NCAA Softball Proposes Use of Double First Base

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (June 23, 2025) – The NCAA Softball Rules Committee, during its meeting this week in Indianapolis, proposed requiring a double first base to be implemented for the 2025-26 academic year for Divison I and Division II competition. If approved, Division III implementation would be delayed until the 2026-27 academic year.

After a thorough discussion, committee members made the recommendation with the thought that it will better define a running lane between home plate and first base. This could help umpires make calls when deciding whether the offensive player interfered with a defensive player’s ability to catch a throw.

“The double first base is also used at youth and international levels of softball,” said Tina Phillips, softball coach at Pittsburgh-Bradford and committee chair. “So the committee believes the adjustment for the players should be a smooth transition. The players are coming in familiar with this rule.”

All rules proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel before becoming official. The panel is scheduled to discuss softball rules recommendations August 13.

Other rules proposals included one-way electronic communication devices may be used by offensive players. Communication could originate from the dugouts or coaches’ boxes. Another proposal would allow replays of a play under video review to be shown at any speed on the in-game video board.