.  How can you be sure what the coach is doing?  In this situation, the umpire is going to get the dirty end of the stick if he accuses the coach of violating the rule without positive proof.  If the umpire has positive proof, then, by all means, enforce the rule as written.

[The Man in Blue]

3 hours ago, BigBlue4u said:

I understand your thinking.  But let's look at it from another perspective.  How can you be sure what the coach is doing?  In this situation, the umpire is going to get the dirty end of the stick if he accuses the coach of violating the rule without positive proof.  If the umpire has positive proof, then, by all means, enforce the rule as written.

 

In my cases, the coach made it known. 

Twice I have had a coach answer the phone in the box. 

Twice I have had a base coach give himself up.  The first asked me what happened (his batter struck out).  The second asked me the count.  Both told me they were texting and not watching.

I get what you are saying about being sure.  However confusing GameChanger can be, it isn't so interesting that it looks the same as checking your DMs or swiping right on your dating app of choice.

[BLWizzRanger]

It will be funny... Coach LoseALot gets a text mid game from Parent KnowItAll that his Billie only got to bat twice last game and needs to bat more. And, tell him to keep crouching over like Pete Rose did because Pete had over 4K hits in the show.

They will get what they deserve if they abuse the cell phone policy.

[MadMax]

On 7/25/2026 at 12:04 PM, BLWizzRanger said:

Coach LoseALot gets a text mid game from Parent KnowItAll

This is definitely a game our colleague Clarence Callsafew will be on! 

[The Man in Blue]

16 hours ago, MadMax said:

This is definitely a game our colleague Clarence Callsafew will be on! 

Clarence will also be on his phone between innings.  I'm sure he is just checking his e-mail to see which higher-paying game he wants to pick up tomorrow (and then find replacements for the two he already has booked).

[StatsUmp]

On 7/23/2026 at 9:50 AM, Umpire in Chief said:

Anybody have any interesting State rule changes?

My state association usually doesn't release its state-specific interpretations or points of emphasis until the mandatory rules meeting is released prior to the season. I don't even remember if we had any for 2026, and the only one I remember from 2025 was a POE to address profanity.